I bought and tested the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III, and I must say they are the best shoes ever for my wide foot. Here's my hands-on review.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
Vivobarefoot - Primus Lite III Low-Top Sneakers For Men and Women
Top-rated: 187 ratings
Highlight: Wide, thin and flexible; as close to barefoot as possible.
Helpful review: "First set of Vivo Barefoot shoes, and first set of minimalist shoes in over a decade. Seems brands such as Vivo Barefoot have got the pattern and product right. The fit was incredibly good (used the scan fit feature on the Vivo website), and the materials and construction are superb.
The wide toe box, zero drop flexible sole, and lacing system just work well on my feet and feels simply natural. Walking and running in this shoe is a fantastic experience, however I do caution that one must start off slow or have already made the barefoot transition previously. I had been already walking/running/training with zero drop shoes from the likes of Altra and Topo Athletic in the past year, so the barefoot progression was not overly hard. Not to mention being barefoot at/in the home for all my life.
Anyway, Vivo Barefoot shoes are not inexpensive, however they are well made and I am hopeful they will prove their value over the next few years with durability and reliability. Amazon has better prices than the direct website and presumably a bit quicker shipping. Would be better if Amazon offered more of the Vivo Barefoot styles selections for men, women, and children.
SIZING:
I normally wear a US 10.5. I ordered an 11 (UK 44) from the sizing on the Vivobarefoot website and they were just too long. I ordered these on amazon from a seller who had it as 10W. I wrote them and they quickly replied that it was an error and that they were US10 (UK43). The shipping was lightning-fast from GB to US-GA. The fit is absolutely perfect. I'm very happy with the shoes and the amazon affiliate.. If you're looking for a NICE pair of barefoot shoes...these are a great starting point.
A FEW WORDS FROM A NEIGHBOR:
You might get these in your exact size and think they are too big but give them at least a day or two. They have a wide toebox with slight room for the lengthening of your foot as you walk/run, so they might seem a bit big but actually they are just right. We are just not used to having room to wiggle and move our toes in a shoe. Go easy if you're a first timer with zero-drop shoes, they will hurt your calves and cause your foot to work more which in the long run is good for strengthening your feet and balance. The provided supports are very thin and the letters stating "RECYCLED" will rub off after a week or so. After using them for a month now, mine just say 'ED'. The laces are fat and don't have much friction so they come undone over time. I love these shoes and can't imagine ever going to a name-brand padded shoe ever again. I plan to get their more dressy and also cold weather versions.
MY FRIEND’S REVIEW:
These are a game changer. I was always worried that these minimalist style shoes would be brutal on the soles of my feet but that’s not the case. I feel like my feet are behaving the way they are supposed to. I have very wide Flinstone feet and most sneakers are ungodly tight. These just hug my feet naturally and allow my toes to splay which is an incredible feeling while walking and working out. I can even wear toe spreaders with these. It’s like getting feedback every time I take a step. I’ll probably never buy other sneakers again. I bought 3 pairs within a year."
Get it from Amazon now: $136.00 & FREE Returns
