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Vivobarefoot started in London in 2003, when Galahad Clark - from the seventh generation of the Clarks shoemaking family - set out to make a shoe that puts as little as possible between your foot and the ground. Every Vivo is built on the same three ideas: a wide, foot-shaped toe box, a thin sole that bends easily, and no height difference between heel and toe. That's why they feel so different from a normal running shoe or hiking boot the first time you put them on. Wild Earth stocks Vivobarefoot training shoes, trail shoes and hiking boots in men's and women's sizing, with free shipping Australia-wide (bulky items excluded) and 80 days to return anything, sale items included.
Here's some info on our favourite models to help you get started!
Going from a cushioned shoe to a Vivo isn't a straight swap. With nothing soft under your heel, your feet and calves do more of the work, and most people feel it for the first few weeks. Wear them around home and on short walks first, build up gradually, and leave long runs and big hikes until last. How long that takes varies a lot from person to person. If you're buying footwear to help with a foot or leg problem, talk to a podiatrist before you switch.
The Primus shoes are the core of the range. They sit on the same thin sole, so the choice comes down to the tread and where you'll wear them.
Gym, road and everyday: Primus Lite IV
The Primus Lite IV is where most people start. The sole is about 2mm thick with a flat rubber tread that grips well on gym floors, footpaths and treadmills, and the recycled mesh upper is light and breathable. It's a good lifting shoe because there's no foam to wobble on under a heavy squat. It comes in men's and women's versions. The flat tread is also its limit: on wet grass, mud, or loose gravel it slips where a lugged sole wouldn't.
Dirt and bush tracks: Primus Trail
The Primus Trail keeps the thin platform and adds proper lugs, so it's the one for fire trails, bush tracks, and damp grass. It's still a thin shoe, though. On long, rocky descents you'll feel every stone, and plenty of people step up to a Magna or Tracker sole for that kind of ground.
In short: Primus Lite IV for hard surfaces and training, Primus Trail once you leave the footpath.
All the boots use a deep-lugged outdoor sole. What separates them is height, what the upper is made from, and whether they're built to keep water out.
Wet tracks and colder walks: Tracker Forest ESC
Our Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC Mens Hiking Boots are a full-height leather boot on an aggressive outsole made with Michelin. This is the one we'd reach for on muddy rainforest tracks and winter walking, where ankle coverage and grip matter more than weight.
Leather that breathes: Tracker Leather AT II
The Tracker Leather AT II uses thick, naturally weather-resistant leather and a reinforced rand around the toe, and it's lower-cut than the Forest ESC for easier movement. It's built to shed rain rather than to seal it out, which makes it more comfortable on warm days. If you need dry feet through creek crossings, look at the Tracker Textile AT instead.
Waterproof, leather-free: Tracker Textile AT
The Tracker Textile AT is made from recycled, non-absorbent materials with a waterproof build and no leather. It's the pick for wet seasons and for anyone who'd rather avoid animal materials.
Moving fast: Magna Forest ESC
Vivobarefoot calls the Magna Forest ESC the fast-hike version of the Tracker Forest ESC. It's lighter and lower, with a knitted wool collar and the same grippy sole, and it's water resistant too. It suits long day walks and light overnighters where you'd rather keep moving than stomp.
One honest note on all of them: a barefoot boot has no stiff plate underfoot. If you're carrying a heavy pack over rough rock for days, you'll feel it, and a conventional boot may suit you better until your feet are used to going without.
In short: Tracker Forest ESC for wet and cold, Tracker Textile AT when it must be waterproof, Tracker Leather AT II for breathability, and Magna Forest ESC to move quickly.
Shoes: Minimalist Shoes, Hiking Shoes, Trail Running Shoes, Road Running Shoes
Boots: Hiking Boots
Accessories: Socks, Gaiters, Footwear Care, Footwear Accessories
More barefoot brands: Xero Shoes
Free shipping Australia-wide, bulky items excluded, and 80 days to return anything, including sale items. Full details are on our Shipping and Returns pages. Our Burleigh Heads and Brisbane stores both carry footwear, and every product page shows whether your size is in store - find hours and addresses on our Store Locations page.
What size Vivobarefoot should I get?
Vivobarefoot makes whole EU sizes only, with no half sizes, and our listings show the US and EU size together. The easiest way to get it right is to measure your foot length and check it against the Vivobarefoot Size Guide rather than converting from another brand. You want a little room past your longest toe. The toe box is wide on purpose, so don't size down to make them feel snug.
Are Vivobarefoot shoes waterproof?
Some are. The Tracker Textile AT is built to be waterproof. The Magna Forest ESC is water resistant, which handles a wet morning but not a creek crossing. The Tracker Leather AT II relies on its leather to shed water rather than a waterproof lining.
Can you run in Vivobarefoot shoes?
Yes. The Primus Lite IV is the road and treadmill option and the Primus Trail is the one for dirt. If you're coming from cushioned running shoes, start with short, easy runs and build up slowly - your calves will tell you if you're doing too much too soon.
How long does it take to get used to barefoot shoes?
It depends on the person and how much you've worn flat, flexible shoes before. Some people are comfortable within a couple of weeks; for others it takes a few months before long walks or runs feel normal. Build up gradually, and if you have an existing foot or leg problem, see a podiatrist first.
What's the warranty on Vivobarefoot shoes?
If something fails that shouldn't, contact us and we'll sort it out with Vivobarefoot for you. Cover can differ between products but your rights under Australian Consumer Law apply either way. Bear in mind a thin sole wears faster on rough concrete than a thick running shoe does, and that's normal wear rather than a fault.
Using Afterpay you can pay for your order over 8 weeks. There's no interest or added fees* and nothing to pay today. Payment will be automatically taken from your debit or credit card in four equal payments each fortnight over 8 weeks, and you will receive your order immediately.
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Approved AfterPay buyers will require the funds for the first payment to be available on their card at time of checkout, however the first payment won't be deducted for 14 days. First time AfterPay buyers will need to make the first instalment payment at the time of their purchase.
If you wish to return your goods you can choose to receive an exchange, or the Afterpay payment plan can be cancelled before the first payment at no charge. *If you fail to have sufficient funds available for AfterPay to automatically deduct payment on due instalment dates you will be charged a late fee of $10, and if the instalment payment remains overdue, an additional $7 will be charged one week later.
With AfterPay, there's no waiting and we'll ship out your order immediately as normal.
When you want to go now, sometimes it's handy to pay later. That's why, we offer interest free payment plans from two of Australia's favourite Buy now, Pay later services.
