barefoot boot climbing

Singletrack Discount Of The Week: Vivobarefoot Shoes.

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Singletrack members have access to a whole bunch of rewards including Vivobarefoot shoes. It’s just one of the great reasons to be a Singletracker. Each week we will highlight a great discount or a new reward. Some are cycling related, some great when splashing out on something nice, and others are great for daily real world life.

This weeks it’s VivoBarefoot shoes… not something specifically for mountain bikers, but in a recent study we found that the majority of mountain bikers also have feet. Some also had dogs to walk, pubs to visit, and mountains to climb. Sorry about that. I am just anticipating the “But that’s not a mountain bike thing” comment.

Barefoot shoes… hold on?

VivoBarefoot make shoes that feel like you are barefoot. When I first heard about these, I was rather skeptical. My skepticism was rather colourful and may have used words like “middle class”, “hipster” and a word that sounds like “tank”. However I am now not only converted but also a barefoot evangelist.

Vivobarefoot tell us… “Our mission is to reconnect people to the natural world, starting with your feet. We design barefoot, minimalist shoes to let your feet move naturally, for stronger, healthier feet. We make our footwear as close to barefoot as possible to connect you to the earth and feel the ground beneath your feet”.

Foot shaped shoes!

foot shaped shoes

You know what? It really is a bit of revelation when you start wearing foot shaped shoes. You suddenly have more stability, strength and comfort. Why are so many shoes not the same shape as your feet? Think about that for a moment. We have hand shaped gloves, wheel shaped tyres, and baby shaped jellies… but our shoes?

Why Barefoot?

The video below will tell you everything you need to know in 1 minute. And if you have more time and really want to get stuck in there is lots more information here.

As worn by…

You will find both myself and Hannah wearing these around the Singletrack office. As a landlocked surfer I don’t like being over-booted and prefer to potter about in a more natural way. I would have bare naked feet all day long, but the northern climate makes that very very seasonal. I have also found these great for improving the strength in my lower legs, which is something that really helps get me in shape before big adventures on foot, or on a bike, where I often end up pushing the bike a lot.

But also, they make me happy. Just like ponchos, it difficult to be unhappy in barefoot shoes.

I Love The Decon Tracker

The Tracker Decon is my favourite. It looks cool with its pre-splattered sole. When I first wore them to the office I think Amanda thought I had trod in something nasty on the towpath! It is based around a super comfortable wool inner sock, offers amazing flexibility, and has excellent grip. What’s more, like most Vivobarefoot shoes it packs down really small and is frequently found in my bikepacking bags so I have clean dry shoes for the overnight camp/pub/hostel/rave etc.

The Discount

Click the button below and you will be taken to the Singletrack Discounts page where you will find this discount and shed loads more. Singletrack Members get 15% off Vivobarefoot.

Want a second opinion?

Here is what Hannah had to say about her Vivobarefoot shoes.

Author Profile Picture
Charlie Hobbs

Merch & Marketing Manager at Singletrack

Grumpy, happy, hairy, overweight and awesome. I started riding offroad in 1978, and never stopped. I was once Charlie The Bikemonger, I invented orienBEERing, the Clunker Classic, and the Dorset Gravel Dash. I own the Bum Butter brand and I'm a co-owner of Dirt Dash Events. I also work at Singletrack, I have the self-appointed job title of "Overlord of the leftovers" and look after the merch shop, and marketing. Other interests include skateboards, surfboards, motorbikes, and cooking (I invented the Beefer Reefer).

More posts from Charlie

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • Singletrack Discount Of The Week: Vivobarefoot Shoes.
  • rootes1
    Full Member

    i wear Vivo’s everyday.. for about two years now. but on pedals very unpleasent as just too thin.

    need to find something that is an foot shaped as Vivo’s but has a thicker sole…

    charliedontsurf
    Full Member

    @rootes1 indeed, I would be so happy if someone made foot shaped cycling shoes…. in size UK13/14.

    sirromj
    Full Member

    I got some cheap Vivos off Sportspursuit, the recycled ones, in bright orange. Disappointingly, they looked like clown shoes every time I looked at my feet. Didn’t like the feel much either, too sort-of rubbery. Decided dying them ‘Graphite’ with Rit Dye More Synthetic could possibly improve things at least make them less clown-like. Expected the less rubbery parts of the shoe to take the dye better than the rubbery bits, but the reverse happened. I now have some delightful (slightly dulled) orange and brown rubbery barefoot shoes which I dislike wearing. Prefer the cheap £40 TSLA barefoot shoes I got off Amazon that are a vague rip off of Merrell Vapour Gloves. The Vapour Glove 3 were definitely a favourite. Sorry rambling…

    chrisjjb
    Full Member

    I wear only vivos. I found my five tens started to hurt my feet as my feet have transitioned.

    I am currently using my Magna’s, which are fine for gravel riding but not good for MTB

    Definitely on the look out for an option for flats which are broad in the forefoot and have grip.

    Has anyone tried ESC soles?

    ballsofcottonwool
    Free Member

    They’re great on flat pedals, if you think the sole is too thin, its because your pedals are too spikey

    sirromj
    Full Member

    That and trying to put too much power down!

    sirromj
    Full Member

    Here’s what my vivo look like since dying them graphite! They don’t actuality feel too bad.. Just different.. Slightly too big. Not got used to them yet.

    The-Beard
    Full Member

    Has anyone tried ESC soles?

    I got a pair of the outdoor boots with that sole from Sportpursuit a few months ago.  It’s pretty grippy, though I suspect it’ll wear pretty fast on hard surfaces.  Really enjoy wearing the boots, though I’m not 100% confident they’d survive really tough hill walking.  They are very soft.  See how they go, they’re really light and feel fantastic on.

    rootes1
    Full Member

    They’re great on flat pedals, if you think the sole is too thin, its because your pedals are too spikey

    I find them horrible when on the Brompton just feel like your foot is bending over and around the pedal and B pedals are not at all spikey –

    Has anyone tried ESC soles?

    Better on pedals! and noticeable more thick/cushioned that the lighter soles. wear rate is high though, but suppose could get them resoled via revivo when the time comes

    I wear only vivos. I found my five tens started to hurt my feet as my feet have transitioned.

    That is one issue with Vivo’s as your foot changes shape makes the poor fit of other shoes much more obvious!

    Oblongbob
    Full Member

    Is the member discount page down for everyone or just me? Just stuck at loading page. Was like that last night too.

    Clover
    Full Member

    I wore Vivos to my wedding. Reckoned it would be a long day so I would need comfy feet to enjoy it.

    trail_rat
    Free Member

    They’re great on flat pedals, if you think the sole is too thin, its because your pedals are too spikey

    The first time was odd. But no worries riding in them now but ive only used them on my xt trekking pedals nothing spikey

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