Customer Reviews Vivobarefoot Primus Trail

yikes! these are so unlike my Vivo Barefoot Evos. I wanted a shoe with a little something more between my foot and the trail. These shoes are narrower, and smaller, and shorter. Plus, they are horribly uncomfortable. It's a barefoot shoe, with a hard piece of plastic on the bottom. VIvobarefoot I expected more from you! :(

I got these right before doing some backcountry camping in Canyonlands. It was a risky move taking new shoes to a trip where I would be dealing with a lot of elevation changes and a heavy pack, but these were great. (I have worn nothing but minimalist shoes for the past six years, so I would not recommend extensive hiking in these if you are not used to minimalist soles -- give yourself time to get used to them.) I have a few pairs of Vivobarefoot and I love them all, but they do run narrow, which is surprising for a brand whose customers appreciate a naturally shaped toe box. However, these trail runners have a comfortable flexible mesh as part of the toe box, and after widening the straps at the bottom, the narrowness was not an issue.

Great shoes! Treads are helpful as my other Vivobarefoot shoes does not have it. Runs a bit snug (I tend to have a wider feet).

I own several pairs of Vivos and my old trail shoes were wearing out after a few years of heavy use, so I tried the new Primus trail. They are cut really weird - very high on the sides of the ankle. I knew trying them on in my living room that they would rub the hell out of my feet, so back they go ... too bad because the color is great for muddy trails! The sizing is always goofy on Vivos - these are the same size as my old Vivo trails, but definitely felt much larger.

I'm transitioning into minimalist footwear and this was an excellent first purchase. I prefer wearing these over all my other shoes, and in fact cleared my closet of most heeled shoes after experiencing how amazing having zero rise in heel feels for my body. Being a minimalist shoe, these is no arch support, and the toe box is spacious without being sloppy, especially since I also wear toe socks to help spread my toes. I highly recommend these and will be purchasing more as I rebuild my shoe wardrobe.

I tried these at the recommendation of my trainer. They were not for me. While I understand workout gear doesn't need to be attractive, these were far from appealing. Wide toe area, mundane black material ... probably better for men than women.

Vivobarefoot shoes are the right ones for me. I have a bunion on one foot and need the extra room the size 41 offered. The 40’s would have fit fine if my foot shape was more normal.

I love this soft trail shoe. You can adjust for width by loosening the laces (really work with the laces) and it’s light and comfortable. Now, I’ve seen that some people have commented that there is not much between you and the ground - and that’s very true. If you are walking a rocky trail you will feel the rocks. But I enjoy that. But that is my goal - a real almost barefoot experience. Where I live there are lovely sandy trails. I wear with a lightweight wool sock. I would also use this barefoot in water for kayaking or walking through streams.

LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes! I'm a big fan of Vivobarefoot brand and have several pairs of sandals and work shoes, but nothing like these. I'm walking more outdoors and needed the thicker sole, but still wanted the barefoot feel. These are perfect, although I admit, this was my third attempt, but sooo worth it especially will Zappos great return policy! Broke them in over the weekend and they rocked!

They're GREAT!!!

I want to love this shoe, so I am going to try to go up from a 38, which seems to work for me in the other VivoBarefoot shoes, to a 39 and even a 40 and see which size fits. I love the way they look. The shoe laces are awkward as others have mentioned but whatever, I can hang. The major problem with this shoe is the plastic thingy that is on the top of the shoe where your toes hit the top of the shoe. Why why WHY would you put a hard plastic guard at the top of the toe!?!? My right foot feels it worse because I have a crappy right foot that I need to have bunion removal surgery on, but I am fine when it comes to my toes hitting the top/end in most shoes. So I don’t know what is going on with these shoes, but I love the look so much and the barefoot style that I will try again. Fingers crossed they work coz these joints aren’t cheap!

This style ran shorter and wider than my other pairs of Vivobarefoot shoes. I own the Primus Lite and Bannister in a size 41. The size 41 in the Primus Trail was too short and had very wide, clown-like toe box. It did not look or feel cool. I ended up getting the Vivobarefoot ÖTILLÖ Swimrun instead. These fit like a glove and look more stylish despite the bright orange sole. I recommend that model over this, particularly if your foot is on the narrow side like mine.

I bought these sneakers 3 years ago and LOVED them! They were absolutely perfect. When they finally wore out I bought a replacement pair. I could not even get my foot into them they are so narrow! My feet tend to be on the wide side, but nothing excessive. Even with the laces pulled out as far as I could get them, I could not even try them on. Weird. All this said, despite this experience, I am going to try another model of Vivobarefoot sneakers because I really loved my first pair.

I didn't like the feel of these compared to the Lux style. They were more stiff and the Lux style felt SO comfortable in comparison.

Extremely narrow and uncomfortable; not at all like my Primus Lite pair. Returned.

Very frustrated with this company because I want their shoes to work so badly but they just don't! I ordered this pair in my normal size 8. They came a little over a half inch too big and my toenail kept getting caught on the toe guard. Ordered a size 7.5 (which I never wear) immediately after to compare and my toe is JUST touching the end. Thought maybe if I wore them around the house they would be okay but discovered that they feel narrow at the arch and ached a bit. Sending them both back. Also while comparing the two sizes right in front of me, I noticed that they looked different! the color of the toes were different shades. I guess on top of it all, while trying to return them, the return portal can never find my order and their customer service is TERRIBLE. It really saddens me because they are stylish and no other company offers such a wide foot-bed. I absolutely love their canvas " soul of Africa" shoes but besides that.... I give up on this company. Have tried multiple times that only end in frustration.

I have the Primus Lux and love them. These are not cut the same- more narrow in forefoot. I also didn't like the upper- it felt stiff and hard to find the correct fit with the toggle- would prefer real laces. Not up to vivobareoot standards.

Not like any other vivobarefoot I have previously purchased. This style is not consistent with the comfort or fit for barefoot hiking. I had to return them.