One reason for the high price comparded to traditional shoes is economies of scale. As you sell (and thus produce) more products, you spread the cost of production over a larger amount of units, thus have lower cost per unit, and can charge a much lower price as a result. It's a huge competitive advantage for massive companies like Amazon, and thus Nike and similar.
I have done that when I had multiple plantar warts as it was the only way I could walk without terrible pain. But it gets even more stinky. At least I can (and do) machine wash my vibrams.
I started with Vivobarefoot 2 years ago and by now replaced literally all my shoes with Vivobarefoot (I have like 9 different pairs from elegant to sports and leisure). We have great shops in Austria/Vienna with lots of choice and new models three times a year.
Hey Tom, great video! Great break down on each shoe. I'm a big shoe/sneaker head. Been watching your videos for a while and your well spoken and speak from experience. Great qualities in a UA-camr. My personal favorite minimalist shoes are the Merrells typically in the "bare access" or "trail glove" lines. Take care buddy
You can wash the fivefingers, no need for socks (unless it's below 10 degrees or so). I can also recommend trying out Joe Nimble, which has an ever wider toe box than the Vivos.
I agree that toe shoes and socks are pain to put on and off but the comfort and dexterity are unbeatable and that makes them my personal favorites over other minimalists brands I've had.
Thanks for your input. You become the big brother that helps his little brothers on how the world works and what shoes to buy. You deserve all 129K and more.
For anyone interested the vivo primus that are £110 look incredibly similar to the new balance minimus shoes which I have and bought new for £26. They're quite thin, lightweight yet supportive, have a zero drop sole design and are great in my experience for running and weight training. They also appear to be lasting longer than feiyues I've had in the past.
The vibram are good for a lot of things except for hiit workouts depending on the form of your feet. They're designed to be generic so... Also they don't stink, you're supposed to wash them every week... obviously if you don't they will stink very much :D
Ho Tom, thanks for your video. I would make a request forum the future: what about a cartwheel tutorial? I think It will be a great companion for the handstand videos that you have already made. Thanks for your time!
I love my vibram 5 fingers. The feel and proprioception are almost on par with being bare. I only wear them when I'm working on the gym floor and lower body work outs. The rest of my workouts i like to do bare foot.
I love how fivefingers look, the shape of the foot is a bioengineering marvel and you appreciate it more and more as time goes on. Usually wear toe socks everyday anyway regardless of which shoes I’m wearing, and putting on a pair of vibrams is still faster than a normal laced shoe anyway. Currently using the V-Runs for most things (including running obviously) and considering some V-Trains for teaching BodyAttack classes to stop wearing out the runs with the lateral movement.
I'm really glad I found your channel. You are doing most of the things I want to get better at! Can you do a whole video about a foam rolling routine like you did with stretching? I feel like those to go really well together but I struggle to find a good 5 to 20 minutes routine. Keep it up! :-)
I recommend get the barefoot shoes and start with lower volumes of running/ training ease in with whatever feels comfortable and fun. The feedback from the ground is invaluable.
Love both my Feiyue and 5fingers, I personally dont have a problem at all putting the 5fingers on, the more you use toe shoes you get used to fit them on directly. I have a pair of 5fingers classic I can put on without using my hands,, just slip in. So it takes practice!
I currently use Lems primal for training/ everyday wear and I like them. Quality seems pretty solid for the price point, they're pretty comfy and look quite good. In the mid-range price point in comparison to Vivo's. They're worth checking out!
The feiyue with good insoles becomes into something like an evolved pokemon (Slowbro, and the insoles are shellder biting it's tail), it compensates the slack on the fitment area giving it an overall stability state
I read this comment and immediately pulled my insoles out of my expensive new balance i no longer wear and threw them in my feiyues. Immediately made them fit better and was a complete game changer for me. Cheers for the tip!
I love the five-fingers from Vibram. Made 3000km with the KSO Evo's, I changed now to the V-Run and it is absolutely great.I was always a heel destroyer and now I am a decent middle-foot runner.
Wore my fivefingers till they fell apart which took a good few years, I like the way they look, mine had the strap and not the laces though. Wish i'd worn socks with them too. The smell is bad. Ended up settling on the nikes for everyday use but tend to take them off when squatting etc.
For about 2 years now i use merell vapor glove shoes for training in the gym. I think are a good compromise between barefoot feeling and stability. When training at home i prefer being barefoot. Sadly most gyms dont allow that.
I love my vivobf shoes! They are imo absolutely worth the money. They look really nice, are comfortable to walk in and almost feel like walking barefoot. So glad I chose the vivos :-)
@@FrostKaos idk if its works for minimalist shoes but putting my Nike's on a boot dryer after getting home usually dried them out and made it to where the sweat didnt soak in and smell as much.
I use Primus for martial arts training. The sole seems to become slick quite fast, but they are great. And I wear Feiyue everyday, they are so comfortable. In other shoes my toes get all strained.
Vivobarefoot are one of the few minimalist shoe companies that actually make shoes for wide feet. Lems are another. I split my Merrel Vapor Gloves inside of 5 weeks and my Feiyues (which I loved) didn't last a month.
For light barefoot running I love the Shamma Warrior maximus sandals, since the are closer to barefoot than even the fivefingers in terms of toe movement and gripping the ground. While I am also one of those weirdos enjoying to wear the conversation-starting toe schoss (the description of putting them on was accurate, btw), a nice middle ground between running sandals and barefoot shoes are Xero shoes. The walking and running feel is very close to the vivobf experience without the clapping sound the latter will produce every now and then.
I've been wearing VB for the last couple of years and love them but now can't replace them as they are never available in size 9 on their website. I think I'm going to have to try something else.
Vivos are my choice pricey but they hold up to alot of abuse. I used to wear merrell trail gloves but the generations after 2 have a tiny toe box and the mesh blows out in a couple of weeks. The vapor gloves are amazing but don't last very long
Great Review! I started with Vibram KSO and loved them but the smell is definitely an issue. The first two iterations of the trail glove were awesome minimalist shoes, the new ones are overbuilt and not minimalist. At least the vapor glove is a quality minimalist shoe. Just got a pair of Primus FG and they are great so far, minimal, great traction, and good looking. My most used minimalist shoes are my Shamma Sandals can't beat a completely open toe box.
My to-go shoe is unfortunately out of production. But I have managed to stack several pairs. They are the closest to barefoot I have experienced and they last a long time. The shoe is Mizuno Wave Universe 5.
if you want something for lifting with a bit of support the Kobe lows are good. They are stiffer like any other basketball shoe but still super light and supportive
Really enjoyed this video. I do weightlifting barefoot or with the Nike metcon CrossFit shoe. A do running in the Nike pegasus 35. And I do intervals running in the Nike air zoom elite 9
Great review, not sure how you dropped a 4 star on the cheapo shoe. I recommend trying a Merrell, either the bare access, trail gloves, or vapor gloves. These are superior minimalist shoes. Great support, light weight, looks great, decent quality, comfortable and reasonably priced.
So when it comes down to it, cheap old fashioned plimsolls that we used to wear at school in the 50s 60s and 70s are just as good, if not better than the other stuff. Still worn by all young school kids here in Japan.
Yes, and the top shoe companies knew this when adding all the bullshit features to their shoes such as arch support, extra heel padding, etc. Nike were one of the first to add this useless garbage to their shoes just so they could charge more. Nothing more than exactly why Gillette keeps adding more crap to their razors, so they can put a patent in place and charge more for their product whilst stopping their competition from being able to copy what they have.
@@josecarlostoledo4538 outdoors mainly motus and stealth 2 (sole wears out quick though), indoors discontinued terra plana (great durable sole but ripped them on the side where fabric meets rubber sole... Not made for lateral movements, though very good investment for barefoot shoes if you like the style). Also motus and primus fg for indoors..
Been looking for barefoot shoes to play tennis in. I have used the vivos motus and they work good except they put a label on the tongue that rub my front of my ankle so I have to wear socks with them. So still looking.
What? I never wore socks with the Vibrams. Smell can become an issue, but you can wash them. I usually soak them overnight in a water/vinegar mixture. Then rinse and dry.
The Number after the Nike Free (such as 4.0) doesn't specify the Millimeters between the ground and your feet, it's just that 1.0 is nearest to the ground. There is nothing above 5.0. Also, the stability of a shoe doesn't depend on it's sole, it's about the upper.
I ran my first half marathon in Feiyues shoes and it was good. No injury but mind you, I have done kungfu conditioning for 3 years prior. Not much running before, only periodicity :)
Rhonda McGee do you have experience with other martial arts? And would you recommend Kung Fu or any other oriental art? I've done western arts (boxing, wrestling) for most of my life, interested in hearing the perspective of someone who's done eastern arts.
Vito Ratio I've been practicing Shaolin Kung Fu for about 7 months now and I love the art form. The benefits are unreal... strength, flexibility, stamina, meditation all rolled into one. I highly recommend it. Unfortunately, I don't have any other experience in the martial arts. I've taken it upon myself to try something of interest that stems from my childhood :) I tried boxing but there's something about Kung Fu that really gets me jazzed.
Rhonda McGee that's great to hear you're enjoying it so much! Physical and mental health is really important, and it takes a certain type of person to seek out such a humbling, yet empowering activity like martial arts. I wish you all the best in your journey!
On the moment I got my feet into the 5Fingers.....I said I've probably hit the highest marks on what a shoe can give you in terms of feel and practicality. However.. As soon as I wore them for a couple of days with no socks.....dude...I'm with you.. The feet come out stinking..like crazy.. I haven't tried the Vivo BF Primus though.. I'll be trying a pair next summer. ;) PS: 5Fingers actually are pretty easy to get one's foot into. And one gains a lot of toe mobility!
Try the hemp version. They are naturally anti-microbial. They breath well. That combined with toe socks and you are good to go. But you can always stick them in the wash too.
Tom, have you tried Kwon (german martial arts brand) training shoes. I got them because I've seen Ido, Roye and Odelia wear them. They resemble Feiyues in appearance but are a bit more durable. They go for 18 euros.
Hey Tom, Great review and video! I used to train outside only with socks and then decided I need shoes for outdoor workouts (before you did this review :)), so I ordered a five fingers el-x (The most minimal model they have), they are awesome so far except for the way they look :). What I find a bit "annoying" is when practicing handstands I still think the best way is to be as close as possible to real barefoot, which means with socks or with nothing on, just because of the small fact that you can't really POINT your fingers with any of those barefoot shoes, Do you agree? Thanks!!
Hi Tom, could you be so kind to provide an updated version of this video? I am using alternately both vivobarefoot and Fei Yue (after your advices). Thanks!
Ive been rocking the Feiyue and Inov-8 Bare-XF 210 - And man these shoes transformed the way i wear shoes and what i look for now. My daily drivers are the Feiyue, i do find in the beginning it takes some getting used to the rocking of the sole but once broken into, these have really improved my ankle strength!! i really dig the retro look of them too. I use the Inov-8 more into workout gym situations, super light weight, very breathable. these two pairs have solved my chronic lower back pain.
What do you guys think about high end leather barefoot shoes? We're a new brand at DaVinci Barefoot. Our shoes aren't for running or training, but casual wear.
My favourite pair of shoes overall are the vivo barefoot primus lite. I have two pairs and where them everywhere. I used to like Nike frees years ago but moved on. I have two pairs of 5 fingers. The one you included here which I don't like and 5 fingers vtrek. I highly recommend the vtrek. I where this on every single hike or run. They are the most incredible shoes in existence and aren't even comparable to other 5 finger shoes. Peace
I'm a fan of the five fingers. I'm currently running in an old pair of merino woolnlined winter ones. Initially tricky getting the toes in especially wearing the socks but ultimately got used to it. I love the lack of support. In summer i have a pair of the ones you reviewed. I can't buy women's sizes they come up way too narrow so i have to go with the men's sizes to get the appropriate width. Be prepared to send them back and forth to get the right fit for your first pair. Avoid ebay. I ended up buying fakes someone was trying to offload.
I wear Vivobarefoots myself. Been doing it for about 4 years on those. They last pretty damn long! Soles don't wear trough easily. I only buy them during the big sales though. But always worth the money in the end. They are barefoot with the sustainability and better looks as a nice pro.
Anyone have an opinion on Saucony Bullet shoes? They have a bit of sole at the heel, but in the toebox the sole is minimal and decently wide for toe room. Seems like it could fit on this list!
If you have very wide feet like I do then you will struggle to find minimal shoes that fit. Vivo barefoot are good, though they cost a lot and the thin mesh parts don't hold up over time. They always fail right where the toes bend as it causes a pinch point that weakens the mesh. Vibram 5 fingers are good, though the quality of the glue they use seems to have dropped off as I've had some separation in certain areas, but the shoes last a long time. You tend to need a couple of pairs to allow them to dry out fully after wearing them or they can get a bit smelly, but you can also throw them in the wash.
could you revisit this? also please can you provide guidance on how to walk correctly along with any complimentary stretches/ strengthening needed to do so
I think they have a lot of amazing and game changing ideas and movements, but get too extreme with their critique of yoga/deadlifts/etc. A lot of gold tho
Some of their base line axioms seem worth exploring. But ultimately they seem to go down the road of excessive complexity in all things. On top of it all a lot of what they do (speaking particularly about Aguilar the OG FP guy) he seems to ultimately just be a contrarian unwilling to accept anything but his own dogma. Unrelated to FP as a company and system is just that Aguilar seems like kind of a dick.
Does anyone have any tips for playing basketball in these types of shoes? I own vtrain vibram fivefingers and everytime I play basketball in regular shoes I have horrible pain, any advice?
Generally enjoyed the video - I feel a bit disappointed with your review of the five fingers, nothing said on their actual performance - just aesthetics and practicality of putting them on/off
Great video, you've piqued my interest in the Primus, which weren't on my radar at all before. I disagree on a couple of points: Feiyues seem to be creeping up in price as more people become aware of them, my first pair was under a tenner, last 2 were under £15. I haven't bought anymore since I can't find them anywhere for under £20 and in stock... The toe box is a little too rigid, and because the manufacturing is a bit of a lottery, it's easy to get an uncomfortable pair that might not start wear in till they're almost worn out... I have those same fivefingers and I really don't find getting my toes in an issue. The heel is kind of annoying but that's the price for a close fit. I find the quickest way is to crawl your toes in first, then worry about the rest. I do wear toe socks exclusively these days (cure for sweaty toe induced blisters) so maybe all that practice scews my opnion there. Some Vivo Barefoot shoes feel more like being barefoot to me simply because your toes can move freely in there vs the slightly rerstrictive feel of the Vibrams if your toes aren't perfectly straight. Like you touched on in the video, the feel varies a lot between the different styles.
Got my Feiyues from Yellow Mountain Martial Arts a few months ago. Order a pair (£14), then go to checkout, and then there should be an offer of an additional pair for £10. (edit: though I suppose there's a shipping fee, can't remember...)
Recently bought a pair of vivo shoes. My issue though with Vivo is that they have advertising pictures on the site of their shoes that you can’t purchase anymore. Also was really excited for a pair of shoes that showed in a search for my size only to find they were out of stock at the size or available only in different colors.
Ive had my pair of VFF for like 4-5 years. yes they look dorky but ive never got a negative comment on them, old ladies LOVE THEM they are fascinated lol toe socks are awesome. the shoes have held up for literal hundreds of miles.
I had the same shoes and I have your same opinion. I still use the Primus and I'm buying the second pair, because after one year they are completely ruined on the heels. But, I wear these shoes for 12 hours a day, everyday. To work, to bike, to row, to run, to workout and to play with the kids. Before the Primus I had the Vivo Evo II (from 2012 to 2014) and then the Evo Pure Man (from 2014 to 2017) but I wore theses shoes only for practicing my movement session. Not like the actual Primus
really interesting. Have been considering buying minimal shoes for running for a long time, however I suffer from foot pronation (slight fallen arches) and I worry that a minimal vivo barefoot running show could worsen my problem because of the lack of arch support. anyone have any advice ?
Most recent tried the Rip Tab Aquashoe from decathlon. Remove the insole. Did running, hiking, casual wear etc and I’m loving it! Very breathable and fast drying too. 👍🏼 recommend
It's funny that shoes that are supposed to give you the feel of being barefoot are so expensive, because being barefoot is free.
One reason for the high price comparded to traditional shoes is economies of scale. As you sell (and thus produce) more products, you spread the cost of production over a larger amount of units, thus have lower cost per unit, and can charge a much lower price as a result. It's a huge competitive advantage for massive companies like Amazon, and thus Nike and similar.
Except feiyu those things are so inexpensive
@@isaiahesparza7700 only goes up to size 11 though, and everyone says they're a small fit
@@tc59932 Also factories in poor countries with a slavery like standard and child labor help to drop the prices.
@@isaiahesparza7700 They make about 36000 pairs a day of these things.
Damn dude, that image quality is on point! Great video
Cheapest,most-fashionable barefoot shoe:Duct tape
I thought it's a brand name and started searching but after few attempts I realized 🤣
I know this is a joke but in a pinch, use hockey tape instead. Duct tape is slippery wheeeeeeeeee splat.
I have done that when I had multiple plantar warts as it was the only way I could walk without terrible pain. But it gets even more stinky. At least I can (and do) machine wash my vibrams.
Here's a review of 6 vivobarefoot shoes guys:
ua-cam.com/video/ycCn7-7brkc/v-deo.html
I started with Vivobarefoot 2 years ago and by now replaced literally all my shoes with Vivobarefoot (I have like 9 different pairs from elegant to sports and leisure). We have great shops in Austria/Vienna with lots of choice and new models three times a year.
Hey Tom, great video! Great break down on each shoe. I'm a big shoe/sneaker head. Been watching your videos for a while and your well spoken and speak from experience. Great qualities in a UA-camr. My personal favorite minimalist shoes are the Merrells typically in the "bare access" or "trail glove" lines. Take care buddy
You can wash the fivefingers, no need for socks (unless it's below 10 degrees or so). I can also recommend trying out Joe Nimble, which has an ever wider toe box than the Vivos.
I agree that toe shoes and socks are pain to put on and off but the comfort and dexterity are unbeatable and that makes them my personal favorites over other minimalists brands I've had.
Thanks for your input. You become the big brother that helps his little brothers on how the world works and what shoes to buy. You deserve all 129K and more.
For anyone interested the vivo primus that are £110 look incredibly similar to the new balance minimus shoes which I have and bought new for £26. They're quite thin, lightweight yet supportive, have a zero drop sole design and are great in my experience for running and weight training. They also appear to be lasting longer than feiyues I've had in the past.
The vibram are good for a lot of things except for hiit workouts depending on the form of your feet. They're designed to be generic so...
Also they don't stink, you're supposed to wash them every week... obviously if you don't they will stink very much :D
Ho Tom, thanks for your video. I would make a request forum the future: what about a cartwheel tutorial? I think It will be a great companion for the handstand videos that you have already made.
Thanks for your time!
the nike 4.0 was my favourite ever but its been discontinued. if you can pick it up in your size get a pair!
I love my vibram 5 fingers. The feel and proprioception are almost on par with being bare. I only wear them when I'm working on the gym floor and lower body work outs. The rest of my workouts i like to do bare foot.
I love how fivefingers look, the shape of the foot is a bioengineering marvel and you appreciate it more and more as time goes on.
Usually wear toe socks everyday anyway regardless of which shoes I’m wearing, and putting on a pair of vibrams is still faster than a normal laced shoe anyway. Currently using the V-Runs for most things (including running obviously) and considering some V-Trains for teaching BodyAttack classes to stop wearing out the runs with the lateral movement.
i sense a foot fetish
@@Dantick09 I don't, but a lot of the guys that talk to me seem to have 😛, I'm not complaining though
Feiyu is definitely my pick since my childhood where we had them on all kinds surfaces! Lol , but usually it worn out so quick.
But do they have a wide toe box?
I'm really glad I found your channel. You are doing most of the things I want to get better at! Can you do a whole video about a foam rolling routine like you did with stretching? I feel like those to go really well together but I struggle to find a good 5 to 20 minutes routine. Keep it up! :-)
Started running using the ball of the foot in preparation for buying this kind of shoes.
I recommend get the barefoot shoes and start with lower volumes of running/ training ease in with whatever feels comfortable and fun. The feedback from the ground is invaluable.
Love both my Feiyue and 5fingers, I personally dont have a problem at all putting the 5fingers on, the more you use toe shoes you get used to fit them on directly. I have a pair of 5fingers classic I can put on without using my hands,, just slip in. So it takes practice!
I currently use Lems primal for training/ everyday wear and I like them. Quality seems pretty solid for the price point, they're pretty comfy and look quite good. In the mid-range price point in comparison to Vivo's. They're worth checking out!
The feiyue with good insoles becomes into something like an evolved pokemon (Slowbro, and the insoles are shellder biting it's tail), it compensates the slack on the fitment area giving it an overall stability state
I read this comment and immediately pulled my insoles out of my expensive new balance i no longer wear and threw them in my feiyues. Immediately made them fit better and was a complete game changer for me. Cheers for the tip!
I love the five-fingers from Vibram. Made 3000km with the KSO Evo's, I changed now to the V-Run and it is absolutely great.I was always a heel destroyer and now I am a decent middle-foot runner.
Yes, I’m also great fan of Vibram, and I think they looks good, you just need to get used to it
I wish theyade better looking shoes though
Nice vid. Would like to see how the joe nimble - nimbletoes and the merrell - vapor glove shoes compare to these.
I was thinking about this just a while agoe. What a convenient video :D !
Great, thanks. I just want to try barefoot shoes and I was looking for a start. Thanks
Wore my fivefingers till they fell apart which took a good few years, I like the way they look, mine had the strap and not the laces though. Wish i'd worn socks with them too. The smell is bad. Ended up settling on the nikes for everyday use but tend to take them off when squatting etc.
You should definitely look into the Xero Prio as well as their other models. For any road running 13+ miles, I use my Altras
For about 2 years now i use merell vapor glove shoes for training in the gym. I think are a good compromise between barefoot feeling and stability. When training at home i prefer being barefoot. Sadly most gyms dont allow that.
Solid reviews thank you!
I love my vivobf shoes!
They are imo absolutely worth the money.
They look really nice, are comfortable to walk in and almost feel like walking barefoot.
So glad I chose the vivos :-)
They role up nice as well if you want to pack them
I love my vivos as well but I can't get rid of the stink (I wear socks) any suggestions?)
@@FrostKaos idk if its works for minimalist shoes but putting my Nike's on a boot dryer after getting home usually dried them out and made it to where the sweat didnt soak in and smell as much.
I by far prefer the Top One Feiyues with an green triangle under the sole. It's much more barefoot feeling and a bit softer in the fabric.
I use Primus for martial arts training. The sole seems to become slick quite fast, but they are great.
And I wear Feiyue everyday, they are so comfortable. In other shoes my toes get all strained.
Vivobarefoot are one of the few minimalist shoe companies that actually make shoes for wide feet. Lems are another. I split my Merrel Vapor Gloves inside of 5 weeks and my Feiyues (which I loved) didn't last a month.
Hey Tom i got a question, do you still floss your elbows? Great video btw!
Do the Feiyue work your feet muscles well???
For light barefoot running I love the Shamma Warrior maximus sandals, since the are closer to barefoot than even the fivefingers in terms of toe movement and gripping the ground. While I am also one of those weirdos enjoying to wear the conversation-starting toe schoss (the description of putting them on was accurate, btw), a nice middle ground between running sandals and barefoot shoes are Xero shoes. The walking and running feel is very close to the vivobf experience without the clapping sound the latter will produce every now and then.
I've been wearing VB for the last couple of years and love them but now can't replace them as they are never available in size 9 on their website. I think I'm going to have to try something else.
Don't you guys wonder what Tom said in his first ever video?
Vivos are my choice pricey but they hold up to alot of abuse. I used to wear merrell trail gloves but the generations after 2 have a tiny toe box and the mesh blows out in a couple of weeks. The vapor gloves are amazing but don't last very long
Great Review! I started with Vibram KSO and loved them but the smell is definitely an issue. The first two iterations of the trail glove were awesome minimalist shoes, the new ones are overbuilt and not minimalist. At least the vapor glove is a quality minimalist shoe. Just got a pair of Primus FG and they are great so far, minimal, great traction, and good looking. My most used minimalist shoes are my Shamma Sandals can't beat a completely open toe box.
My to-go shoe is unfortunately out of production. But I have managed to stack several pairs. They are the closest to barefoot I have experienced and they last a long time. The shoe is Mizuno Wave Universe 5.
if you want something for lifting with a bit of support the Kobe lows are good. They are stiffer like any other basketball shoe but still super light and supportive
are you using a wide lens for you main shot?
Rob Stuart 35mm on a cropped APS-C sensor :)
Really enjoyed this video. I do weightlifting barefoot or with the Nike metcon CrossFit shoe. A do running in the Nike pegasus 35. And I do intervals running in the Nike air zoom elite 9
I looked a bunch up as I'm really interested. I have no idea how to size them !
Have you had the chance to try the Vibram Furoshiki? What do you think about them? They certainly look better than the FiveFingers…
Great review, not sure how you dropped a 4 star on the cheapo shoe. I recommend trying a Merrell, either the bare access, trail gloves, or vapor gloves. These are superior minimalist shoes. Great support, light weight, looks great, decent quality, comfortable and reasonably priced.
Vivos FTW! I have two pair of RAs for daily wear, one is water proof.
For trainers I'm still trying to wear out Merrill trail rummers.
I have Nike Cross Bionic 1.0, but I prefer using my Borovo Startas (all black and made in Croatia
Any thoughts on using the motus for volleyball, basketball, and tennis?
Brilliant video. Enjoyed the genuine and independent opinions you shared. Thank you.
So when it comes down to it, cheap old fashioned plimsolls that we used to wear at school in the 50s 60s and 70s are just as good, if not better than the other stuff.
Still worn by all young school kids here in Japan.
Yes, and the top shoe companies knew this when adding all the bullshit features to their shoes such as arch support, extra heel padding, etc. Nike were one of the first to add this useless garbage to their shoes just so they could charge more. Nothing more than exactly why Gillette keeps adding more crap to their razors, so they can put a patent in place and charge more for their product whilst stopping their competition from being able to copy what they have.
I'm totally with you. But I cannot find them anywhere in my city which is really a pity.
Arch support is not a gimmick.
Order them. It's called the internet.
@@estebanb7166 Incorrect. It absolutely is. Arches are designed in engineering and in nature to support themselves.
“I can’t get over that. I’m sorry. It looks awful.”
😂😂😂
So true, I love the Vibram Five Finger feel but they are hideous!
The baggy part of the feiyues sound like a dream. I always have trouble putting on and taking off shoes cause they're so tight in that area on me.
Why no Xero Shoes review???
I play even basketball in vivos,. Awesomeness!!! No ankle sprains, no knee pain and it feels so nice!!!!! Got few years of my life back ;)
jgsk78 which model do you use? Thanks
@@josecarlostoledo4538 outdoors mainly motus and stealth 2 (sole wears out quick though), indoors discontinued terra plana (great durable sole but ripped them on the side where fabric meets rubber sole... Not made for lateral movements, though very good investment for barefoot shoes if you like the style). Also motus and primus fg for indoors..
@@jgsk78 yeah I have my corcerns with the lateral movements even though I'm not Zion hahahaha Thanks for the answer!
Put your toe feet into toe socks into toe shoes 😂😂 don’t know why but I laughed quite hard.
Nice vid,i have those feiyue,like them,would like to try more,but they are really kinda expensive haha
Been looking for barefoot shoes to play tennis in. I have used the vivos motus and they work good except they put a label on the tongue that rub my front of my ankle so I have to wear socks with them. So still looking.
I really like the Merrell Trail Gloves.
Thats what I wear most of the time
I have 3 pair and it’s almost all I wear. One for running, one for around town, another for hiking.
The 2nd gen trail gloves are my all time favorite
Me too. 3rd and 4th generation as of now.
Merrell Trail Glove on top of my list!
I prefer Vivo, too. Another option could be Zaqq- Thanks for your opinion.
What? I never wore socks with the Vibrams. Smell can become an issue, but you can wash them. I usually soak them overnight in a water/vinegar mixture. Then rinse and dry.
The Number after the Nike Free (such as 4.0) doesn't specify the Millimeters between the ground and your feet, it's just that 1.0 is nearest to the ground. There is nothing above 5.0. Also, the stability of a shoe doesn't depend on it's sole, it's about the upper.
You should try a pair of Joe nimble shoes! Seen your shoe choice
I'm looking at getting a pair of Freet in the near future....
I ran my first half marathon in Feiyues shoes and it was good. No injury but mind you, I have done kungfu conditioning for 3 years prior. Not much running before, only periodicity :)
Your amazon referral links don't seem to be working.
Have you tried the "zero shoes" they're a US company... Will be good to hear your experience on them
Xero Shoes :-D I love them. Have used them from their inception. Also, you'd like Lems if you like the Xero shoes.
Currently wearing Feiyue for mobility and Shaolin Kung Fu training... Can't beat the price.
Rhonda McGee do you have experience with other martial arts? And would you recommend Kung Fu or any other oriental art? I've done western arts (boxing, wrestling) for most of my life, interested in hearing the perspective of someone who's done eastern arts.
Vito Ratio I've been practicing Shaolin Kung Fu for about 7 months now and I love the art form. The benefits are unreal... strength, flexibility, stamina, meditation all rolled into one. I highly recommend it. Unfortunately, I don't have any other experience in the martial arts. I've taken it upon myself to try something of interest that stems from my childhood :) I tried boxing but there's something about Kung Fu that really gets me jazzed.
Rhonda McGee that's great to hear you're enjoying it so much! Physical and mental health is really important, and it takes a certain type of person to seek out such a humbling, yet empowering activity like martial arts. I wish you all the best in your journey!
On the moment I got my feet into the 5Fingers.....I said I've probably hit the highest marks on what a shoe can give you in terms of feel and practicality.
However.. As soon as I wore them for a couple of days with no socks.....dude...I'm with you.. The feet come out stinking..like crazy..
I haven't tried the Vivo BF Primus though..
I'll be trying a pair next summer.
;)
PS: 5Fingers actually are pretty easy to get one's foot into.
And one gains a lot of toe mobility!
Try the hemp version. They are naturally anti-microbial. They breath well. That combined with toe socks and you are good to go. But you can always stick them in the wash too.
Tom, have you tried Kwon (german martial arts brand) training shoes. I got them because I've seen Ido, Roye and Odelia wear them. They resemble Feiyues in appearance but are a bit more durable. They go for 18 euros.
Oh, thanks. I just posted a comment about them, wondering if they're more durable. Can you point to your source for them? Amazon?
@@dustybeijing, sorry for not responding earlier. I can't help you with that. I get them through my friend who buys them in a retail store near him.
@@nindzafaThanks anyway :)
Hey Tom, Great review and video!
I used to train outside only with socks and then decided I need shoes for outdoor workouts (before you did this review :)), so I ordered a five fingers el-x (The most minimal model they have), they are awesome so far except for the way they look :).
What I find a bit "annoying" is when practicing handstands I still think the best way is to be as close as possible to real barefoot, which means with socks or with nothing on, just because of the small fact that you can't really POINT your fingers with any of those barefoot shoes, Do you agree?
Thanks!!
Oh and I also ordered a pair of Feiyue now, super cheap :) but still not a solution for handstands..
Hi Tom, could you be so kind to provide an updated version of this video? I am using alternately both vivobarefoot and Fei Yue (after your advices). Thanks!
Very helpful brother. Iam looking into the shoes from Xero but its a pain in the ass the order them from the netherlands
Ive been rocking the Feiyue and Inov-8 Bare-XF 210 - And man these shoes transformed the way i wear shoes and what i look for now. My daily drivers are the Feiyue, i do find in the beginning it takes some getting used to the rocking of the sole but once broken into, these have really improved my ankle strength!! i really dig the retro look of them too. I use the Inov-8 more into workout gym situations, super light weight, very breathable. these two pairs have solved my chronic lower back pain.
I wanna get some feiyus! Where did you get them from??
What do you guys think about high end leather barefoot shoes? We're a new brand at DaVinci Barefoot. Our shoes aren't for running or training, but casual wear.
My favourite pair of shoes overall are the vivo barefoot primus lite. I have two pairs and where them everywhere.
I used to like Nike frees years ago but moved on.
I have two pairs of 5 fingers. The one you included here which I don't like and 5 fingers vtrek. I highly recommend the vtrek. I where this on every single hike or run. They are the most incredible shoes in existence and aren't even comparable to other 5 finger shoes.
Peace
I'm a fan of the five fingers. I'm currently running in an old pair of merino woolnlined winter ones. Initially tricky getting the toes in especially wearing the socks but ultimately got used to it. I love the lack of support. In summer i have a pair of the ones you reviewed. I can't buy women's sizes they come up way too narrow so i have to go with the men's sizes to get the appropriate width. Be prepared to send them back and forth to get the right fit for your first pair. Avoid ebay. I ended up buying fakes someone was trying to offload.
I wear Vivobarefoots myself. Been doing it for about 4 years on those. They last pretty damn long! Soles don't wear trough easily. I only buy them during the big sales though. But always worth the money in the end. They are barefoot with the sustainability and better looks as a nice pro.
Cickak I tried VB and my soles wore down in two months.... :( I was just walking too
Hey man, are these still your favourites, or have you found something better? Great review btw, cheers!
Anyone have an opinion on Saucony Bullet shoes? They have a bit of sole at the heel, but in the toebox the sole is minimal and decently wide for toe room. Seems like it could fit on this list!
Thanks man - great content
The Primus shoes look amazing
If you have very wide feet like I do then you will struggle to find minimal shoes that fit.
Vivo barefoot are good, though they cost a lot and the thin mesh parts don't hold up over time. They always fail right where the toes bend as it causes a pinch point that weakens the mesh.
Vibram 5 fingers are good, though the quality of the glue they use seems to have dropped off as I've had some separation in certain areas, but the shoes last a long time. You tend to need a couple of pairs to allow them to dry out fully after wearing them or they can get a bit smelly, but you can also throw them in the wash.
Merrell Move glove, merrell vapor glove and xero's HFS
Are all ones that are well worth checking out
could you revisit this? also please can you provide guidance on how to walk correctly along with any complimentary stretches/ strengthening needed to do so
Have you heard of FP (functional patterns)? If so, what’s your thoughts about it?
Absolute dogshit
I think they have a lot of amazing and game changing ideas and movements, but get too extreme with their critique of yoga/deadlifts/etc. A lot of gold tho
Some of their base line axioms seem worth exploring. But ultimately they seem to go down the road of excessive complexity in all things. On top of it all a lot of what they do (speaking particularly about Aguilar the OG FP guy) he seems to ultimately just be a contrarian unwilling to accept anything but his own dogma.
Unrelated to FP as a company and system is just that Aguilar seems like kind of a dick.
Been wearing Vivo's for a year with correct toes. Could not even run for a bus before for flat feet. Now I can run. Love em
Did you buy correct toes in the UK? if so where from , thanks
pepe got a link? I can't find then
Just bought the primus lites super excited
Does anyone have any tips for playing basketball in these types of shoes? I own vtrain vibram fivefingers and everytime I play basketball in regular shoes I have horrible pain, any advice?
personally i use vivobarefoots and i wouldnt use them for basketball (games) but i would for practice
Generally enjoyed the video - I feel a bit disappointed with your review of the five fingers, nothing said on their actual performance - just aesthetics and practicality of putting them on/off
Great video, you've piqued my interest in the Primus, which weren't on my radar at all before. I disagree on a couple of points:
Feiyues seem to be creeping up in price as more people become aware of them, my first pair was under a tenner, last 2 were under £15. I haven't bought anymore since I can't find them anywhere for under £20 and in stock... The toe box is a little too rigid, and because the manufacturing is a bit of a lottery, it's easy to get an uncomfortable pair that might not start wear in till they're almost worn out...
I have those same fivefingers and I really don't find getting my toes in an issue. The heel is kind of annoying but that's the price for a close fit. I find the quickest way is to crawl your toes in first, then worry about the rest. I do wear toe socks exclusively these days (cure for sweaty toe induced blisters) so maybe all that practice scews my opnion there.
Some Vivo Barefoot shoes feel more like being barefoot to me simply because your toes can move freely in there vs the slightly rerstrictive feel of the Vibrams if your toes aren't perfectly straight. Like you touched on in the video, the feel varies a lot between the different styles.
Got my Feiyues from Yellow Mountain Martial Arts a few months ago. Order a pair (£14), then go to checkout, and then there should be an offer of an additional pair for £10.
(edit: though I suppose there's a shipping fee, can't remember...)
Recently bought a pair of vivo shoes. My issue though with Vivo is that they have advertising pictures on the site of their shoes that you can’t purchase anymore. Also was really excited for a pair of shoes that showed in a search for my size only to find they were out of stock at the size or available only in different colors.
those vibram 5fingers are awesome for weight training and trail running, and yeah, the smell will haunt them FOREVER
Ive had my pair of VFF for like 4-5 years. yes they look dorky but ive never got a negative comment on them, old ladies LOVE THEM they are fascinated lol toe socks are awesome. the shoes have held up for literal hundreds of miles.
Holy hell! How much are you deadlifting in that video, Tom?! (4:14).... ps love the chan
Looks like 275lbs or 125kg based on the size of the plates.
I had the same shoes and I have your same opinion. I still use the Primus and I'm buying the second pair, because after one year they are completely ruined on the heels. But, I wear these shoes for 12 hours a day, everyday. To work, to bike, to row, to run, to workout and to play with the kids.
Before the Primus I had the Vivo Evo II (from 2012 to 2014) and then the Evo Pure Man (from 2014 to 2017) but I wore theses shoes only for practicing my movement session. Not like the actual Primus
really interesting. Have been considering buying minimal shoes for running for a long time, however I suffer from foot pronation (slight fallen arches) and I worry that a minimal vivo barefoot running show could worsen my problem because of the lack of arch support.
anyone have any advice ?
Most recent tried the Rip Tab Aquashoe from decathlon. Remove the insole. Did running, hiking, casual wear etc and I’m loving it! Very breathable and fast drying too. 👍🏼 recommend
Are you ever going to do full day of eating vlogs again?