I have some water shoes, but am going the sandal route, I think maybe the shamma brand. I'm always barefoot when I can, but use water shoes when in those areas that have rocks, shells, etc. Thanks for showing these, I was curious about them. And thanks to vivo for sending them over.
Personally I think I'd prefer open footwear like sandals for casual hikes and such, since there is no drainage required. Water shoes have their place, there are definitely pros and cons.
@@jamesm5192Haven't tried the Aqua yet, but I'd expect it to be more comfortable for hybrid dry/wet hiking while the Bloom would have better drainage for pure creek and sea walks, etc.
@@AndrewFolts They claim it is just as much for wet, but there are no holes and so I'd think less likely to get poked by anything. But you never did, I guess?
Love the content!! You should review or take a look at the skinner barefoot socks. I don’t know much about them but if they’re socks with a sole that’s got to be pretty darn close to barefoot right??
I have baresocks which are a comptetitor to skinners that are more minimal and look more like a sock and they feel just like a cozy pair of soft bed socks the rubber sole isn’t uncomfortable in the slightest
Yea, they seem really cool. Unfortunately they're 100% synthetic, which makes my feet hot, sweaty, and smelly. If they made some merino wool ones like my Injinji toe socks I'd be all over them.
@@AndrewFolts I have the lites now but ended up getting a small hole and wanted to try the knits since I wanted to size down anyway. The bloom I’m interested in but not sure how much I’ll use it 😂
I was quite excited when i got a pair of these however i think they are not a good shoe. The sizing is all over the place for a start so if you do get then probably size down. Secondly, don't go to a rocky beach. I got loads of small rocks in the shoe, which then dont drain out of the shoe. Instead they sit in there causing cuts to your feet, especially round the toes. A very bizarre quirk of them. If i needed a water shoe I'd either get somethinf from decathlon or go for the Hydra esc to prevent things getting in. Theres a reason most watershoes have a net style design
Yea, these were my least favorite Vivo's. They have the Vivo Tracker Sandal in Europe, which looks great, but for some reason it's not available in the US.
Hi Andrew, I'm really curious about the Vivobarefoot Hydra ESC shoes. I know most regular folks probably aren't swimming and running in the same outing, which I wonder might be the reason they get so little attention. They look to me like they might make a really nice summer hiking shoe regardless of whether you plan to swim, but I can't find any comprehensive reviews. Do you have any experience with them?
Haven't tried them yet, although I have tried the ESC sole in other shoes and it's great for extreme terrain, but overkill for roads and casual hiking. The upper seems flexible, which is good. If you don't need them for swimming or wading in creeks, then I'd go with the Primus Knit FG ua-cam.com/video/W4wikuqPHZ0/v-deo.html, which is similar but with a more versatile tread for roads and everyday hikes.
@@AndrewFolts Thank you for your thoughts! I probably will end up going with the Primus Knit. I thought maybe since the Hydras ESC tread was shallower than the other ESC boots it might be a little more versatile, but I am finding so many positive reviews for the Primus Knit that I think that will be a safer choice. Thanks so much for the response!
@@Evilcookie85The Tracker sandal (FG2) has been my main trail squeeze all summer. The Magna SG has been my main hiking boot, but also great to run in. The Hydras & Blooms should arrive in a few days & I'm equally intrigued to see how the Blooms run w a merino sock on any surface, & the Hydras on technical dry stuff. But I've run regular 4mm Primus soles on trails no worries so I may not be the best judge 😹 & that new AT sole 😻👹
Hey Andrew, do you know of any brands of or certain pairs of "barefoot" shoes or similar that would be good for running track? Specifically for speed work? I bought Xero flats and sandals for crosscountry, but I sprint in track. Maybe I should just settle for and work back into the usual trainers - they hurt my feet currently.
Hey Sam, I've run 100-1600m in both the Vivo Primus Lite's ua-cam.com/video/ydf1R2Z2KAY/v-deo.html and Vibram V-Trek's. ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html. They key I found was to go super thin (3-4mm) for max flexibility. Most Xero's are a little stiffer feeling.
No, I found them to be really uncomfortable when out of water, because the upper rubs on your feet. The Vibram V-NEOP was a lot more comfortable ua-cam.com/video/LqZ6-sqT7HA/v-deo.html as a casual water shoe.
Probably not what you should be wearing in the New York state winters. They look cool, and I look at them every time I go to their website. I personally think socks would feel funny in them in dry conditions. 😎 👣
Yea, then they'd be called the Vivo "Ultra F'ing Cold Bloom" lol. Few shoes work for me barefoot, probably because I have boney feet and zero body fat for padding.
Actually, I've been wearing the blooms casually all seasons in dry conditions, including winter, provided you're using good medium-thickness wool socks and are moving from A to B and not trekking in freezing temps for more than 20 minutes. Obviously not appropriate for wet, cold conditions; that's when I wear the Gobi.
Pretty good, although the Vibram V-NEOP is way better due to being thinner, more flexible, and more grippy with VIbram rubber. ua-cam.com/video/LqZ6-sqT7HA/v-deo.html The Ultra Bloom is a bit mor protective in the upper, tho, and obviously drains better.
They do run a bit long, so perhaps. I found them to rub quite a lot when worn barefoot out of water, so I'd consider wearing a neoprene type water sock as a base layer. The Vibram V-NEOP is a lot more comfortable and flexible, IMO: ua-cam.com/video/oeNZliQ5c20/v-deo.html
I have some water shoes, but am going the sandal route, I think maybe the shamma brand.
I'm always barefoot when I can, but use water shoes when in those areas that have rocks, shells, etc.
Thanks for showing these, I was curious about them.
And thanks to vivo for sending them over.
Yea, Shamma's would make great water shoes with the quick dry sole and more secure strap system. I've run through creeks and such in them.
Personally I think I'd prefer open footwear like sandals for casual hikes and such, since there is no drainage required. Water shoes have their place, there are definitely pros and cons.
Yea, me too. Water shoes are mostly useful for technical hikes where there are tons of loose rocks and a risk of getting your toes crushed.
@@AndrewFolts Would be useful to know how they compare to the Xero Aqua - any idea?
@@jamesm5192Haven't tried the Aqua yet, but I'd expect it to be more comfortable for hybrid dry/wet hiking while the Bloom would have better drainage for pure creek and sea walks, etc.
@@AndrewFolts They claim it is just as much for wet, but there are no holes and so I'd think less likely to get poked by anything. But you never did, I guess?
@@jamesm5192No, never got poked.
Love the content!! You should review or take a look at the skinner barefoot socks. I don’t know much about them but if they’re socks with a sole that’s got to be pretty darn close to barefoot right??
I have baresocks which are a comptetitor to skinners that are more minimal and look more like a sock and they feel just like a cozy pair of soft bed socks the rubber sole isn’t uncomfortable in the slightest
Yea, they seem really cool. Unfortunately they're 100% synthetic, which makes my feet hot, sweaty, and smelly. If they made some merino wool ones like my Injinji toe socks I'd be all over them.
I have the jjf version of these and the jjf primus knit models coming in tomorrow. Pretty excited.
Oooh, yea those looked rad! Love my Knit's coming from the reg Lite. Have fun!
@@AndrewFolts I have the lites now but ended up getting a small hole and wanted to try the knits since I wanted to size down anyway. The bloom I’m interested in but not sure how much I’ll use it 😂
How do you find the knits? @@eeymanjones
I was quite excited when i got a pair of these however i think they are not a good shoe. The sizing is all over the place for a start so if you do get then probably size down. Secondly, don't go to a rocky beach. I got loads of small rocks in the shoe, which then dont drain out of the shoe. Instead they sit in there causing cuts to your feet, especially round the toes. A very bizarre quirk of them. If i needed a water shoe I'd either get somethinf from decathlon or go for the Hydra esc to prevent things getting in. Theres a reason most watershoes have a net style design
Yea, these were my least favorite Vivo's. They have the Vivo Tracker Sandal in Europe, which looks great, but for some reason it's not available in the US.
Ive really wanted these
Yea, they rival Vibram FF for most unique barefoot shoe of all time, ha.
Nice water shoes! I have a very cheap but it's smashes my toes... This one seems better.
Yea, they've got a wider more protective fit, if you need that.
Hi Andrew,
I'm really curious about the Vivobarefoot Hydra ESC shoes. I know most regular folks probably aren't swimming and running in the same outing, which I wonder might be the reason they get so little attention. They look to me like they might make a really nice summer hiking shoe regardless of whether you plan to swim, but I can't find any comprehensive reviews. Do you have any experience with them?
Haven't tried them yet, although I have tried the ESC sole in other shoes and it's great for extreme terrain, but overkill for roads and casual hiking. The upper seems flexible, which is good. If you don't need them for swimming or wading in creeks, then I'd go with the Primus Knit FG ua-cam.com/video/W4wikuqPHZ0/v-deo.html, which is similar but with a more versatile tread for roads and everyday hikes.
@@AndrewFolts Thank you for your thoughts! I probably will end up going with the Primus Knit. I thought maybe since the Hydras ESC tread was shallower than the other ESC boots it might be a little more versatile, but I am finding so many positive reviews for the Primus Knit that I think that will be a safer choice. Thanks so much for the response!
@@Evilcookie85The Tracker sandal (FG2) has been my main trail squeeze all summer. The Magna SG has been my main hiking boot, but also great to run in. The Hydras & Blooms should arrive in a few days & I'm equally intrigued to see how the Blooms run w a merino sock on any surface, & the Hydras on technical dry stuff. But I've run regular 4mm Primus soles on trails no worries so I may not be the best judge 😹
& that new AT sole 😻👹
Hey Andrew, do you know of any brands of or certain pairs of "barefoot" shoes or similar that would be good for running track? Specifically for speed work? I bought Xero flats and sandals for crosscountry, but I sprint in track. Maybe I should just settle for and work back into the usual trainers - they hurt my feet currently.
Hey Sam, I've run 100-1600m in both the Vivo Primus Lite's ua-cam.com/video/ydf1R2Z2KAY/v-deo.html and Vibram V-Trek's. ua-cam.com/video/gN07dkOloU4/v-deo.html. They key I found was to go super thin (3-4mm) for max flexibility. Most Xero's are a little stiffer feeling.
Would they work as casual sandal like ?
No, I found them to be really uncomfortable when out of water, because the upper rubs on your feet. The Vibram V-NEOP was a lot more comfortable ua-cam.com/video/LqZ6-sqT7HA/v-deo.html as a casual water shoe.
Probably not what you should be wearing in the New York state winters. They look cool, and I look at them every time I go to their website. I personally think socks would feel funny in them in dry conditions. 😎 👣
Yea, then they'd be called the Vivo "Ultra F'ing Cold Bloom" lol. Few shoes work for me barefoot, probably because I have boney feet and zero body fat for padding.
Actually, I've been wearing the blooms casually all seasons in dry conditions, including winter, provided you're using good medium-thickness wool socks and are moving from A to B and not trekking in freezing temps for more than 20 minutes. Obviously not appropriate for wet, cold conditions; that's when I wear the Gobi.
Yayy thank you!
You got it! (:
WOW
Pretty wild, huh?
how is the grip on wet slick rocks?
Pretty good, although the Vibram V-NEOP is way better due to being thinner, more flexible, and more grippy with VIbram rubber. ua-cam.com/video/LqZ6-sqT7HA/v-deo.html The Ultra Bloom is a bit mor protective in the upper, tho, and obviously drains better.
I’m a 9.5 should I get a 9?
They do run a bit long, so perhaps. I found them to rub quite a lot when worn barefoot out of water, so I'd consider wearing a neoprene type water sock as a base layer. The Vibram V-NEOP is a lot more comfortable and flexible, IMO: ua-cam.com/video/oeNZliQ5c20/v-deo.html