VIVOBAREFOOT Gobi III, Mens Lace Up Desert Boot With Barefoot Sole

Product Information

The Gobi III is an ankle boot in between the height of the Gobi and the Gobi Hi Top. It’s got a high top sneaker vibe going on, which is a new look for Vivo and I’m really digging it. One of the things we adore about the Magna Lite WR SG is how they’ve designed the ankle area. The stretchable wool collar makes them incredibly easy to slip on, and there’s absolutely no restriction around the ankle. Even the sole is remarkably flexible, despite its robust appearance. VIVOBAREFOOT’s toe box shape wonderfully mimics the natural shape of the human foot. They offer a perfectly straight line for the big toe, and I never feel like my big toe movement is restricted in any way. However, depending on your foot width, they might restrict your pinky toe if the shoes are not wide enough for your foot width. Magna Lite WR SG is the water-resistant version of Magna Lite, one of our favorite hiking boots. It retains the same design and sole type as its lighter counterpart, with the key difference lying in the upper, where non-absorbent materials have been thoughtfully selected to enhance water resistance without compromising on comfort. It’s always exciting to see a beloved design get a makeover for more challenging conditions, isn’t it?

Novus and Novus Mid are new models introduced in 2023, featuring a unique combination of a rugged outdoor sole and urban upper design, giving them a distinctive and stylish look. The Novus is available in two different heights for both men and women. The Mid version takes a little more time to put on, and the organic laces require a bit more effort to untie. The height of the shoe provides additional ankle support, although personally, we would have preferred a bit more flexibility in this area to reduce any feelings of restriction.Their shoes were also our first barefoot shoes and the first barefoot shoes for our family, holding a special place in our hearts as everything began with them. The interior is lined with a soft, sort of minky material that is new for Vivobarefoot this season (same material is on the interior of the new Gobi Hi). Also new is an algae performance sole. It’s a light, breathable sole, with some squish. The sole is thin but firm. It doesn’t provide the softness that softer sandal soles do, but keep in mind that for sandals, the most flexible sole isn’t always the best (as it can bend or cause you to trip if not used with a good upper design), so they made a wise decision with this sole type.

Sizing & Fit: Opanka works best for medium wide feet. However, since the upper is so thin and soft, they can accommodate medium to wide feet too, as long as they’re not very high volume. For reference, my feet dimensions are 26.3/10 cm, and Opanka is wide enough for my feet, while some other VIVOBAREFOOT models already feel too narrow in women’s sizes. The Primus Asana is a wonderfully soft and flexible casual women’s barefoot trainer, made from natural materials to promote natural movement. It’s versatile enough to go with almost anything, from joggers to jeans, and can even be paired with more casual dresses.The sole is a good width in the toe box, but a little wide for me through the heel. I have very slim feet, so this is par the course for me. With a lace up shoe like this it is not a problem. Aim for approximately 10-12 mm in spring/summer shoes, and you can add even more space in front of the toes for winter models. The size you choose also depends on your foot width and shape – narrower feet can choose less space, while wider feet can walk perfectly fine with even 18 mm of space or more. Kids need even more space in shoes, as you need to add space for growth too (approximately 5 mm extra space). The rubber wall Vivobarefoot uses around their boots is very good at keeping out water and does a great job protecting the shoe from wear (salty snow, scuffs, dirt). I try to wear only my boots with rubber walls in the snow and rain because I’ve damaged a few of my others that have leather going all the way down. The worst offender is the salt that gets used on the snow, so I try to always wear rubber wall boots when it’s snowy. An attached tongue keeps water out Sizing & Fit: The women’s Primus Asana is best suited for narrow and medium-wide feet, while the men’s version is ideal for medium to wide feet. It’s perfect for those with average insteps and ankles, but due to the stretchy and adjustable uppers, even people with slightly lower/higher insteps and skinnier/stronger ankles might find a good fit. They are quite low in the toe area, so if you have more prominent toes, make sure there’s enough room around them. VIVOBAREFOOT Addis

Sizing & Fit: The women’s Primus Lite Knit is best suited for narrow and medium-wide feet, while the men’s version is ideal for medium to wide feet. While most VIVOBAREFOOT models cater well to skinny ankles and low insteps, this particular model is best suited for those with average insteps and ankles. However, those with shallower feet might not get the best fit, as there can be more gapping around the ankles and the upper material over the instep may crease. VIVOBAREFOOT Primus Asana VIVOBAREFOOT shoes have been our go-to choice for our kids’ barefoot shoes since the beginning. Over the years, they have undergone some changes with new designs, models, and slight variations in fit, but they have consistently remained among the best-designed and long-lasting barefoot shoes for kids. In fact, some of our pairs have been passed down to a fourth child in a row.

Sizing & Fit: The toe box shape of the Gobi III is excellent, and the line at the big toe is perfectly straight. This model tends to run on the narrower side and fits best for those with narrow to medium-wide feet, lower to medium-high insteps, and narrow to medium-wide ankles. With my foot dimensions measuring 26.3/10 cm, I found that a size 42 was a good length, but I would have appreciated a few extra millimeters for my pinky toe width-wide. If you require additional width, keep in mind that the men’s models are generally wider than the women’s models in the same size. VIVOBAREFOOT Gobi HI