VIVOBAREFOOT PRIMUS TRAIL III

(Vivo)barefoot. A new, yet more tellingly, ancient principle of wearing shoes that imitate being barefoot. These guys make wide, thin and flexible shoes that are designed to feel as close to barefoot as possible. They're also a Certified B-Corp, use recycled materials, and have an impressive recycling program.

Raised an eyebrow or two? Good. I'm here to explain how Vivobarefoot's Primus Trail III hold up on the trail, and why it could be worth integrating some form of barefoot movement into our daily lives.

Straight out of the box and onto my feet, the Primus Trail III's feel almost concerningly lightweight and flexy. Shoeless some might say, and with a stack height of 2.5mm on top of its 4mm lugs, it's easy to see why. The toe box is one of the widest available on the market, yet the lockdown and foot protection punches well above its weight, at 250g per cleat. Durability is also solid. I've thrashed my pair over the past five months and there are very minimal signs of wear and tear.

The Vivos do exactly what they advocate. Initially, the lack of cushion is a shock to the system and like anything, novel stimulus requires adequate time to adapt. Feeling and connecting to the ground through our feet is something the brand advocates. If you're reading this magazine, there's a good chance you've also read or at least heard about Anthony McDougall's book Born to Run.

He discusses how a powerful sensory connection exists between our feet and our brain, and going barefoot promotes this, whilst cushioned modern day footwear blunts it. The Primus' definitely hold true to this notion.

Having said that, Vivobarefoot shoes shouldn't be taken lightly. If you're not used to going shoeless, slowly introducing them in a non-running context is advised. Walking and strength training in minimalist shoes is a great first step to improve functionality and stability in our feet. In 2021, research at the University of Liverpool revealed wearing minimalist footwear for just 6 months increased foot strength by 60%. An impressive stat that has serious potential to positively affect running performance.

The Primus II's get a big thumbs up from me. They are thin, highly flexible, and durable shoes that carry a vast array of benefits. If you're interested in trying a pair, use code TRAILRUNMAG at checkout for a 15% discount.

VITALS

RRP $289.95 AUD / $329.95 NZD SOLEMECHANICS.COM.AU / SOLEDISTRIBUTION.CO.NZ