Starting at over 10,000ft in the Cloud Forest, in the Peruvian Andes, the Jungle Ultra marathon commences in just over a week. The 230km, 6 day, 5-stage race winds through the dense tropical forests on the Amazon, where the competitors will experience up to 35˚C heat and 100% humidity in the diverse environment. The entrants have to be self-sufficient over the course of the distance and carry all their gear; hammock, sleeping bag, food and supplies for the entire race.

Here at VIVOBAREFOOT we like a challenge so we decided to partner with Beyond the Ultimate, the race organisers, and take on this extreme ultra marathon. The winner of the race will receive shoes for a year and we’re also supplying the race officials and staff with our barefoot trail shoes – as well as many of the competitors. Read more…

The first thing to notice is the thin sole. Immediately, you feel close to the ground. The barefoot feeling can never be fully replicated in a shoe but if you need protection from the weather or the terrain, this is the alternative. The removable insole also allows you to choose just how barefoot you want it to feel.

The 4mm sole achieves a nice balance of allowing you to feel the ground whilst at the same time protecting you from stones and thorns with its puncture resistant sole. The lack of heel to toe height difference will take some getting used to for those unaccustomed to it and some runners may feel like they are slapping the ground as they run. However, with a sensible ‘breaking in’ [learn more about transitiong properly to barefoot] period the muscles of the feet and lower leg will relax and adapt to the new sensations allowing the foot to land in a more relaxed fashion. This is when you can begin to enjoy the feeling of running closer to how nature intended and start to use your VIVOBAREFOOT shoes as a training shoe.

Read more…

Swap your trains for trainers this Friday (26 April) for the first global Run To Work Day. If you’re running to work in VIVOBAREFOOT shoes make sure you share you stories, photos and videos with us by posting on our Facebook Wall or tweeting us. You can run all or part of their daily commute, donating the money you would otherwise spend on travel and/or parking.

“Run To Work Day is not just an opportunity for runners around the world to ‘run for good’ it is also a chance for employers to encourage colleagues to create a healthy and active workplace. Further, we anticipate that many firms will agree to match-fund their employees’ charitable donations.” – Run to Work Day Organisers.

Read more…

“I guess you don’t really need your golf shoe to roll up into a ball, but the fact that it can just shows how well it lets your foot flex and move as it wants to. The Hybrids are definitely the thinnest most flexible golf shoes I’ve worn.” – Birthday Shoes

Our friends at Birthdayshoes.com took a pair of the Hybrid Golf Shoes from VIVOBAREFOOT and gave them a thorough test drive. If you’re considering purchasing barefoot shoes that will improve your golf game, we would recommend you read the review first.
Read more…

We’re proud to announce our new Synth Hiker Boot has been featured in Outdoors Magic, one of the biggest outdoors website in the UK.

This is what Outdoors Magic stated about the Synth Hiker Boot:

“Brand new for winter 2012 is a new lightweight, minimalist, vegan- friendly, waterproof hiking boot from the guys VIVOBAREFOOTS, the Synth Hiker is both men’s and women’s versions”

We are very excited for this new boot to be feature in our range today. This boot has the off-road sole but also has the light underfoot that gives you the perfect medium of protection and lightness for your hiking adventures.

Outdoors magic, describes the boot as:

“The boot is made from vegan-friendly, synthetic materials. The uppers are a mix of hydrophobic mesh and PU while the toe guard is ECO PU. Finally there’s a Hydrogaurd waterproof sock liner to keep your feed dry and happy.”

Synth Hiker boot has its own claim of fame by weighing 335g for the mens boot and 280g for the women’s boot, which makes these boots one of the lightest yet.

Another month another winner. May’s Be In It To Win It lucky winner is Anne Stephens who tried on shoes at the VIVOABREFOOT Experience in Covent Garden, London.

Thanks to everyone who entered. If you didn’t win, you can enter again next month, when we’ll be giving away more VIVOBAREFOOT shoes.

For more information check out the Be In It To Win It competition page.

Please note this competition is only available in the United Kingdom. If you think your local retail store should get involved in the competition  – please email socialmedia@vivobarefoot.com and we’ll encourage them to get involved.

Try on a pair of VIVOBAREFOOT shoes to Be In It To Win It.

Author: Jamie Page

Check out our barefoot shoes in action around the Devonshire countryside.