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…
“We are challenged by fear!” The words of Chris Bull who is training to take his tightrope walking skills to this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Chris wears VIVOBAREFOOT shoes and in the video Chris talks about the VIVOBAREFOOT Gobi: “It’s basically a flat sole that feels like you’re walking barefoot”
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.
I hope the title caught your attention. Fact is I had the most amazing experience learning proper barefoot running technique from the coaching team of VIVOBAREFOOT. I literally felt liberated and born again, no exaggeration.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just taking your shoes off and running. Luckily I had the priviledge of learning from the students of Lee Saxby, the authority on barefoot running. A lot has been made of this book called Born to Run, Chris McDougall. The book that allegedly sparked a revolution. Well, Lee Saxby was McDougall’s coach. Also present (as a learner) was a London Marathon expert and advisor to over 50 charities on long distance running, Greame Hilditch. His book on running marathons has even helped BBC presenter Sophie Raworth to complete her marathon, a year after collapsing in one. It was thus an honour to be in such esteemed company, training in a centre just down the road from me at Premier Global, North London.
Hybrid – VIVOBAREFOOT golf shoe have featured on a MyGolfSpy.com list of 7 fixed-spiked casual golf shoes for 2013.
MyGolfSpy.com not only appreciated the fact that there is a great deal of science behind VIVOBAREFOOT footwear but they were also really impressed with the Hybrid performance.
This is what they have said about our ultimate barefoot golf shoe:
“This shoe is built on the foundation of Proprioception, which is the sensory feedback from the nerves of the feet. The sole is 2.5mm thick and is puncture resistant. It features a “zero-drop” heel and no pitch providing a natural gait. The toe box is wider than most allowing the toes to expand and function individually. The outsole is extremely flexible and can be folded in half with ease. The tread pattern or “spikes” are 2mm thick for incredible turf interaction. The asymmetrical upper is a combination of mesh and full-grain leather making them water-resistant.
Out of the box, these are ready to go and very comfortable for a minimalist shoe requiring little to no break in period.”
“When I made the switch to barefoot running almost 4 years ago, I had no idea the impact it would make on my life – not just in how I ran but also in how I moved, how I lived and how I learned. Barefoot living has opened my eyes to just how many other areas of our life we take for granted and how many things we do because that’s what we’ve always done. I truly believe that people shouldn’t just make the switch to barefoot running but also barefoot walking, which is why I exclusively wear Vivobarefoot, whether I’m playing disc golf, lifting weights, running, or working in the office. Read more…
A friend introduced me to barefoot Parkour a few years ago. It’s quite difficult. In high-impact discipline practised on concrete, railings and walls, taking off your shoes seems like the last thing you’d want to do. The question of what was better for Parkour – thin, light martial arts shoes or heavily padded running shoes – was still very much open back then. But the benefits were clear immediately.
United States
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.
“When I made the switch to barefoot running almost 4 years ago, I had no idea the impact it would make on my life – not just in how I ran but also in how I moved, how I lived and how I learned. Barefoot living has opened my eyes to just how many other areas of our life we take for granted and how many things we do because that’s what we’ve always done. I truly believe that people shouldn’t just make the switch to barefoot running but also barefoot walking, which is why I exclusively wear Vivobarefoot, whether I’m playing disc golf, lifting weights, running, or working in the office. 
