Vivobarefoot shoes are for everyone everyday... but which best describes you?
Our shoes are for everyone every day, but if you are new to barefoot, please proceed with care. Too much, too soon will lead to soreness and pain so build up gradually.
If you are in severe foot pain and/or have a diabetic foot and have been to see the doctor about it, then we recommend you seek further advice before you go any further on your barefoot journey!
Our shoes are for everyone every day, but if you are new to barefoot, please proceed with care, and start with walking, standing barefoot or in barefoot shoes. Too much, too soon will lead to soreness and pain so build up gradually.
Our shoes are for everyone every day, but if you are new to barefoot, please proceed with care, whether its hiking or trail running. Too much, too soon will lead to soreness and pain so build up gradually.
The COMPROMISED shoe-shaped foot is not only compromised in form but also in its function after many years of wearing normal (narrow, ridged and supportive) footwear. Based on simple physics, the COMPROMISED shoe-shaped foot with its characteristic narrow forefoot and misaligned great toe creates a less stable platform for all human movement and after years of ‘support’ and ‘control’ it tends to be a bit weaker than a Natural foot-shaped foot.
The NORMAL foot looks like a foot (as we know it) and also functions like a foot (you can pick up things with your toes and flex your big toes in all directions (see toe-ga for more information).
Also known as the hunter gatherer foot as it is completely foot-shaped (like a great fan) observed in unshod-populations and new-born babies. Based on simple physics; the NATURAL foot provides a wide, stable platform for all functional human movements including; standing, squatting, lifting, walking and running.
Select your foot shape
Heels to the ground…and stuck!? Can’t get your bum below your knees…more crouch than squat.
Heels on the ground. You can get your bum down but it’s a bit unstable and your knees don’t get over your feet.
Heels on the ground. Ahhh…easy peasy. What’s all the fuss about. Knees over toes, bum on or close to your heels and weight in your big toes.
The COMPROMISED squat is the habitual squatting position of modern, sedentary humans and considered by physiotherapists and personal trainers worldwide as the ‘safest’ way to squat.
The COMPROMISED squat appears ‘safe’ due to the limited range of motion required at the ankle, knee and hip to perform this movement, but when these limitations appear in dynamic-human movements such as walking and running, the body compensates with unnatural movement patterns which can lead to pain and injury.
At first glance the NORMAL squat is easily confused with a NATURAL squat as the range of movement (ROM) at the knee joint and hip joint is good BUT on closer inspection the ‘shin-bone’ is almost vertical which indicates a limited ROM at the ankle joint (observe the knee position relative to ankle position in the diagram). A limited ROM in the ankle joint forces the pelvis and lower back to over-compensate. Placing the pelvis and lower back in a vulnerable position where the addition of extra weight and/or higher velocities (weightlifting and plyometric routines) will invariably add a ‘bad back’ to your list of running injuries.
The NATURAL squat is the natural, habitual-squatting position of homo sapiens. This position should not be considered an ‘athletic’ position, but rather a fundamental human movement akin to standing and walking. The ability to adopt the good deep-squat position indicates healthy ankle, knee and hip function and has many benefits for natural movement, including the development and maintenance of full range of motion in the joints required for healthy walking, standing and running.
Select your squat
Your foot is shoe shaped. Your toes are a bit squashed and the big toe is squeezed up next to the other toes. Your arch is tight and uncomfortable.
Your foot is more foot shaped than shoe shaped. You big toe is pointing pretty straight. Your arch could be more springy.
Beautiful spacing between your nice, straight, strong big toe and other toes. Elastic dynamic arch. Mother nature would be proud!
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