Vivo Barefoot Off Road Mid - Trekking Boots

[Sablewings]

So Vivo Barefoot released minimal-sole trekking boots, which got me quite excited seeing as the vast majority of barefoot shoes can't cope too well in a mostly cold and wet climate such as the UK's. I own some Vibrams but they get little wear between November and March, and even my Vivo Barefoot shoes tend to let water in if it rains and I step in a puddle.

http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/mens/off-road-mid-mens-13.html
http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/ladies/off-road-mid-ladies-6.html

They are EXPENSIVE however at £109. (Okay, the same price as a pair of Vibram Speeds over here, but not what I'm used to paying for a pair of Vivos.) So these past months I have been holding back buying a pair and really hoping they will get cheaper...

Has anyone bought or tried on any Off Road Mids - what did you think?

Thanks! 

[Horse Rider]

I have the women Off Road Hi, and wore them all winter to walk to work, 20-30 minutes everyday. I really like them. The sole is definately stiffer and thicker than Evo's for example because of the lugs, and because they are boots, but they protect well against the cold (I am in Canada), stay clean, look good, are well made. I would buy them again if I were to damage mine.

[somnapathy]

Bought a pair for cold weather hikes.  I have a couple of concerns with them, but overall they're a positive:

1) the toe box is pretty narrow compared to most VivoBarefoot shoes (or compared to the toe splay of VFFs).  My feet sometimes cramp up if I've worn my off-roads for more than a an hour or two.  I ended up going a size higher than I usually wear just to get a little extra width for my toes, but the problem is still there.  Thing is, everyone's preferred toe box width is going to vary a bit.  My wife has a pair and thinks the toe box is fine.  So... try 'em and see!

2) After hiking in the snow in them, I've noticed (and my wife has as well) that they're NOT 100% waterproof.  They do a much better job of keeping the moisture out than a pair of VFFs would.  But I've gone on two snow hikes in 'em, and moisture did eventually get in both times (right around the toes, not near the top).  Fortunately, because they're still pretty water resistant and the shoes are pretty warm in the first place, any moisture that does get in tends to warm up pretty quickly.  But the problem is there.

I could also complain about the toe spring, but that problem only shows up when you're standing still -- it's not noticeable while walking.  And the shoes aren't super comfortable on concrete, but that's not what I bought them for.

And yes, they are expensive.  My recommendation is to sign up for VivoBarefoot's email list.  They tend to have regular coupon codes on their website from 20% off to (occasionally) as much as 50% off.  Makes a big difference!

[Sablewings]

Good to know this feedback, thank you.

My recommendation is to sign up for VivoBarefoot's email list.  They tend to have regular coupon codes on their website from 20% off to (occasionally) as much as 50% off.  Makes a big difference!

This is very much appreciated. I'll sign up today.

[The Yeti]

I just ordered a pair of off road hi's today for my treks in the Rockies that I do every year. I ordered a size up, so hopefully I don't find the toe box too cramped. That seems to be the chief complaint with these boots. Though I find when I throw on a pair of hiking socks they tend to compress my feet a bit, so that always helps. I did two hikes in my treks last year which worked out great, except one of them we had a wicked thunder/hailstorm with torrential rain at about 3 degrees celsius. Needless to say I had very wet, cold and raw feet by the end of the hike. Hopefully these can offer some water resistance, as I dislike cold wet feet when hiking. I'll let you all know how I fare in them!

[PB Junkie]

FYI - onlineshoes.com has some good deals on Vivobarefoot. I believe they still have their $25 off of $99 or more through midnight tonight.

[Sablewings]

FYI - onlineshoes.com has some good deals on Vivobarefoot

Sadly onlineshoes don't ship to the UK or Europe, so no good for Englishers like me! 

http://onlineshoes.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/onlineshoes.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=12&p_created=1162503636&p_sid=DejtVhVk&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTAsMTAmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPTEmcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0xLjEmcF9wYWdlPTE!&p_li=&p_topview=1

I've been watching the ones on Amazon UK like a hawk for months, but they haven't dropped in price yet. (The olive colour ones have, but I'd much rather have a pair of black ones!)

[paulr]

FYI - onlineshoes.com has some good deals on Vivobarefoot

Sadly onlineshoes don't ship to the UK or Europe, so no good for Englishers like me! 

I've been watching the ones on Amazon UK like a hawk for months, but they haven't dropped in price yet. (The olive colour ones have, but I'd much rather have a pair of black ones!)

Sablewings - Im off to the States on holiday next month and will be shopping on several occassions (its the GFs passion) when Im there.  Ive already ordered VFFs from Travel Country for pick up from store, so if there is a stockist for what your looking for in the Orlando area let me know & I can pick some up for you

[Jeepman]

Take a look at the Patagonia website. There are a few Gore-Tex water proof hiking boots that look to have a somewhat minimal sole. I don't know for sure, but you could probably e-mail with your questions. Several on-line retailers carry the Patagonia brand so you should be able to get them in the UK. The one that catches my eye is the Patagonia Men's Drifter.

[Sablewings]

paulr - that offer's greatly appreciated - I've looked on Travel Country but they don't carry many vivobarefoot shoes, and what they do carry cost about the same as they do on Amazon UK. I think I may sit it out and hope vivobarefoot will offer discount codes in their email newsletter soon.
What Travel Country DO stock however is VFF Speeds in blue...for about £63. though as I don't *need* another pair of Speeds the fact we can't get blue (or even green n orange mix) ones over here is a serious temptation! 

Jeepman - I've checked out the Patagonia site - I'm a fan of their R1 pullovers (have got 3) and get them when they go half price, but their shoes still look too rugged and stiff-soled. (I've just sold my heavy hiking shoes on Ebay) But thanks for the link!

[paulr]

Might be worth having a look at Amazon Uk site - quite a few good prices on there at the mo for Vivobarefoot

My g/f just ordered these for £40 UK size 6 (other sizes are priced at £109)  http://www.amazon.co.uk/VivoBarefoot-Off-Road-Mid-Top-Pull-Up/dp/B00593WFAQ/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1348276725&sr=8-14


This may sound wierd but while we were looking at Vivobarefoot prices I noticed these  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vivobarefoot-Evo-Crimson-Trainer-VB210001MGRYCRN/dp/B00594LVHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348276725&sr=8-1  at silly prices too.  They also go up to UK size 9 (EU43) which is my size and Im tempted to order the dark blue pair for £21 (yep £21 !!)  - any thoughts as to whether this size 43 in a womens is a mistake by amazon, or will they be around the same size as mens 43 - though maybe a bit narrower ?

[Sablewings]

Ooh, many thanks for the heads up.   I bought a pair of VB Neo Trails a few months ago though and probably can't justify getting another pair of shoes at the moment (Even if they are only £20...crazy price!) I've got 4 pairs of barefoot shoes in very good condition and 1 pair worn out, if only it was the other way round....

The hiking boots are £109 for my size (7)  Boo... 

[paulr]

Ooh, many thanks for the heads up.   I bought a pair of VB Neo Trails a few months ago though and probably can't justify getting another pair of shoes at the moment (Even if they are only £20...crazy price!) I've got 4 pairs of barefoot shoes in very good condition and 1 pair worn out, if only it was the other way round....

A woman who cant justify a new pair of shoes ?? - well,  thats a first !! 

[Sablewings]

A woman who cant justify a new pair of shoes ?? - well,  thats a first !! 

I am a strange fish, 'tis true.