VIVOBAREFOOT Geo Racer II, Mens Vegan Ultra-Light Trainers with Barefoot Sole

Product Information

The only caveat to running is once again the kit potentially stretching and outdoor elements causing some breakdown. Quality: High quality, they’ll last a while. No surprises here. My second vivobarefoot shoe and the quality is consistent so far. I’d also say they are my best looking shoes. These shoes look like any other running shoe you’d find from a major shoe brand. Across the board, the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit has performed exceptionally well and there are a variety of pros that come along with this shoe. If you’re like me and really love feeling the ground under the feet when training, then you can also remove the insole in this model to get even closer. I enjoy this aspect for things like deadlifts and biasing my weight in the foot to drive specific training adaptations.

Ha, ha - all the puns, mate – all the puns. Joking aside, yes – we’ve got to meet the standards we’ve set ourselves on sustainability. Vivo doesn’t do tight footwear – but we love a tight design brief. That’s where the magic happens. It forces new approaches – some we meet, some are a longer journey.If you’re just getting into barefoot shoes or are an avid barefoot shoe wearer, I think this sole is the perfect blend of enough material to protect the feet, but not too much to where you’re limited in sensory input from the ground.

I recently compared the Xero Shoes 360 versus the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit. This comparison should also provide an idea for how these company’s barefoot shoes compare to one another. I bought these during last year’s sale and was initially looking to use them as a long distance running shoe, but for a number of reasons, these ended up becoming a daily wear shoe and weight lifting shoe. Not as we’d hoped – but that’s the journey – that’s what the customer doesn’t see. If only we had new materials that give over to easy repair, and have the right source credentials. That’s the dream - we’re working on it. Always learning and exploring.For running, this shoe works for shorter bouts and I think most will find the knit upper to be plenty comfortable for their sessions. The outsole provides adequate tread and the shoe as a whole feels very minimalist.

Their wider anatomical-shaped toe box also really helps to promote their overall maneuverability for daily wear. These have also become one of my barefoot shoe go-to’s for walking the dogs and running errands. Sizing: spot on with my Gobi IIs. I measured my foot and matched it to the size guide, and it was the correct size. Vivobarefoot used fewer materials in this model compared to previous iterations which also contributes to the weight of this shoe. If you want something super lightweight that feels like nothing on the foot, then the Primus Lite III is a good model to explore. The Vivobarefoot Geo Racer are rather simple in design and I think that’s something that makes them fairly awesome. The details these shoes do possess seem meaningful and well-intentioned. I love wearing them for my regular, easy runs. They help me to focus on form which helps me even when I’m not wearing them.” Vivo Geo Racer Knit barefoot running review

Takeaway Thoughts

Ha! Not sure anyone wants a boxset about TPU. Careful what you wish for! TPU – it’s also called the no-sew, or the mudguard on this particular style. It’s where the upper bonds to the sole. 100% knitted upper means the knit bonds extremely well, directly to the sole. No mudguard. Great in theory – perfect in theory… For example, if you’re wanting a singular barefoot shoe for a little bit of everything, then I think this price point can be more justified. Plus, this is one of Vivobarefoot’s strongest shoes for varied gym workouts.

When it comes to sizing, I think most should be either safe going true to size or a full size down (read more on that below). I wear a size 10, which converts to a 43 in UK sizes and this model fits well, but there is a decent amount of room in regard to length in the toe for this size on me. Note, you can certainly run in them, but I’m choosing not to so they go the distance in regard to their overall durability. If you do run in them, I’d suggest being conscious of the sole and upper construction and if you notice either breaking down, stop the running to prolong your shoe’s life. Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit Performance Similar to other Vivobarefoot shoes, the Primus Lite III delivers an anatomically shaped wider construction to account for all foot widths. The toe box is super wide in this model so even those with wider and flatter feet should find it relatively easy to splay the toes and grip the floor in this shoe. Author’s Note: This article was updated in April 2023. I added more context to my performance section below and made changes to this article to improve its reading experience. Who should buy the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III?

Ingredients

It’s not the biggest deal, but you may want to buy longer laces after you receive this model and test the lacing system. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Performance The knit upper, while lightweight and breathable, is definitely not going to be the most durable when it comes to resisting friction on the upper of the shoe. In addition, I actually don’t like running in this model outside either and feel like the knit in this shoe will be more prone to stretching out with longer running sessions. Yep! However, if you like having a snugger fit in regard to length in the toe, then you may want to consider going down a size. You should still have plenty of toe splay room and width if you choose to do so. 3. Can you lift in Vivobarefoot shoes? Absolutely. Like any barefoot shoe, the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit model is fantastic for strength work and exercises where you really want to promote natural movement and feeling the ground. 4. How much does the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit weigh? Loving the Geo Racer deep-dive, Lee. Is the broader ambition for the Knit mainly to widen the appeal for customers in the ath-leisure market?