The Best Barefoot Shoes for the Whole Family {Plus, a Giveaway!}

This past year I started learning about how important it is for our feet to really feel the earth and not to be hindered by shoes. I found this especially interesting for my kids whose feet are clearly still developing and forming. Turns out, after years and years of shoe-wearing, our feet and toes no longer work the way they should! (More on that later). I've decided to go back to our roots so our whole family is barefoot as much as possible. In Minnesota winter, however, that's not the easiest! I've partnered with Vivobarefoot to share how we're getting as close to barefoot as we can with their amazing barefoot shoes.

When I started considering barefoot shoes, I thought about our kids first. Their feet are still developing, and haven't their toes and arches haven't been affected by years and years of tight shoes. While I've always been conscious of our kids' shoes having a flexible sole, I haven't really considered how tight toe-boxes affect them as well. Vivobarefoot shoes offer wide toe boxes which are great for growing kids. We tested our new shoes out on our favorite rock climbing wall and they were perfect!

Vivobarefoot Primus Kids

One of the stand-out features of Vivobarefoot shoes are their wide toe-box that allows for natural growth. Contrary to our beliefs, toes aren't supposed to line up perfectly and all be touching. Have you ever looked at a newborn's foot and noticed that their big toe is quite a distance from the rest of their toes? This is incredibly important for balance and that need doesn't go away as we get older. We just adapt to losing that function but I think most of us can say we don't have the best balance! Anyway, back to our kids' shoes. For our three year old son, I went with Vivobarefoot's Primus Kids  in Moon Indigo.

I think Vivobarefoot shoes are the most adorable when they come in  tiny toddler sizes! Our son really likes new shoes (so funny!) and he was thrilled to open his Primus Kids pair. These are available in four colorways but I went with Moon Indigo because they'll match almost all of his outfits. These shoes are super lightweight and have thin soles to allow kids to really feel a connection with the ground they walk on. This is especially great for toddlers because they're gaining confidence in their foot-travel skills. Primus Kids have a breathable mesh that allows airflow to keep those little feet smelling fresh!

For our five year old daughter, we went with a Primus Kids pair as well. She chose the Navy/Turquoise colorway! As soon as her pair arrived, she had to put them on and test them out by running around the house. She was amazed at how quickly she could stop and pivot. I attribute this to the ultra-thin, puncture-resistant sole on Vivobarefoot shoes. Our daughter has so much confidence while wearing her Primus Kids' - it's clear that she can feel exactly what's going on beneath her feet which translates right up to her brain!

Vivobarefoot Primus Swimrun Boot SG

For my husband, we went with the Primus Swimrun Boot SG Mens. Every year, he runs the Tough Mudder here in Minnesota. It's 10 miles of obstacles and as the name suggests, you get FULL of mud. Every year he tries to convince me to do it with him but I am not sold on the activity; I don't mind jogging but dangerous obstacles covered in mud? Not my thing. Anyway, he needs a pair of shoes that will work on a variety of terrains and also stay on his feet when his whole body gets immersed in mud.

These Swimrun Boots are the perfect option. They're made out of recycled plastic bottles that create a breathable mesh, and they're very lightweight. One thing I'll mention is that they do have an odor when you first take them out of the box. We let them off-gas outdoors for a few days before he wore them. While initially hesitant, he's really impressed by the neoprene collar that keeps the shoe over his ankle. It really helps hold the shoes in place even when they're wet. They also don't get bogged down with water weight because they have quick-drain zones to release any excess. Possibly the best feature are the high-profile lugs which are perfect for muddy terrain. My husband has been training in these shoes so he's used to them by the time the Tough Mudder comes around, and he's looking forward to wearing them at the event!

Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Women

I chose a Vivobarefoot Primus Lite pair in Mesh Grey for myself. For the past couple months I've been using a treadmill desk to get my steps in but my feet were hurting when I'd walk completely barefoot for miles. I wanted a pair of shoes that I could wear on the treadmill that would be as close to barefoot as possible. Luckily I found those in the Primus Lites for women. They're perfectly lightweight and the sole is ultra-thin which allows me to feel the treadmill under my feet. They have a no-sew outsole which means they're the perfect minimalist shoe, and they're vegan too! I love that they're made from recycled plastic bottles; anything that can keep plastic out of our landfills and oceans is a win for me.

We are so impressed with all of our Vivobarefoot shoes and I can't wait to add more to our collection!

Buy it: You can purchase Vivobarefoot shoes from their site.
Follow: Make sure you connect with them on social media for deals and updates: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
WIN: Enter to win a pair of Primus Lites from Vivobarefoot! The winner will choose between Primus Lites for women, men, or kids and their choice of size and in-stock colorway.

Open to the US only, ages 18 and up.  Ends 01/14/19 at 11:59 PM EST.
Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below.  Good luck!