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

    December 31, 2018 By Amber 25 Comments

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

    This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for more information.

    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!

    barefoot shoes

    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.

    barefoot shoes

    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!

    barefoot shoes

    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!

    barefoot shoes

    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.

    barefoot shoes

    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!

    barefoot shoes

    Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Women

    barefoot shoes

    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.

    barefoot shoes

    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.

    barefoot shoes

    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!

    Entry-Form
    Disclosure: I received these shoes at no cost to facilitate an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own. One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector. Winner will be notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Viva Veltoro and Thrifty Nifty Mommy are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Void where prohibited.
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    Comments

    1. Ryoma Sakamoto.Japan says

      December 31, 2018 at 8:14 am

      Wishing you all a very happy New Year.
      May the coming year be special in every way… bringing you the gift of love and excitement.
      Ryoma.

      Reply
    2. Marilyn Nawara says

      December 31, 2018 at 9:46 am

      I would really like to have a pair of the GOBI HI 2.0 ECO CANVAS WOMENS -- these would be terrific for casual and everyday wear.

      Reply
    3. Mia Rose says

      December 31, 2018 at 12:17 pm

      Looking at the women's shoes it is difficult to make a choice on what I like the best. So many nice looking ones but I think that I like the Primus Trail SG shoe the best.

      Reply
    4. Hannah Avery says

      December 31, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      I think my son would really like the Primus kids shoes! Happy New Year!

      Reply
    5. Cynthia Brooks says

      December 31, 2018 at 1:33 pm

      I like that they're sleek looking and great for comfortable athletucs.

      Reply
    6. Heather K says

      December 31, 2018 at 2:48 pm

      These would be perfect for our upcoming cruise. Enough to walk around in port and on the ship but lightweight to pack.

      Reply
    7. Linda Manns Linneman says

      December 31, 2018 at 5:08 pm

      I love this wide toe idea. It really makes a lot of sense to me. I think my granddaughter would love the PRIMUS KIDS. Thank you so much for sharing

      Reply
    8. Sarah Hayes says

      January 01, 2019 at 12:05 am

      these look incredible!!! I hate wearing shoes so the thinner, more light weight the better. the GOBI HI 2.0 LEATHER WOMENS style is vry pretty.

      Reply
    9. Deborah W. says

      January 01, 2019 at 7:54 am

      I would probably choose the Stealth II women's in navy. I also love the Primus lite women's in mesh grey but they don't have my size?!

      Reply
    10. Miranda says

      January 01, 2019 at 10:34 am

      Love the Primus kids shoes for our kiddos!

      Reply
    11. Jennifer Tilson says

      January 01, 2019 at 11:08 am

      I like the Womens Magna Trail hiking boot.

      Reply
    12. Julie Lundstrom says

      January 01, 2019 at 11:31 am

      I would like to try the Primus Lite shoes for doing a lot of walking.

      Reply
    13. Victoria Scott says

      January 01, 2019 at 6:27 pm

      My eldest daughter deals with chronic foot cramps and I'm really thinking that a pair of these would help her!!! I love the Mini Primus Kids in Black/Red!

      Reply
      • Amber says

        January 01, 2019 at 11:14 pm

        I bet these would help! It's amazing what a great pair of shoes can do.

        Reply
    14. Alice F says

      January 01, 2019 at 10:18 pm

      These shoes look so comfy! I have looking for some shoes to wear around with I an working out and for running errands and these seem to fit the bill.

      Reply
      • Amber says

        January 01, 2019 at 11:14 pm

        Yes! These shoes are perfect for working out and just general wear as well.

        Reply
    15. sandra says

      January 03, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      i like the STEALTH II WOMENS

      Reply
    16. Amanda Alvarado says

      January 04, 2019 at 12:40 am

      I like the Primus Hi-viz Women's Mesh shoes!

      Reply
    17. Kaycee says

      January 04, 2019 at 9:18 am

      The rock climbing! Such brave little ones! I love the Women's Magna Trail shoes! Definitely look like they could take a beating, and that's a prerequisite for my shoes!

      Reply
    18. Mary Gardner says

      January 05, 2019 at 6:33 pm

      I like the Jing Jing women's barefoot pump in black.

      Reply
    19. katie says

      January 08, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      My favorite pair would have to be the gobi hi 2.0 eco boots. I could wear them with so many outfits and in all trips!

      Reply
    20. gloria patterson says

      January 10, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      These would go to my great niece who is 2 1/2 and her feet are growing so fast. I would pick

      Wyn Kids Mary Janes

      Reply
    21. Holly Thomas says

      January 10, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      ABABA CANVAS BIRDIE WOMENS IN BLACK ARE MY FAVORITE.

      Reply
    22. Lisa K says

      January 14, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      I want to try these! We use Softstars for the kids right now, but I'd love something a little harder to slip off when E runs her 5ks.

      Reply
    23. Teresa Organ says

      January 14, 2019 at 11:19 pm

      I like the women's Winter barefoot boot, Gobi Hi 2.0. Thank you for the chance to win the Primus Lites shoes from Vivobarefoot!

      Reply

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