Thanks! Appreciate it and it’s something I’m trying to focus on as most reviews on anything tend to be within a 1-6 month period so you don’t get the real long term perspective. Thanks again for the comment 👌🏻
I thought that would be the case. Thanks for confirming. It’s disappointing they’ve implemented this change and don’t seem to be aware of the impact it’s had on the shoe. I appreciate that the insole may cover this but their soles are removable and meant to just provide thermal benefits. It’s a shame they’re now there to protect you from the shoe itself! 🤷🏼♂️
@@harrisonmudge I don`t think the issue is as catastrophic as it first appears, it`s barely noticeable once they are worn in, and may have some durability benefits.
Hmm, I would have to disagree on that. Specifically with the RA II anyway. I don’t use an insole so the stitching is ‘exposed’ as it were and my feet to rub against the sides so the new stitching always rubbed against my feet. I was acutely aware of it at all all times making them very uncomfortable. If you’re using the insole then definitely, if it’s covering the stitch then no issue. No insole, big issue 😢 I assume the redesign benefits them for resoling too with their Revivo service
@@harrisonmudge Mine are quite a loose fit without the insole, and with the laces pulled tight, I can barely notice, but would be problematic with a snugger fit. Good to know they can be re-soled.
Very nice review! I recently tried the RA III and was very disappointed as well. I had such high hope for them, cuz I still love and wear my 4-year old vivo premiums trak. I too like to wear my vivos without the insole, and I feel that without the insole they were too slippery for me with socks. The whole shoe felt quite stiff and the upper shoe just rubbed my feet very uncomfortably. When I saw your revivo RA II, which clearly showed that the leather worn very nicely and seem very soft. I thought I might just need to break them in, until I see this one..
Thanks mate. Yes I agree, when I got the new ones they were definitely stiffer too. Maybe they’d soften up but I swear my RA II we’re pretty comfortable from the first time I put them on. I would say sometimes the type of socks you’re wearing can impact the ‘slippery’ nature of the shoe. I had some cheap synthetic material socks that are very slippery but some cotton socks are better suited. But again, in the RA III the leather on the bottom is different than the RA II. Maybe after wearing them a little they would have a better grip but there was more problems with the shoe than just the sole.
Hmm, i just bought these from revivo today. I hope i don't have quality issues- one of the main reason i justified paying the price is some friends I have swear by their Vivos, one has a pair of OG Gobi's from 5 years ago, they still look great and he wears them daily
Hopefully you won’t mate. If they’ve come from revivo too then they get looked at more closely as individuals repair them. Also, I’ll be honest, I feel their quality has come under fire recently from people which is all clearly valid but QA is something that’s in theory easier to solve. And their customer service is top notch so while frustrating, any issues are dealt with quickly and positively. 👌🏻
Great review - and I think very fair comments 👌. Totally agree that Vivobarefoot customer services are excellent - second to none and they paid for the return postage! I am currently toying with the idea of buying these shoes - so it’s good to know what to expect. You mentioned you might look at the Gobi. I have a pair of the Gobi boots - they also have loose threads inside. However not a problem for me as I use the insoles with them . Hope they work for you. 🤗
I do actually have a pair of Gobi II and really happy with them. Interestingly I actually keep the insole in those may get a new pair of the Gobi III for work instead of the RA. Now that we’re moving in to summer I’ve begun to wear my Geo Court and I’ve just purchased a pair of Geo Court Knit 🙈 couldn’t help myself!
@@harrisonmudge Glad the Gobi's worked out for you. 👍 Geo Court were my first pair of Vivobarefoot shoes (purchased last year). I loved them so much I went on to buy my Gobi boots and then, this year, the Forest tracker boots. Enjoy🙃🤗
Was very unhappy with my Ra III from March. The cork inner sole moved backwards already in the first 5 minutes on the first city walk (both shoes). Tried to wear them ion office a couple of times and the upper leather at the top inside at the ankle rolled up (both shoes). Forgot a while about them unfortunately, but these days I saw what I paid for them and opened a ticket to get them returned. Curious if they'll accept. Saw similar reviews about faulty glue in the comments section of several retailers (for both soles and the upper leather), so I guess they had the problem for a limited period (maybe changed the glue).
Yeah to be honest I’ve also had limited success with the insoles. I don’t wear them in most of my shoes anyway but I’ve had the same issue with the cork. Could be a mix of the leather sole in the shoe and the material on the underside of the insole. Seems like they don’t have enough friction. Also crazy to have to glue them in in order to stop them shifting! Definitely seems like the RA III needs work.
Have 2 pairs of Ra II in black and brown. The brown pair came with different shininess. I should have returned those on arrival and asked for a pair with the same kind of shine. Other than that I enjoy these and other Vivos that I have a lot.
Yeah enjoy most of mine too. When I returned this pair they had the stitch issue I did get a pair that matched on their finish. I’m not sure what it is but I feel I sometimes overlook certain things as in the back of my head I think they’re some sort of small start up company but they’re not. While they do limited and seasonal runs of shoes they’re not a couple of cobblers in a garage somewhere making shoes, they have production lines with manufacturing in various places around the world. While no one is perfect, something that is technically being pass produced needs to keep a high standard of quality across their product range. I will be getting a new batch of their shoes this year so looking forward to their new versions to see if they maintain their quality.
Wow. What an excellent review, thank you!!! Honesty is the best policy. I am so happy to hear that - although you were dissatisfied with the new pair - you praised the customer service department at barefoot. They are incredible! I am going to give the ra III’s a try and buy a revivo pair. Again, thank you for the fantastic review and I wish you the best in the future of your life… cheers! :)
Yeah I feel you. I don’t think there necessarily going to be any worse but they were certainly different. I’d like to say they’d still last you but they have changed how they’re made so couldn’t be certain. However they are still stitched on the sole so that should last.
These were my first pair of barefoot shoes and I love them but I wish they did an ultra-wide version of them because the normal ones pinch my little toes.
I fortunately find their shoes have enough width most of the time but my feet are on the top end of their scale so I sometimes don’t get to fit in certain ones. I did read that something they’re working on is basically the ability to measure your feet and make a shoe designed specifically for your feet! That tech can’t come soon enough if I’m honest!
@@harrisonmudge It's totally the next logical, ahem, step in barefoot shoe design. When it comes to width, requirements vary so much that bespoke is the only way to go. And width was the very first thing I cared about in barefoot shoes.
😂 love it! Yeah totally agree. It’ll definitely be interesting to see implemented. I imagine there’s a lot to consider, logistically. How do you manufacture shoes that have the potential to be unique. They’d likely not actually be truly unique but have combinations of different parts, e.g extra wide sole, shorter length or something like that then have enough tolerance to cover a small range of foot sizes. But still that sounds like a right headache to supply that sort of thing on demand without taking a long time to produce or ship. In the other had it should in theory reduce waste as it will eventually be pull through demand rather than stocking sizes that then don’t sell. Either way I just look forward to the concept of never worrying if a shoe is big enough again. It’s somewhat solved with vivo already but being a UK 14 and the biggest they make, some styles just don’t fit still which is a shame. It’s also confusing why that’s the case but that conversation is probably for another time 😅
Great review. I've been eyeing these shoes but I'm concerned about the threading that you mentioned. Unfortunately sometimes these shoe companies do cut corners to save money. I know that happened with the first pare of vibrams I bought. They were perfect, toes spread super wide and just felt good quality. Now the new ones I bought don't even compare. They're narrow and are just not as well made. Gotta get in early sometimes when companies are really trying to impress their customers. :)
Thanks mate. Yeah my hope is it’s just teething problems in their quest to improve production processes and reduce impact on the environment. My fear is, unfortunately, it seems like the quest to reduce materials and impact on the environment will result in shoes barely made of anything. In theory that makes sense but at some point you’re going to end up with a bit of fabric and string wrapped round your feet 😅
Mate, you’re living the dream then! We’re lucky to have a couple of months of “shorts worthy” weather in the uk each year. So most of the time you’re layering up which means your feet get cold pretty quick if you’re not wearing something with a thermal insole!
I have been more into the Gobi version and I had issues with Gobi 2 where the stitching began loosening on the outside (I could put a pencil through it)on the exact same place on both shoes after 3 weeks. Customer service was perfect but I was so irritated, "but 3 weeks😡", that I forgot about vivobarefoot and used xero and merrell instead. Now I just recently bought primus trail and gobi 3, (they look so good in the brown color) so now let us see what happens. There's no stitching issue like the ones you had in ra 3.
Fingers crossed you don't have issues with them. It is a shame that there's so many issues with them, relatively speaking. I do love the shoes and the brand, it just doesn't feel great sometimes as it's like the end user becomes the quality checker and then they make revisions based on customer returns.
This is interesting/funny... about 3 or 4 years ago I had the same experience in reverse. I had been wearing Merrells and bought a pair of Xeros (the Coulton I think, they no longer make it but I still have them) and the upper stitching was coming apart within a week or two at most. Went thru an awful CS thing with them and found the Vivo Gobi 2 in the interim and never looked back (all have been nearly perfect). I own 3 styles/pairs of Gobis now (all ver 2 I think), plus the moc toe version and a "back-up" of my main regular brown pair sitting in the back of the closet at the ready (for 2 years now - still haven't worn them cuz haven't needed to).
@therealchickentender wow I’ve thought about doing the same. Buying twice and keeping a spare! Might be worth it incase they don’t bring certain styles back!
OK, so it's not just me. You noticed a different issue than I have with my Gobi 3's, but still a change. I'm actually having toe crowding that I didn't notice much because I was able to go full barefoot in my office (because I'm the boss), but as it finally got cold here, I'm noticing toe crowding. I think the width across the toe box area is 10mm smaller, which appears to be similar as yours! Just when I thought they knocked it out of the park too!
Yeah it can be frustrating. I personally love the RA, the style as a smart shoe is great. They’re always iterating, it’s a shame that the III seems like a little bit of a miss step but if they get enough feedback they’ll improve. Their Geo Court 3 is a great example of progress. That’s now one of my favourites. You may also have found your feet have gotten even wider if you’ve been full barefoot for a while!
@@harrisonmudge Good to know. I'm over a decade of barefoot play, so I'm not sure how much wider they could be. Of course there's also the question of how much time I crammed them into smaller shoes. If I reorder & not find another brand, I'lm likely to go up to 12's, even tho the length at 11 is spot on
Yeah annoyingly they didn’t change the inside / insole part though. I wore a hole in one of mine which is still there after having the sole replaced. So I can just feel the ‘inside’ of the outsole 🤷🏼♂️ But as I mentioned, at some point though, you’re placing the whole shoe 😅
Can't find any mention of maintenance. Can one polish these shoes using old-fashioned shoe polish? 3 years is not long for a pair of shoes. Had my traditional Church's shoes for 20 years.
Yeah regular polish will work fine, I’ve use it and they come up a treat. I assume your church shoes have a much thicker sole than these though right? The RA only have a 4mm sole on them so there’s not much there in the first place. I’d say a standard dress shoe is probably double the thickness and uses a harder material so i don’t think it’s quite an apples to apples comparison. But a valid point and a consideration nonetheless. That’s why the resoling is useful from Revivo. (UK only at time of writing.
Yeah regular polish will work fine, I’ve use it and they come up a treat. I assume your church shoes have a much thicker sole than these though right? The RA only have a 4mm sole on them so there’s not much there in the first place. I’d say a standard dress shoe is probably double the thickness and uses a harder material so i don’t think it’s quite an apples to apples comparison. But a valid point and a consideration nonetheless. That’s why the resoling is useful from Revivo. (UK only at time of writing.
@Harrison Mudge I've worn them in suits and dress pants. I've definitely gotten a comment here or there but they certainly work and feel great. No polish needed.
No they’ve never rubbed there for me. I’ve got 2 pairs, a RA II and a RA III and neither rub. I find that these are generally on the looser side though too so they’re never tight enough for that friction to cause a blister. For me anyway. 👍🏻
Is there any advice on barefoot shoes for flat footers like me ? recently suffered a 5th metatarsal fracture in part due to wearing recommended arch supports I believe
Hey dude, not 100% on what sort of advice you’re looking for (and I’m not a professional so take anything I say with a pinch of salt) but if you’ve got issues with flat feet and you’re using arches, to me they’re a bit of a crutch. The weakness is in the the foot and while arches are a temporary fix they don’t solve the problem. As you’re well aware 😅 If you’re able to ditch the arches an give some Vivos a try you may see some huge benefits. There’s a bit of a transition but it doesn’t take too long to get used to them. Most if not all of them come with a thermal insole of some kind too which can help add some cushioning. If you have any more specific questions then id be happy to do a video to try and help you and others
I think you need more than just barefoot shoes to strengthen your feet if youre getting injuries like that regularly, and as much as I love skating in my VivoBarefoot Ra II's for the last 3-4 years (I swapped the cork insoles out after the first year for wool socks over the top of my standard nylon/polyerster/spandex ankle socks that I wear year round with them in the New England winters), it was running around in Vibram FiveFingers EL-X's for a few years (mostly summers) that really strengthened my feet after swapping from the original KSO's. But if I were you I'd start taking a vitamin d3 capsule with a glass of whatever kind of milk you can drink without side effects every day (with the exception of soy) and get some fresh turmeric and freshly ground black pepper mixed in (I make a tea with a little cinnamon then add honey when it cools down enough to prevent heat poisoning the honey) a couple times a week to keep the inflammation down and prevent the bones from getting brittle. As always, this is not medical advice and your mileage may vary, so consult with your personal physician before doing anything too crazy!
@Flamerberge yeah for sure. There’s definitely hereditary issues that may be beyond simply poorly fitting shoes but shoes only compound the problem if they’re a bad fit. Great to hear you’ve ‘fixed’ your pain issues 👌🏻
Hey mate, have you got any barefoot shoes already? I think either way you should probably size up. I think they’re close to standard sizing in length (most of the time) so if you’re between sizes then they’ll likely fit like a glove. If not you can return and swap for a new pair.
@@harrisonmudge Yes, I've had Fivefingers and NB MT10s, but I'm writing to you from Ecuador, so getting and sending them back is kinda a hustle. Maybe Gobi 3s and Ra 3s can go for the samller size, but Primus for the bigger?
😅 definitely not ideal then mate. It’s actually a little tough to say as I find the consistency in their shoes to fluctuate. I had some older Primus lites and they ran a bit smaller but a newer pair I have run bigger 🤷🏼♂️ so hard to say either way. But if you are between sizes, I’d maybe say opt for the 11s as you’d rather have a bit of room. Hopefully they don’t seem too big
i've noticed that most supposed new or improved versions of products these days are invariably worse in one way or another than the old version they are replacing
Yeah I know what you’re saying. In this case they’ve definitely to a step backwards, but if you look at their Geo Court trainer, that’s on version 3 and in my opinion they’ve nailed it. I believe Vivos intention is to always make the best shoes they can, but they’re also on a mission to reduce the amount of materials and general impact from each shoe. This is inevitably going to result in some cut backs, like in the RA, not always yielding the best results but they definitely listen to feedback and are extremely critical of their own products so hopefully a RA IV will be that. But then again if most people are happy with it then maybe not. I’ve got RA III in honey suede and don’t have too many issues with them, partly because they’re a special occasion shoe so don’t have to wear them all the time.
Yes it should do. It’s relatively soft in general anyway but it does have a little stiffness to it due to its ‘newness’ but for sure softens as it flexes and gets its creases 👌🏻
To be honest, no real issues that would impact you if you bought them new without having the old version. But between the 2 and the 3 they’ve changed the design and it’s a step in the wrong direction in my opinion.
I want to say yes, in the length. I’d say the RA are generally slightly wider in the mid foot though. The Primus lite grips a little more snug in the mid foot
How is size comparison btw ver 2 and 3? Official Web site says ver 2 is small, and ver 3 is true to size....is it correct that ver 3 is bigger in length?
I'd say they're extremely similar but you could say the 3 is slightly longer. But we're talking such a small difference in size that you wouldn't even notice.
In fairness I can’t say 100% they are completely different as I didn’t live with the RA III for over a year but they definitely seemed like less of a shoe. The 2 has an internal suede that the 3 doesn’t. Very different feel on the inside
@@harrisonmudge Thanks for the reply, I'd like to buy the 2's from what I've been reading, unfortunately they're not available anymore. Revivo has them all sold out as well. Wonder if they could re-release them :/
Yeah I just looked on Revivo too and you can even SEE the difference. The sole attaches differently and I don’t know if it’s just a tweak to the shapes used for the leather but the shape is slightly different too. It’s more obvious when they’ve been worn. It sounds like I’m paranoid 😅 but they’re clearly different. Could be the leather, could be how it’s made. Either way I think a RA 4 could be the solution. I know they want to use less material but they need to replicate the feeling of the 2 somehow
They’re always reviewing and redesigning their shoes so I do have faith i think their Geo court 3 is a great example. I even liked the 2 but their latest is awesome
I still don't understand: are the new (uncomfortable) shoes Ra II or new model Ra III ??? I find that using or not an insole, and the kind of insole (they may have different thickness) for the later case, has an important impact to the shoe inside volume; depending of Vivos models, material and size, I may have the possibility to use or not an insole, but for a majority of Vivos, I have no choice either not to use an insole, or go a size up in order to use an insole.
They were mate, yes. I always go for a UK 14 and they all fit about the same. Some styles may be looser than others but I always get a 14. Interesting that it says these run small. I wouldn’t agree with that, not the RA anyway.
@@harrisonmudge Yeah, the auto sizing this gives me a 13 for every shoe except the RA III for which it suggests a 14. I have a high volume (tall) foot and want even more room.
@@harrisonmudge it did! Want to see if i can get away with wearing this under a uniform to replace the monsterous shoes i am supposed to wear. But I think the Ra Lux may be more suited for the job!
Hi mate i was looking at getting a pair of ras for work i am active and will jump run lift and walk alot on concrete and grass is this shoe capable of that ?
Wow what do you do for a job? Sounds like a hell of a job if you’re running, jumping and lifting all day! These COULD do that as they’re very flexible BUT if you’re doing more active stuff you may want or consider the Geo Court. They’re still a leather and would do all that. Or, if you wanted more of a trainer style you could go for a Geo Racer. Hope that helps
@@harrisonmudge its quite the job i got a pair of vivo esc tempest and primus lite knit but i can only wear all black leather shoes at work so thats why i was looking at the ras would there be any models from vivobarefoot or other brands which fit the criteria and arent to expensive ?
Ah the Geo Court’s white sole would be an issue then I guess. They do a Primus lite III which is all black but it looks a lot like a trainer which may not be right. I can’t really speak for any other brands, mainly because they usually don’t do my size frustratingly, but there are a fiat few other minimalist brands out there that if they cover your size could be worth a look at. I just couldn’t speak to which they may be. I am looking at other brands to do comparisons but like I say, most don’t cover my size 14s 🥲
They’re virtually identical on the outside. 👌🏻 Just the toe end may look slightly different on how the sole attaches but you can see that in the video.
They’re not the cheapest brand new either but if you’re buying them from revivo then they’re repaired rather than just second hand. If you want purely used Vivos then you should try eBay, but they tend to be in a much more worn condition.
Yeah it’s a tough one as they’re bringing new or different styles out all the time and new version of older models and some are getting better. Their Geo court 3 for example are one of their best now. Just sucks when you get a version that’s certainly not their finest version
@@harrisonmudge Yes, I definitely do. Shoe trees preserve the shape of the shoe which gets distorted from wearing them. They really preserve the life and appearance of the shoes.
You know what, I’ve never tried them so can’t give a fair or full opinion but I have seen them a few times. From first impressions I think they look a bit odd, compared to Vivos any way but literally judging by a couple pictures, nothing else. Might have to give others a try though.
I do wear socks in them yes. In my suede pair, as I wear them in summer I don’t wear socks. Because the bottom is leather they feel great under foot still too
Which ones do you have? RA 3 or 2? I still prefer the 2 as there's more that went in to making them, however in general the style and overall fit is good. I have the RA 3 in Honey Suede and they're a nice summer shoe.
😅🤡 have you worn any before mate? Also did you use their sizing tool or was it just something you read? I find that you’re good usually to go with the size you would normally wear as the shoes are designed to have a larger toe box. So if you’ve sized up then yeah I can see them feeling like a pair of flippers 😂 I assume you swapped them for the right size?
Yeah it's definitely a punchy price for a pair of footwear. For me personally, because i've always struggled to get shoes that fit I've found my threshold for how much I'm willing to pay has gone slightly higher than the average £50 - £60 you'd likely pay. BUT to defend (and potentially justify it to myself 😅) they've all lasted A LONG time. So when it comes to Pounds per wear, they're not a waste of money. And, if they were half the price, I think I'd just end up buying twice as many 🙈
Sorry to hear that mate. All have mine have been pretty sturdy and not fallen apart, but the quality of their manufacturing is something that I've noticed fluctuate from shoe to shoe that's for sure. I put some of it down to their fast growth but sometimes you need to have none-negotiables when it comes to maintaining quality IMO. Their customer service is, and always has been spot on for me but it's not really a good sign if you find you're in contact with them more and more to notice that!
@@harrisonmudge Thanks for the reply my man. I had been with them from the start, bought their first trail and running shoes and even the super soft leather ra's. The final straw was the Scott boots with multiple eyelets popping out. maybe they've upped their game in recent years though ✌
No problem bud. That’s a real shame to hear though mate. Maybe You put yours through tougher conditions than mine? I don’t do too much of road hikes or anything like that to really stress them but I do we’re specific pairs a lot for different, things. I have the trackers though for the rough terrains, dirt trails and even on building sites and they’re still going strong. But as I said before, I have sent some back pretty much immediately for quality reasons so it’s tough to say what’s actually happening. And a shame that we’re even having this conversation.
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You are doing something that very few people are doing. Thanks for the long-term perspective.
Thanks! Appreciate it and it’s something I’m trying to focus on as most reviews on anything tend to be within a 1-6 month period so you don’t get the real long term perspective.
Thanks again for the comment 👌🏻
I can confirm the new Gobi 2's have the same problem with the rough stitching, using a Lems insole helps.
I thought that would be the case. Thanks for confirming.
It’s disappointing they’ve implemented this change and don’t seem to be aware of the impact it’s had on the shoe.
I appreciate that the insole may cover this but their soles are removable and meant to just provide thermal benefits. It’s a shame they’re now there to protect you from the shoe itself! 🤷🏼♂️
@@harrisonmudge I don`t think the issue is as catastrophic as it first appears, it`s barely noticeable once they are worn in, and may have some durability benefits.
Hmm, I would have to disagree on that. Specifically with the RA II anyway. I don’t use an insole so the stitching is ‘exposed’ as it were and my feet to rub against the sides so the new stitching always rubbed against my feet. I was acutely aware of it at all all times making them very uncomfortable. If you’re using the insole then definitely, if it’s covering the stitch then no issue. No insole, big issue 😢
I assume the redesign benefits them for resoling too with their Revivo service
@@harrisonmudge Mine are quite a loose fit without the insole, and with the laces pulled tight, I can barely notice, but would be problematic with a snugger fit. Good to know they can be re-soled.
Yes, got a video coming very soon too as I just got my Ra II back after sending off to Revivo
Finally, an honest review! Thank you :D
Thanks. Appreciate the comment. Sounds like you’ve had a similar experience?
I have the same size feet as you, and this brand helps me be comfortable. The wide tow box is a game changer for my big feet.
How many pairs do you have now? They've been great but as your feet spread i've had issues with some
@@harrisonmudge I have 3, 2 pairs of the Primus Lite and 1 pair of Tracker II FG.
I think my next pair needs to be the Geo Court III that you did a video on. Those are sharp.
@gregaustin8114 nice. Yeah I like my tracker. I have the first ones but they’ve gotten a little small now. They’ve been great though 👌🏻
@@harrisonmudge I agree with you. They do seem tighter as your feet spread out. As if our feet need to be any bigger. Lol
Thanks for the honest review
No problem, hope it helped
Very nice review! I recently tried the RA III and was very disappointed as well. I had such high hope for them, cuz I still love and wear my 4-year old vivo premiums trak. I too like to wear my vivos without the insole, and I feel that without the insole they were too slippery for me with socks. The whole shoe felt quite stiff and the upper shoe just rubbed my feet very uncomfortably. When I saw your revivo RA II, which clearly showed that the leather worn very nicely and seem very soft. I thought I might just need to break them in, until I see this one..
Thanks mate. Yes I agree, when I got the new ones they were definitely stiffer too. Maybe they’d soften up but I swear my RA II we’re pretty comfortable from the first time I put them on.
I would say sometimes the type of socks you’re wearing can impact the ‘slippery’ nature of the shoe. I had some cheap synthetic material socks that are very slippery but some cotton socks are better suited. But again, in the RA III the leather on the bottom is different than the RA II. Maybe after wearing them a little they would have a better grip but there was more problems with the shoe than just the sole.
Hmm, i just bought these from revivo today. I hope i don't have quality issues- one of the main reason i justified paying the price is some friends I have swear by their Vivos, one has a pair of OG Gobi's from 5 years ago, they still look great and he wears them daily
Hopefully you won’t mate. If they’ve come from revivo too then they get looked at more closely as individuals repair them.
Also, I’ll be honest, I feel their quality has come under fire recently from people which is all clearly valid but QA is something that’s in theory easier to solve. And their customer service is top notch so while frustrating, any issues are dealt with quickly and positively. 👌🏻
Great review - and I think very fair comments 👌. Totally agree that Vivobarefoot customer services are excellent - second to none and they paid for the return postage!
I am currently toying with the idea of buying these shoes - so it’s good to know what to expect.
You mentioned you might look at the Gobi. I have a pair of the Gobi boots - they also have loose threads inside. However not a problem for me as I use the insoles with them . Hope they work for you. 🤗
I do actually have a pair of Gobi II and really happy with them. Interestingly I actually keep the insole in those may get a new pair of the Gobi III for work instead of the RA. Now that we’re moving in to summer I’ve begun to wear my Geo Court and I’ve just purchased a pair of Geo Court Knit 🙈 couldn’t help myself!
@@harrisonmudge Glad the Gobi's worked out for you. 👍 Geo Court were my first pair of Vivobarefoot shoes (purchased last year). I loved them so much I went on to buy my Gobi boots and then, this year, the Forest tracker boots. Enjoy🙃🤗
Yeah it’s become a bit of an addiction 😅 enjoy mate
Hi, I represent the International Committee of 'Super' Counters (ICSC) and must point out that you missed a Super @ 5:55
Haha you got me! 🙈 I’ll pay the fine and ensure this doesn’t happen again 😅
Was very unhappy with my Ra III from March. The cork inner sole moved backwards already in the first 5 minutes on the first city walk (both shoes). Tried to wear them ion office a couple of times and the upper leather at the top inside at the ankle rolled up (both shoes). Forgot a while about them unfortunately, but these days I saw what I paid for them and opened a ticket to get them returned. Curious if they'll accept. Saw similar reviews about faulty glue in the comments section of several retailers (for both soles and the upper leather), so I guess they had the problem for a limited period (maybe changed the glue).
Yeah to be honest I’ve also had limited success with the insoles. I don’t wear them in most of my shoes anyway but I’ve had the same issue with the cork. Could be a mix of the leather sole in the shoe and the material on the underside of the insole. Seems like they don’t have enough friction. Also crazy to have to glue them in in order to stop them shifting!
Definitely seems like the RA III needs work.
Have 2 pairs of Ra II in black and brown. The brown pair came with different shininess. I should have returned those on arrival and asked for a pair with the same kind of shine. Other than that I enjoy these and other Vivos that I have a lot.
Yeah enjoy most of mine too. When I returned this pair they had the stitch issue I did get a pair that matched on their finish.
I’m not sure what it is but I feel I sometimes overlook certain things as in the back of my head I think they’re some sort of small start up company but they’re not. While they do limited and seasonal runs of shoes they’re not a couple of cobblers in a garage somewhere making shoes, they have production lines with manufacturing in various places around the world. While no one is perfect, something that is technically being pass produced needs to keep a high standard of quality across their product range.
I will be getting a new batch of their shoes this year so looking forward to their new versions to see if they maintain their quality.
Wow. What an excellent review, thank you!!!
Honesty is the best policy. I am so happy to hear that - although you were dissatisfied with the new pair - you praised the customer service department at barefoot. They are incredible!
I am going to give the ra III’s a try and buy a revivo pair.
Again, thank you for the fantastic review and I wish you the best in the future of your life… cheers! :)
Thank you for the kind words mate. Really appreciate it. I hope you love your new pair 👌🏻
@@harrisonmudge cheers, dude!!
I bought a pair of both Addis and Ra II off Revivo a few months ago and went with the Addis for general comfort and look
Nice. Did you mean you sent the RA back or you just prefer the Addis?
Sadly the Addis don’t fit me
@@harrisonmudge I sent back the RA, I prefer how the Addis look. Thanks for your reviews
I wore a pair, I think RA II, for four years everyday. And there was almost no visible wear. This included walking a short distance to work.
That’s some seriously good going 👏🏻👏🏻
@@harrisonmudge Yes, that's why I'm a bit worried by this review for RAIII.
Yeah I feel you. I don’t think there necessarily going to be any worse but they were certainly different. I’d like to say they’d still last you but they have changed how they’re made so couldn’t be certain.
However they are still stitched on the sole so that should last.
These were my first pair of barefoot shoes and I love them but I wish they did an ultra-wide version of them because the normal ones pinch my little toes.
I fortunately find their shoes have enough width most of the time but my feet are on the top end of their scale so I sometimes don’t get to fit in certain ones.
I did read that something they’re working on is basically the ability to measure your feet and make a shoe designed specifically for your feet! That tech can’t come soon enough if I’m honest!
@@harrisonmudge Wow. That would be fantastic.
Yeah that’s the dream that is. Custom fit shoes! Can’t wait!
@@harrisonmudge It's totally the next logical, ahem, step in barefoot shoe design. When it comes to width, requirements vary so much that bespoke is the only way to go. And width was the very first thing I cared about in barefoot shoes.
😂 love it! Yeah totally agree. It’ll definitely be interesting to see implemented. I imagine there’s a lot to consider, logistically. How do you manufacture shoes that have the potential to be unique.
They’d likely not actually be truly unique but have combinations of different parts, e.g extra wide sole, shorter length or something like that then have enough tolerance to cover a small range of foot sizes. But still that sounds like a right headache to supply that sort of thing on demand without taking a long time to produce or ship.
In the other had it should in theory reduce waste as it will eventually be pull through demand rather than stocking sizes that then don’t sell.
Either way I just look forward to the concept of never worrying if a shoe is big enough again. It’s somewhat solved with vivo already but being a UK 14 and the biggest they make, some styles just don’t fit still which is a shame. It’s also confusing why that’s the case but that conversation is probably for another time 😅
Great review. I've been eyeing these shoes but I'm concerned about the threading that you mentioned. Unfortunately sometimes these shoe companies do cut corners to save money. I know that happened with the first pare of vibrams I bought. They were perfect, toes spread super wide and just felt good quality. Now the new ones I bought don't even compare. They're narrow and are just not as well made. Gotta get in early sometimes when companies are really trying to impress their customers. :)
Thanks mate. Yeah my hope is it’s just teething problems in their quest to improve production processes and reduce impact on the environment. My fear is, unfortunately, it seems like the quest to reduce materials and impact on the environment will result in shoes barely made of anything.
In theory that makes sense but at some point you’re going to end up with a bit of fabric and string wrapped round your feet 😅
@@harrisonmudge I just end up walking barefoot most of the time, nothing beats the real thing! I'm in Australia though so the weather allows it.
Mate, you’re living the dream then! We’re lucky to have a couple of months of “shorts worthy” weather in the uk each year. So most of the time you’re layering up which means your feet get cold pretty quick if you’re not wearing something with a thermal insole!
I have been more into the Gobi version and I had issues with Gobi 2 where the stitching began loosening on the outside (I could put a pencil through it)on the exact same place on both shoes after 3 weeks. Customer service was perfect but I was so irritated, "but 3 weeks😡", that I forgot about vivobarefoot and used xero and merrell instead. Now I just recently bought primus trail and gobi 3, (they look so good in the brown color) so now let us see what happens. There's no stitching issue like the ones you had in ra 3.
Fingers crossed you don't have issues with them. It is a shame that there's so many issues with them, relatively speaking. I do love the shoes and the brand, it just doesn't feel great sometimes as it's like the end user becomes the quality checker and then they make revisions based on customer returns.
This is interesting/funny... about 3 or 4 years ago I had the same experience in reverse. I had been wearing Merrells and bought a pair of Xeros (the Coulton I think, they no longer make it but I still have them) and the upper stitching was coming apart within a week or two at most. Went thru an awful CS thing with them and found the Vivo Gobi 2 in the interim and never looked back (all have been nearly perfect). I own 3 styles/pairs of Gobis now (all ver 2 I think), plus the moc toe version and a "back-up" of my main regular brown pair sitting in the back of the closet at the ready (for 2 years now - still haven't worn them cuz haven't needed to).
@therealchickentender wow I’ve thought about doing the same. Buying twice and keeping a spare! Might be worth it incase they don’t bring certain styles back!
OK, so it's not just me. You noticed a different issue than I have with my Gobi 3's, but still a change. I'm actually having toe crowding that I didn't notice much because I was able to go full barefoot in my office (because I'm the boss), but as it finally got cold here, I'm noticing toe crowding. I think the width across the toe box area is 10mm smaller, which appears to be similar as yours! Just when I thought they knocked it out of the park too!
Yeah it can be frustrating. I personally love the RA, the style as a smart shoe is great. They’re always iterating, it’s a shame that the III seems like a little bit of a miss step but if they get enough feedback they’ll improve. Their Geo Court 3 is a great example of progress. That’s now one of my favourites.
You may also have found your feet have gotten even wider if you’ve been full barefoot for a while!
@@harrisonmudge Good to know. I'm over a decade of barefoot play, so I'm not sure how much wider they could be. Of course there's also the question of how much time I crammed them into smaller shoes. If I reorder & not find another brand, I'lm likely to go up to 12's, even tho the length at 11 is spot on
I too have 2 pairs, but I need to get them repaired. My insole looks horrible.
Yeah annoyingly they didn’t change the inside / insole part though. I wore a hole in one of mine which is still there after having the sole replaced. So I can just feel the ‘inside’ of the outsole 🤷🏼♂️
But as I mentioned, at some point though, you’re placing the whole shoe 😅
Can't find any mention of maintenance. Can one polish these shoes using old-fashioned shoe polish?
3 years is not long for a pair of shoes. Had my traditional Church's shoes for 20 years.
Yeah regular polish will work fine, I’ve use it and they come up a treat.
I assume your church shoes have a much thicker sole than these though right? The RA only have a 4mm sole on them so there’s not much there in the first place.
I’d say a standard dress shoe is probably double the thickness and uses a harder material so i don’t think it’s quite an apples to apples comparison. But a valid point and a consideration nonetheless. That’s why the resoling is useful from Revivo. (UK only at time of writing.
Yeah regular polish will work fine, I’ve use it and they come up a treat.
I assume your church shoes have a much thicker sole than these though right? The RA only have a 4mm sole on them so there’s not much there in the first place.
I’d say a standard dress shoe is probably double the thickness and uses a harder material so i don’t think it’s quite an apples to apples comparison. But a valid point and a consideration nonetheless. That’s why the resoling is useful from Revivo. (UK only at time of writing.
Can you wear these shoes with a suit? im looking for minimalist dress shoes and these look pretty decent
I’d say yes for sure. A bit of polish on them too and they’ll shine right up 👌🏻
@@harrisonmudge great, thank you! I'll let you know how it goes
Awesome. Hope you do mate 👌🏻
@Harrison Mudge I've worn them in suits and dress pants. I've definitely gotten a comment here or there but they certainly work and feel great. No polish needed.
Love this mate. Glad you’re happy with them 👌🏻
Do/did the shoes ever rub the back of your ankle and irritate it? It doesn't look like there is much padding back there.
No they’ve never rubbed there for me. I’ve got 2 pairs, a RA II and a RA III and neither rub.
I find that these are generally on the looser side though too so they’re never tight enough for that friction to cause a blister. For me anyway. 👍🏻
Have to say my RA2 didn’t even last 3 months, I’m surprised how yours has lasted daily wear.
Wow! What do you do daily?
Is there any advice on barefoot shoes for flat footers like me ? recently suffered a 5th metatarsal fracture in part due to wearing recommended arch supports I believe
Hey dude, not 100% on what sort of advice you’re looking for (and I’m not a professional so take anything I say with a pinch of salt) but if you’ve got issues with flat feet and you’re using arches, to me they’re a bit of a crutch. The weakness is in the the foot and while arches are a temporary fix they don’t solve the problem. As you’re well aware 😅
If you’re able to ditch the arches an give some Vivos a try you may see some huge benefits.
There’s a bit of a transition but it doesn’t take too long to get used to them.
Most if not all of them come with a thermal insole of some kind too which can help add some cushioning.
If you have any more specific questions then id be happy to do a video to try and help you and others
I think you need more than just barefoot shoes to strengthen your feet if youre getting injuries like that regularly, and as much as I love skating in my VivoBarefoot Ra II's for the last 3-4 years (I swapped the cork insoles out after the first year for wool socks over the top of my standard nylon/polyerster/spandex ankle socks that I wear year round with them in the New England winters), it was running around in Vibram FiveFingers EL-X's for a few years (mostly summers) that really strengthened my feet after swapping from the original KSO's. But if I were you I'd start taking a vitamin d3 capsule with a glass of whatever kind of milk you can drink without side effects every day (with the exception of soy) and get some fresh turmeric and freshly ground black pepper mixed in (I make a tea with a little cinnamon then add honey when it cools down enough to prevent heat poisoning the honey) a couple times a week to keep the inflammation down and prevent the bones from getting brittle. As always, this is not medical advice and your mileage may vary, so consult with your personal physician before doing anything too crazy!
@Flamerberge yeah for sure. There’s definitely hereditary issues that may be beyond simply poorly fitting shoes but shoes only compound the problem if they’re a bad fit.
Great to hear you’ve ‘fixed’ your pain issues 👌🏻
Harrison, could you please help? I am in between sizes, 10.5 US...shoud I go for the 10s or the 11s?
Hey mate, have you got any barefoot shoes already?
I think either way you should probably size up. I think they’re close to standard sizing in length (most of the time) so if you’re between sizes then they’ll likely fit like a glove. If not you can return and swap for a new pair.
@@harrisonmudge Yes, I've had Fivefingers and NB MT10s, but I'm writing to you from Ecuador, so getting and sending them back is kinda a hustle. Maybe Gobi 3s and Ra 3s can go for the samller size, but Primus for the bigger?
😅 definitely not ideal then mate.
It’s actually a little tough to say as I find the consistency in their shoes to fluctuate. I had some older Primus lites and they ran a bit smaller but a newer pair I have run bigger 🤷🏼♂️ so hard to say either way. But if you are between sizes, I’d maybe say opt for the 11s as you’d rather have a bit of room. Hopefully they don’t seem too big
@@harrisonmudge Thank you man!
No problem 👊🏻
i've noticed that most supposed new or improved versions of products these days are invariably worse in one way or another than the old version they are replacing
Yeah I know what you’re saying. In this case they’ve definitely to a step backwards, but if you look at their Geo Court trainer, that’s on version 3 and in my opinion they’ve nailed it.
I believe Vivos intention is to always make the best shoes they can, but they’re also on a mission to reduce the amount of materials and general impact from each shoe. This is inevitably going to result in some cut backs, like in the RA, not always yielding the best results but they definitely listen to feedback and are extremely critical of their own products so hopefully a RA IV will be that.
But then again if most people are happy with it then maybe not. I’ve got RA III in honey suede and don’t have too many issues with them, partly because they’re a special occasion shoe so don’t have to wear them all the time.
Does the leather soften up with time/use?
Yes it should do. It’s relatively soft in general anyway but it does have a little stiffness to it due to its ‘newness’ but for sure softens as it flexes and gets its creases 👌🏻
I got completely lost. What's the big trouble with these shoes?
To be honest, no real issues that would impact you if you bought them new without having the old version. But between the 2 and the 3 they’ve changed the design and it’s a step in the wrong direction in my opinion.
Quick Q: Does the Primus Light III and RA III size similarly?
I want to say yes, in the length. I’d say the RA are generally slightly wider in the mid foot though. The Primus lite grips a little more snug in the mid foot
How is size comparison btw ver 2 and 3? Official Web site says ver 2 is small, and ver 3 is true to size....is it correct that ver 3 is bigger in length?
I'd say they're extremely similar but you could say the 3 is slightly longer. But we're talking such a small difference in size that you wouldn't even notice.
@@harrisonmudge i remember i owned 1st version of Ra.....and they were extremely short, i would say full size ...cant wear them
Oh wow! I’d say they’ve definitely become more accommodating with the space then!
You missed a ‘super’ at 1:28 (super helpful).. 😉
🥲 devastating 😅
After wearing the RA III, do you find the two models are noticeably different?
In fairness I can’t say 100% they are completely different as I didn’t live with the RA III for over a year but they definitely seemed like less of a shoe. The 2 has an internal suede that the 3 doesn’t. Very different feel on the inside
@@harrisonmudge Thanks for the reply, I'd like to buy the 2's from what I've been reading, unfortunately they're not available anymore. Revivo has them all sold out as well. Wonder if they could re-release them :/
Yeah I just looked on Revivo too and you can even SEE the difference. The sole attaches differently and I don’t know if it’s just a tweak to the shapes used for the leather but the shape is slightly different too. It’s more obvious when they’ve been worn. It sounds like I’m paranoid 😅 but they’re clearly different.
Could be the leather, could be how it’s made. Either way I think a RA 4 could be the solution. I know they want to use less material but they need to replicate the feeling of the 2 somehow
@@harrisonmudge Might just be a waiting game then! haha, i'll forward your video to vivo!
They’re always reviewing and redesigning their shoes so I do have faith i think their Geo court 3 is a great example. I even liked the 2 but their latest is awesome
I still don't understand: are the new (uncomfortable) shoes Ra II or new model Ra III ???
I find that using or not an insole, and the kind of insole (they may have different thickness) for the later case, has an important impact to the shoe inside volume; depending of Vivos models, material and size, I may have the possibility to use or not an insole, but for a majority of Vivos, I have no choice either not to use an insole, or go a size up in order to use an insole.
The new pair I bought (RA III) were the uncomfortable ones. I returned them and just repaired my Ra II instead
Seems like they just need a non thermal insole, maybe just cork, for warm weather.
I’m fine without an insole, I was just disappointed in the finish of the stitching and stuff. But I agree the insole would solve most of my issues.
Is your RA II and RA III the same size cause on the website RA III description 'This Vivo fits small, so we suggest moving one size up.'
They were mate, yes. I always go for a UK 14 and they all fit about the same. Some styles may be looser than others but I always get a 14. Interesting that it says these run small. I wouldn’t agree with that, not the RA anyway.
@@harrisonmudge thanks mate
No problem 👊🏻
@@harrisonmudge Yeah, the auto sizing this gives me a 13 for every shoe except the RA III for which it suggests a 14. I have a high volume (tall) foot and want even more room.
I’m hyped for the custom built range! Bring on perfect fitting shoes 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Good review! Thx man
Thanks bud, hope it helped
@@harrisonmudge it did! Want to see if i can get away with wearing this under a uniform to replace the monsterous shoes i am supposed to wear. But I think the Ra Lux may be more suited for the job!
Haha nice! 👌🏻
Hi mate i was looking at getting a pair of ras for work i am active and will jump run lift and walk alot on concrete and grass is this shoe capable of that ?
Wow what do you do for a job? Sounds like a hell of a job if you’re running, jumping and lifting all day!
These COULD do that as they’re very flexible BUT if you’re doing more active stuff you may want or consider the Geo Court. They’re still a leather and would do all that. Or, if you wanted more of a trainer style you could go for a Geo Racer.
Hope that helps
@@harrisonmudge its quite the job i got a pair of vivo esc tempest and primus lite knit but i can only wear all black leather shoes at work so thats why i was looking at the ras would there be any models from vivobarefoot or other brands which fit the criteria and arent to expensive ?
Ah the Geo Court’s white sole would be an issue then I guess. They do a Primus lite III which is all black but it looks a lot like a trainer which may not be right.
I can’t really speak for any other brands, mainly because they usually don’t do my size frustratingly, but there are a fiat few other minimalist brands out there that if they cover your size could be worth a look at. I just couldn’t speak to which they may be.
I am looking at other brands to do comparisons but like I say, most don’t cover my size 14s 🥲
@@squidlyminimalisim Black pair o leather Gobi could do the trick, but wouldn't be jumping on the grass when when. :)
Do they look different?
They’re virtually identical on the outside. 👌🏻
Just the toe end may look slightly different on how the sole attaches but you can see that in the video.
Hi, can I buy used vivobarefoot from you? Greg
Hey mate. Can’t buy from me I’m afraid but depending where you’re based there’s revivo.com that sell refurbished pairs for less. Hope that helps mate
Wow quite expensive for used ones
They’re not the cheapest brand new either but if you’re buying them from revivo then they’re repaired rather than just second hand.
If you want purely used Vivos then you should try eBay, but they tend to be in a much more worn condition.
I am wearing the Hykes Pinnacle and will never go back to regular shoes.
Awesome you’ve got your go to shoes 👌🏻👌🏻
Lots of Amazon reviews saying they ain't what they used to be.
Yeah it’s a tough one as they’re bringing new or different styles out all the time and new version of older models and some are getting better. Their Geo court 3 for example are one of their best now. Just sucks when you get a version that’s certainly not their finest version
@@harrisonmudge
Have you looked at the Brenston shoes? Expensive AF :/
@MyGoogleTH-cam I hadn’t but just took a look. They look like they’d be a bit uncomfortable to be honest. Still got the taper around the toe areas🤔
Have you used shoe trees?
I haven’t mate, no. Any reason you think I should?
@@harrisonmudge Yes, I definitely do. Shoe trees preserve the shape of the shoe which gets distorted from wearing them. They really preserve the life and appearance of the shoes.
Ah nice. Might have to look in to some then. Any specific ones you recommend?
@@harrisonmudge the wood ones are good but the plastic ones are fine too and cheaper. can get them on amazon.
Nice mate I’ll have to check them out 👌🏻
Do you like 'freetbarefoot'?
You know what, I’ve never tried them so can’t give a fair or full opinion but I have seen them a few times.
From first impressions I think they look a bit odd, compared to Vivos any way but literally judging by a couple pictures, nothing else.
Might have to give others a try though.
been considering this shoe
Worth giving them a try, for sure. You can always return them if you’re not happy 👌🏻
Wow you respond to every comment!
😅 I do try!
3 months, my sketchers look like that after 3 months
Sorry mate, what do you mean?
Got these RA III in honey suede
What are they like mate? I keep looking at them
@@harrisonmudge haven’t received them yet but they probably are nice
@@John-dk3wj how are they?
@@bilaltahir9978 very good
@@John-dk3wj are you wearing them with or without the insoles?
Hello sir
Would you wear socks?
I do wear socks in them yes. In my suede pair, as I wear them in summer I don’t wear socks.
Because the bottom is leather they feel great under foot still too
Great shoe
Which ones do you have? RA 3 or 2? I still prefer the 2 as there's more that went in to making them, however in general the style and overall fit is good. I have the RA 3 in Honey Suede and they're a nice summer shoe.
i like them
Agree. Preferred the RA II though
the company recommended i buy a size up and they may as well be clown shoes
😅🤡 have you worn any before mate? Also did you use their sizing tool or was it just something you read?
I find that you’re good usually to go with the size you would normally wear as the shoes are designed to have a larger toe box. So if you’ve sized up then yeah I can see them feeling like a pair of flippers 😂 I assume you swapped them for the right size?
£135 is waaay tpo much
Yeah it's definitely a punchy price for a pair of footwear. For me personally, because i've always struggled to get shoes that fit I've found my threshold for how much I'm willing to pay has gone slightly higher than the average £50 - £60 you'd likely pay.
BUT to defend (and potentially justify it to myself 😅) they've all lasted A LONG time. So when it comes to Pounds per wear, they're not a waste of money.
And, if they were half the price, I think I'd just end up buying twice as many 🙈
super review! lol those shoes look like some Ronald McDonald clown shoes!
Well you know what they say about big feet… big socks 😌
At the price…they should be absolutely perfect. These are not. Thanks for the review.
Agree!
I like the company and ideas, but every pair I've had have fallen to bits
Sorry to hear that mate. All have mine have been pretty sturdy and not fallen apart, but the quality of their manufacturing is something that I've noticed fluctuate from shoe to shoe that's for sure.
I put some of it down to their fast growth but sometimes you need to have none-negotiables when it comes to maintaining quality IMO. Their customer service is, and always has been spot on for me but it's not really a good sign if you find you're in contact with them more and more to notice that!
@@harrisonmudge Thanks for the reply my man. I had been with them from the start, bought their first trail and running shoes and even the super soft leather ra's. The final straw was the Scott boots with multiple eyelets popping out. maybe they've upped their game in recent years though ✌
No problem bud. That’s a real shame to hear though mate. Maybe You put yours through tougher conditions than mine? I don’t do too much of road hikes or anything like that to really stress them but I do we’re specific pairs a lot for different, things. I have the trackers though for the rough terrains, dirt trails and even on building sites and they’re still going strong. But as I said before, I have sent some back pretty much immediately for quality reasons so it’s tough to say what’s actually happening. And a shame that we’re even having this conversation.