Vivobarefoot Ra SKU: #7833384

Anonymous

from Alfred, NY

It has been a very positive experience that of dealing with Zappos. We ordered the wrong size. Zappos immediately sent out another pair before I even had a chance to put the originals in the mail. We were very grateful for such consideration.

Brands I'd also recommend: I can't say- don't know.

Pete L

from Manchester, NH

I've been looking at the minimalist shoes for awhile. I've got a pair of Vivobarefoot Aqua M's that I used for working out and general wear. They are fantastic and the Ra's are great as well, while giving me a shoe I can wear in a business casual environment.

Chris P

from Albuquerque, NM

Initially, I followed the advice of Vivobarefoot themselves and purchased these shoes a size larger than I normally wear. Fortunately, Zappos really stepped up and allowed me to return them, even though I had worn them twice. The first day I wore these to work, I got no fewer than five compliments on them! They are great if you work in a semi-casual environment. If Zappos starts carrying the black pebbled leather ones, I will probably buy them for more formal occasions. They are a bit on the pricey side, especially for a minimalist shoe (the only reason I gave them four instead of five stars), but they seem well constructed, and they are dead flat and very soft, so they really do mimic being barefoot while allowing you to look presentable in public or at work.

Brands I'd also recommend: merrel barefoot

Martin K

from Massachusetts

These shoes look and feel great. I've received many compliments. I give them only two stars because within a week the red color of lining began to bleed onto the suede. This is still hidden under the panel with the eyelets. One of the eyelets however has come out. I'm hoping that this is a fluke and that the replacement pair will hold up. I will raise the number of stars if that is the case. Great design with questionable quality.

Brands I'd also recommend: Merrell barefoot

Anonymous

from Charleston SC

These seemed like great shoes until I wore them a few times. One of the insoles is too short and there is a 1/2 inch at the front where my toes hang over the insole.

Brands I'd also recommend: joseph seibel

Walker

Zappos rocks, Vigo barefoot rocks. One of my insoles seemed to be too short for the shoe. Zappos agreed to return and refund but I called Vivo in New York and they returned my call in less than a day and sent me new insoles. They even sent a selection to make sure that I had a perfect fit. They provided fabulous customer service from both companies!

Anonymous

from United States

These are nice, but I much prefer the Vivobarefoot Oaks in both style and comfort. These look very nice and are fairly comfortable except the heel rubs a bit. One thing - the red/brown is kind of chestnut in color and is much harder to match than a more traditional dark brown shoe. I am a size 10.5, and the 43 fit me perfectly.

Brands I'd also recommend: Stem, Merrell

Justin s

Vivobare's Ra is intended to be a compromise item that allows people to wear barefoot-style shoes while maintaining an office-appropriate look. Unfortunately it's barely passable as a dress shoe. In the words of both my boss and my girlfriend they look like clown shoes. I think this is the first and only time my boss (a 60 year old government beurocrat) and my girlfriend (an edgy 20-something fine artist) have ever had overlapping fashion commentary. Technically, these will probably be accepted as officewear, but you'll also be the least stylish person in your office, even if you work amidst mid-level government drones. The soles are thin and tough and the lack of heel really lets toe-walkers enjoy their stride. The leather is very rigid and will cut severely into your heel, even with good socks. Be prepared for a few weeks of blisters.

Anonymous

from Portland, OR

I really wanted to like these shoes because I like the styling, but they felt flimsy and the insole felt flimsy, especially for the price. Maybe that is what "barefoot" shoes are about, but they were not comfortable to me. The back of the shoe also cut into my heel a bit. With the insole out (as Vivobarefoot suggests), I could feel everything under my feet as I walked around the house. Seems that would be uncomfortable when walking outside on hard and uneven ground (I didn't try them outside since I planned on returning them). Maybe our ancestors did walk around barefoot, but they were walking on soft grass or mud, not concrete.

Steve

from Orlando

I'm a Terra Plans fan. I have a pair of the older aqua tennis shoes. I was looking for the same comfort-ability. The Ra deliver in those terms but the feel of the shoe is so cheap, it feels so cheaply made that putting it on and looking at it feels less than stellar. Close your eyes and walk (only short distances) and they're fine. But, really, the materials used in making this we way below expectations. Almost sent them back without trying them on.

Brands I'd also recommend: Keen, Chaco, Cole Haan, Frye

Anonymous

from California

They are bit higher in the back than I expected and pinch just a bit on the ankle. The forefoot is a bit wide looking but I can live with it. With a bit of polish, no one really says much about them being different. I will get a lot more wear out of them.

Brands I'd also recommend: love the merrel barefoot--a bit expensive though

Kaj B

from United States

This is more of an initial impression than a full review. I got the Vivobarefoot Ras in black, and unfortunately did not purchase it from this wonderful website (though I would have, had they been in stock in size 43!). I hope to drive more business here with this review to make up for it. These are really great minimalist shoes, whether for the office or for everyday wear. That said, they are painful to wear barefoot. These shoes' chafing inner demands socks unlike most minimalist footwear. However, I imagine that will change as the leather softens up. Initially, the leather was tight and pinched rather painfully right below the toes. It can be alleviated by sliding your heel all the way back into the heel cup, and tightening the top lace to keep your foot from sliding forward. After some initial discomfort, and a two mile hike, the leather has become more pliant. Once you soften up the leather, they are very comfortable. The heel is very snug, and comes up quite far which may feel strange at first. They are a full size smaller than marked, so order a size up. The toe box is wide and allows the feet to spread naturally. They are great shoes for people with wide feet. The sole is super-thin, flat and flexible, with no cushioning to hinder your natural walking style. You can feel the texture of whatever is under your feet, a feeling similar to walking barefoot. They are so light you barely notice having them on. They look quite formal, and would be appropriate for business settings, a rare quality in a minimal shoe. The soles appear to be stitched rather than glued, which should ensure durability in the long term. I received them as a gift, but considering how they perform now that they're broken in I would call them reasonably priced. I highly recommend this shoe.