Customer Reviews Vivobarefoot Gobi Hi-Top Leather

These boots are very comfortable. I have to mention the warmth issue, however. I'm sure in most areas they would be perfectly adequate for winter wear; however, I live in Northwestern Ontario, where we invented winter, and when the boots and I took our first walk with a temperature in the mid minus teens celsius, windchill pushing minus 20 C (that's around 0º in the OTHER scale, btw) my feet were very cold at first. I was THIS close to turning back to change into clunky old winter boots, but happily I persevered and within less than 10 minutes of brisk walking my feet started to become less cold. After another 10 minutes or so they were just fine, and we breezed through an hour's walk with perfectly comfortable feet. So clearly for our neck of the woods, these are NOT standing-around boots. And I doubt I'd try them if the temps were much lower than -20º C, even for non-stop walking, but we do get SOME days that are warmer than that... I'm really looking forward to wearing them as spring and fall boots, and on milder winter days.

These shoes have been great. I always have cold feet, and was suspect that a minimalist shoe would keep my feet warm in Seattle winters, but I have been happily surprised. The minimal shape & style has taken me a while to get used to, but I love to feeling of spreading my toes and feeling full contact with the ground. The leather is soft and these are very comfortable. I have another pair of vivobarefoot shoes where I added the thermal liners. No need to with this pair. Very happy with my purchase, and my introduction to barefoot shoes.

Never in my life have I been more sure about a pair of shoes when I saw these online, that these were meant for me and would solve all my problems. That sense of certainty did not change when I tried them on, nor when I walked for an entire day in the rain at a dog show. Now, after wearing them constantly for two weeks, I can attest that, for me, myself, personally, these boots are perfect. I generally wear a 7.5 to an 8 in U.S. sizes; the 38 fit me like it was custom designed. WHAT I LIKE: Soft leather, wide toe box, barefoot sensation (I wanted to feel the ground like I do in stocking feet), clunky but groovy style, thermal insole (really helped in the rain), weather resistance, fine workmanship, ankle support. Laces and hooks adjust to swollen feet. WHAT I DON'T: I am lazy, so I don't like to be bothered with laces. I am therefore about to order a pair of Vivobarefoot's Nepal Leather Boots in black, so I can just slip them on and experience the same happiness. Also, the top of the boot was a little stiff at first and dug into my lower calf. After wearing them for a few hours, though, that part softened up. If you haven't worn barefoot shoes before or don't walk much without arch support — a shoe feature I've learned the hard way messes up my knees — your feet will feel tired at first until you get used to that awesome barefoot feel. After you do, regular old shoes feel confining and weird. I LOVE THESE SHOES!

I have a pair of Sorel snow boots. They are great for when it's below zero or during blizzards when I have to shovel snow up to my knees. But they are heavy and clunky and hard to walk and drive in. I wanted something warm that I could wear every day to the office, running errands, walking the dog. These are perfect and sooo comfortable. I do have a complaint. Now that I have worn these I've realized how uncomfortable all my other shoes are. I have super wide feet and even wide width shoes squish my toes. I literally boxed up all my shoes and am going to buy all new barefoot shoes. The only pairs I kept were my Birkenstocks, Vibram Fivefingers, and flip flops.

I'm a true size 7 and I ordered both the 37 and 38 because according to their chart I'm right in between. The 37 is the correct size for me. Still plenty of room at the end of the shoe. 38 is too big. Leather is soft. My sister and daughter both have these boots and assured me the snug feel around the top of the ankle will soften in time. That's the only part I'm aware of when I walk around in them. Quality seems excellent. A good barefoot boot. I have the Lems barefoot Boulder boot which is total comfort and barefoot but those look like workmen's boots. These Vivos are more tailored looking for wearing with dresses.

Ordered size 9 and they were too big so called Zappos on Thurs for an exchange. Got my 8.5 on FRIDAY!!! Zappos and Amazon have hidden powers, I'm sure. I love these shoes. The leather is so soft and they bend easy. They are pricey so I looked for any flaw I could find. Guess what.....THEY ARE FLAWLESS!! Buy them before they sell out again!

Love this brand. Hope zappos keeps them coming! Like walking in the most comfy slipper.

For a barefoot shoe, this boot was way too narrow and it felt one size smaller. For the price I would expect a better quality leather and overall better quality shoe.

Nicer looking in person. I was told that they run large but did not find that to be true. In running shoes and boots I usually order a size up from my street shoe size (8). I did that for these and they were a bit big. I tried the 40 and would try the 39 but the price has gone up $40 since I ordered.

I have extremely wide and hard to fit feet but these are perfect! I felt I could customize the fit because of the lace placement. I walked out in ankle deep snow for an hour and my feet felt warm and stayed dry. I was even able to wear wool socks in them! This is something I often have to sacrifice because my my wide feet. The traction was excellent and I could finally feel what was under my feet. I highly recommend these boots.

I am highly impressed with these boots. They were comfortable the very first time that I wore them. They don't feel like brand new boots, but they look it! They are warm, but not too warm, so I can wear them all day at work. I am so happy with this purchase.

Bought these winter boots for my active leisure time. The only time my feet got cold was when I stood or sat still. I ordered up one size to accommodate my Darn Tough wool socks. The only time I didn’t wear these was in slushy or rainy weather; I wore them daily and didn’t refresh the waterproof leather with spray. Brown was my choice of color but I see there are other colors to choose from. The zero balance property of Vivobarefoot footwear took a while to get used to but once I got used to proper mechanics and strengthening my feet just from use, I wear Vivobarefoot 90% of the time.

These boots are wonderful!!! The back was biting my calf a bit at first, but I rolled it down for a few days and it's fine now. I no longer tolerate inflexible soles or supportive footbeds because my body feels best when my feet have free articulation. These are warm without being hot. Love Love Love

Love these. Wear them everyday. Held up through an entire season last year and still looking good for this year, which I find to be unusual for leather shoes that I wear daily. Can wear with thicker socks when it gets cold.

I wanted to love these, as they were recommended by a doctor to help with back pain. For me, wearing a size 11M, they were just that much too short, my big toe was right up against the end of the shoe. Otherwise, I would be wearing them as much as possible. So disappointed. Thanks Zappos for making it easy!

So disappointed! I read so many rave reviews prior to purchase. The primary negative comment by reviewers concerned the top of shoe digging into the calf, but that this soon self-corrected upon wear. NOT TRUE. I really needed a boot that fit all the requirements (flat, thermal, wearable all day). I received them, tried them on, walked around house, and left for a drive of 6 hours to TN. Mostly in the car, except stopping twice to walk the dogs, getting gas, and at arrival of destination, unloading car. I couldn't wait to get them off and haven't worn them since. Since I have worn them, unable to return, so will be donating to Goodwill...that's how much I dislike them. Other than the incredible discomfort at the top, the fit was fine (and yes, they are quite ugly!)