Gear Talk: Why a Multi-use Shoe Like Vivobarefoot is a Game Changer

For the outdoor-adventure traveller and van lifer (like myself) space is at an absolute premium. From packing cubes that double as chairs to the classic spork, whenever a product solves for more than one use-case it becomes a must-have, and shoes are no exception. Now a shoe that can handle the desert, the beach, everyday lounging, and a night out on the town? That is what I call a footwear unicorn.

But I am here to tell you that they are not a myth. They are very real and they are made by Vivobarefoot.

We had the pleasure of putting several types of VIVOs through their paces in our recent projects with Visit Oceanside and in shooting our Spring Lookbook in Laguna Beach. Paddle boarding, skateboarding, trail running, beach running, general fitness, hiking, sea kayaking, lifestyle around town, and even scrambling over and through tide pools, we took VIVOs everywhere. 

It is impossible to fully describe the shift in thinking when you are no longer concerned with swapping out your shoes for an activity-specific pair. To go from scrambling on the beach to skateboarding and then to dinner, without having to take the time to change: it is freedom.

And over the last two years Vivobarefoot has expanded their line to create more specialized products: perhaps you don’t need the grit-proofing of the Magna Trail (as we did in the Laguna Coast Wilderness), but want something ultralight that can still be worn into the office: they have you covered with the Primus Lite Mens, which look like street shoes but can bomb the trail (or leap into the Caribbean).

Want something warm and comfortable for hiking but also look good for meeting your friends out for a cocktail, then the Tracker FG is perfect: durable to handle mile after mile on the trail, but treated leather with classic accents (and those red laces) that look great.

And better still, all the VIVOs are ultralight, ultra-compatible, and made with the goal of being 90% sustainable and recyclable materials by 2020.

So if you are looking for a shoe that can solve for a variety of situations Vivo has got you covered. Save space: your backpack, van, and wallet will thank you. Even the hermit crabs are making space.