Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
A question that I’ve received a few times on my YouTube channel is in regard to how the Primus Lite III compared to the Primus Trail II FG. These questions are mostly asked by folks who want a shoe for outdoor activities, but also a model that they can train in. Another perk to this shoe is that I think it’s a pretty good intro model for the barefoot enthusiast who is wanting to wear this style of shoe for more hikes and trail runs. If this is you, then you’ll likely want to acclimate to using barefoot shoes for longer stints outdoors, so this model falls perfectly in line with the trails and hikes you’ll likely initially use them on. I personally think this is a good thing because it adds to this shoe’s ability to protect the feet and not beat them up while also giving you enough to simulate being barefoot. This model has a 2.5mm base sole with 4mm lugs which work really well on light and moderately technical trails.
The biggest attribute for a trail running shoe is it’s comfort and feeling over long runs. Minimal shoes have an advantage in the feeling above the sole as they give the foot room to move naturally, splay and be comfortable. They often have a disadvantage underfoot as the sole is minimal and cushioning provides relief over long runs. This is the reason for the rise of Hoka, Altra and maximal trail shoes. The cushion over long periods helps provide relief. How does the Primus Trail perform for long periods? There are not many significant updates when comparing the Primus Trail II All Weather with the Primus Trail II FG . Most reviewers of the Primus Trail II All Weather FG say that the shoes offer great durability and comfort during the colder weather, though, along with improved foot protection. This is compared to the Primus Trail II FG, which is more suitable for less intense weather. Harder surfaces such as pavements and city streets are not uncomfortable, there’s enough protection to walk unimpeded, although heel-strikes can become slightly jarring at speed. As with a barefoot running shoe, modifying your stride is important in some situations, but not at normal walking pace. Overall, the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG is a great shoe for casual rambles and around town, or in other words, a trail shoe for the environmentally conscious. A combination that will suit many right down to the ground… The environmental credentials on offer here are impressive, and the ‘bloom’ insole material is surprisingly compelling in itself, all of which we welcome. The level of comfort on offer – especially considering the low-profile nature of the design – is also impressive, and makes the shoe comfortable enough for long days. Indeed, it’s very easy to forget you’re wearing them at all, so flexible and slipper-like are they.Vivo’s claims that the Primus Trail II FGs can perform on all kinds of conditions and terrain really stood up on test. The grip was brilliant and the shoes inspired confidence on even the most slippery of surfaces. Also, considering the amount of traction they give, you still feel the ground rather than the treads. They certainly feel better on trail rather than road, but this tactile trail feel points to them being well designed for their intended purpose. If you’re someone that wants to save a little money and you want to go the barefoot trail shoe route, then you might want to look into the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail model. This model will cost you less and deliver a similar performance to the Primus Trail II FG. The upper material is made from a hybrid mix of materials including recycled materials , reusing post-consumer plastic waste that keeps this material from ending up on landfills. The upper is comfortable and durable. My first initial feeling in these shoes was that although the shoe is wide as predicted and designed, the upper is quite low and the mesh on the toes quite stiff meaning the toes don’t have a lot of wiggle room upwards. After some time in the shoes this feeling of the upper did loosen as the upper material stretched with use. In terms of an issue with the fit of the shoe this is where it started and finished, otherwise the fit of the shoe is comfort personified. The upper material is very durable and after more than 1000km, with a number of runs in very wet and muddy condition the Primus Trail is still very similar to it’s original condition. The shoes appear very durable so far, after multiple hours running on trails, including plenty of muddy river banks and woods with fallen logs. There are a few creases, but all the materials are bonded well, and they seem to be decently put together. The upper mesh is super flexible, and Vivo appear to have put some extra stitching where the mesh meets the more substantial side plastic in this area. Time will tell, but our money would be on this area failing first. Overall, the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG is a pretty good trail-focused barefoot shoe, but there are a few cons worth mentioning about this model.
However, the amount of flex on offer here does pose a bit of a challenge when a stable platform is needed. Even on steep grassy slopes there’s no chance of seriously digging in, it’s all about working with the terrain rather than fighting it – fine in everyday situations, but potentially concerning on steeper, more exposed terrain. Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG Review: verdict The last thing to like about this model is the breathability of the upper construction and how easy they are to clean. This shoe is designed with sustainable materials and the upper is composed of a lightweight mesh build. If you’re using these in warmer climates, then I think you’ll enjoy how well these shoes breathe. For the Vivobarefoot Primus Trails I’ve given them much more time. I’ve completed more than 1000km in these shoes including many long training miles and multiple races. Including a 50km trail ultra, held over dry trail conditions, also two sub ultra trail races both held in wet and at times super muddy conditions. All in all the Primus Trail’s are still going strong and have further running left in them at this point.Vivo appear to be making a real effort to go beyond greenwashing, and also source their labor ethically. These efforts undoubtedly push the price up a little, but compared to some other running shoes, the price tag on the Primus Trail is not extreme. One of the areas where the Primus Trail II FG excels is on trails and hikes that would be considered light or easy terrain. The lugs on this model will be more than enough on surfaces that don’t require a ton of tread to maintain traction. I like this shoe most for dirt trails since they’re generally fairly flat in the context of the terrain you’ll encounter.
The Primus Trail II All Weather FG shoes are recycled all-weather mesh textile for their rs and soles. It has no animal products included in the shoes, making it vegan-friendly. Furthermore, its wide toe box helps with users’ natural foot movement. Consumers also say the toe box adds to its comfort, feeling flat, flexible, and wide. Fit and SizingThe first thing to like about the Primus Trail II FG is that it provides adequate foot protection on different types of trails. The “FG” in the name of this model stands for “Firm Ground” which is a means of classifying particular soles used in some Vivobarefoot Shoes. The FG in this model basically adds to this shoe’s protection and gives you a slightly more stiff sole to walk on. On top of their breathable upper construction, this model is also fairly easy to clean which is awesome because you’re likely going to get these dirty on various trails. The sole and upper are super easy to spot clean and the lacing system helps to prevent dirt build-up in the midfoot. Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG Cons
More specifically, I think this barefoot shoe performs best on light to moderately technical trails. It’s not going to be your best for technical trails that have a lot of loose terrains. The lugs in this model have a depth of 4mm which run fairly on the lower end for traction promoting lugs. Over the course of my testing, I tried to use the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG on a variety of trails and hikes to help contextualize where they perform the best and where they fall short.
Compare to Similar Products
Users of the Primus Trail II All Weather FG shoes have mentioned that the Primus Trail II All Weather FG shoes have good responsiveness, thanks to their flexibility and lightweight features. People who have used the footwear said that since the shoes react well to their feet, feeling more of the ground connection. Our reviewer found the Primus Trail let his feet breath really well, and they were surprisingly good at keeping trail juice out (puddles need to be pretty deep before water gets in), but there was some tightness around the smaller toes.
Great Deal 
New Comment