VIVOBAREFOOT Primus Lite III, Mens Vegan Light Breathable Shoe with Barefoot Sole

Product Information

If you’re like me and really love feeling the ground under the feet when training, then you can also remove the insole in this model to get even closer. I enjoy this aspect for things like deadlifts and biasing my weight in the foot to drive specific training adaptations.

When moving over flat surfaces, however, the Primus Lite III performs well, said users. On the tarmac and other common surfaces, it exhibited good grip. The Primus Lite III is an earth-friendly, vegan-friendly, and versatile footwear that’s mostly used doing different physical activities – running, weight lifting, training, walking, strolling, and so much more. Its colorways and straightforward design also allowed it to be used as daily footwear.

Expert Reviews

There’s enough room in the toebox of the Primus Lite III for the toes to splay naturally while running or walking. Reviewers who were just starting out with wearing barefoot shoes found the fit on the front of the shoe to be roomier but it’s important to take note that barefoot shoes are designed this way. Primus Lite III VS Previous Iterations On a daily basis, this is one of my favorite barefoot shoes on the market. The clean and simplistic design of the model looks casual and not overly like a gym or barefoot shoe. For versatile workouts, I’d give this shoe a strong 8/10. The upper is secure enough for most versatile workout demands and the mesh breathes well to keep the feet cool during longer sessions.

Author’s Note: This article was updated in April 2023. I added more context to my performance section below and made changes to this article to improve its reading experience. Who should buy the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III? The final aspect that I really like about the Primus Lite III is that it’s constructed with recycled materials. On top of making this shoe with recycled materials, Vivobarefoot also uses recycled plastic bags and planet-friendly boxes to deliver this model. I think all of this is a really cool initiative because so many shoes and materials end up in landfills every year. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Cons Good form is encouraged when wearing these shoes, as heavy heel striking is essentially impossible. The shape and width gave my toes room to splay, which meant they became more active in the toe-off stage of my gait. In the context of lifting, I’m a big fan of the Primus Lite III. The shoe has ample width which helps with the promotion of toe splay and gripping the floor when training, so for exercises like deadlifts and lunges you can really feel and interact with the ground under the feet.

This model will work decently for more versatile training, however, I’d stress making sure you’re acclimated to this style of footwear in these training settings. The lightweight build of this shoe makes it a joy to wear for longer sessions and it breathes really well. Vivobarefoot used fewer materials in this model compared to previous iterations which also contributes to the weight of this shoe. If you want something super lightweight that feels like nothing on the foot, then the Primus Lite III is a good model to explore. I recently compared the Xero Shoes 360 versus the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit. This comparison should also provide an idea for how these company’s barefoot shoes compare to one another. Similar to other Vivobarefoot shoes, the Primus Lite III delivers an anatomically shaped wider construction to account for all foot widths. The toe box is super wide in this model so even those with wider and flatter feet should find it relatively easy to splay the toes and grip the floor in this shoe. The Barefoot Primus Lite III is foot-shaped. Compared to conventional shoes, it follows the anatomy and natural curve of the feet with the forefoot area having enough room for the toes to spread out while moving.

Whether you’re training heavily or casually, the Primus Lite III should stand up to the task well. On top of this model being a strong performer in the gym and on a daily basis, the Primus Lite III also utilizes recycled materials and has fewer overall materials compared to previous models. It’s not the biggest deal, but you may want to buy longer laces after you receive this model and test the lacing system. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Performance The first version of the Primus Lite was meant to be a nimble shoe. Although the brand was true to their word, it could be the lightest they’ve made yet, there were issues with durability. Vivobarefoot seemed to have designed the Primus Lite II with better durability and longer mileage in mind, updating the upper design and materials. On the second version, the outsole was retained, but updates to the lacing system and heel padding design were made. There were those who went true to size but to those who would like to get their own pair, it should be noted that going true to size will be affected by instep height, foot width, and foot shape. Fit

Performance

For example, if you’re wanting a singular barefoot shoe for a little bit of everything, then I think this price point can be more justified. Plus, this is one of Vivobarefoot’s strongest shoes for varied gym workouts. The VivoBarefoot Primus Lite IIIs aren’t designed for trail so I have been using them on road surfaces. (They’d be good for general fitness use too like yoga.) Without the lugs of a trail shoe, the Primus Lites have a very thin rubber outer. They grip perfectly on the tarmac but you feel any errant road stones. Across all of my tests, I’ve really enjoyed training in and wearing the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III, and have a few pros to note about this model. It’s no secret that a majority of barefoot shoes are not the most aesthetically pleasing but I think this model does a good job at working around this. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Sizing

With the Primus Lite III, there are no half sizes. Many were disappointed with this. Those who are in between sizes opted for going a full size up. For example, a reviewer who wears a 7.5 usually went for a size 8, whether it was a Primus Lite Men’s Review or Women’s. Another pro that I like about the Primus Lite III is its overall weight. My size 10/43 EU model has a weight of 8.85 ounces which gives them a very minimalist feel on the feet and I almost forget I have them on at times when wearing them all day. Personally, I love this feature for long-term sustainability and being more conscious of our changing environment and planet. I also like that this model looks more casual despite being a training-focused barefoot shoe. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Pros Regarding durability, the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III should last you a while. The only areas that I can see being problematic for heavy daily usage include the sole tread fading and colorways getting dirty.Its lightness allowed reviewers to move uninhibitedly. Because of this, the third version of the Primus Lite Vivobarefoot was made as a companion in doing different physical activities – working out at the gym, weight lifting, running, cross-training. On the other hand, many found it to be a good everyday companion with its minimalist design, comfort level, and barefoot attributes. The Primus Lite III is part of the (Re)new and Improved program that remakes shoe models with materials that are more sustainable, more specifically post-consumer plastic waste, which reduces the impact the shoes make on the planet. Performance Not a lot has changed with the third version of the Primus Lite. Just like its predecessors, it’s one of the lightest shoes created by Vivobarefoot promising to deliver a close-to-shoeless experience while still being protective when the wearer is on common, hard surfaces. The outsole has been updated and a performance insole has been added. Specs While the Primus Lite tips the scales at 7.3 ounces per shoe, you'd never guess it from how they feel on the road. This shoe's outsole is so thin — we couldn't imagine an experience closer to actually running barefoot. Although it's hefty compared to the competition, when compared to more conventional road trainers, the Primus is still super lightweight — something to consider before writing off this brutally barefoot-feeling shoe. Traction