Vivobarefoot Fulham Suede

Detailed Review

The Fulham Suede are Chelsea-style-inspired boots, stylish and go with most outfits, making them great for casual wear. It’s a rugged boot with good traction, preventing slips and falls when walking on slippery surfaces even with its thin and flexible soles, which offer a great ground feel. Made from local leather in Portugal, the Fulham Suede is built to last long and has features desired in minimalist and barefoot boots. 

The Material

Vivobarefoot Fulham Suede boots are made from renewable natural materials in Porto, Portugal. The Suede version is one of the three types of Vivobarefoot Fulham boots available, the other two being made of Nubuck and smooth leather. You can find the other types of Vivobarefoot Fulham models here.

The boots also feature Vivobarefoot’s hex-flex sole, which gives the Fulham Suede and your feet optimum grip and ground feel for a positive barefoot experience. Its hexagon outsole, looking similar to a honeycomb, is 3mm thick, which helps maintain traction over various surfaces.

Made of non-slip rubber, the outsole is very thin and said to have a puncture-resistant layer that offers five times more puncture resistance compared to standard soles with a similar thickness. That said, its thin sole still encourages a lot of ground feel so you can enjoy minimalist walking.

Fulham Suede reviews note that the outsole is a bit sticky and offers decent traction, but not to the levels of snow or hiking boots. They work best on wet grass or pavement, suitable for walks in the park or out in the busy city.

Barefoot Feel

The Fulham Suede’s interiors are entirely lined with leather for ultimate comfort. It feels soft and breathable on the feet. You also receive a removable Outlast Thermal insole with the boots to keep your feet warm as needed.

The Vivobarefoot Outlast Thermal Insole is made with temperature-regulating technology. It can absorb, store, and release heat whenever your feet experience a temperature change. As a result, you receive improved comfort wherever and whenever you use the boots.  

You can remove the insole for a more barefoot feel and if you need extra space. Without the insole, the Fulham Suede is only 5mm thick, and take note that it will get cold quickly during the cooler season! However, the insoles wear out a bit quicker than the boots, so it’s best to either replace the insole or you can do without one.

The elastic panels are soft and flexible yet look durable. Compared to previous Vivobarefoot Fulham models, the elastics of these boots are better and are less inclined to warp and stretch over time. Its rubber outsole is flexible and can be rolled into a ball, going back to shape correctly.

Fit and Sizing

The Fulham Suede boots have a nice contour, which gives them a clean silhouette while fitting snugly. However, those with sensitive heels may find the heel cup uncomfortable, as it rubs their ankles. You can use a heel cushion or felt inserts to help with that.

As for the sizing, these boots remain consistent with the other Vivobarefoot boot models. But compared to the older version, the updated Fulham Suede boots are now a bit wider, which adds to its comfort, especially those with wider feet. Generally, Vivobarefoot runs true to size for medium and medium-wide feet with a lower to average instep (arch height).

While the toe area is wider, the Fulham Suede’s ankle openings are a bit narrow. It may be more suitable for low-volume feet than those with thicker ankles and high-volume feet. The elastics leather does have a bit of stretchiness, so it helps with putting the boots on, but it still might be too narrow for others.

Reviewers have suggested getting the Vivobarefoot Fulham Suede men’s version to accommodate wider feet and ankles to wear or take off quickly. Unfortunately, the updated model only offers the Vivobarefoot Fulham ladies and kids versions. 

Care Guide

Caring for your Fulham Suedes is relatively easy, as long as they go through regular cleaning and maintenance. Leather should be treated before wearing them and every week or so.

Start by removing any mud and dirt from the Fulham Suede using a clean brush, then wipe it with a warm, damp cloth. Afterward, massage a high-quality wax or balsam for leather, massaging it generously into your boots. Leave the boots with the wax overnight and buff them using a dusting cloth for a nice glow.

Once done, apply a leather protection product to keep your boots away from mud, dirt, and water on your next walk.

Beautiful Style

The Fulham Suede has a rich and luxurious design similar to the iconic Chelsea boot that grew in popularity in the 50s to 60s. The black Fulham Suedes have a classy look, which makes it an attractive dress boot. It matches dresses, pants, skirts, leggings, and a lot more!

Besides this, they are also easy to pull on or take off with the heel tab, so it becomes more convenient to wear.

Final Call

The Fulham Suede boots are a great choice if you want an all-around boot that looks great in just about any outfit. With good traction, barefoot feel, and durability to last for years, many will love wearing them for their next day out.