Vivobarefoot Primus Lite

Detailed Review

You can also check out the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Minimal Vegan Road Running Shoe Review by fitness enthusiast Alvin R Gaela.

Formerly known as the Primus Road, the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite was created to allow runners to move as freely as possible, fulfilling the brand’s promise of delivering maximum barefoot feeling. The shoe comes with only the essentials – a thin sole, a thin upper, and just a few reinforcements on key areas.

Design

A good number of reviews say that the Primus Barefoot feels lightweight. Even without putting it on a weighing scale, those who have used the shoe mentioned that they feel like “they have nothing on”. To them, the shoe is a great companion when doing exercises that require a good amount of agility.

Created to be a minimalist or barefoot shoe in every regard, the Vivo Primus Lite is best used during moderate, warm, or hot weather. Ventilation will not be a problem as observed by a good number of users.

Its 3mm sole was created for flat firm grounds. It delivers ample protection to the underfoot, having five times the puncture resistance compared to other minimalist shoe outsoles.

Style

The Primus Lite looks sporty and casual at the same time. Many have used it while working out, pairing their shoes with gym clothes or athletic wear. As a daily trainer, it’s best paired with shorts and jeans that have a tapered fit. 

Whether you are looking for the Primus Lite mens or womens version, you will be choosing from limited colorways. Despite this, many didn’t seem to mind because the colors go with the minimalist vibe the shoe was designed with.

Comfort level

Those who are new to wearing barefoot shoes should take note that there is no cushioning on the midsole of the Primus Lite. While this may be the reason why the Primus Lite has gotten a lot of positive attention from the barefoot running community, beginners who are not used to wearing barefoot shoes may find this pair uncomfortable.

Veterans of barefoot running, on the other hand, said that the shoe feels comfy. There’s the right amount of padding on the ankle, and the upper is close to being see-through when you put your fingers against the material.

Despite this, one Primus Lite Review mentioned that the tongue was too thin for him. When the laces were tightened, there was a tendency for the skin on his instep to pinch.

Durability

It was already mentioned that the Primus Lite is made up of light materials. There have been reports of durability issues but there are some who have used the shoe numerous times but have yet to see the sole wear out or the upper tear.

Vivobarefoot focused on lightness and breathability while designing the shoe’s upper. Key spots were reinforced without impeding the airflow from within. Areas like the forefoot, the sides of the shoe, and the heel have been fortified by a thin film. The sides of the small and big toe, common areas where the upper comes detached from the sole, have been stitched up.

The sole is Vivobarefoot’s patented PRO5 layer. Although it is thin, it is highly puncture-resistant and delivers ample protection against any sharp objects on the road.

Sizing

Most Vivobarefoot shoes are known for not being true to size. The Primus Lite is no exception. Most reviews say that the shoe is a half-size bigger than the wearer’s usual size. Some say that the shoe is true to size.

Fit

There’s enough room in the toebox of the Primus Lite for the toes to splay naturally while running or walking. The shape tapers towards the heel to keep that part of the shoe stable. Most reviewers have used their pair without socks so most have gone with a more snug fit, purchasing the footwear in their usual size.

Performance

Most runners lauded the Primus Lite for its performance on dry roads and paths. The outsole was specifically designed to perform well on these surfaces, however, if the terrain is technical or wet, the Primus Lite may not be the most ideal companion to reach for. Some reviewers observed that the grip and traction were not very good while they were using the shoe on wet grass and other wet surfaces.

To know more about the shoe’s performance, you can refer to the review written by an expert and fitness enthusiast: Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Minimal Vegan Road Running Shoe.

Primus Lite VS Primus Lite III

On the Primus Lite, there’s the PRO5 outsole. On Primus Lite III, Vivobarefoot’s Active Outsole was added. Although the PRO5 was doing a good enough job, the new outsole on the Primus Lite III is specially designed to deliver traction and durability on hard surfaces in urban environments.

From within the third version of the Primus Lite, an Ortholite Performance Insole was added. While there is no insole in the Primus Lite, you can enjoy lighter and airier comfort within the shoe in the newer version.

Final call

With vegan-friendly materials used to make this shoe lightweight and flexible, the Primus Lite allows the wearer to feel close to being unshod. Definitely, there are tradeoffs to the lightness of the shoe with Primus Lite Reviews reporting durability issues, but those who are looking for a truly barefoot experience will appreciate the performance and close-to-shoeless benefits the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite can offer.