barefoot hiking boots

[flyne]

I was looking at getting a pair of the vivobarefoot
Off Road Hi Mens hiking boots
(  http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/mens/off-road-hi-dk-brown.html  ) but after reading some reviews they seem like they might be to narrow for me as I have a wide foot dose any one know of any other brands that offer the same kind of thing
Cheers Jim

[nineworlds9]

I have a pair of vivo 'breatho' trail running shoes and adore them.  I have a wide foot too.  Vivo makes the best barefoot shoes out there IMHO.  If you want a boot can't go wrong with their stuff, great quality and thinnest yet tough soles out there.  Boot wise, Belleville just released a minimalist tac-boot called the 'Mini-mil' it even comes in olive drab.

[flyne]

The Belleville mini mil boots looks good has any one had any experience with them
Cheers jim

[longbowman]

How much are they in U.S. currency?

[DeCurry]

Originally posted by longbowman:
How much are they in U.S. currency?

Here's a link to the US page for the same shoe.

 http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/off-road-hi-black.html

[Jakeemt]

I have not had experience with the Belleville but plan too soon. I have given up on the vibram minimalist shoes for warm weather because of ticks. While very stealth and quiet I cannot spray them well enough with permetherine.

[flyne]

Thanks is there any other brands I should be looking at
Cheers jim

[bartcanoe]

I don't have long term experience with the Mini-mil, but I did try a pairon and walked around the store.

The soles were very stiff and I felt they didn't give me the flexibility and ground feel I want in a hunting boot.  Perhaps with time they would break in and give the feel I want in a minimalist shoe.

Dave

[flyne]

Iv sent both company's a email asking for some measurements as my boot size is 14 and fairly wide what r there sizing like is it pritty accurate or are they small sizes
Cheers jim

[bartcanoe]

I felt the Belville's ran about 1/2 size small.

[huntercole]

I got a pair of under amour speed freek boots. They are light weight, water proof and comfortable. I think they make some other light weight options as well. I also saw the nike special field boots. They have a sole like their free running shoes and are supposed to be lightweight

[sinawalli]

I run in a pair of Vivo Neo Trails, and find they run on the small side!! Usually  I wear a 12 (47 in Europe), with my Vivos I went to 47 the biggest they make and they just fit!

[Duckbutt]

The Inov8 Roclites are pretty neat along these lines.  I think they are "minimalist" and not necessarily "barefoot"

[Homebru]

The majority of the time, I wear Vivo shoes.  A few pairs for work and a pair of Neo running shoes.  I love my Vivo's and think more people should wear them. However......

I have not bought the hiking boots because I'm not sure they'll have the ankle support for vertical switchbacks with 60 lbs on my back.  If you buy some and climb some mountains with a heavy pack on, let me know how it goes.
homebru

[jhg]

Great thread. I am leaning toward lighter footwear. I have decided I don't need the bomber boots, even here in the Rockies.

 My big issue with those heavier boots is how little they allow in the way of flexability- even when the boot is a high end make.

Rock brusing is an issue out here if you hike/hunt rugged terrain, but I am finding it does not take a lot to protect from those.

 Stalking is difficult in heavy boots, and frustrating, compared to something that lets you feel whats under foot, like a sneaker (does that age me?)

Anyway, thanks for the great info. Now I know were to start looking.

J-

[dhermon85]

Im with huntercole. Speedfreak  X2 , lightweight, good ancle support. Great boot.

[flyne]

I was thinking about the UA speed freaks I just sold a pair of UA Valsets that wear to small for me but wear still a great boot but I would like to give a pair of mimilists a try next I think
Jim

[bartcanoe]

Jim,

You got me thinking, and in the past I've considered simply using my minimalist running shoes with gaiters, e.g. dirty girl gaiters (yes, that is a real company).

I don't know if that would work for your terrain, but it is something to consider.

Dave

[4runr]

I have one question. How would you clean the inside if you go barefoot in them? I would think that your feet would sweat and the inside would get NASTY!!!

At $175, and them getting nasty in a short time, doesn't seem like a very good investment.

Also, the reviews don't seem to be very favorable.

[Zmonster]

Your not bare foot inside them. You can still wear socks. Some don't and that does lead to stink foot.

 It's the design of the sole that mimics being bare foot. It forces you to move as the foot was designed to move. The over engineering of shoes/boots has altered our step and has lead to pain and injuries.

I have transitioned to running completely barefoot. No sock or shoes. Just feet. It has been the best thing I have done to improve my physical abilities to date. Some activities and professions require that I have footwear. That's where these type of minimalist footwear come into play.