Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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So I didn't want to hijack the other recent barefoot shoe question, but in clicking through links I found this shoe http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ladies/achilles-ladies.html which I'm very interested in. I prefer straight barefoot and I don't do well with closed-toe shoes so I thought this might be a nice compromise. Anyone have any suggestions as to this or another similar shoe? I want to keep it under $75 if possible.

flag	asked Sep 18 at 18:26 Miriam 1,559●2●10

I was looking at the men's version just yesterday. I would be interested to hear about cost versus durability and comfort. – Tony Sep 19 at 0:12

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I actually normally hate having my toes constrained in regular shoes, but the neos I brought (I beleive like most of their shoes) have a very very wide toe box, that when wearing with no socks, gives alot of wiggle room, such that I no longer feel constrained. I used to wear actual barefoot everywhere, even in winter till I got these, They also breath well. I still want to take them off after a day, but it doesnt feel like toe torture, its free feeling. If this is your type of issue, you may just do well with some of their shoes. – Jamie Sep 29 at 11:23

+1 on the neos. I'm a recent Vivobarefoot convert, I love the wide toe box on the Ra. Just wish they had more slip-on designs (tying laces isn't my strongest skill). – borofergie Oct 27 at 11:25

Big Al · Answer 1 · 2012-09-29 09:17:47Z UTC

I'm a huge Vivobarefoot fan. I have almost 10 pairs! But I never got on with the Achilles sandal. I suggest you try them on before you buy. Something to do with the split toe thing makes them uncomfortable for me and seems like a design flaw... I think of sandals as what should be the least constrained shoe type, but these feel more constrained than any of their other models.

As for the durability of the Vivobarefoot soles, the running shoes tend to be more durable than their casual/court shoes. I think the Achilies have a "running" type sole.

I've been running in a pair of their running shoes (Evo) for over a year now on roads and hard trail on average about 20 miles a week and the soles are just fine... It's the uppers that are starting to show some age.

An alternative but not quite as minimal on the sole as the Vivobarefoot shoes in the Teva Zilch, but I can't say I have tried these.

Has anyone tried this particular barefoot shoe?

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