FAQ

All our minimalist shoes are puncture resistant.

Vivobarefoot shoes have a patented puncture resistant layer that has up to 5x the puncture resistance of other minimal shoe brands out there. Leguanos have a patented sole as well that is extremely puncture resistant while being ultra flexible. Joe Nimbles have comparatively thicker soles than the previous two but are equally as puncture resistant.

FLEXIBLE SHOES – At VIVOBAREOOT we are committed to giving you as little shoe as possible while providing your feet with all the grip and protection you would expect from a pair of VIVOBAREFOOT shoes. Making soft, thin, flexible shoes that last longer and still allow for natural foot function, is our unique challenge.

LESS IS MORE – With less materials, thinner soles and complete flexibility; a huge amount of stress is put on the shoes during wear. This means we have to use the best materials and most considered shoe making process we can lay our hands on.

WE PAY MORE FOR LESS – In our China factories, it is common for shoe productions lines to make up to 3500 pairs per day. Our soft, thin, flexible shoes are a lot harder to make which limits us to below 1000 pair per day due to the level of shoe making and craftsmanship in each and every pair. We are a small company, with small orders and difficult to make shoes with industry defining quality standards.

Each shoe will specify on its product page if it comes with our performance insole, everyday cork insole or our Thermal insole. 

Unfortunately, as we produce many different types of shoes, we are unable to stock the same additional laces for the products. If you receive your shoes with a faulty lace, we will of course replace the laces, but we are unable just to send spare/replacement laces on request. However, contact us for availability.

Currently, Vivobarefoot produces their shoes all over the world, from China and Cambodia, to Ethiopia and Portugal. Vivobarefoot only works with factories who they believe can offer us the best possible construction, but who also follow their company code of conduct on human rights.

Yes! But not for all shoes.

Contact us to evaluate whether the shoes are repairable or replaceable. The standard 24-month guarantee for manufacturer defects apply. Note that this does not cover normal wear and tear due to use.

VIVOBAREFOOT HAND CUT

To arrange a repair*:

1. Visit the VIVOBAREFOOT Experience Store in London’s Covent Garden with your shoes and original receipt.  The store will take payment and send your shoes away for repair.
2. Send your shoes to the LONDON store and they will take care of everything else. Please call 44 (0) 20 7379 5959 to arrange a repair and make payment.

*Please note, unless faulty, this is a chargeable service

Did you know that up to 70% of the information your brain needs for skilful movement comes from the 200,000 nerves on the soles of your feet? By maximising sensory feedback as your foot touches the ground, you can exploit the abundance of information available to the brain to help you stand, walk and move with optimal skill.

Every shoe we make has a patented, ultra-thin, puncture resistant sole which gives you maximum sensory feedback with protection.

Environment specific grip is necessary for the footwear to function optimally.

Things can go wrong. We offer all our customers a 6-month sustainable guarantee on all shoes purchased from us. If you have experienced unusual ‘wear and tear’, a fault on your shoe, or it has not held up as it should, please let us know. If you have purchased directly from us within the last 6 months, just show us your proof of purchase, and we would be happy to get a replacement pair out to you.

Due to the popularity of styles, it is not always possible to replace your style with the same piece. However, we will do our best to ensure you have a new style which will be fit for purpose.

In the interest of ensuring the same fault does not occur to anyone else, we will usually ask you to send photos of the style, and in some cases to send them back to us. That way, we can work on further testing to prevent anything happening again in the future.

We recommend using natural products where possible for cleaning and weather protection. Construction methods and materials vary across styles and we would recommend using soapy cold water rather than a washing machine for our performance shoes.

You may or may not need to. It comes down to personal preferences.

If you don’t like wearing socks, we recommend using insoles specific to the shoes (if compatible), air the shoes in a well ventilated area, and for synthetic shoes, wash them in mild soap and water regularly.

Remember that your feet shed skin inside your shoes or socks. If the skin is kept inside the shoes, it is food for bacteria that can reside in the shoes. Socks are a convenient way to collect the dead skin and keep shoes clean and odor free longer.

Another way to combat odor is to use baking soda. Put enough to cover the inside overnight. Then shake them off in the morning to use them.

All successful orders will receive email confirmations immediately. Your order and may take up to 24 hours to reach your inbox.

We aim to pick and pack our orders within 1 working day though this may take a little longer during busy periods. You will receive a despatch confirmation within 48 hours of placing your online order. Please note that timing does not include store closing days.

Should you not receive your email within this time frame we advise you to check your Spam or Junk folder as it may have been directed there by mistake. If you still cannot find it then please contact us.

Don’t Panic! Contact us and we will help trace them.

Yes, there is an option in the checkout to add a different delivery address.

Contact us as soon as possible. Please read our terms and conditions to know how this is applied.

You may order by calling us. Then all details and confirmation will be done through email.

As with most companies, you may find that your size varies depending on which style of shoe you choose. The main reason for this tends to be down to the materials used, and the actual construction.

Insoles! If you take the insoles out, you find they will play a large part in terms of the room your foot has. If you shoe feels a little tight, remove the insole and you will likely have the right size for your foot.

For all shipments within Belgium, shipment fee is included for orders >100 Eur. For items 100 Euros or less, there is a shipment fee of 7Euros. A return label will be provide in case needed. Exchanges will be charged 7Euros.

Outside of Belgium to other parts of Europe will be charged via a specific cost which will be provided upon check-out.

In case there is no option for your specific country, please contact us.

We can ship worldwide. However due to shipping costs and import duties, our experience is that it’s better to purchase from your nearest store.

Yes.

Please contact us if you need to return an item. Free returns are not eligible if the product has been bought discounted or if shipping were free to begin with.  Returns are subject to certain conditions. See below.

If your order is not right for you, then yes you can return it back to us. We will accept returns for any unused / unworn items with all the original tags and packaging, within 14 days of purchase.

In line with the Consumer Rights Act, our customers also have the right to return goods which are faulty within the first 30 days of purchase for a replacement or refund.

Unless faulty, we will not accept shoes back which have been worn outside, or marked. Should you want to trial your shoes, please do so inside so that if they are not right, someone else can enjoy them!

If you require an exchange on an item, please contact us.