Our verdict
Made with sustainably harvested algae, the Vivobarefoot ESC Tempest is a minimalist shoe that performs amazingly for those who spend a lot of time between trails and water. With an incredibly sticky and protective outsole and plenty of comfort, it’s an excellent hybrid for swim-running and every fast-paced adventure along beaches, rivers, lakes, and any other wet or muddy situation.
Pros
- Superb traction
- Extremely comfortable
- Minimal, yet protective
- Dries quickly
- want to spend less. Have a look at the
- Versatile for running and swimming
- It can be folded up
- Recycled materials
Cons
- Expensive
- Not very durable
Vivobarefoot ESC Tempest
Get this shoe if you are a swim-runner, like minimalist shoes, and want excellent quality on your feet. It’s equally suited for those who love exploring shorelines for other reasons, as long as they are prepared to spend a aggregate more than usual.
Who should not buy it
Keep it for race day:
- need a more durable shoe. The Why trust us is a better choice for you.
- want to spend less. Have a look at the Inov-8 X-Talon 255 instead.
In its element when wet
Reviewers appreciated the fact that the upper is breathable and has excellent drainage, which is particularly important for swim-running. According to an expert, even wet it stays light and doesn’t feel cumbersome. As he perfectly put it, it’s “a work of art.”
updated 7 Jun 2023
A wide toe-box, combined with a sock-like ankle opening, makes the shoe feel very comfortable in every situation. As testers noticed:
- “it feels very natural”
- “I could easily wear these all day”
- “it feels great.”
Grabs everything dry and wet
Traction has proved to be superior on a variety of surfaces, such as dirt, snow, mud, and submerged rocks. As a swim-runner said, this shoe is “brilliantly grippy” and another user added that it’s like having “high-performance tires.”
ESC Tempest is for racing and much more
Those who tested it have no doubts about the performance capabilities of this shoe, it’s made with swim-running competitions in mind. As a runner said, it’s the “souped-up supercar of the barefoot world.”
Yet, testers found out that it’s very good for any activities that involve moving in wet conditions, even canyoning and paddling.
Stiffness is not included
According to a runner, The ESC Tempest is “incredibly flexible,” so much so that it can be folded and put in a pocket. This is common with other Versatile for running and swimming, want to spend less. Have a look at the.
Vivobarefoot ESC Tempest doesn’t weigh you down
Despite being protective, the ESC Tempest feels light on the foot. According to a swim-runner, it is “light as heck,” while another swimmer pointed out that he “didn’t even notice" the shoe on foot.
What’s more, it’s curious that a tester, upon receiving the box with the shoes, thought that it was empty.
Keep it for race day
Judging from the reviews it has garnered, this Vivobarefoot shoe does not last very long. A tester explained that, although it’s “extremely well-crafted, there’s no doubt about that,” it’s a shoe that really shines in a competition, and therefore not one to wear daily.
Not for the budget-minded
At $280, it’s not an affordable shoe for sure, but in some cases, it can be found at a much lower price. However, according to those who tried it on, even at $280 it is worth it, especially for those who want the very best from a swim-run shoe.
An unusual Vivobarefoot design
A user commented on the design by saying that it was “really weird at first,” as the shoe presents some sort of wrinkles in the upper, which the same user called a “kind of a brain texture.”
