Vivobarefoot Gobi II review

Who should buy it

Purchase a pair of Vivobarefoot Gobi II if you:

• Are looking for barefoot comfort that lasts for a long time.
• Are a fan of good-looking boots for your everyday use, all year round.
• Feel that quality and pretty shoes are worthy investments. 

Great everyday shoe

Add a product Vivobarefoot Primus Knit. This pretty and multi-purpose alternative is also devoid of criticisms concerning soles and laces. 

Vivobarefoot Gobi II is styled using superior materials

The Vivobarefoot Gobi II is a desert boot that is mainly made from wild Ethiopian cattle leather. As described by a shoe expert, not only did the brand deliver high-quality materials, “they took it a step further by implementing subtle changes such as the cork insole and a buttery sole” while “providing excellent grip and protection” at the same time.

Most natural barefoot comfort

With only the thin soles in between the foot and the surface, you “feel planted to the ground.” And while many think that leather is hard and restrictive until you break it in, a reviewer said, “The biggest surprise to me was how soft the shoes were.” Others say:

• “I like the barefoot feeling a lot!"
• “The more I wear them  the more comfortable they become.”
• “It provides for the most natural feel I have ever experienced in a shoe.”
• “It provides just enough cushion… without losing its connection with the ground.”

Dec 11, 2022

While it may be true that some shoe advertisements present better-looking pairs than the real ones, a verified buyer attested that with Gobi II, “What you see is pretty much what you get” and that “you get a shoe that looks as good in real life as it does in the advertisements.” 

Aside from its robust look, this barefoot shoe is also praised for its leather which gives the shoe character. “This type of leather will probably only look better the longer you wear it,” said another tester.

Lifetime shoe for all seasons

Most accolades the Vivobarefoot Gobi II receives are for its durability which withstands for several years. Someone commented that his shoes “have stood a few years of heavy usage and still look like they have many miles to go.” Another buyer said it is “good in the rain, snow, and mud” and “I’ve had the II's for 4 years now, they still look great!” Hence, many claim that “this is a lifetime shoe” for them.

According to its manufacturer, the shoes last for at least a few years when they are worn for general everyday use or a few hours each day. 

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Several users of the Gobi II affirmed that it is an excellent all-around shoe. Here are some comments about its versatility:

• “Most natural barefoot comfort.”
• “I’ve worn them shucking oysters at my amusement.”
• “I use them to hike in the forest with my doggo every day 15km…”
• “I wear them for everything I do; a 5 stars for sure.”

Great everyday shoe

Even if the Gobi II provides no arch support, which is an inherent feature of barefoot shoes, its thin soles “allows for a greater grip of the ground, actually molding itself around the numerous protruding hazards”.

Gobi II welcomes wide-feeters

For many users, the Gobi II is “great for people with flexible flat feet.” Experts agree that the shoe, just like Vivobarefoot’s other shoe variants, “runs slightly larger, maybe by half a size, to allow for toe splay.” For size in-betweeners, they suggested, “go half a size smaller or just enjoy the extra toe space.” 

Cleaning with ease

Cleaning this pair has never become this easy, according to comments. Here are some other remarks about this:

• “Easy to clean.”
• “I just clean them around once a year with soapy water and finish with leather wax, easy!”
• “I used a wet cloth for this and cleaned everything off with it, then dabbed dry with a dry cloth.”

Squeaking price of Gobi II

The pricey pair of Gobi II shoes squeak when walking on polished floors. “When I say squeak, I mean each step, squeak, squeak, squeak,” claimed one tester. 

Mainly, the price is the reason why people hold back from buying this shoe even if “everything else about it is a knockout.” In its defense, reviewers explained that its “quality is quite high,” and that compared to other quality “brands that are asking ~$300, these are even better.”

It provides just enough cushion without losing its connection with the ground

For some, their biggest pet peeve of Gobi II is either or both the sole and lace. “The soles are very very thin now,” said a reviewer after using it for over four years. “The outsole is coming off the forefoot of both shoes,” said another wearer, noting the holes in both soles. 

An expert agrees that Vivobarefoot “should have chosen a better lace." Some wearers griped about the color of the laces, that they are “falling apart after barely 3 months of wear,” and that they are “simply thinner than it needs to be.”