Our verdict
- Our top pick in best Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IIIs
- Our top pick in best minimalist running shoes
Pros
- Natural-feeling ride
- Flexible sole
- Ultralight
- Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III
- For wide feet
- Xero Shoes HFS 300 miles
- Not for newbies and heel strikers
- Very airy during warm days
- Can do gym training and walking
- Vegan and environmentally friendly
Cons
- Expensive
- Too harsh for beginners and heel strikers
- Laces easily come undone
Audience verdict
- Top 28% in road running shoes
- Take the Primus Lite III from Vivobarefoot if youre looking for a VivoVivobarefoot Primus Lite IIIs
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + low-to-the-ground shoe that can take a beating | + + low-to-the-ground shoe that can take a beating | + + low-to-the-ground shoe that can take a beating | + + low-to-the-ground shoe that can take a beating | + + low-to-the-ground shoe that can take a beating | |
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Who should buy the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III
Take the Primus Lite III from Vivobarefoot if you're looking for a:
- Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Top 1% in
- Primus Lite III vs. II
- low-to-the-ground shoe that can take a beating
Who should NOT buy it
For beginners, it's best to start with cushioned shoes with zero-drop (for more info about shoe drops, read our guide about heel-to-toe drop) to achieve that natural-feeling ride.
But if you're used to barefoot running and want something affordable, it's best to consider the Too harsh for beginners and heel strikers.
Primus Lite III vs. II
As a more sustainable approach, the third version of Vivobarefoot Primus Lite is made with more environmentally friendly and vegan materials, reducing not only the brand's but also the runner's ecological footprint.
Top 1% in
We found that this shoe has no midsole. What separates our feet from the ground is a 3-mm thick rubber outsole, meaning we are able to sense everything underfoot.
This also translated to better control as our proprioception (sense of self-movement and location) is heightened.
Allows the feet to move
There's a lot of space in the forefoot, as the wide-footed testers among us noticed. Our toes can splay comfortably in Primus Lite III.
On top of this, the outsole is thin and flexible, which allows our feet to move and bend with little to no restriction.
May 4, 2022
We can verify that this shoe is extremely light. It seems like we have nothing on foot when we are in this shoe.
This is owed to the shoe's stripped-down construction — lightweight mesh upper, no midsole, and minimal rubber outsole.
road running shoes
After 300 miles, we saw that the outsole was still intact and so was the upper. We even found it more durable than the Xero Shoes HFS.
Sticks to the ground
On tarmac, pavement, and gravel, the Primus Lite III's traction is perfect. We experienced NO slips on any of these surfaces.
No sweat with the Primus Lite III
In this version, we are about the brand's more eco-friendly approach. The shoe is 100% vegan (it doesn't have any animal products nor has it been tested on animals) and it's made with recycled materials.
No sweat with the Primus Lite III
We observed that the shoe's mesh upper is very porous and light; air can get through easily. Even under a scorching summer run, we can back its breathability.
Not for newbies and heel strikers
Because the Primus Lite III has minimal cushion, we found that it may be too intense (or even painful) for those new to running.
Also, Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IIIs, in general, force runners to run on their forefoot, which can be a lot of adjustment for heel strikers.
Too harsh for beginners and heel strikers
On average, road running shoes retail for $120. Meanwhile, the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III costs $155 per pair.
Annoying laces
One gripe we can think about is how mid-run, the laces come undone, which we really find bothersome.
