
Mount to Coast
H1
Versatile road-to-trail, but struggles on wet, technical downhills.

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I steer people towards lighter shoes over boots for everything besides activities requiring crampons. For about 12 years I’ve been going through a pair a year of vivobarefoot primus trail SG’s. I do a lot of off trail/hunting related things and they are like cleats in the woods and quick dry. I wouldn’t recommend barefoot style shoes to everyone unless you are committed to changing the way you walk. For me (6’3”, 220lbs) it has made my knees feel WAY better after carrying heavy packs over far distances. Your feet get way more beat up and tired, but your knees are much better off. The amount of people I’ve brought hunting who had to quit because of knee problems from heel stomping in their heavy boots is crazy
Yup. I have Primus lite 3’s, and the Primus trail 3’s and love them both. Probably wear the lite 3’s the most though because they’re great with concrete and the trails are better for turf. I myself like less tread on concrete pads as the trail tread is almost too grippy for that.
Yup. I have Primus lite 3’s, and the Primus trail 3’s and love them both. Probably wear the lite 3’s the most though because they’re great with concrete and the trails are better for turf. I myself like less tread on concrete pads as the trail tread is almost too grippy for that.
If you need water resistance / mud / snow handling, then Magna. If you want a fair weather hiker then Primus Trail or Flow Trail. The Tracker low model is just not one way or the other - low cut and the sole are not good for wet conditions, and there are much better shoes for dry conditions.
personally I’m firmly in the barefoot and zero drop camp and would encourage almost anyone to go through the transition, your feet will thank you for it. so based on that, I’d argue there’s no better “do it all” shoe than the **Vivobarefoot Motus Studios**. They’re 5mm stack without the insole, fully suede and leather (and surprisingly breathable while also being basically almost waterproof) and the outsole is a perfect from city walks and the gym to dry weather hikes. I’m pretty sure Vivo has them on sale right now. Super lightweight, flexible and honestly they look really cold in all black (this is coming from a man who used to love his Vans and Nikes btw) Vivo primus trail models are great for more off road use, Gobi leather sneakers are better for less off road use (and are my fav casual pairs to wear since they have not just black and white colors). There are loads more barefoot brands but I’ve only been wearing Vivos since i transitioned to barefoot shoes last year, and the Motus studios and gobi sneakers have been the shoes i picked and have worn since (outside of Magna ESCs for real hiking) Obviously as many other comments have said, it really does depend on what’s best for you!
personally i think the regular primus trails are better for running - the knits ventilate not as well - I find the knits are better looking but the regular better performing in my ultimate [vivobarefoot review guide](https://canadianomad.com/vivobarefoot-buyers-guide/) I compare all the models
theyre my favoruties 100%
I love my vivo bare feet Primus trail runners. I was afraid of how my first real hike in them would go but I won't hike in anything else unless there are very special circumstances

Mount to Coast
H1
Versatile road-to-trail, but struggles on wet, technical downhills.

Altra
Lone Peak Series
Spacious toe box, but cushioning and durability are polarizing.

La Sportiva
Prodigio Series
Great technical grip, but unstable for some, with sizing issues.

Nike
Pegasus Trail Series
Versatile for non-technical trails, but poor on wet, technical.

Mount to Coast
T1
Lightweight, cushioned; but lacing and underfoot protection are issues.

Ranked #1
Salomon - Speedcross Series

Ranked #1
Hoka - Speedgoat Series

Ranked #1
Mount to Coast - H1

Ranked #1
Salomon - Genesis Series

Ranked #1
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series

Ranked #1
Mount to Coast - H1