I got a pair of black Howgills this year and really liking them though wish they were more a grey over black, re the sole they do do a thinner 3mm sole you could try I guess.

Brilliant. Thanks for this. As another comment said, this really is one of the best reviews. I'm um-ing and ah-ing but now I'm convinced. I'm not sure if you know anything about Parkinsons Disease, but a feature of that is falling over/poor balance. Also, the only thing that seems to slow the progression of the disease, is exercise. So, I've returned to running (slow and lumbering I admit) and hiking. Im convinced the feedback to the brain of the ''barefoot' shoes can only help the brain with the balance issues (not a serious issue for me yet, thankfully). I have a cheap pair of barefoot shoes and need a better grip for my runs and hikes, and these seem the ones for me. thanks.

Hellooooooooo Ash-and-fam!! Looks like a wonderful holiday. So glad you're all having a great summer! I just got back from the Grand Canyon. Vid on the channel. Cheers mate!!

man thank you so much for the detailed review

That was awesome. And thank you for the review of the shoe. I was on the fence, now I'm getting them

Great review! Although I would like to know whether you sized up or sized down? I measured at an 11 and when I received the shoes, I had a lot more room I was comfortable with. I’m a bit reluctant to order the 10 because what if they’re too small, I’d love to hear what you think!

Im about to buy these. are they true to size for you? alot of ppl on their site are saying to get a larger size up

Sounds like you're having a great holiday! Good to see you posting Ash!! Beautiful job on the camper. It looks fantastic!

This boot and that FG2 sole are/were definitely designed and presented as for multi-terrain hiking. I got the Low model from ReVivo and so far they are great on my gravel/rocky logging-road trails, and at the same time smooth on the asphalt road. The knit sections do let the water in, say going through high, wet grass & weeds. The boot version is leather over the top of the foot, where my low model has knit there, so your boots will probably do better keeping wet out. I won't be using mine in cold, wet autumn & early winter weather.

How does the sole grip stickiness compare to Vibram sole (zegama)??

FIRST HA

Despite your summary they sound expensive flawed shoes

Bro how are you 18 and 60 at the same time

Hey Ash! I hope you've been doing well. The comment you just left on my Grand Canyon run vid appears to have been auto deleted by the YT system. Maybe a phrase or a word used triggered some "censorship" thing. You might have to write another one.

A lot of running advice now is to not have your laces that tight, that might solve the problem. Guess you have moved on now, best of luck.

Size down 1 to solve your problems

Hey would you like to review our barefoot trainers? Reasonably priced, innovatively designed, and sustainably made for everyone around the globe.

Well done Ash with your life choices post cancer, I can relate with a lot of what you’ve felt, great to see you running and well done on crewing Mark last weekend 👍

I’ve these shoes and I prefer them for general wear, not trail running. However I did have an issue with the Primus Trail SG - the rubber rand issue you mention rubbing your little toe on extension occurs in those. I’ve tried different insoles, no insoles and the problem remains. Vivo really need to sort this design flaw out.

I just found your youtube channel when I was searching for barefoot shoe reviews. I am not even a runner myself, but I must say I found this video quite inspiring. Wishing you many healthy, happy runs in the great British countryside!

Amazing review

I've switched to VFF's 10 years ago and have run two full marathons in them (2014 Berlin, 2019 a coastal marathon in Zeeland, the Netherlands)

V Run dont hold the heel that well.. while the V Alpha have a good lock on the heel hence making them more comfortable.. V Alpha only draw back is it takes some breaking in.. this chipped off my right leg nail in the first month.. after that it has settled very well.. and are most comfortable pair I have used so far.. only considering the V Trails for my next purchase as the Alpha are not very good with sharp stones on the road

Does the v-run model have a fairly stiff rear heel? have you tried doing very powerful sprints? does the leg shift inside when running powerfully or is the fixation excellent??

Enjoyed that, no need to chat 😂

I love your channel and been wanting to get myself a pair of the PRIMUS TRAIL II FG, but I have a hard time picking up the right size. My feet are 28 cm long and I should probably go for a 10 size, but I'm afraid that would be too big. I'd be really grateful if you could tell me your PRIMUS TRAIL II FG size and the measurements of the insole length for the size. Thank you in advance!

A dancing string bean!

Vapor gloves are an absolute favorite. They're a go-to in late Summer and Fall, when the local trails start to get really dry and hard packed, with rocks sticking up everywhere. If I were doing trail races more frequently, these would be my tool of choice, for distances up to a Half, maybe more. They'd be fantastic to run in at the Grand Canyon, and the only reason why I don't use them there, is because it's just so fun to do it in FiveFinger Sypridons or V-Trail 2.0's I enjoyed the video, and you look great cruising along!!

Nice construction but not a fan of this colorway. And pink laces...looks like a boot for little girls. Sorry

I'll take the Vivobarefoot primus trail ii over viper glove any day

Glad to see these are still going strong! Excellent sock choice too to match up with them - look pretty, run pretty!

Those look absolute Bobby Dazzlers, Ash! It'll be interesting to see how you get on with them, as I think Vivo have really upped their game on some of their morerugged offerings in the last year or two. I'm of the same opinion with the Trackers - I sent mine back after a month as i had numerous issues with them. Their replacements were the Magna Forest Esc and they have been superb.

Hey Ash! So glad to see your first run went well in the V-Alphas (big sigh of relief here! 😂) and it'll be interesting to see if theyre still in contention for the Shires and Spires! Also, you make running through a city look fun like no else does!

Hey Ash! A big thank-you for the shout 🙏✊ Those look the absolute business and I'm hoping they serve you well. I'm told that the wool blend in the material helps them breathe well and neagtes a lot of the stinkiness that we sometimes assosciate with FF's. Looking forward to seeing your first run in them!

Forgive me, Ash - I'm behind with your vids but I'm rapidly catching up! This is inspiring stuff and a wonderful pocket history of Ash :) Great video, my friend!

Hi Ash. Looks like this old classic is still going strong 💪 I'm talking about the shoes btw 😂 Do you wear toe socks with them or will you get that toe splay in normal socks just as much? I'm planning to give my Vivos another go after the ultra.

Merrell Vapor Glove 6 are my favourite barefoot running shoes; I've done everything from speedy 5Ks to 20+ miles in them. The only downside is they are the least durable shoes I've ever owned (I had to patch the sole up with shoe glue or they'd have been done in less than 200 miles). I'm currently enjoying Vivo Primus Lite III to run in, worth a try if you get chance. Keep up the good work Ash, love your channel 👍

I have the Vapor Glove 5, they're OK. They have a one piece upper with no tongue. My chief complaint is the toe box. There is room for toe splay but for me, not enough vertical room. They have a "low roof" so to speak. I might try the VG 6 at some point. Do you ever run in sandals? I've gotten a lot enjoyment running in them. The weather will be getting warmer soon and it will be time to break them out. All the best.

Can you wear these comfortably walking in the city?

Try the suckers on and film it ya goof ball :)

I’ve both the Vivo Magna and Forest ESC so cannot justify the Decons. A nice feature of those is like the ESC, the sole is actually stitched on for durability. The Tracker II sole isn’t, and a few folk have had delamination issues. I’ll be interested to hear how the grip is, as the ESC Michelin sole is their most aggressive. A white sole would be instantly brown where I go 🐏💩🐄😂

Very stylish mate. Hopefully they fit and feel as good as the old trail runners.

Have you ever tried Altra shoes / boots? I have always got on with Altras pretty well but never tried Vivos.

Really enjoyed this video Ash. Great to know a bit more about you. Well done on all the positive life changes. Keep up tge good work 👍

Hello and thank you for the review! How do they compare in size with v-trail 2.0? I had to size up.I wear 43 in v-runs and 44 in v-trails. Thank you

EXCELLENTE mi Amigo! Ustedes edición está caliente!

Hey, have you done much running with trail shoes on road and if so do you feel all ok? I found a pair of merrel barefoot shoes with a stack height of 14mm. Just revived my first altras and they feel like my old Brooks shoes :( I have been wearing barefoot shoes for walking and legs in the gymfor about 2 years

Nice to see those are getting a proper run-in, Ash! Favorites to run in, and what I run the majority of my annual runs in, are my Vibram FiveFinger Spyridons. They're inexpensive on ebay, so I always have a new pair in-the-waiting. For the runs at Sequoia Nat'l Park, and at the Grand Canyon, like you've seen a sampling of on my channel, it's been the V-Trail 2.0's for the last couple years, and before that, always the Spyridons, dating back to about 2013. I started running in FF's in July 2012, and about a year later, found the Spyridon model, both for my daughter, and myself. On local trails that are just too rock strewn, especially late in the summer, I switch to Merrell Trail Gloves, or New Balance 10v1, or MT1010, which are some of their earliest designed minimalist shoes. Like with the FF's, I find them on ebay, and keep a spare pair on hand. I raced a trail half in the 1010's last November, and really loved them as a distance racing shoe.

Great shoes and upload. TQ