Vivobarefoot Tracker review (2026): From a barefoot wearer

Over the past few years, I have been slowly but surely barefoot-ing my whole footwear collection. This includes everything from my gym training shoes to my everyday trainers. I am now at the point where I don’t wear any shoes that aren’t barefoot!

The effects of wearing barefoot shoes have been pretty impressive. My foot strength is improving, as is my balance and posture. But the most impressive thing has been feeling more grounded to the floor, which has made moving a lot easier and way more pleasurable.

The one thing my barefoot shoe collection was missing was a good hiking boot. Whenever I’d go out for walks, I’d wear my casual trainers and end up getting them very muddy. Not to mention the difficulty in moving around rockier terrains with them.

Then I discovered the Tracker Textile AT boot from Vivobarefoot. With plenty of grip, a slightly firmer sole, ankle support, a waterproof membrane, and a versatile design, these could be just the hiking boots I was after!

In this Vivobarefoot Tracker review, I will share my experience with these hikers – both on walks in the city, in the Peak District, and even across The Andes! I’ll include my thoughts on the style, fit, walking experience, and the price.

Get 15% off your Vivobarefoot shoes using this code at checkout: MYVEGANTRAVELS

What is Vivobarefoot?

Vivobarefoot is a footwear brand focused on creating shoes based on the natural foot shape and movement. They sell a variety of shoes for women, men and children. Plus, they have a range of shoes for different purposes, including training, hiking, and leisure wear.

I already wear their Gobi sneakers, which I love (read the review here). These are great for casual wear. But I was after something more practical, mostly for when I’m out walking and hiking. So, I was very happy to be gifted Vivobarefoot’s Textile Tracker AT hiking shoe. More about them below!

About their Tracker Textile AT shoe

The Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT is a contemporary barefoot hiking boot made from recycled, vegan and non-absorbent materials for reliable waterproof performance; its stripped-back, barefoot-style construction keeps you close to the ground for natural stability and sensory feedback, whilst the All-Terrain outsole (with deeper grooves, 1.5 mm added lug height in high-traction zones and a lower-profile base) gives dependable grip across wet, dry, rocky, muddy and urban surfaces.

Key specs of the Tracker Textile AT:

• Materials: recycled, animal-free*, non-absorbent upper (waterproof).
• Outsole: All-Terrain outsole — deeper grooves and reinforced lugs for improved grip.
• Sole base thickness: 2.5 mm.
• Tread depth: 4 mm (with +1.5 mm added lug height in high-traction zones).
• Fit/feel: barefoot/stripped-back sole for ground feel, natural stability and sensory feedback.

*I am reviewing their vegan-friendly textile shoe. Vivobarefoot also sell shoes made using animal-based materials.

My experience

I have been wearing my Vivobarefoot Trackers for the past few months now. I have mostly just worn them around the city in the wet, more miserable weather. Mostly because I like the style of these boots, but also because they cover my ankles, keeping my feet warmer and better protected.

But I have also tested them on a few longer walks in the countryside, on rockier, less stable terrains. Most notably, I’ve taken them for a swing around the Peak District, on rocky hikes. Continue reading to find out how I’ve been getting on!

Get 15% off your Vivobarefoot shoes using this code at checkout: MYVEGANTRAVELS

The style

The style of these Vivobarefoots was actually one of the biggest selling points for me. They look just like a traditional hiking boot, only with a slightly flatter profile. That said, they appear much less typically “barefoot” than other hikers I’ve seen, thanks to some clever design details. Particularly, the edging where the sole meets the textile upper, and the grip pattern on the outsole.

I actually enjoy wearing these around London as a pair of boots to match upturned jeans or cargo pants. I think they truly look the part and have the added benefit of keeping my feet dry during the rainier months.

They also look great with all my walking gear. And with their clean design, they suit pretty much every item of clothing I own.

They come in a couple of colourways. I have the full Obsidian black version, but I am pretty envious of the Obsidian-White, which would also look great for casual wear.

The fit

As with most barefoot shoes, these hiking boots have a wider toe box to accommodate a more natural toe spread. I’ve spent the last few years using toe spreaders (Correct Toes, as pictured above) and find my toes fit comfortably inside these shoes.

I can’t wear my toe spacers with these boots, as the toebox isn’t quite wide enough to allow for both the extra width and comfortable movement. That said, my spacers do make my toes wider than they naturally are, so I typically reserve them for barefoot shoes with an even roomier toe box.

The Vivobarefoots have a little give in the textile upper, but overall, they run on the snug side. This is likely due to their design for sturdiness, similar to traditional hiking boots. I’d struggle to fit a pair of thick socks in these, so if you do like to layer up, then you may want to consider removing the thermal insole for added space.

The material

These Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile shoes are made from 100% recycled and animal-free materials. The membrane is waterproof, and the remaining materials are water-resistant and/or non-absorbent. Making these pretty great for walking in the rain and through puddles (who can truly resist a puddle?!)

The shoe includes a thermal insole which has built-in temperature-regulating technology. This will probably explain why my feet always feel just the right temperature when wearing these. So far, I’ve been able to wear them on both sunny, warm days and cold, miserable, wet days, very comfortably.

The walking experience

Obviously, one of the most important aspects of barefoot shoes is the overall walking experience. Personally, I love how grounded I feel wearing them, and these hiking boots are no exception. They’re not quite as connected to the ground as my non-hiking barefoot shoes, but that’s to be expected given their design for rougher terrain.

To function as a proper hiking boot, they have a firmer sole with a lug pattern (chunkier indents that improve traction). I’d say they strike a perfect balance between outdoor support and that barefoot feel.

The support on the sole is just right for protecting your foot from sharp stones and rocks, whilst also being barefoot enough to make you feel grounded. I loved hopping around in them from rock to rock in the Peak District. I felt like I was able to move so much more easily than with my older non-barefoot hiking boots!

I found the grip very effective on uneven terrain, while still comfortable for walking around the city on pavements and roads. That said, on a smooth, wet stone, the Tracker boots can slip a little.

UPDATE: I recently went on a day hike in the Andes mountain range in Chile (as a day trip from Santiago). I wore my Vivobarefoots throughout the hike and loved the experience. I was hopping from stone to stone, with very little wobbling. I felt so grounded, which was incredible. They were comfortable throughout the day, and I didn’t get any niggling urges to want to take them off due to discomfort, like I used to with traditional walking boots.

The price

Vivobarefoot shoes do come at a premium. These boots, for example, cost £180. That said, I’ve found Vivobarefoot shoes tend to last much longer than other brands, and they can be sent in for repair if anything does break.

Many competitor shoes are priced similarly, and those that are cheaper often don’t last as long (speaking from experience). For example, the Scrambler Trail Mid WP from Xero Shoes is priced at £160.

If you do a lot of hiking or walking, or just want a sturdy pair of boots for everyday use, these are worth the investment. They’re well-made and durable, so they should keep you going for years.

Review verdict

Overall, I have completely fallen in love with these boots. I am wearing them nearly every day, and they are holding up so well in all weather conditions.

I think they look great as leisurewear, which is where they are actually getting their most use. But when I do go out into the countryside for longer walks and hikes, they hold up perfectly.

I get a fair few compliments when wearing these, which isn’t common for me since switching to barefoot shoes. But they truly do look great as both hiking boots and boots for casual wear.

Thanks to the mix of non-absorbent, waterproof, and water-resistant materials, I can easily wipe them down after walking in muddier climes. Ready for my next city adventure.

I find them to be more solid than my other barefoot shoes, so I am trying not to become too reliant on them for everyday wear, but they do still have good ground feel and flexibility in the sole. So movement still feels pretty natural! Plus, these are great for anyone who isn’t that far into their barefoot journey.

I truly can’t recommend these enough. They are a great investment that I am getting a huge amount of use out of!

Get 15% off your Vivobarefoot shoes using this code at checkout: MYVEGANTRAVELS