Vivobarefoot Gobi 2 Canvas Review

The Gobi 2 is one of Vivobarefoot’s most iconic shoes. In my view, it is one of the shoes that ushered a transition of barefoot shoes from the fringes of footwear into prominence. It is probably one of the first barefoot shoes that we can across that had a familiar look about it. We all love familiarity. That makes it easier to take a step in the direction of change. 

Vivobarefoot Gobi II Canvas

Simply knowing that we are happy or at least know this style of shoe goes a long way. Gobi 2 is available in a few designs and styles. One of those styles is the Canvas. We will be looking at its features. Here is what you can expect from them. 

Aesthetics

No matter how we put it, shoes are a key part of our fashion. Nowadays, more than ever before, they make a key part of personal style. This can be said of the Gobi 2 as well. It is designed in the same sort of shape that we are used to with ankle boots. This is a shape that can be found in both men’s and women’s shoes. 

Depending on the color you get, one of the more prominent features of this shoe is the laces. They are the sort that you find on some of the more heavy-duty hiking boots.

This, of course, is a good thing as it tells you that they’re not going to break down easily.  In most cases, these shoes go with a single color or a dual color palette. In the case of a single color, you have a black upper mixed with black soles.

Gobi-ii-pair-brown

The dual color shoes will have an upper that compliments the color of the soles. The laces complement these.

Sizes

The sizes generally range from UK 6 all the way up to a size 14. if you wanted to know the sizes, you would perhaps need to look at similar shoes from the same brand, classified as children’s shoes. As far as sizes go, there isn’t much off anesthetic difference when you compare them. The design seems to be very consistent when you compare the 6 to the 14. 

Vivobarefoot has a great sizing guide that you can make use of. It uses the current shoes that you own to gauge what size you should wear in their brand. This is useful if you are new to the brand. For those that already have a pair of Vivobarefoot shoes, you can purchase the same size. 

Feel

You’ll always find that it offers more breathability than you would get from another shoe with the canvas version. The trade-off, of course, is durability when you compare the two.

As desert boots go, this is at the forefront of the amount of sensory feedback that it delivers. Your feet are allowed freedom of movement. The design is such that you would be able to wear these shoes for all sorts of occasions. 

There isn’t a lot of cushioning on the inside. If that is something that you require, you may want to look elsewhere. Having said that, these shoes are fairly comfortable. They come with a 3mm thick, antibacterial cork insole. It provides you with underfoot protection and some degree of padding. 

The flexibility of these shoes also makes them ideal travel companions. They can be packed flat or rolled up into a little ball that takes a minimal room in your bag. Such as their versatility that in the right color they could pass in both formal and informal setups. Such you may not need to pack more than one pair of shoes when you have these.

Durability

The rubber insoles have never been in doubt. They are known to be durable. In this case, the limitation would come in the form of their thickness, or lack thereof. That said, the shoes show no signs of being worse of wear after a few uses.

They seem to maintain reasonable shape as they are broken into overtime. We have previously mentioned that the shoelaces are similar in quality to those you would find on hiking boots.

From our experience and what we found while researching other users, we are thrilled with the Gobi 2 canvas’s overall quality. If used in reasonable conditions and provided with the sort of care they deserve, they are sure to serve you for a long time. 

Price

The prices may vary depending on where you are purchasing the shoes. You will find them in a range of above $100 but lower than $200. When considered in other shoes from the same brand or similar brand, they are within a reasonable price range. 

Our Favourite Things about it

  • They are highly breathable.
  • They offer great versatility.
  • The design is fairly stylish.
  • They have a wide toe box.
  • Can be used by those with wide feet.
  • They are very comfortable.
  • They are lightweight.

What Could be better?

  • They provide very little arch support.
  • Quality can be inconsistent.
  • The sizes can be difficult to get right.

Verdict

The manufacturers market these shoes as having the thinnest and most durable soles that ever manufactured. You can add to this thickness or mitigated it by taking advantage of the removable insoles that the shoe has.

This is a fairly stylish shoe that provides you with great versatility and durability with all things considered. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons why these remain some of Vivo’s most sought-after shoes.

The fact that the insole is antibacterial also means that your feet are being kept smelling fresh for longer than you would get from other shoes. We would certainly recommend these shoes for both men and women.

The only thing that you should be aware of is to take advantage of the sizing guide that they provide to make sure you get it right the first time. 

Hi there. This is Clare. Dave and I manage this site. We are outdoor enthusiasts. Most of the content is about products that we love using or have researched.
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