Vivobarefoot’s Trail Freak minimalist trail running shoes have a soft, springy, flexible mesh upper. Photo by Brandon Scherzberg
Some fitness fads end as quick as they arrive, and you may have heard the buzz that minimalist running—or a gradual transition to a more natural form of running—is something of a boom-and-bust industry. But for runners willing to take their time and smell the “zero-drop” roses, minimalist running is still very much in the picture—and so are the shoes. Think about it: stronger feet, stronger ankles, and a throwback to when, if you were running, you were probably doing it in animal hides or nothing at all.
Luckily, thanks to a few companies pushing the technical designs of barefoot-style shoes, there’s no need to attach Thumper to your feet just to go for a jog. Here, we test out one of the newest models on the market: Vivobarefoot’s Trail Freak.
The gear: Trail Freak ladies’ shoe in blue/turquoise
The breakdown: A minimalist trail running shoe made for off-road jogs, short climbs, and slippery descents.
What we loved:
+ Breathable upper: What sets this shoe apart from its off-road predecessors, like the Breatho and Neo Trail runners, is a supremely soft and breathable mesh upper. But make no mistake: This material is tough, with a laminated structure that gives you a “second skin” fit. It’s springy to the touch and soft on bare skin.
+ Flexible sole: The Trail Freak’s 2.5 mm sole is made for off-road grip and rough terrain, due in no small part to a puncture-resistant material that keeps feet close to the ground while protecting your skin from rocks and twigs. It’s thin enough to provide sensory feedback for your feet and to fold in half for quick storage, yet tough enough to withstand steep and unpredictable trails.
+ Speed-lacing system: Another big improvement from past Vivobarefoot models is the lazy-man’s lacing system; you’ll never have to stop mid-run again just to stitch loose laces back into bunny ears. The lace is one long elastic band run through webbing eyelets and secured by a toggle that stays put so you always have the perfect fit.
+ The fit: A wide toe box, zero-drop construction, and grippy feel combine to make the shoe both comfortable and reliable.
+ Soft lining: Smooth like butter and squishy to the touch, the moisture-wicking liner offers a little more padding than some minimalist shoes, but it’s much appreciated on long runs.
+ Smell: Did we mention there is none? Even after logging quite a few miles in these shoes—sans socks—our damp feet could do nothing to budge the neutral smell of the Dri-Lex lining.
+ Color: Available in an electric blue/turquoise or pink/teal combo for women and a red/orange or navy/lime green combo for men, the colors have that “look at me quality” we like in our athletic gear.
+ 100% vegan materials: Whether you’re an animal advocate or not, it’s nice to know your shoes are cruelty free.
The Vivobarefoot Trail Freak trail running shoes have a toggle lacing system and puncture-resistant soles. Photo by Brandon Scherzberg
What I missed:
- Color: There’s a definite love-hate relationship we’re balancing with the shockingly bright colors of the Trail Freak. While they look great on the trail, we can’t get away with wearing them as casual footwear like we could with the more subdued salmon, dusty blue, and gray colors available with other Vivobarefoot models.
- Waterproofing: These shoes aren’t meant to be waterproof, and they definitely aren’t. Keeping in mind that feet are going to get sogged out in any minimalist shoe on a wet run, we would love to see a similar version with the waterproofing of Synth Hiker.
- Honeycomb design: Don’t get us wrong, we love the mesh uppers, but we could do without the eye-catching honeycomb design. Then again, it does look pretty cool with those shiny black leggings we just got…
The verdict: If you’re looking for a versatile trail running shoe that can handle rocky and grassy conditions while keeping feet cool and comfortable, this is your shoe. If you need more ankle support or are new to minimalist running, save these for later.
The price: MSRP $100, vivobarefoot.com
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