Vivobarefoot Makes Rethinking What’s On Your Feet Feel Refreshingly Simple

Photo: Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot starts with a pretty provocative idea: your feet already know what to do — modern shoes just forgot. Instead of thick cushioning, rigid soles and trend-driven “support,” Vivobarefoot designs footwear that lets feet move the way humans evolved to move: wide, flexible and close to the ground. That focus on natural movement isn’t just about comfort — it’s also about questioning the excess, complexity and disposability that define much of modern footwear.

By rethinking how shoes are designed, used and kept in circulation, Vivobarefoot offers a rare example of a brand connecting human health and planetary responsibility in one thoughtful system — and that’s why they’re today’s Seeing Green Solutionist of the Day.

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Letting Feet Move the Way They Were Meant To

The brand offers footwear for real life, not just niche enthusiasts. Vivobarefoot makes everyday shoes, hiking styles, performance footwear and kids’ options — all built around the same barefoot principles. The shoes are intentionally minimal, allowing your feet to grip, flex and feel, whether you’re walking the dog, traveling or spending time outdoors. Fans often describe it as relearning how to walk comfortably again, rather than relying on layers of padding to do the work for you.

A Different Take on Sustainability — Starting With Honesty

Vivobarefoot also takes a refreshingly honest stance on sustainability. The brand openly says it doesn’t make fully sustainable footwear yet — and that honesty is part of what makes its approach compelling. Rather than aiming to simply “do less harm,” Vivobarefoot is focused on regeneration: improving human health, restoring natural systems and building a business designed for the long term. As an independent, family-owned B Corp, the company views sustainability as a work in progress — not a finished badge.

Designing With Circularity in Mind

That mindset shows up in how Vivobarefoot thinks about materials, transparency and circular design. The brand prioritizes natural, biodegradable materials where possible, alongside recycled and recyclable options, and evaluates every shoe using its own impact-scoring system called the VMatrix. This looks at things like materials, durability, repairability and future recyclability — not just surface-level claims. Importantly, Vivobarefoot keeps refining this system, sharing learnings and raising its own bar over time.

Giving Shoes a Second Life Through Revivo

Revivo brings those circular ambitions into everyday reality. Vivobarefoot’s repair, resale and recycling platform gives worn and returned shoes a second life, offering refurbished pairs at a discount, repair services for well-loved favorites and recycling for shoes that are truly at the end of their journey. More than 170,000 pairs have already been refurbished. In an industry where most shoes still end up in landfill, Revivo is a practical reminder that footwear doesn’t have to be disposable — and that better systems are possible when brands take responsibility for what they make.