Barefoot Boot Comparison/5 Brands, 8 Boots, Find Out Which One is Our Favorite!

[@czgunner]

The Outlander is a great boot, but I find it very hot to wear.

[@Mystic_Christopher]

The past 2 or 3 winters I have worn the Xeroshoes Denvers. I love those boots but after wearing them a second winter your feet get real cold fast, and the canvas doesn't hold up. I got the Lems Summits recently, amazing boots! But because of how used to I was with the Denvers, my heel when in the summits starts to hurt. Going to give my feet time to adjust, but to me at least they don't feel zero drop and I have been working on adjusting my steps.

[@Leopr1]

I like how Chris defines an almost apocalyptic scenario 😂, great video guys. I recentlly bough the Xero Denver but I like Lems products a lot, those boots look solid.

[@sonsofsever]

I thought there were two things all guys thought about daily. What they would do in an apocalyptic situation, and the fall of Rome 🤣 no?

[@Leopr1]

@@sonsofsever Can't affirm or deny! 😂

[@1024Pete]

Thanks for the reviews. Very helpful. What are your thoughts on Vivio? Best wishes. Happy Trails!

[@sonsofsever]

They’ve not been easy to work with haha we may end up having to buy them ourselves to include them, which would make it hard to be unbiased seeing as everyone else has sent us shoes….. I have one pair of their workout shoes. They seem fine. Very minimal, good materials. Im assuming the hiking models would be similar just beefed up to a degree

[@1024Pete]

@@sonsofsever Thank you. Best wishes!

[@denisesarazin6753]

@sonsofsever your reply is concerning. I don’t understand why you couldn’t be unbiased if you had to pay for Vivos. Isn’t it the other way around? It’s hard to be unbiased if you get footwear for free. This puts into question your assessments and now I’m not sure what to think or do. 😢

[@sonsofsever]

@@denisesarazin6753 funny you say that. We actually haven’t paid for a single pair of shoes you see on this channel. So having to pay for the Vivos would actually make us biased compared to all the other shoes. That’s why it’s taking so long to do a review. Because in order to view them unbiased compared to the other brands we technically need to get them for free. We could easily buy a pair, but then we may be biased against them since we haven’t paid for other pairs.

[@sonsofsever]

@@denisesarazin6753 also, just because we get them free, doesn't mean there are any strings attached. We have zero obligation to any of these companies to say good things about them or their products.

[@XstylesofbeyondX]

I worn lems trailhead a lot. Tje outlander i think is slippy, not a lot but i think so. Is that the old version?

[@Brandon-qp7gq]

how was the toebox width of the Lems Boulder Summit?

[@sonsofsever]

We think it's wide enough for most people, us included, but we know there are people out there it doesn't work for. Obviously it's wider than most of what's in the boot market, but it isn't the absolute widest toe box out there.

[@BH-gh6qm]

i see a sons of sever boot video, i click it. but at this point i have tried a few of these. Still waiting to return the xeros back to rei. Nothing seems to compare with the boulder summit imo.

[@sonsofsever]

Lems has the barefoot boot game on lock honestly

[@Xulzen]

​@sonsofsever I agree. Funny though I watched an interview with the Xero shoes founder and he spoke as though Vivo barefoot and Xero were the only two companies making minimalist foot wear.😂

[@m7rayven195]

​@@Xulzen Well.. they arent the only ones... But they have the most of the market if im not mistaken

[@quietfire286]

Good video

[@kitcraft9516]

I'm definitely looking for my next barefoot boot. The Boulder Grip was/is my first and I love the concept but not the boot. First, this thing isn't flat inside, idc what they say. There is clearly a slight drop off from the midfoot to the ball with the insole out. And that forced step at the arch is hard. I suppose I would notice this a lot less if I wasn't a 4E. That said, it does break in and flatten down a lot and quickly. I'm not sure if that is good or bad, lol. Second, the soles feel very cupped like they are holding my feet, and I don't love it. Third, the toe box is too narrow and not tall enough for my foot. Having said that, I think anyone with a normal width or even slightly wide foot wouldn't notice most of this. I realize that I am an outlier. The boot itself is fine but just not fit for my foot. I am in an 11 as a 9.5 4E and honestly could have gone for a 12. If it was a fit I think I'd love this boot a lot more. On to the good: these look pretty good on my feet, keep them warm and dry and are easy to keep clean. They are lightweight and otherwise comfortable (narrowness aside). I like the leather, the laces and the speed hooks. Everything locks in fine without ankle or instep discomfort. Now, after the initial getting used to zero drop shoes I must say that my knees and hips feel a lot better. If I swap back to a regular boot my knees can feel it in just an hour or two. So, I will have to watch all of your videos on each boot individually to continue down this rabbit hole, lol. I think it is just going to take a few pairs to get an idea of what I personally need from a barefoot boot. That said, I have Jim Green African Rangers on my list for an unlined rugged options that is wide. Anyway, thanks for the comparison video, really all of the videos.

[@Chadthefatherbear]

Good info and input. My pair of Lems Boulder Summit barefoot boots arrives tomorrow. I’ll be wearing them primarily at work (4-5 hours in a warehouse and inside large truck trailers) as well as the occasional rough terrain hike (once or twice a month). I’ve heard some of what you mentioned regarding the newer Lems Boulder boots (the Summit and the Grip), particularly the zero heel-drop claim being inaccurate. Each time I’ve heard this, the person also mentioned that the drop was so close to being barefoot that it didn’t have a noticeable impact on the overall feel. I will find out tomorrow/in the coming days/and weeks as I’ll wear them regularly.

[@kitcraft9516]

​@@Chadthefatherbear So after another month of wear it is much more noticeable for me. I am standing on my midfoot, lol. If you read reddit you can find others who do notice, and I guess they just aren't a match for my feet. That isn't a problem, not every shoe will be. So far, the Jim Greens are treating my feet better. Next, I am looking to try something without a midsole. Just a rubber outsole and maybe a cork insole, or none. I like the rigidity. I hope you enjoy your boots!

[@Val-iw8qh]

You should test the Jim Green barefoot boots and see how it compares. Durability and the ability to resole makes them seem promising.

[@sonsofsever]

We've reached out, hopefully we can get some soon!

[@kerryrwac]

Rose Anvil has cut the original Boulder Boot in half, and the Boulder Summit, and the Barefoot Bruins plus other boots and shoes. I think he's cut 80,000.00 US worth of boots and shoes in half so far.

[@kerryrwac]

@@shish_taouk his reviews are interesting and you can see for yourself how they're made when they are cut in half, regardless of whether they are sponsored or not.

[@dbmurch]

I’m torn by this comment, because it’s accurate. I’ve learned so much from Rose Anvil. I’ve embraced heritage boots because of the cut videos and the knowledge of boot construction shared. I have multiple pairs of Lems because he introduced me to the brand with the Bolder video. But the recent, obvious, paid for long form advertisements are turning me off. Why am I bringing all of this up in a Sons of Sever video? Because this list is really incomplete without the Rose Anvil & Jim Green barefoot African Ranger collaboration. They knocked it out of the park with that boot. They’ve replaced my Bolders as my everyday wear and I would encourage everyone interested in barefoot boots to take a look.

[@sonsofsever]

@@dbmurch the African ranger will be a part of our second wave of boots for January/February/March. We just got them in last week

[@DankMemes-xq2xm]

Right now the Freet Tundra, Feelgrounds Patrol Winter, and Xero Denver Leather are all roughly $125. What would you recommend between those three? I'm hesitant to go with Lems boulder grip / summit because I've heard that it has a slight heel to toe drop. Should add I'm looking for winter boots, though I'm open to the idea of warm socks with non winter boots.

[@sonsofsever]

Depends, what are you looking to use them for? Just casual or on the trail too?

[@DankMemes-xq2xm]

@@sonsofsever mostly casual, with the occasional class 2 hike.

[@sonsofsever]

@@DankMemes-xq2xm we don't have experience with the Denver, so can't say anything there, but if you're excluding the Boulders my next pick would be the Patrol Winter. The outsole really shines casually, and it can definitely tackle a hike. The only thing is it's crazy warm, maybe look into the Patrol Lite? The only difference is the insulation and waterproofing. The Tundra's outsole really isn't meant for casual at all, biggest reason I wouldn't go that direction, those lugs are deep and really meant for soft ground.

[@datnotme9921]

The Boulder boot ya picked, does it have a wide toe box, or wide enough ya think? Thanks for sharing, some of these boot co. ive never heard of. Like Bearboot, and Feelground. ⚡👍⚡

[@sonsofsever]

The toe box is plenty wide for us. Your mileage may vary based on your foot shape and width.

[@jorgen5501]

What temps do you think the winter patrol boot is good for?

[@sonsofsever]

When I was wearing them for work there were days that I regretted it over about 50 degrees. I’d say it’s optimized for temperatures below 45 for me, but I also overheat very easily

[@dennisf9823]

Any experience with vivo barefoot boots ?

[@sonsofsever]

Not yet. We’re still working on getting in with them. They’re rather stubborn 😂

[@joshgies1869]

Which of these in your experience has the widest toe box?

[@sonsofsever]

Bearfoot Bruin for sure

[@joshgies1869]

Ok, thanks.

[@interstellar.overdrive]

💍