Built to last? Vivobarefoot Hydra ESC long term review

1 year ago, I tested the Hydra ESC's from VivoBarefoot. Today, I share my long term review and if they're built to last!
Featured shoes 🦶: VivoBarefoot Hydra ESC
Get 10% off with code GT10 - www.vivobarefoot.com
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New To Barefoot Shoes - Checkout Our Barefoot Transition Guide 🚀: www.barefootstrengthproject.c...
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Questions? Use the comment section below and let's chat!
(🥚 pssst one of the giveaway winners will be chosen from this comment section 🤫)
#barefoot #VivoBarefoot #BarefootTraining #barefootshoes
00:17 - What Is A Barefoot Shoe
01:10 - The ESC sole
03:02 - The Upper
03:18 - Waterproof Test
04:10 - How to stay dry in these shoes
04:38 - Exoskeleton
05:25 - Lacing system
06:25 - Fitment issues
06:53 - Insole
07:40 - Comfort
08:18 - Price and the BIG problem
08:38 - Why Barefoot Shoes are expensive
09:37 - Cheat codes

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

Do you have a pair - would you?? LMK 👇👇

[@anniwilson2534]

I tried a pair from Revivo. They come up big around the foot compared to the Primus Trail FG. Also I wasn’t sure if that stiffer rubbery part would give me the top of toe pressure discomfort I had with their Primus Soft Ground on toe extension … I think you had that too?

[@themilkemissary7898]

I was hoping you'd return the shoes and say they were shit so i could buy them on revivo at a cheaper price 😂

[@Nick-hi7ud]

Happy to see your channel growing. Its invaluable for all the niche questions someone might have about particular pairs of shoes

[@Lilllingstoner]

I hiked the Colorado Trail (500 miles) in these and it was a perfect balance for all the rain you get during a thru-hike in Colorado. This pair rocks 🦵

[@bobbyjones7609]

all I know is that I’ve never worn and barefoot style shoes and took a chance with these. I have had them for about a month and my feet have never felt better. I play golf, hit baseballs and literally wear them every single chance I can. I have no experience with other shoes like this, but my balance and overall foot health feels incredible in them….

[@duncanhamilton5841]

Well, I've got a Tough Mudder coming up, and was pondering what to have on my feet - so a well timed review. Scooped up the last pair of 11s from Revivo, so saved 35% over new. That'll do for me.

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

Result! What colourway did you snag? And good luck in the tough mudder, let me know how you get on!

[@duncanhamilton5841]

@@TheBarefootStrengthProject same as yours, all they seemed to have in 11/45. Tough Mudder will be a laugh, got half my kickboxing dojo doing it as well. The teamwork will be farcical as we completely fail to transfer skills from the ring to the field.

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

@@duncanhamilton5841 I've done one before and it was great fun - I'm sure you'll have a laugh!

[@wescam]

great channel and review. I wish they made these in a muted color or still made the slate colored ESC Tempest (out of my size at Revivo on that one).

[@Allan_Garcia]

I removed the lacing system and replaced it with flat elastic shoe laces👍

[@rupertswallow]

Grip wizardry. I like the sound of that!

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

The ESC sole is another level - if you ever get the chance to try them out I’d strongly recommend it! Definitely raises the bar

[@rupertswallow]

Ah very interesting!! I think I might! Thanks for the great review

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

@@rupertswallow No worries 🙌🏼

[@nodnarbz_1327]

As a fan of Michelin tires, this makes a lot of sense.

[@sim001]

Thanks for the update! 😊 I have been thinking about these as my next pair of trail shoes. However I am a little worried about the width of the toebox, especially in the pinky toe area. In your experience, do you consider them to be narrower compared to other vivos?

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

Great question and no I haven’t found them to be any narrower in fact I personally think they’re a little roomier than say the Primus Lites BUT I don’t have especially wide feet. Hopefully another viewer will be able to jump in and assist!

[@sim001]

@@TheBarefootStrengthProject That is good to know, thanks for the reply!

[@dovidwerde7264]

I have the previous version of these and love them so much. But unfortunately about after a year of wear the upper has ripped so it’s good to see that they made them more durable. I should note, I wear them a ton for sport so they do take a beating and definitely use them more than the norm.

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

Yeah they’ve definitely upped the abrasion resistance! Were your pair the Tempest (ankle high versions?) or the OG hydras?

[@mikelambrou4462]

I have these, my only issue is the rub the top of my foot without socks. So much so I’ve resorted to using KT tape to protect my feet when barefoot. They are great when wearing socks but that kind of defeats the purpose for me.

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

I had the same issue on longer runs so pull out the injinjis for anything over 4/5km, has the KT tape worked well since using it?

[@lucarusso3687]

Do you use the sole or did you removed it? I have tried both and without the sole the shoe is too wide for me, with the sole the rigidity of the heel (the upper part) is uncomfortable, at the moment I am not 100% satisfied, as i usually am with vivobarefoot

[@fraac]

not sure i can justify buying these when i already have the primus trail sg. good for watery specialists i suppose

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

I prefer the sole on these over the trail SG so could be worth looking into once you wear those through 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ryankeithtonsberg4177]

Looking to see if you could provide some guidance ? Don't own a pair of vivos. Just looking to get one pair to start. Looking at the Primus trail knit FG or this shoe that you reviewed here. I do love to golf and I thought this shoe might be more versatile for that as well. Would you use this shoe for an everyday shoe?

[@zahitemremetin606]

I’m wearing Hydra ESC as an everday shoe in the city on concrete all the time. I’m quite happy with them. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@zahitemremetin606]

These are my first pair of Vivos and also my very first barefoot shoes as well. After these I got Magna Forest ESC which I’m also happy with.

[@kitcraft9516]

Now for a "I wear only one pair of shoes everywhere ESC", lol. You know, the beach/mountain/forest/gym/shopping center shoe.

[@thijmenvandegraaf300]

I work in a barefoot shoe shop and bought a pair of these for trailrunning. Best fitting shoe for my footshape and the grip is unbelievable. However, the hard (algea) cage on the outside of the shoe causes it to bend in a way that it pinches my little toe wich causes a uncomfortable/ painfull sensation on the pinky toe, left foot only. I work in a store that sells only barefoot shoes so I tried on all the other pairs in my size and all the same problem. The right shoe bends ok and causes no issue. I have heard similar complaints, did you also experience it?

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

Cool job and definitely agree on fit & shape! Can't say I have personally experienced any pinch and odd that it's only happening on one side... Hopefully they ease in a bit after some more wear?

[@zahitemremetin606]

I had the same problem at first but then they eased in with time

[@bobby449]

Would you recommend them for ocr races like Spartan or tough mudder?

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

Absolutely, the grip is phenomenal 🙌🏽

[@vdpoortensamyn]

Would you advise them for walking on a beach and in the wake?

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

If you plan on walking in and out of the water then yes absolutely - but why not just go fully barefoot? 🦶

[@MrBananaxXx]

How would you say these are for a first pair of barefoot shoes? I’m looking to make the switch and was pretty set on the Primus trail knits but these also look cool. Would you say that the thicker tred lessens the barefoot feel at all?

[@WalksOfWonder-BC]

Get the Primus Trail Knits. I have 12 pairs of barefoot shoes and the knits are my favourite of all. Best do it all shoe there is, if I could only have one pair the knits would win.

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

I’m with @WalksOfWonder-BC , the Primus trail knits are my go to pair of do it alls and as you picked up on in your comment, the thicker lug does add a bit more cushioning (without detracting from the barefoot experience). If you do get them you can save yourself 10% off with the code GT10

[@Innaething9]

@@WalksOfWonder-BC could you detail a little bit why you would go primed trail over these ? I’m slowly switching out part of my shoes to be barefoot and a big part for me is looks. I’m in the minority I realized but I think the hydras look amazing and would get them over the primus knit I would barely use them for their purpose but mostly everyday city thing and some light outdoor use. Am I gonna destroy them using them on concrete you think ?

[@WalksOfWonder-BC]

⁠​⁠@@Innaething9I think you should get what you love. If you like the hydras the best, get them. Vivo’s are all built well enough to last, even when you don’t use them for their intended purpose. So get what you want, you’ll be much happier and wear them more often.

[@Innaething9]

@@WalksOfWonder-BC Thanks !

[@337ClimbingSnowman]

Am considering switching to Vivos after 12 years of Altras. Anybody in here who have done the same? If so, what is your experience from it? Kind of curious about the fit and durability. :)

[@mauimaxmtb2154]

Do you think these would be any good running in sand?

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

For sure but I’d wear socks if you’re going a long way 🤙🏽

[@russ4king1]

Do you wear them with socks? Or no socks?

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

No socks on shorter runs, injini toe socks on longer with goretex socks in the winter when I want dry feet 😆. I talk about it in more detail in the video

[@russ4king1]

Thanks…about 2 mins after I made the comment you answered it in the video. I bought a pair a few months ago (Camo edition) and I love them but never really got comfortable in them with traditional running socks. I need either no socks or really thin ones.

[@anlangms4208]

People have no problems spending almost $200 on a Hoka and those are going to last how long before they break down , maybe six months

[@2024Alfredo]

Great shoes. But why so ugly? I can wear primus lite all black for running and hanging out with the family. Vivo can just make an all black version.

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

Yeah they definitely wouldn’t be the fashionistas number 1 pick… the green JJF ones look pretty sharp but if it’s just a casual pair you’re after the Primus lites are hard to beat!

[@paddywiggle]

One year. It seems like you haven’t even worn it. They look brand new

[@xthatkidx]

vivo is over priced, its all the name over the shoe

[@kingdomthings9887]

i stopped the video, when you started defending the high price. 🚫 $$$. Unsubscribed 👋

[@themilkemissary7898]

Out of curiosity, do you know of anything of a similar quality that is cheaper?

[@kingdomthings9887]

@@themilkemissary7898 Hey 🙂. I don't have any yet. I'm currently doing research, to try and find the best kind for my feet. I'm starting to think I might just buy a less expensive pair, just to try the wider toe box/zero drop barefoot experience. So far I have found 22 brands. The lowest priced ones are 👉 1. Splay 2. Whitin 3. Origo 3. Hike 4. Saguaro 5. Zero has a couple of styles, that are under $100. There are many others outside the USA. Just do search for low price barefoot shoes, if you're intersted in that.

[@WalksOfWonder-BC]

I’m not a fan of the high pricing either, but I can’t find better quality, longer lasting shoes. If you’re patient you can find a good deal.

[@kingdomthings9887]

​@@themilkemissary7898 hey , i responed to your comment, listing several low price shoes, but it was deleted. imagine that... 🤔

[@TheBarefootStrengthProject]

But before I tell you the 3 ways to get around it? 😆. Another good budget option is the Lono Flow, I got a pair recently and for $77 I was blown away.