FG vs SG / which vivobarefoot tread is best for hike and trail run?

[@AndrewFolts]

*Barefoot Trail Shoes/Boots* (referral links) vivobarefoot fg shoes - - - bit.ly/3Sr1p44 vivobarefoot sg shoes - - - bit.ly/422UlOt all fg trail shoes - - - - - - - - bit.ly/47KkmTU all sg trail shoes - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3SeAcAy *Best Barefootwear* (referral links) casual shoes - - - bit.ly/3Smg8gx road shoes - - - - - bit.ly/48XEOBz trail shoes - - - - - bit.ly/4250J7B trek boots - - - - - - bit.ly/3SCgP5V winter boots - - - - bit.ly/3RRbI0X sandals - - - - - - - - bit.ly/4b2tfLu slippers - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3tNYvNz website - - - - - - - - www.barefootwear.org

[@robclarke2426]

I’d also be interested in a video on the other two treads. The FG2 and the Michelin. The Michelin sole seems really effective to me… except when things get very muddy those deep thick lugs trap so much mud between them that they cease to fulfil their purpose and things get clumpy and slidey. I prefer the more flexible SG chevrons which have more space between them and allow the mud to move off as you walk.

[@AndrewFolts]

Totally, will do. The SG is definitely my favorite tread too. The FG2 is kind of a hybrid of the FG and SG with more space but still flat lugs for firm ground. The Michelin sole is for extreme trekking with large, sharp, loose rocks.

[@anniwilson2534]

There’s two more Vivo treads you need to mention - the hexagon shaped one and the Michelin.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, I'll cover those next. And then maybe a third video with all three.

[@AndrewFolts]

@@HokanaMatata Actually the ESC is a hybrid tread and is flat/durable enough to handle roads (re: Michelin rubber), although t's kind of overkill and a shoe like the Primus Lite will certainly feel better,

[@AndrewFolts]

@@HokanaMatata Yea, the ESC is a good all-arounder, especially with a lot of nasty weather. Has a stitched sole too. It'll just feel a bit heavy on roads, is all. I gave my Dad my Tracker Forest ESC and he uses them for casual 24/7 now in the winter.

[@isaacchapman393]

This guy is so nice imagine him in bed

[@jenb.6440]

Thank you for your excellent description; I'm trying to decide which Primus 3 to get, and I live in northern NH so I'm going with the soft .. thanks again! BTW I've been wearing the soft this winter with their .. long name .. winter, waterproof, insulated hikers and they've been absolutely amazing; I've worn them with my MSR snow shoes and they don't clamp my boots down too much, trail running in mud and ice, microspike hiking in the Whites, so I'll stick to this sole! Thank you!

[@AndrewFolts]

Nice! Yea, the SG is the best sole for running in wetter conditions. The grip is really excellent and super flexible too. Have fun out in NH!

[@jenb.6440]

Thank you so much! I got my new pair of Primus Trail 3 SG and I love them; I do feel that they are a bit slippery on rocks; I was in a fairly flat trail so it wasn't an issue, I'm a little concerned about climbing a mountain in the Whites ..

[@AndrewFolts]

Oh cool, I've been wanting to try those! Yea, the SG tread is great for dirt and mud but does have less surface area for hard, slippery rocks. The FG is better for that.

[@neothe_road_to_recovery_2062]

Thanks . Still need to check if there is a difference in the material between SG and FG You do have a difference in feel. The FG feels more stable but that makes sense with the spacing.

[@AndrewFolts]

They're the exact same rubber, according to the website. So it's just the spacing and lug height that make them feel different.

[@neothe_road_to_recovery_2062]

@ thanks Clever

[@HenryKlosok]

Loving your work. Would be cool to do a video comparing the magna lite sg vs magna ESC sg 🤓

[@AndrewFolts]

Don't have the ESC one yet, but will do. The ESC would be better for hiking on rough terrain, mix of rocky and mud, while the SG is more geared toward fast hiking and trial running on soft ground only.

[@chris_1988]

I only became aware of these differences thanks to your videos. Used to think "Why would they put such a flat tread on these sneakers when grippy is always better?" without considering more grip = less surface contact = more abrasion in those areas that do touch the ground. I got a pair of Primus Trail Knit FG today. If the weather allows it, I'll be able to go on a test run with them tomorrow. Hoping that the tread is gonna be just right for the kind of terrain around here (streets, gravel, firm mud etc.). What do you make of the Tracker Decon's tread? It has those hexagonal lugs with quite a bit of space in between.

[@AndrewFolts]

Oooh, yaas! Really want to try the Trail Knit, looks mad cozy. Have the same hex tread on my Tracker Textile's. It's like a hybrid of the FG and SG with lots of toughness but more space in between the lugs for a little more grip on wet ground.

[@childcrone]

I was coming to ask about this, too :~) They're calling that the FG2 sole. I wondered where Andrew thinks it fits in with the other two.

[@childcrone]

@@AndrewFolts I'm guessing it's a little more like the FG than SG (because of it's FG2 name) but what do you think?

[@AndrewFolts]

@@childcrone Yep, the lugs are deep/sharp enough to be full SG.

[@MichaelGilboe]

Thanks for all your videos! I live in Montana, and I am really interested in what might be best for cold weather and hard ice. Often, our snow melts until there are just puddles that freeze and are so easy to slip on. I got the tracker II boot, will that be good? If so, I am also hoping to find one that isn’t a boot.

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey Michael, the only thing that really works on flat ice is either spikes amzn.to/3LRnfJP or that sandpapery Vibram Ice tread you can find on Merrell's and maybe a few other traditional hiking shoes. My solution is just to take short strides and walk very carefully across icy patches, because I find spikes to feel very clunky.

[@Justin_Leah]

What is the best shoe for everyday wear but can ALSO do well on a trail ( dry or wet)?

[@AndrewFolts]

Probably the Primus Trail FG Knit. bit.ly/3CVbz4E. The FG sole has some grip for wet conditions and can be used on roads. That said, no trail shoes is going to be ideal for casual, because the lugs are overkill for pavement, so they'll feel a bit clunky and wear down faster than a thinner, more minimal shoe like the Primus Lite Knit. You'll save money in the long run buying separate road/trail shoes, and you could always check revivo.com for a discount on refurbished ones. bit.ly/3OUNKk2

[@creatorchris712]

@@AndrewFolts Revivo ? I didnt even know that existed ! Thanks man earned a sub :) I am also torn between FG and SG.I live in the city and most of my activities involve walking or moving in concrete but i also do plenty of cycling so i really dont know which one to choose.Revivo ones seem like an option but are they really worth it ? Has anyone had a problem with them being already used ?

[@AndrewFolts]

@@creatorchris712 Yea, def the FG for city and biking use. My Revivo Gobi's have been great. They resole them to be like new, so it's a great way to save money. Appreciate the subscribe. Enjoy!

[@creatorchris712]

@@AndrewFolts Thanks a lot for the quick response :) My main criterion is that the SGs are on sale while the black FGs arent.On the other hand the SGs feel a bit too specialized while i want an all arounder shoe but mostly for city,cycling.Getting the SGs and wearing them fast and ending up buying yet another shoe wont save money in the long run

[@AndrewFolts]

@@creatorchris712 Yea, you will quickly lose those savings due to the SG tread getting chewed up on pavement. If you're not on trails, you could also consider one of the Primus Lite's, since they're even better for roads and biking.

[@bcrigg9388]

Greetings Mr. Folts. I am 70 and just dipping my toe into barefoot shoes. I purchased the lowest cost barefoot shoe as recommended by another KZbinr for walking around town (WHITIN Men's Extra Wide Width Fashion Barefoot Sneakers) and I like the wide toe box and the overall comfort of the shoe. I have started walking in the house barefoot as well. My wife and I are headed to a six week trip to Europe Oct-Nov of this year. There will be many walking tours and I will be doing a couple of photo shoots off road as well and am therefore considering a lightweight walking and hiking shoe. After watching a number of KZbin reviews, I am considering the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Knit FG. Does this make sense given my newbie status and goals in the coming months? Thank you in advance for your time Sir, BC

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey there, great job researching! Yes, the Trail Knit FG would be my go-to, as well, for all-terrain use with lots of walking. Europe sounds amazing, have fun!

[@chrisrobinson9332]

Are the FG models more stiff than the SG sole. I have the all weather tracker n just did 25 miles on the AT. And I have to say they had their moments where the rocks hurt..

[@AndrewFolts]

Funny enough, the SG sole is more flexible, despite being thicker, because the midsole is a lot thinner than the lugs. That said, it's made for "Soft Ground" mostly and will get chewed up on rocks a lot faster, as well as providing less protection. On thing you can do is put a soft wool or hemp/flax insole in your FG's to add a tiny amount of padding without affecting the ground feel.

[@chrisrobinson9332]

@@AndrewFolts ok cool, thanks for the info.

[@Liv-y5h]

which shoes are best for the rocky terrain in the hot southwest ?

[@AndrewFolts]

The Knit FG would be a great pick. It's meant for firm ground like that. bit.ly/3CVbz4E

[@saravasquez489]

What is your take on the new fg sole (the one in the Deacons) vs the fg sole you are showing?

[@AndrewFolts]

The Decon sole is like halfway in between FG and SG, because it's got flat, semi-shallow lugs, but they're spaced more like a soft ground sole. It also feels a bit more heavy duty than the regular FG.

[@bilaltahir9978]

How does the soft ground tread perform on rocky mountaineering terrain?

[@AndrewFolts]

It's fine in terms of feel and performance, but with less surface area, it will wear down a bit faster than the FG or AT treads.

[@Jota-rc8yq]

How thick are the soles on the SGs? Are they thick and durable enough to resist punctures from “goat head” type thorns? We have tons of those where I live

[@AndrewFolts]

The midsole is quite thin. 2.5mm I believe, while the lugs are 5mm. So for thorns, you'd be better off with a more rugged sole like the FG, or the ESC if it's really gnarly terrain, although they do feel more clunky.

[@DaasVinkler]

I was considering getting some of these or some xeros similar style for work. I walk 10-12 miles a day and wanted to slowly integrate switching into these full time to help build strength. Suffer from plantar fasciitis wearing hokas or ASICS and ready to give these a shot because when I walk barefoot I don’t really feel any pain at all. Anyways, was curious if you knew if this brand or the xero brand holds up longer or is more durable?

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey, Daas, sorry to hear about the PF, I had it back in 2017 and it was rough. Your intuition's spot on and if you transition slowly to barefoot and barefoot shoes your pain will go away. Xero would be a great pick, as well. Very durable. The HFS kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqWah6ZjZ8aKgrs for roads and the Prio kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5rHZn2fbMSirqc or Denver Boot kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3ecXpd_nJecpdE for trails would be two great picks.

[@DaasVinkler]

@@AndrewFolts Yoo, thank you so much! I appreciate the insight and all of your very informative videos! :)

[@saltycat262]

Hi, if hiking up dry, hot desert trails with lots of loose rocks - would SG be better due to the big lugs providing traction or do I have that backwards? Thanks.

[@AndrewFolts]

It might do a little better, but it would wear down a lot faster on sharp rocks. I'd go with the FG if ground feel is a priority, or the Magna Forest ESC kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5rEdKVomr11fbs, which is thicker, but has deep/flat lugs that will perform excellently on loose rocks without wearing down. The ESC does feel like overkill for packed dirty and flat boulders, etc, vs the FG, so it's a matter of how much time you'll spend on which types of terrain.

[@saltycat262]

@@AndrewFolts thank you so much!

[@karlwilcox1784]

What are the Fg shoes that you are holding in this video?

[@AndrewFolts]

Vivobarefoot Magna FG: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIqsiHxqbM2ipaM

[@meirbirdman3482]

I bought the SG without realizing what they meant, do I risk slipping and sliding on firm trails with these? Don’t really care about it wearing out faster, curious what you think

[@AndrewFolts]

Nah they're fine, the grip's excellent on most surfaces, if you're ok with some faster wear. The only place I'd be careful is like damp boardwalks or slick concrete.

[@joaovitorbringmann8361]

SG or FG will be a good option to use in daily work in the gym? Or feel weird in normal terrain?

[@AndrewFolts]

I'd go with the Primus Lite, which has a thinner, more flexible sole that's meant for gym and roads. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn7Uc2Vnd8mAfdk That is unless you want one shoe for gym and hiking/trails, then I'd go with the FG.

[@joaovitorbringmann8361]

Thank you! @@AndrewFolts

[@simonshusse]

I have a pair of SG on the way but didn’t think too much about soles when buying. I’m doing a mountain trail theis summer with gravel trail and rocks to walk on. Would I have been much better off with the FF?

[@AndrewFolts]

Yes, you'd be better off with the FG. The SG is ok if you're on soft ground maybe 60% or more of the time and it's fine for firm ground too, but will wear down faster on rocks/gravel. The Primus Trail FG Knit is my fav for all-around summer hiking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWXamp6rprV7kJI

[@simonshusse]

@@AndrewFolts thx. So, I'll give them a try, wear them down and pay better attention next purchase. These are my fith pair of different Vivobarefoots so there will for sure be a next round. ^.^ The other ones are indestructible though.

[@simonshusse]

Ok, I’m back from two hikes wearing these. The longest was 100 km with 20 kg on my back. Quality, comfort and the easy step is as can be expected from a Vivobarefoot shoe. But the water resistance is a joke. Perhaps a droplet would run off, but as soon as you walk through bushes with as little as morning dew on them you are soaked, for the rest of the day because these puppies just love water and won’t dry up easily. Actually they were wet on morning after drying them inside the tent. I’m so disappointed.

[@ashysmith3811]

Hey Andrew! Question, I have the sg ones, but as we get into hotter days with firmer ground, I live over in jersey and hike alot in upstate New York, so as u know it's hella rocky out here lol, so my debate is I already have the sg, should I get the fg and or are they gonna be better for the hiking I do up around here?

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey Ashy, yea, I'd get get probably the Primus Trail Knit FG kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWXamp6rprV7kJI for summer firm ground hiking. The SG's are ok for dirt, but they can get ground down pretty fast on rocks. That way your SG's will last 2x as long, keeping them on softer terrain.

[@ashysmith3811]

@AndrewFolts hey so I'm also a bit hypermobile and tend to roll my ankles alot, so for hiking on super rocky terrain the trail knit makes me nervous cause it doesn't have the ankle support, what do u suggest? Granted since switching to barefoot shoes as a daily use, I actually don't really roll or hurt myself when I roll them now lol but still, what do u think?

[@AndrewFolts]

@@ashysmith3811 It's funny, because I've hurt my ankles so many times hiking in traditional boots with "ankle support" but never once in barefoot shoes. Because you're so low to the ground you can roll your ankle to 45º without hardly putting any strain on it, so ankle support really isn't necessary.

[@ashysmith3811]

@AndrewFolts lol yeah that's what I'm saying I've rolled my ankles in barefoot but I don't actually end up hurting myself either lol just shocks me awake lol