1/5 Stars — 15+ Years Customer. £80+ Trainers That Rip & Vanish When You Need Support

I’ve been wearing Vivo Barefoot for well over fifteen years. I’ve genuinely believed in what they stand for — natural foot shape, minimal footwear, and getting back to how our feet are meant to function. I’ve recommended them to friends, family, and clients. That’s exactly why writing this hurts more than a little.

Here’s the honest truth: every single pair eventually rips or develops holes. It’s not one bad batch — it’s consistent. It doesn’t matter how careful I am or what model I buy. The uppers tear, holes appear in the fabric, and they simply don’t hold up over time. My most recent pair seemed promising — the soles felt durable enough — but then I discovered a rip right across the top, on the right foot. It wasn’t from catching it on something sharp or careless wear — it just failed. Plain and simple.

And for £80 a pair? You honestly don’t expect this. That’s not cheap footwear. At that price point, you reasonably expect durability that matches the cost. Instead, it feels like the materials are getting thinner and the build quality is getting weaker — while the price only seems to go one way: up.

When I tried to get it sorted out? That’s where it went from disappointing to ridiculous. I sent a message on Sunday night with photos explaining the issue. By Monday afternoon — nothing. No phone number visible anywhere on their website. The live chat button is buried right at the very bottom of the homepage where almost nobody would ever find it. Instead of someone helping me, I received two separate emails asking me to leave a review — before they’d even acknowledged my problem.

It feels like they want the reputation of being an ethical, customer-focused brand — without putting in the actual work to back it up. If you’re paying £80+ for a pair of trainers, you shouldn’t have to hunt for a way to speak to someone when they fall apart.

Questions & Answers

Q: How long have you been a customer?
A: Over 15 years. I wanted them to succeed — that’s why this is so frustrating.

Q: What went wrong?
A: The upper material ripped across the top of the right foot. No damage from outside — just the fabric failing. And this has happened with multiple pairs now, not just one.

Q: How much did you pay?
A: Around £80. At that price, I expect them to last more than a few months without tearing. That’s not unreasonable, is it?

Q: Have they replied to you yet?
A: Only with automated emails asking for a review. No actual human being has addressed my enquiry.

Q: Would you buy from them again?
A: I honestly don’t know. I want to love the product — but £80 every few months because they keep ripping isn’t sustainable. And if support is this hard to reach? It’s a hard pass.