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Reviews

1 Dec 2011 by Damien Tougas

A Review of the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail

  • VIVOBAREFOOT
  • Hiking & Backpacking
  • Trail Running
  • Short URL http://toesalad.com/a/31/

About the Author

I am the founder and editor-in-chief of Toe Salad. It is no word of a lie to say that minimalist footwear changed my life and it was for this reason that I started this site. I am a web programmer and applications developer, a research and technology geek. I live an active and outdoors lifestyle as a runner, hiker, backpacker and telemark skier; pursuing these activities with my wife and three school-aged kids.

Damien Tougas 953
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  • Comments (3)

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jeff 1

Dec. 3, 2011, 5:04 p.m.

Great review, much like all you do on your website. Couple of questions:

You suggest that the Neo Trail might not be great for warmer weather hikes; is your sense that the Vivobarefoot's "Breatho Trail" (due out in the spring) might address that concern, while still providing the other advantages of the Neo Trail?

Also, for anyone who has tried the Neo Trail and the Altra Lone Peak: how do they compare in grip on somewhat slippery terrain, and in the toebox? Does the Lone Peak offer better breathability in warmer weather?

Thanks.

Damien Tougas 953

Dec. 4, 2011, 10:34 p.m.

I saw the Breatho Trail when I was at OR this summer, and yes I believe it will definitely address the breathability concern. I think the Breatho Trail will be a great warm weather, quick drying off-road shoe.

I have not tried the Lone Peak, but I have tried the Instinct, and the Adam. The Lone Peak will offer a bit wider toebox than the VIVOBAREFOOT shoes, but much less ground feel. The breathability of the Lone Peak is the same as the Instinct, which means that it is much better than the Neo Trail, but probably not quite as good as the Breatho Trail (which has a more open mesh IIRC). As far as traction is concerned, I cannot comment...

jasonj 2

Dec. 6, 2011, 2:19 a.m.

I took mine back mostly due to the fit, but I too was am weary of those lugs lasting all too long with the kinds of trails I like to run on. I noticed chipping and cracking after only a handful of runs, like maybe 75 or 80 miles on them. I'm also too poor to afford a specialty shoe like this one. The fact that it holds up well, sockless, submerged in rivers and mud, and in 40F temps for 3 hours of technical trail running tells me that my feet will be sweating bullets come spring.

To add to the discussion for ground feel. Imagine Vibram Speed or Bikilas. Add about 2mm and that's your total stack height for the shoe. No EVA cushioning. So if you haven't learned to run light footed and tap dance appropriately yet, then get cracking, because you'll for sure have hamburger patties for feet after a few hours of rocky/twiggy/root fill trails. I like that kind of proprioception, but I just never felt too secure in these shoes (the last maybe?) and maybe just a tad thin for technical trails IMO.

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