That Fit Friend is supported by its readers. I [Jake Boly] run this site myself and buy the gear I review. If you purchase through my site, I may earn commissions on sales, read more here!
The Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit is a lightweight shoe designed to tackle daily wear, shorter runs, and workouts. The Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit’s upper has a good amount of stretch to it and feels incredibly maneuverable, so I was super excited to finally get a pair and put them to the test.
Outside of daily wear, I’ll use barefoot shoes for various training sessions, including workouts that consist of heavy deadlifts, lower body accessory exercises, and upper bodybuilding days.
With their lightweight knit upper, I was a bit nervous about this shoe’s durability in training settings because my heavy strength and power sessions can typically take a toll on lighter-weight knit shoes.
Who Should Buy the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit?
The Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit is a fantastic barefoot shoe option for recreational lifters and barefoot shoe enthusiasts. This barefoot shoe delivers a comfortable ride and lightweight knit upper to accommodate a variety of tasks.
The knit upper is comfortable and breathable, which makes this a great model for all-day wear outside of the gym. I’m someone who loves barefoot shoes that you can train in and wear casually, and this shoe scratches that itch pretty well.
Thus far, I’ve used this shoe for 500+ lb deadlifts, and they’ve done a good job regarding ground feel and outsole grip, and they’ve performed well for my cross-training and short runs.
I think if you’re not super stoked on models like the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III — which is a good option for training and casual wear — then the Geo Racer Knit can be a solid alternative option to explore.
Specs to Know
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
- Weight: 9 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Stack Height: ~8.5mm (with insole in)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Sizing: True to Size
- Width: Wide
- Comparable To Nexus Knit: Read My Review
Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit
$170
Pros
- Good hybrid barefoot shoe in the context of lifting, cross-training, and daily wear.
- The knit upper breathes well making this shoe a good pick for warmer climates and running.
- This model's upper construction has a clean aesthetic and these look good with most outfits.
Cons
- These have a hefty price point and there are other knit barefoot shoes that perform well and cost less.
- The knit upper can start to stretch out over time, especially around the boot. This happened around month 8 for me.
- These can run long and if you're in-between sizes you'll want to pay attention to size before buying.
Best For
- Heavy Strength Training
- Recreational Workouts
- Casual Running and Versatile Sessions
- Daily Wear
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
- For Longer Runs and HIIT
Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit Pros
Across the board, the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit has performed exceptionally well and there are a variety of pros that come along with this shoe.
- Active Sole
- Lightweight Knit Upper
- Great for Lifting and Daily Wear
- Made With Recycled Materials
The first pro with this model is the Active Sole Vivobarefoot uses in them. Just like other Vivobarefoot shoes, this model has a 4mm thin sole which provides you with ample ground feedback when moving about your daily life.
If you’re just getting into barefoot shoes or are an avid barefoot shoe wearer, I think this sole is the perfect blend of enough material to protect the feet, but not too much to where you’re limited in sensory input from the ground.
Another major perk of this model is the lightweight knit upper. The knit upper stretches and breaths really well, which gives this model an overall lightweight feeling. My feet can get pretty hot in longer barbell sessions, and the upper in this model does a good job at keeping the foot fairly cool.
Speaking of barbell sessions, I also enjoy this model for recreational training. The Active Sole and lightweight upper make these a nice dynamic option for tackling strength and more bodybuilding-focused training sessions. Additionally, they’re a great barefoot shoe for deadlifts, and they have a removable insole to help you get even closer to the ground.
Their wider anatomical-shaped toe box also helps promote their overall maneuverability for daily wear. These have also become one of my barefoot shoe go-to’s for walking the dogs and running errands.
The last pro about this model is that they’re made with recycled materials, which is a really cool perk for the long-term health of our planet. More sustainable options in the shoe world are never a bad thing, and I think the ReVivo program that Vivobarefoot has set up is also a cool initiative to get more out of their shoes.
Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit Cons
While there’s a lot to like about the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit, but there are a couple of cons and potential drawbacks worth noting about this model.
- High Price Tag
- Not Great for Cross-Training
The first drawback is their price tag. For $170 USD, this is far from a budget-friendly barefoot shoe option. I do think this model is worth it for anyone that wants them for daily wear and recreational training, however, you can certainly find other models for slightly less high price tags.
If the price point scares you, consider looking into other non-knit Vivobarefoot models or looking into some of the ReVivo shoes to see if there are any good options that match your asks.
The second potential drawback to this model is that they’re not my favorite barefoot shoe for cross-training and running. When it comes to cross-training, I know they’re not exactly designed for this style of workout, but I still wanted to make it known to save you potential durability issues with this shoe’s higher price point.
The knit upper, while lightweight and breathable, is definitely not going to be the most durable when it comes to resisting friction on the upper of the shoe. In addition, I actually don’t like running in this model outside either and feel like the knit in this shoe will be more prone to stretching out with longer running sessions.
Note, you can certainly run in them, but I’m choosing not to so they go the distance in regard to their overall durability. If you do run in them, I’d suggest being conscious of the sole and upper construction and if you notice either breaking down, stop the running to prolong your shoe’s life.
Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit Performance
For the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit’s performance, I’m breaking the below into a few different sections to discuss how this barefoot shoe performs in a variety of settings.
Lifting
In the context of lifting and strength training, the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit excels across the board. If you’re performing heavy barbell lifts, the 4mm thin sole will help limit the overall range of motion you’re working with, especially in movements like deadlifts. I’ve deadlifted over 500 lbs in this model with ease and no sign of compression.
The anatomical-shaped toe box is also a nice perk for lower-body training sessions. If you’re a stickler for getting a ton of ground feedback and toe splay in your training, then I think you’ll love this model’s toe box. It has plenty of room even for the wider and flatter-footed athletes.
HIIT, Agility, and Plyometrics
For more versatile training, this model is okay, but it’s not my favorite barefoot shoe for tackling these activities. I feel like the knit doesn’t lock down the foot like some of the thicker materials used in other models. If you’re jumping and doing a lot of HIIT work, then you don’t want your shoe feeling loose, which can happen in this model, at times.
I think this shoe will work for more casual versatile training sessions, but do note, it’s not a high-performer for me, and I think this shoe is better served in other areas like daily wear and lifting.
Running and Daily Wear
For running, this shoe works for shorter bouts and I think most will find the knit upper to be plenty comfortable for their sessions. The outsole provides adequate tread and the shoe as a whole feels very minimalist.
The only caveat to running is once again the kit potentially stretching and outdoor elements causing some breakdown.
On a daily wear basis, I really enjoy this shoe. In addition to it being comfortable and easy to wear, it also looks pretty good which is somewhat rare in the barefoot shoe market. There are not a lot of aesthetic models that look good in casual settings, but this model stands up to that task.
Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit Sizing
When it comes to sizing, I think most should be either safe going true to size or a full size down (read more on that below). I wear a size 10, which converts to a 43 in UK sizes and this model fits well, but there is a decent amount of room in regard to length in the toe for this size on me.
In this context, I feel like it’s more of a matter of personal preference. If you like your shoes to fit a bit snugger in length (you’ll still have plenty of toe box width and room) and plan to use them for versatile training, then you may want to go a size down from your traditional size. If you don’t mind a little extra length, then stay true to size.
Construction Details
The Vivobarefoot Geo Racer is rather simple in design, and I think that’s something that makes them fairly awesome. The details these shoes do possess seem meaningful and well-intentioned.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
- Weight: 9 Oz (for a size 10/43 model)
- Knit and Synthetic Upper
- Full Rubber Outsole
- External Heel Loop
- Wider Tongue With Lace Loop
- Removable Insole
If you have further questions about the construction of this model, I’d be glad to answer anything you have so drop comments below as you have them.
Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit FAQs
Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions that I’ve received about this model. As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to ask away.
1. Does the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit have a removable insole?
Yes. This model has a removable insole and the internal structure of the shoe is finished so if you remove the insole there are no “open” hems and construction details.
2. Do the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit fit true-to-size?
Yep! However, if you like having a snugger fit in regard to length in the toe, then you may want to consider going down a size. You should still have plenty of toe splay room and width if you choose to do so.
3. Can you lift in Vivobarefoot shoes?
Absolutely. Like any barefoot shoe, the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit model is fantastic for strength work and exercises where you really want to promote natural movement and feeling the ground.
4. How much does the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit weigh?
For my size 10/43 model, this shoe had a weight of 9.0 ounces. This is fairly lightweight compared to other training shoes and is similar to other comparable barefoot models on the market.
Takeaway Thoughts
Across the board, I’ve really been enjoying training in the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit. They’re lightweight, perform well in the gym, and are comfortable on a day-to-day wear basis. The only real drawback to them is their fairly hefty price tag.
If you have any questions about this model, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@that_fit_friend) @jake_boly)!
Add a Comment