Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Review | Are They GOATED?

The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III is best known for its performance in the gym and on a daily wear basis. After reviewing countless Vivobarefoot models, I wanted to know how Vivobarefoot’s self-proclaimed “hero trainer” compared.

Thus far, I’ve been pleased with the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III and how it performs throughout all of my tests. I’m a strength coach who trains in a hybrid fashion. I routinely use this for my strength work and running.

On top of my own interests, this is one of the most requested barefoot shoes on my YouTube channel and I’ve built a comprehensive list of pros and cons for this shoe below.

Author’s Note: I updated this article in November 2024 to add a few sizing notes, trim some fat from the review, and re-format the piece for UX reasons. This Primus Lite III is still one of my “GOATED” barefoot shoes. My bright white pair (2 years old) is finally on the way out and is officially tinted yellow, lol.

Primus Lite III Summary

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed training and wearing my Primus Lite III. To be honest, this was the first barefoot shoe that I truly fell in love with in the gym, and has since led me on a further exploration of barefoot shoes for training.

The Primus Lite III’s low stack height and highly flexible Active sole help it stand out in the gym. This model provides a lot of ground feel for deadlifts and squats, and I’ve enjoyed it when deadlifting well over 500 lbs.

Outside of the gym, I also like that this shoe has a casual appearance and vibe. It’s a good barefoot shoe for dressing up and it works exceptionally well in warmer months with its breathable mesh upper.

Specs to Know

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
• Weight: 8.85 oz (size 10 men’s)
• Stack Height: 5mm
• Width: Wide
• Sizing: True to size for most
• My Max Squat In This Shoe: 405 lbs
• My Max Deadlift In This Shoe: 550 lbs

Sizing & Fit

For the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III, most should be safe going true-to-size in this model.

However, it’s worth noting that this model does not have half sizes. For my half-size friends, do the following:

• If you have about a thumb’s width at the end of your toe box in your CURRENT half-size shoe, go down.
• If you’re pushing the end of your toe box in your CURRENT half-size shoe, go up.

If you follow that guidance then you’ll be much better poised to have this shoe fit. The Primus Lite III notoriously runs a bit long, so if you’re in doubt or just like a snugger fit, then size down if you’re in between sizes.

My Review Video

 

Performance Assessment

My Experience Lifting In Them

I’d give this shoe a 9/10 when it comes to its performance for lifting. The minimalist sole is great for giving you ground feedback and articulation, and the ample width is nice for accommodating toe splay. Here are some of the lifting tests I did with them:

• 245 lb power and hang clean complex: Good toe box flexibility
• 550 lb deadlifts: Solid for both conventional and sumo deadlifts.
• 85 lb rear-foot elevated split squats: Nice ground feedback.
• 450 lb leg press: Decent outsole grip and traction.

In the context of lifting, I’m a big fan of the Primus Lite III. The shoe has ample width, which helps promote toe splay and gripping the floor when training, so for exercises like deadlifts and lunges, you can really feel and interact with the ground under the feet.

On top of this, I enjoy that you can remove the insole. If you’re like me and love training barefoot, but can’t necessarily do so in your gym, then this is a great model for replicating a similar feeling and limiting the overall material that separates the foot from the ground.

The upper in this model also complements lifting settings well due to its slightly more breathable and durable nature. If you’re concerned about the durability in the gym with this model, I think you should be safe and it will last you a while if you plan to just train in your shoe.

Not Bad for Agility and Cross-Training

For versatile workouts, I’d give this shoe a strong 8/10. The upper is secure enough for most versatile workout demands and the mesh breathes well to keep the feet cool during longer sessions. Here are some of the versatility tests I did in them:

• Box jumps: Lightweight and flexible.
• Jump rope: A little sliding in the forefoot, but overall, good.
• Skater strides: Pretty good security.
• Sled pushes: Okay, but the outsole could be more grippy.

This model will work decently for more versatile training; however, I’d stress that you’re acclimated to this footwear style in these training settings. The lightweight build of this shoe makes it a joy to wear for longer sessions and it breathes really well.

In addition, the full rubber sole with its wider build promotes full toe splay and contact with the ground which is awesome for things like box jumps and other unilateral bounding movements where we need greater surface area to promote our balance.

Work Well for Shorter Runs and Daily Wear

For shorter runs, this model works fairly well. I’d suggest using it primarily for indoor training so it will last longer especially if you consider the price point high. The Active Sole is super thin which is great for feeling the ground and providing a ton of proprioceptive feedback if you are barefoot-style running.

On a daily basis, this is one of my favorite barefoot shoes on the market. The clean and simplistic design of the model looks casual and not overly like a gym or barefoot shoe.

It’s no secret that a majority of barefoot shoes are not the most aesthetically pleasing but I think this model does a good job at working around this.

Pros (expanded)

Across all of my tests, I’ve really enjoyed training in and wearing the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III, and I have a few pros to note about this model.

1. Great for Lifting, Removable Insole
2. Super Lightweight
3. Wide Build and Toe Box
4. Made With Recycled Materials

The first aspect to like about the Primus Lite III is that it’s a solid choice for the resistance-training-focused individual. This model Vivobarefoot’s signature Active Sole, provides this model with a highly maneuverable sole and close-to-the-ground feeling. The Active Sole is 4mm in thickness.

If you’re like me and really love feeling the ground under the feet when training, then you can also remove the insole in this model to get even closer. I enjoy this aspect for things like deadlifts and biasing my weight in the foot to drive specific training adaptations.

Another pro that I like about the Primus Lite III is its overall weight. My size 10/43 EU model has a weight of 8.85 ounces which gives them a very minimalist feel on the feet and I almost forget I have them on at times when wearing them all day.

Vivobarefoot used fewer materials in this model compared to previous iterations which also contributes to the weight of this shoe. If you want something super lightweight that feels like nothing on the foot, then the Primus Lite III is a good model to explore.

Similar to other Vivobarefoot shoes, the Primus Lite III delivers an anatomically shaped wider construction to account for all foot widths. The toe box is super wide in this model so even those with wider and flatter feet should find it relatively easy to splay the toes and grip the floor in this shoe.

The final aspect that I really like about the Primus Lite III is that it’s constructed with recycled materials. On top of making this shoe with recycled materials, Vivobarefoot also uses recycled plastic bags and planet-friendly boxes to deliver this model. I think all of this is a really cool initiative because so many shoes and materials end up in landfills every year.

Cons (expanded)

Despite liking the Primus Lite III as a whole, there are a couple of cons and drawbacks to be cognizant of before investing.

1. Higher Price Point
2. No Half Sizes
3. Odd Stock Laces

The first drawback to the Primus Lite III is its price point. This shoe costs between $145.00 – $150.00 USD which is far from cost-efficient. If you’re on the market for a barefoot shoe that has a slightly more budget-friendly price, then I’d highly suggest checking out some of the Xero Shoes models.

I recently compared the Xero Shoes 360 versus the Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit. This comparison should also provide an idea of how these company’s barefoot shoes compare to one another.

Another drawback to the Primus Lite III is that they do not come in half sizes. This can make it tough for those with half sizes to find a pair that fits them really well and doesn’t have heel slippage.

Since this model features a low-profile boot, some have reported heel slip issues when the sizing of this model doesn’t align with their foot size. If you’re a half size, then I’d suggest sizing down first to ensure you don’t have slippage issues, and if you find them to be too tight, then opt for the larger size.

The last drawback is the laces provided with this model. If you’re not a fan of tightening your shoes a ton or if you physically can’t, then you may feel limited in regard to the lace length provided with the stock laces on this model. I noticed mine come undone here and there when training due to this aspect.

It’s not the biggest deal, but you may want to buy longer laces after you receive this model and test the lacing system.

Price

For the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III, you can expect to pay around $160 USD. Personally, I find this price point to be fairly high, however, I do really like this model and think it’s worth it for anyone that wants them for training or daily wear.

For example, if you’re wanting a singular barefoot shoe for a little bit of everything, then I think this price point can be more justified. Plus, this is one of Vivobarefoot’s strongest shoes for varied gym workouts.

 

Regarding durability, the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III should last you a while. The only areas that I can see being problematic for heavy daily usage include the sole tread fading and colorways getting dirty.

Final Remarks: Would I Buy Again?

I would.

Despite my bright white Primus Lite IIIs turning a little yellow after about 10-12 months of consistent wear, I’ve been happy with this shoe overall. It’s held up well in the gym and for my daily wear asks.

Plus, since the publication of this review, Vivobarefoot has updated the laces in this model, which was one of my major gripes with this shoe initially. That’s a win for new buyers.

If you’re not vibing with the Primus Lite III and want to spend less, then you may want to look into the Tolos Archetype 2.0 ($105-115) or the AIRHAS models on Amazon (they cost $40-60).

If you have any questions about this shoe or if it’s a good fit for you, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).