Vivo’s claims that the Primus Trail II FGs can perform on all kinds of conditions and terrain really stood up on test. The grip was brilliant and the shoes inspired confidence on even the most slippery of surfaces. Also, considering the amount of traction they give, you still feel the ground rather than the treads. They certainly feel better on trail rather than road, but this tactile trail feel points to them being well designed for their intended purpose. I personally think this is a good thing because it adds to this shoe’s ability to protect the feet and not beat them up while also giving you enough to simulate being barefoot. This model has a 2.5mm base sole with 4mm lugs which work really well on light and moderately technical trails. I used the Primus Trail during and in my training for The Guzzler 50km and many of my long runs since. During this time I’ve found the Primus Trail comfortable and suitable for my runs of all distances. The Primus Trail is minimal, meaning for long runs the runner needs to be adept in wearing minimal footwear. The Primus Trail is a good option, it allows the foot to move naturally, while giving protection underfoot. Once the shoe is worn in the foot has ample room to splay and move without the shoe inhibiting this. This is the goal of a minimal shoe, allowing the foot to move naturally and aide performance. Long distance runs in the Primus Trail mean the shoe doesn’t inhibit performance, but the protection and small amount of cushion do aide foot fatigue to some degree. It is certainly suitable for a seasoned minimal footwear runner to wear over long distances. During a challenging 50km trail run like The Guzzler I felt the Primus Trail gave me ample support and allowed me to run over five hours feeling supported and performing well.

If you’re someone that wants to save a little money and you want to go the barefoot trail shoe route, then you might want to look into the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail model. This model will cost you less and deliver a similar performance to the Primus Trail II FG. Vivo appear to be making a real effort to go beyond greenwashing, and also source their labor ethically. These efforts undoubtedly push the price up a little, but compared to some other running shoes, the price tag on the Primus Trail is not extreme. Our reviewer found the Primus Trail let his feet breath really well, and they were surprisingly good at keeping trail juice out (puddles need to be pretty deep before water gets in), but there was some tightness around the smaller toes. A question that I’ve received a few times on my YouTube channel is in regard to how the Primus Lite III compared to the Primus Trail II FG. These questions are mostly asked by folks who want a shoe for outdoor activities, but also a model that they can train in.Overall, the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG is a pretty good trail-focused barefoot shoe, but there are a few cons worth mentioning about this model. Another perk to this shoe is that I think it’s a pretty good intro model for the barefoot enthusiast who is wanting to wear this style of shoe for more hikes and trail runs. If this is you, then you’ll likely want to acclimate to using barefoot shoes for longer stints outdoors, so this model falls perfectly in line with the trails and hikes you’ll likely initially use them on. The biggest attribute for a trail running shoe is it’s comfort and feeling over long runs. Minimal shoes have an advantage in the feeling above the sole as they give the foot room to move naturally, splay and be comfortable. They often have a disadvantage underfoot as the sole is minimal and cushioning provides relief over long runs. This is the reason for the rise of Hoka, Altra and maximal trail shoes. The cushion over long periods helps provide relief. How does the Primus Trail perform for long periods? However, the amount of flex on offer here does pose a bit of a challenge when a stable platform is needed. Even on steep grassy slopes there’s no chance of seriously digging in, it’s all about working with the terrain rather than fighting it – fine in everyday situations, but potentially concerning on steeper, more exposed terrain. Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG Review: verdict Overall, the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG is a great shoe for casual rambles and around town, or in other words, a trail shoe for the environmentally conscious. A combination that will suit many right down to the ground…

On top of their breathable upper construction, this model is also fairly easy to clean which is awesome because you’re likely going to get these dirty on various trails. The sole and upper are super easy to spot clean and the lacing system helps to prevent dirt build-up in the midfoot. Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG Cons There are not many significant updates when comparing the Primus Trail II All Weather with the Primus Trail II FG . Most reviewers of the Primus Trail II All Weather FG say that the shoes offer great durability and comfort during the colder weather, though, along with improved foot protection. This is compared to the Primus Trail II FG, which is more suitable for less intense weather. One of the areas where the Primus Trail II FG excels is on trails and hikes that would be considered light or easy terrain. The lugs on this model will be more than enough on surfaces that don’t require a ton of tread to maintain traction. I like this shoe most for dirt trails since they’re generally fairly flat in the context of the terrain you’ll encounter. Furthermore, its wide toe box helps with users’ natural foot movement. Consumers also say the toe box adds to its comfort, feeling flat, flexible, and wide. Fit and Sizing The last thing to like about this model is the breathability of the upper construction and how easy they are to clean. This shoe is designed with sustainable materials and the upper is composed of a lightweight mesh build. If you’re using these in warmer climates, then I think you’ll enjoy how well these shoes breathe.

The shoes appear very durable so far, after multiple hours running on trails, including plenty of muddy river banks and woods with fallen logs. There are a few creases, but all the materials are bonded well, and they seem to be decently put together. The upper mesh is super flexible, and Vivo appear to have put some extra stitching where the mesh meets the more substantial side plastic in this area. Time will tell, but our money would be on this area failing first.