I Dance and Work Out in These Barefoot Sneakerinas
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
I’m a lifelong dancer — I grew up doing ballet and currently attend dance class four to five times a week, alternating between hip-hop, modern, and high-energy-cardio classes. I prefer to dance barefoot when I can because it allows me to feel more grounded and articulate more precisely through my feet. But that can be tricky in hip-hop and cardio classes that involve a lot of scuffing, shuffling, and quick footwork — you’re liable to stub a toe (or worse) if you don’t have some sort of protection.
Many of my fellow students sport Filas and New Balances in class, but I find most sneakers too narrow and rigid in the toe box; one souvenir from my ballet days is bunions, and any footwear that’s too restrictive ends up making the problem worse. So I started searching for a pair of shoes that were less clunky than the running shoes my classmates were wearing but more forgiving than the slim pointe shoes of my past.
I was drawn to the British brand Vivobarefoot, which makes shoes with an ultraminimal profile, a.k.a. “barefoot shoes.” Barefoot shoes usually have a zero-drop heel (your heel and toes are positioned at the same level), a flexible sole, and little to no supportive features. Vivobarefoot claims that by promoting rather than limiting the natural movement of the foot, its shoes can help improvebalance and mobility, alleviate joint strain, andbuild muscle strength. I have the Motus Flex model, which is the thinnest style the brand offers and is primarily meant for indoor training, but it also makes sturdier, more outdoor-friendly styles like theGobi bootand theGeo Court sneakers, which are suitable for hiking, running, and daily life.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Vivobarefoot Motus Flex Womens
The soles of the Motus Flex are extremely thin and bendy, meaning I can roll through the balls of my feet all the way up to my toes, and back down, with little to no resistance. The toe box is wide and squareish, so all five of my toes can splay outward for stability and balance. The shoes also have a breathable mesh knit upper that stretches and molds to the shape of my feet, so they never feel constrictive and help keep my feet cool and dry, even when the rest of me is dripping sweat.
Since I don’t wear them outside, they never get too dirty, but if they need freshening up, I give them a quick scrub in the sink and let them air dry. (You could probablytoss them in the washer, but I prefer to hand-wash, just in case.) They alsolookcool; I’ve received lots of compliments from classmates who ask where my shoes are from and how it feels to dance in them. They have the same tactical, utilitarian appeal as the trendy Vibram Fivefingers, sans the visceral repulsion. Plus Vibrams are not exactly comfortable for extended wear — Emilia Petrarca admitted as much inSecret Strategist— but I’ve worn my Vivos for three straight hours of dancing with nary a twinge, pinch, or spasm.
But the best part of the Motus Flexes is simply how lightweight they are. The Vivobarefoot brand also comes recommended by Strategist associate editor Jeremy Rellosa, who suggested them to a reader on the hunt forpackable workout shoes; one women’s size-7 shoe weighs a mere 214 grams (less than a standard paperback), which is a blessing when I’m also schlepping my laptop, water bottle, dance clothes, and probably a bagful of beauty samples. And when I’m trying to transition from a box step to a body roll in a mere four counts, it’s certainly useful not to feel like I’m dragging cinder blocks around on my feet.
Even if you’re not a dancer, I highly recommend them as a workout shoe. I recently started strength and conditioning classes, and I feel much more stable as I whip kettlebells around than I would if I were wearing a sneaker with a chunkier or more elevated silhouette.
More From The Strategist
- The Strategist Fall 100
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- The Strategist Summer 100
- I Replaced My Tretinoin With This $30 Retinal Cream
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
