The lessons for us all:
“Sometimes the biggest opportunities to innovate can be found with the products right under our nose.”
Ironic coincidence, or the result of decades of involvement in one of the most famous footwear dynasties in the world, VivoBarefoot is a revolution in footwear, and the brainchild of 2 members of the Clarks family. In 2012, two seventh-generation cobblers, Galahad and Asher Clark, founded Vivobarefoot based on one simple insight – barefoot footwear is regenerative to human health.
VivoBarefoot believes that the human foot is a biomechanical masterpiece; when left to its own devices it can thrive doing everything from walking and running to jumping and dancing, but that cramming it in a modern shoe – cushioned, narrow and rigid – negates its natural strength and function. Our feet are our foundation connecting us to the earth, they should not be compromised.
All Vivobarefoot footwear is designed to be Wide, Thin and Flexible: as close to barefoot as possible. They promote your foot’s natural strength and movement, allowing them to move naturally, improve posture, and reduce shock to the joints. The thin, flat sole allows the nerve endings in your feet to provide the brain with the sensory feedback it needs to move with skill.
And the VivoBarefoot message also goes far beyond the health benefits of allowing you to feel the ground beneath your feet. There is a powerful sensory connection between the feet and the brain and thus, our movement and place in the world. A Vivobarefoot shoe reconnects you to the world around you, literally bringing you closer to nature.
In effect, the company’s mission is to reconnect people with nature and their natural potential through footwear that’s regenerative to feet, movement, and the planet. The brand also provides guides and courses on everything from footcare to barefoot running and cycling, caring for shoes and walking for health & the environment.
Completing the circle, all of the shoes are sustainably and ethically sourced and manufactured. Vivobarefoot is a B Corp, meaning they have a commitment to both social and environmental impact. They actively explore alternative manufacturing materials with reduced environmental impacts. VivoBarefoot also actively repair and resell their shoes.
The new shop on Neal Street is a world flagship for the brand. It is well worth a visit, to listen to the service experts and to hear them passionately talk about the health and environmental benefits of the shoes. They also give you a 12 month return policy in case you don’t get on with the shoes.
Barefoot is not for everyone, but there are an increasing number of users and advocates. A great example of a mission driven business, linking together the health of customers and the health of the planet. Physically bringing the two together.
Visit Vivo Barefoot on Neal Street, and online
The lessons for us all:
“Sometimes the biggest opportunities to innovate can be found with the products right under our nose.”