The Outlast thermal insole, as well as the thinness of the leather (from free-roaming cattle sourced from small scale farmers) that makes up most of the shoe, combine well to offer a good level of breathability and temperature regulation. The supple ankle collar provides a bit of support, though not with the same firmness as a traditional boot. The Magna FG range is the latest release from Vivobarefoot with the FG standing for Firm Ground, these shoes are available in both Mens and Womens Obsidian and Sedona Sage in sizes 3-14, the Magna has been designed with a more casual look than a sports shoe.

ECO: Woolmark certified merino wool. Made from renewable natural materials. When you are finished with them please send to revivo.com. The toe box is vast, providing a ton of room to let your toes splay out. This helps you use your feet in a more natural way and also contributes to your balance. Plus, there is a rubber toe protector on the outside of the shoes — a nice addition to make your feet feel a little more protected in the minimalist shoes. Laces Vivobarefoot Magna Trail hiking boots will only be a positive forward leap. They provide minimal support, yet are comfortable and lightweight making you feel nimble on the trail. However, since even my first steps in them I’ve been pleasantly surprised. And though there are most certainly types of hiking where I wouldn’t wear these, I love wearing them if I want to get places fast, when it’s fairly flat and dry terrain or when I’m likely to be on my feet all day, but not necessarily hiking. SupportI really love how nimble I feel wearing the Magna Trails. They are so lightweight that I barely notice them on my feet and they make me want to trot along and jog occasionally when I wear them. Leading up to my first wear of these I’d been running in zero-drop trail runners (totally flat across the whole sole). This means that my calves were slightly conditioned to the effects of the flat-soled Magna Trails. However, my calves still felt ‘worked’ after the first outing. The more I’ve worn them, the better this has become. There is a removable insole that adds 3.5mm of insulation to the soles of the shoes. The outlast thermal regulator insole also features reflective foil to keep your toes warmer during the cooler months. In fact, the insole technology apparently provides 3 times more warmth than regular insoles! Toe box One thing to note is that if you like to really cinch up your laces, you won’t like this shoe. If you tighten the shoe too much, it will begin cramping your foot. Overall Up on the grassy moorland this is no problem at all. My feet feel wonderfully connected with the ground, making the most of the natural cushioning provided by the soft terrain. Waterproofness

Available in two colours: obsidian and sedona sage. The women’s version of the Magna FG shares the same features at the men’s version. The laces are slightly crimped/curly. This helps them stay well done up and makes them easy to adjust. The lacing system also features metal eyelets at the ankle and tough plastic eyelets further down. Ankle Goods being returned in a condition other than Pristine and Brand New as sold may be subject to a diminished value fee if they are diminished as a result of your handling and use while in possession of goods. The support is as good as it can be with such a minimal set up. The shoe features a rubber cup in the heel and two wings on either side that pull your foot into the shoe bed and hold it in place. Aside from that, you are depending on the lacing system to keep your foot stable.The Magna FG is one of Vivobarefoot’s mid-weight options, branded as a shoe “that will take you from city to summit.” As a relative novice to barefoot-style shoes, I was keen to give the Magnas a good test, so wore them almost continuously for several weeks, from the hard pavements of the city to the uneven trails of the countryside. Here’s how they fared. An important thing to note is that the Magna is not 100% waterproof. Vivobarefoot state that the shoes are “made using waterproof technology or water resistant treatment uppers with hi-tech seal.” On test, the Magnas coped well in light rain for short periods of time, but were unable to keep water out in long, wet grass, puddles, and sustained periods of heavy rain. The shoes are perhaps best suited to summer walking when conditions are more predictably dry. First up, let’s talk about support. If you’re used to regular hiking boots with high ankles, stiff soles and arch support then your feet and ankles will feet totally naked to start with in the Magna Trails. They provide very little support at all. But that’s kind of their point! They’re designed to make your feet and ankles do the work they’re supposed to do, and I kinda like that.

Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.

Features of the Vivobarefoot Magna Trail

If you’re taking on more technical multi-day hikes that are likely to be on muddy and challenging terrain, you may want to opt for something with better grip and more protection. But for everyday wear and day hiking on moderate terrain, these stylish and eco-friendly boots may be the only boots you really need in your life. Minimalist shoe company Vivobarefoot believe that shoes should be “foot shaped (not shoe shaped), to let your feet do their natural thing.” In design terms, this means that their footwear is made to complement biomechanics – how muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce movement – and posture associated with walking or running barefoot. The result of this design paradigm is series of lightweight shoes that are wide, extremely flexible, and thin-soled.