For months, the Vivobarefoot Gobi Sneaker has been on my radar. Seriously, it felt like the barefoot shoe market had this gaping hole where 'smart casual' should have been. There are plenty of options for hitting the trails or the gym, but finding something that actually worked for the office or a decent dinner out? Mission impossible, I thought.

So when I finally pulled the trigger on the Gobi Sneaker Leather (despite that eye-watering price tag), I wasn't sure what to expect. Would it live up to the hype, or would I be stuck with another expensive mistake?

Gobi Sneaker side view — *High hopes for this shoe*

Use Case: Where the Gobi Sneaker Shines

This isn't your trail-running, mud-splashing kind of barefoot shoe. The Gobi Sneaker is about looking good while keeping your feet happy with a wide anatomical toe box, thin flexible insole and zero drop.

For over a year now, I've been wearing them for smart casual days out, to the office, and for evenings out on the town. Basically, anywhere I need a nicer sneaker that still lets my toes splay out and wiggle.

Vivobarefoot Gobi Sneaker Out — *Smart Casual - Check!*

Upper: Looks, Feel, and a Few Worries

Right out of the box, you can feel the quality in these shoes. The natural leather version has this rich, sophisticated look that immediately grabbed my attention. I think they look fantastics and have been waiting for a smart casual barefoot shoe that looks this good.

But then, you get up close. The leather, while visually appealing, is a little harder than I'd ideally like. It's got almost a felt-like quality, which immediately made me worry about how it would handle a sudden downpour. I has a suspicion that getting them really wet or dirty would totally damage the shoe's aesthetic. On inspection of the shoes there is a little bit of staining but not too much of an issue at the moment

The wider laces are a super nice touch and feel genuinely premium in your hands. And the attention to detail around the collar is something else! There's this lovely leather padding on the inside and even on the tongue. You can actually see the full leather lining when you peek inside. It feels incredibly well-thought-out, like a shoe crafted with real care, which, to be fair, helps justify that hefty price tag.

Gobi Sneaker Upper — *Minor stains did appear on the upper.*

Fit and Sizing: Room to Breathe (and Then Some)

The collar on these is quite generous, which might seem like it would affect lockdown, but surprisingly, it hasn't been an issue for me at all.

And the width! I find the Gobi quite wide, even for Vivobarefoot. Compared to some of their other models I own, like the Primus Trail or Primus Asana, these are a breath of fresh air. My toes actually have room to move and wiggle. And because of that, I find them very comfy. I can wear these shoes all day and no problem.

Fit Gobi Sneaker — *Very wide collar of the shoe with a nice leather interior*

Outsole Grip: No Complaints Here

Thankfully, the outsole grip on the Gobi Sneaker has been really good. No issues at all, and happily, no issues with the insole slipping around either. It just does what it's supposed to do, without any fuss.

How They Stack Up Against the Competition

Having tried several barefoot options in this category, here's how the Gobi compares:

Vivobarefoot Glenn: The Glenn is a similar smart casual/office barefoot shoes so a direct competitor. However this falls short over the Gobi sneaker. Gobi sneaker is much more luxious feeling, more comfrtable and far more padding around the heel color. Also, the Glenn grip is terrible and the Gobi far outperforms here. Check out my full Glenn review here.
Vivobarefoot Zing: The Zing has a more casual, street-vibe sneaker look. If you're going for purely laid-back and street-oriented, the Zing might be your pick. Both shoes are very comfortable. The Zing has a slightly thicker sole Read my full of the the Barebarics Zing
Vivobarefoot Primus Asana: This one is more of a casual/gym hybrid shoe. While comfortable, it doesn't quite hit the "smart" mark for office wear or nicer evenings out like the Gobi does. If you want to see how the Vivobarefoot Primus Asana compares for casual and gym wear, read my review here.
Project Ohne: Better for pure street style, less versatile for smart occasions. Just got my hands on these, so a review will be coming soon!

Gobi sneaker competitors — *3 competitors to the Gobi Sneaker*

The Verdict: Worth It, But With Caveats

Overall, the Vivobarefoot Gobi Sneaker is a fantastic shoe. It fills a much-needed gap in the barefoot market for a truly smart-casual option that you can wear to the office, out on dates, or just for a refined everyday look. The comfort is superb, and the wide toe box is genuinely accommodating.

Yes, the price is really expensive. At the time of writing these are around 250 USD. There's no getting around that. But if you're serious about finding a stylish barefoot shoe that works for more dressed-up occasions, and you're willing to invest, the Gobi is a strong contender. I am unable to find a shoe that competes in terms of looks?

A quick tip: Vivobarefoot's Revivo program is a great option to explore if you're looking to reduce the price a bit by opting for refurbished pairs. I bought mine there for around 180 USD and they have been fine. It's a smart way to get into these shoes without quite such a hit to the wallet.

Keen To Read More?

If you're curious about how I transitioned to barefoot shoes, I wrote about it here.
For my thoughts on the Vivobarefoot Glenn and its grip issues, check out my review here.
If you want to see how the Vivobarefoot Primus Asana compares for casual and gym wear, read my review here.