Vivobarefoots sneaker is perfect casual wear, errands, and the occasional smart-casual upgrade. Just don’t take them to the gym.

First Impressions: Off to a Great Start.

At first, I thought I’d found a winner. The Vivobarefoot Primus Asana IIIs looked sharp, felt great, and slotted right into my daily routine. But could it hold up over time?

Read on to find out.

Is This Shoe for You?

Best For: Daily errands, casual wear, light walking
Not For: Sports, gym workouts, intense movement
Comfort Level: Snug but not cushioned
Durability: Lower than expected for the price

How I Actually Used Them

I first picked up the Primus Asana over a year ago and liked them enough to grab a second pair six months later.

It’s a surprisingly versatile shoe. I’ve used them mostly for walking the dog, running errands, as an everyday sneaker, and occasionally when I need something a little smarter without going full dress shoe.

Style: Great at First, But Wore Out Too Quickly

Initially I thought these shoes look great and in my view these are some of Vivobarefoot’s best-looking sneakers.

That quickly turned.

The white pair is quite worn now and has discolored quickly. Mine turned yellowish, which is disappointing considering how much they cost.

Additionally, the wear on the upper is a lot worse than other barefoot shoes I've owned. A lot of fraying on the upper material

Fit & Sizing: Vivo Confusion

So I have two sizes of the Primus Asana.

46 EU (Brown): Feel quite narrow and can feel it squeeze my foot. .
47 EU (White): Spot on. Fits like a glove.

I did purchase these without trying on before but my frustration is that size 46 EU on Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit (Review coming soon)! I thought buying the 46 EU would fit great.

Not sure what Vivobarefoot are doing here, but I did compare both shoes (and both sizes) and the Asana does seem a little more narrow than the Primus Lite knit. Both shoes have the same Primus insole in my mind should have the same fit but doesn’t seem to be the case. So quite annoying!

The Asana is narrower, so size up if you're unsure.

Not the most scientific, but you'll see the difference between the sizes below.

Upper: Breathable and Snug (in a Good Way)

I think this is where the Primus Asana shines. They’re not plush, but for some reason they are incredibly comfortable. At least for for my size EU 47 (when the shoe fits).

The upper material seems to lightly cups youre foot and feels like a glove. Nothing to complain about here.

It has to be one of the most comfortable barefoot shoes to slip your feet into that I've ever tried.

The knit upper is breathable and soft. In my mind the upper isn’t suitable for active wear but their website says so. Definitely for casual wear for me. The upper, especially on the 47s, is fraying slightly.

For something that lasts longer, the Barebarics Zing outperforms it by a mile (review here)

Outsole: Good Grip, Thin Rubber

The outsole on the Primus Asana has decent grip. I’ve worn it in dry and slightly wet conditions and never felt unstable.

Durability is quite decent on the sole and qhat you would expect for this price. No major signs of wear. Expected considering it has not been used for sports.

Performance: Not Built for Intensity

Tried playing padel in them. Big mistake.

They harsh material on the collar rubbed at the ankle. So I’d skip these for HIIT, or anything dynamic and only use for low intensity gym sessions.

Is it worth the price?

I got mine for 955 HKD (approx 123 USD) on sale, but they retail for around 1,480 HKD (approx 190 USD).

That’s a tough pill to swallow when the durability just isn’t there. If they were under 120 USD, I’d say go for it.

At full price? It’s a harder sell—especially with other options on the market.

If you are looking for a casual shoe I would recommend the Vivobarefoot Gobi sneaker (review coming soon) or Barebarics Zing (review here). If you want more of a gym/active shoe then I would recommend the Lono Flow or Vivobarefoot Primus Lite (Review coming soon).

Bottom Line: Would I buy again?

For looks and casual wear? Maybe if you can grab them on sale on sale. I would also consider Barebarics Zing if you don’t live in Asia (it as awful delivery fees)
For performance or longevity? Nope.
Lono Flow (Review here) may be an option. Much more affordable shoe for performance and sometimes casual wear.

The Vivobarefoot Primus Asana is a great-looking barefoot sneaker that fits like a dream—if you size up. But the wear and tear (especially at this price) might have you looking elsewhere.

Vivobarefoot Primus Asana III Review: A Stylish Barefoot Sneaker With Some Question Marks