The first thing you'll notice about Vivobarefoot's Ultra running shoes is the perforated upper. It's made of molded ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), a soft and flexible material that's resistant to both the abuses of running and potential damage from the elements.
But the shoes really stand out thanks to their resemblance to one of the last decade's greatest eyesores: Crocs. Unlike Crocs, however, these can be worn in public without embarrassment or shame.
The Vivobarefoot Ultras are true minimalist running shoes. They aim to give you an experience that's as close as possible to running in bare feet. There are other shoes feeding this craze, like Vibram's famous FiveFingers toe-shoes and Merrell's Barefoot runners. As any fan of barefoot running knows, some of the design choices made by these shoe manufacturers are dubious, as they apply radical technologies and materials in their attempt to lighten the load or arrive at their minimalist goals.
But the Croc-like vibe has a great advantage – the hexagonal, honeycomb-shaped perforations allow the shoe to drain instantly in wet conditions, making them practically amphibious.
The sole has the same honeycomb design, but in the form of nubs that provide traction. Keeping with the theme, the interior liner snaps into the heel with a honeycomb-shaped tab.
The Ultras can be worn three ways: The upper and plug-in tongue can be worn with socks like a traditional running shoe, the removable liner can be used in place of socks for a "barefoot" run, or the cage-like upper can be worn on its own.
The last scenario is most useful on the beach – when I competed in the Big Kahuna triathlon in Santa Cruz, California, I debated leaving the uppers at the swim finish so I could use them to run to the transition area a quarter of a mile away.
No matter which configuration you choose, they're astonishingly light. With the upper and liner assembled, the shoe weighs only four and a half ounces (the uppers alone weigh about three ounces) in a women's size 8.5.