- Hi, it's Rebecca from Pack Hacker here
and in this video, we're going to be taking a look
at the Women's Vivobarefoot Kannas -
a lightweight and barefoot- style travel shoe.
Here at Pack Hacker, we do reviews on packs
and travel gear just like this all the time.
So if you're new here, consider subscribing.
We've been testing these shoes for just over two months now
and they've seen lots of use all around the UK.
So let's jump into the review.
[upbeat music playing]
We are digging the urban style of these shoes,
and we were really impressed with their versatility
across different environments
and different clothing choices.
They would look great with a pair of jeans or dress
when you're strolling around the city.
And would even work when you're adventuring somewhere
a bit more rural,
or with your workout gear in the gym.
Now trying to rock these for a formal event
may be a stretch too far,
but if it's an occasion where you'd wear a normal sneaker,
then the Kannas are good to go.
We decided to poll our Instagram audience
and get their opinion
and 54% said they liked the look of these things.
And make sure you're following @packhacker on Instagram
if you want to take part in our next poll
and have your say.
The Kannas are available in black, olive,
gray, white, and cordovan.
We went with the black because it's the most versatile
and will show up the least amount of dirt.
But if you want that pop of color,
then the olive and cordovan are great choices, too.
For travel and everyday use, we'd recommend steering clear
of the gray and white.
They show up marks easily
and they're notoriously tough to get clean.
Now, there's a lot of branding on these shoes,
but it does remain minimal and tasteful.
It's mainly black on black and we like it.
There are logos on the sides, the back of the heel,
the tongue, the bottom of the sole,
and on the insole.
Granted, it is a bit excessive
and a tad over the top for a shoe,
but unless you're up close and really looking for them,
you can't really see them.
Weighing in at a mere 5.25 ounces per shoe
in a size 6 1/2 US,
these things are seriously lightweight.
However, it is important to note
that if you are looking for lightweight shoes,
there are others on the market -
such as Skechers GOwalk 4 -
which are identical in weight.
Click on the link in the right-hand corner
to see this review.
Moving into the materials - and the Kannas are 100% vegan.
This is a big plus in our books,
as we like to see manufacturers
making animal-friendly products when they can.
Vivobarefoot gets two double thumbs up from us for this.
The upper material is made
from a breathable and flexible mesh,
which makes the shoe feel more like a sock
when you've got it on.
And while it does take a bit of getting used to,
we've been impressed with how comfortable they are to wear.
The rest of the shoe is made from TPU,
which is non-marking and abrasion-resistant.
And considering you're going to be hitting the ground
with every step you take, that's pretty important.
Finally, Vivobarefoot has placed a layer
of their patented PRO5 protection in the sole.
But is this a pro or just clever marketing?
Well, it's an ultra-thin layer
that increases puncture resistance
that has worked well for us in testing.
So it is pretty awesome.
However, it's important to remember
this is still a minimal shoe with a very thin sole.
So it's not entirely puncture proof.
The Vivobarefoot Kannas offer a unique set of benefits
over traditional sneakers and travel shoes.
First of all, because they're so lightweight and minimal,
it's almost like you're not wearing them at all.
Now, this may sound odd
and it's possible that it won't be to everyone's taste,
but we found them so freeing
and enjoyed being connected so closely to the ground.
And Vivobarefoot offers a 100-day trial
with a No Quibble Returns policy to all new customers.
So you can return them if they're not your thing.
Second, the Kannas feature a wide front
that lets your toes sit naturally and spread out,
just like they would if they were barefoot -
which explains where they got their name from.
It's amazing to see the difference
when you compare these things
to the width of a traditional shoe.
And it's weird to go back to squishy toes
when you experience the freedom and natural feel
of the Vivobarefoot form factor.
Third, the Vivobarefoot Kannas are incredibly packable.
They even roll up and compress.
Because of their flexible materials,
they take up as little room as physically possible
inside your pack, making them ideal
for one-bag travelers where space is at a premium.
When it comes to usage,
we found that the Kannas were ideal in the warmer climates.
The breathable mesh stops your feet from getting sweaty.
However, the Kannas are going to struggle
if you're heading somewhere prone to cold and wet weather.
These offer no insulation or weather resistance.
The good news is that Vivobarefoot sells a thermal insole
that you can pop in,
and also offers a range of winter-proof shoes
that feature weather resistant materials, too.
While these shoes will work in a wide range of environments,
they are not hiking shoes.
So if you're planning to do that,
you will be better off getting a pair of shoes
that are made specifically for that purpose.
And Vivobarefoot actually makes a range of off-road shoes
that are worth considering if you're in the market.
However, don't discount the Kannas entirely.
They're incredibly packable,
so you can always bring them along as a secondary pair.
Finally, these things can be worn with or without socks,
which just adds to their versatility.
We found both comfortable,
so it's really up to your preference.
At the time of this review,
we've been testing the Vivobarefoot Kannas
for just over two months.
And they've seen everyday use in the southwest
and southeast of the UK.
In regards to durability, the Kannas are holding up well
and we're pleased to report
there's no signs of wear and tear to date.
However, we are cautious about their long-term durability
because of the craftsmanship on display.
We found the stitching is a bit shoddy in places
and the glue is visible around the sole.
We expected more, but Vivobarefoot has stated
that they will be moving their production facilities
in the future.
So hopefully, the craftsmanship will improve.
Because of the barefoot style
and the fact that your feet
are constantly connected to the ground,
these things do take a lot of getting used to.
But now it feels strange to wear anything else.
While they won't be for everyone, we like them.
Moving on to the pros and cons.
The Vivobarefoot Kannas are lightweight and packable.
The wide fit allows your toes to sit naturally
as opposed to being squished together.
And they feature a puncture-resistant sole
that will protect your feet when you're out and about.
Now the cons.
The craftsmanship is a tad sloppy in places.
There's no insulation or weather resistance.
And they can take awhile to get used to wearing
if you've never worn a barefoot-style shoe before.
The Vivobarefoot Kannas are remarkably comfortable
for such a minimal and lightweight pair of shoes,
and we've been impressed
with their versatility and packability.
While the craftsmanship could be slightly better,
they offer a superb option for any one-bag traveler
looking for a pair of shoes
that won't take up half their pack.
And as long as you don't plan on hiking
or venturing anywhere too cold and rainy,
they could possibly be the only pair you need.
Thanks for taking a look at our review
of the Vivobarefoot Kannas
and let us know in the comments below
what you think of these things.
And as ever, make sure you head over
to packhacker.com/newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and never miss an update.
Thanks for checking this one out.
We'll see you in the next one.
[beep] Non-marking and abrasion res....
[laughs] - [Man] Rolling on camera one.
[shoes click together]
[laughing]
That was what it needed...
It just wasn't right.