The Vivobarefoot Fulham Nubuck is an elegant barefoot minimalist shoe that is suitable for both beginners and advanced barefoot enthusiasts alike. If you’re looking for a versatile shoe that can be worn through all seasons, this is it!
I’ve personally owned and worn these barefoot shoes for quite a while and I’d like to share my experience with you so you too may decide to try the Fulham Nubuck.
First Impressions
You only get one chance to make a first impression, and Vivobarefoot Fulham Nubuck shoes definitely delivered!
My first thought was: “Wow! What beautiful shoes! ” when I opened the shoebox. What greeted me was a stylish pair of Chelsea boots in a beautiful intense cognac color and fine suede leather. The style definitely caught my eye and I’m sure that’d be the case for anyone who saw me wearing these shoes on the street. The quality radiates.
At $161, they are expensive shoes (at least to me), but they definitely seem more than their worth at first glance. That’d only be confirmed once I got to wear these stylish Vivobarefoot shoes.
So why did I choose the Fulham Nubuck barefoot shoes specifically, you ask? Well, when I was on the Vivobarefoot website,
I was immediately drawn to the color of the shoes. However, I know that sometimes what you see in an online photo versus what you get are not the same. Fortunately, in this case, the reality fully met my expectations. Vivobarefoot makes some truly great shoes, so I’m not surprised that it extends to the Fulham Nubuck shoes too.
I couldn’t wait to impregnate them so I could go out for a walk and test the shoes.
I loved them so much that I also bought this shoe in the zinc color.
Look and Feel
I myself am quite new to the world of barefoot shoes, with only about a year’s worth of experience wearing them. With some barefoot shoes, I still have to get used to the shape and appearance. I also often wonder if I can wear them to work or to a party.
With this shoe, I didn’t need to wonder. The Fulham Nubuck barefoot shoes look sophisticated and can be worn casually, but they’re also great for work. If you don’t have a formal affair on the calendar, they’re also a great choice!
In fact, wouldn’t you say the barefoot shape looks even better than the average Chelsea boot style? I would. The thin sole makes these Vivobarefoot shoes very elegant and charming. The light shoe and wide toebox also look something special.
Several friends have complimented me on my beautiful new shoes and asked me where I bought them. They only notice I’m wearing barefoot shoes when I point it out. Most of my friends have not even heard of barefoot shoes before! Now their interest has been piqued.
Materials
The Vivobarefoot Fulham Nubuck boot is handcrafted in Portugal using local leather. This fine and flexible leather is stitched onto Vivo’s Hex Flex outsole, which is a sturdy, strong sole that can be rolled up completely. .
I like the pull label on the shoe that makes it super easy to put on. Elastic sides also help you slip these Chelsea shoes right on your feet.
The inside of the shoes is also made of leather for a luxurious treat for your feet all day long. A removable thermal insole will certainly come in handy on those cooler days.
Sizing-Do They Fit Small, Normal, or Big feet?
I have quite narrow feet, so I was afraid the Fulham Nubuck barefoot shoes would be too big when I put them on. I felt a lot of space in the toebox and actually around my entire foot, but in such a way that is comfortable so the shoes won’t slide when I walk in them. So my normal shoe size is perfect in retrospect. That may or may not be the case for you, but it was for me.
At the beginning, I had a bit of trouble with my Achilles heel wearing these shoes. I think my foot had to get used to a new style, as you have to remember, the Fulham Nubuck shoes were one of my first pairs of barefoot shoes. Now I can easily take long walks in these shoes without foot pain or discomfort.
Is the Vivobarefoot Fulham Nubuck a Good Shoe for a Barefoot Shoe Beginner?
I can say yes, this shoe is very suitable for a barefoot shoe beginner. I myself have not been wearing barefoot shoes for very long as I have said, and partly because of this Fulham Nubuck shoe, I have become very enthusiastic about barefoot shoes.
By the way, for barefoot shoe beginners, the advice is not to keep barefoot shoes on for too long immediately . Wearing barefoot shoes is a different way of walking that your feet really have to get used to, so you have to work your way up to wearing them for longer and longer periods.
That’s what I did with these Vivobarefoot shoes, so I suggest the same for you. Even if you’re a regular barefoot shoe enthusiast with several pairs of barefoot shoes in your closet, you know you have to break in a new pair.
Okay, but for the price, can you only wear the Fulham Nubuck in the spring and autumn, or are they good for wintertime wearing too?
Most definitely, this shoe is great for the winter as your feet will stay toasty thanks to the thermal insole. However, because of the beautiful but fragile suede outer, I would not wear them outside when it rains or snows. That would be a waste of the beautiful Nubuck leather.
I walked in these barefoot shoes in the winter when it was around freezing temperatures and never got cold feet.
How Long Will the Vivobarefoot Fulham Nubuck Last?
To answer this question, we contacted Vivobarefoot and asked them what we can expect of this shoe.
They explained that they can’t advise the exact mileage of the shoes as it depends on a range of factors, such as how they’re used, how often, what terrain they’re used on, how they’re cared for, etc.
Generally speaking, Vivobarefoot finds that customers who wear their shoes for general everyday use (for a few hours) each day have them last for a few years at least. Vivobarefoot offers a 6-Month Sustainable Guarantee for any faults.
Since the Fulham Nubuck shoes have no lugs, you’ll likely find they last longer if used on flat surfaces such as pavement or in the office compared to rough and abrasive surfaces such as trails or rocks.
Cleaning and Maintaining the Vivobarefoot Fulham Nubuck Shoes
I recommend this sandstone block for cleaning suede and Nubuck shoes and boots. The grain structure of the block ensures that stains disappear and the suede remains unaffected.
Of course, use a shoe spray regularly for protection against dirt and moisture.
Is There a Vegan Vivobarefoot Chelsea boot?
As far as I know, Vivobarefoot does not offer a vegan Chelsea boot yet. If you want a vegan barefoot Chelsea shoe from a brand outside of Vivo, you should consider this unisex model from Mukishoes. This Chelsea shoe is made of cork!
Does Vivobarefoot Have a Chelsea Boot for Men?
At the moment, Vivobarefoot does not offer Chelsea boots for men.
However, when going through our brand list, I found some very nice Chelsea boots for men from brands like ZAQQ, GauchoNinja, and Mukishoes.
Check them out!
- The GauchoNinja Chelsea Boots
- The Zaqq Chelsea Boots
- The Mukishoes Unisex Chelsea Boots
Conclusion
The Vivobarefoot Fulham Nubuck Chelsea boot is an elegant barefoot shoe that is versatile in style. You can wear them casually and on occasions where you need to be more dressed up.
They are too beautiful (and expensive) to wander around on muddy grounds or to wear when attending a festival. I’d highly recommend the Fulham Nubuck shoes for beginning barefoot shoe wearers or people who prefer a type of barefoot shoe that does not attract too much attention.
I have been wearing them almost daily for the past two months and they feel very comfortable and still look great. I hope you feel inclined to give these barefoot shoes a try too!