NRC Full Shoe Review

VIVOBAREFOOT Dharma

Stack height is the total height from the bottom of the foot to the ground including outsole, midsole, insert and additional materials for lasting/lining.

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Review Summary

by Nick Pang, of Minimalist Running Shoes and NRC shoe review editor

Ever since I transitioned to minimalist running shoes going from a 12mm differential Asics GT 2160 to a Vibram FiveFingers KSO over a year ago, I've been looking for a non-traditional, non-heeled, low drop casual dress shoe. A year ago, there was not much out there. I picked up a pair of Born slip-on loafer that I sized up by a half-size so I can have a wider toe box. But it has a stiff upper. Now there are a lot more choices including casual shoes from STEM Footwear, OeTZI3300, and Patagonia. For dress shoes, Vivobarefoot Dharma is a stand out and continuing the same quality and design tradition as the Evo II minimalist running shoe.

Casual yet sleek and trendy, the Dharma offers all the comfort of a sporty slip-on pump. The heel and rear foot is very snug and the toe box is super roomy. The Dharma is a comfortable lifestyle dress shoe with a wide toe box and no more heels or stiff leather uppers.

The outsole is a flexible and ultra thin, 3mm, puncture resistant rubber sole. You may also notice a slight toe spring but since the uppers and thin outsole is so flexible, you should have no problem standing flat on your feet and moving around naturally.

The uppers are made of vegetable tanned minimum chrome leather. The shoe weighs in at a super light 9.4 ounces. The lining fabric is made from 50% recycled plastic bottles and the insole (agion antimicrobial) has built-in protection to stop odors and prevent bacterial and fungal growth.

There are not that many flexible shoes available today that you can roll up from toe to heel. Of all the casual shoes I have tested thus far, only the STEM Origins and VB Dharma fits that bill without taking out the insole or footbed. You can also roll up the OeTZI OTZ-1 Low Leather with the CORKfit footbed removed. The Dharma is also the most comfortable and super-light minimalist dress shoe that has met my feet.

For those of you new to zero-drop casual and dress shoes, the first few days of wearing such shoes, you might feel funny and even unbalanced.. It will be unnatural at first but over time, you will get used to it. Your walking gait may change a bit (for the better) but when you're used to it, you will never go back to heeled shoes again. Or non-heeled shoes that are heavy, inflexible, and uncomfortable. Guaranteed.

Ever since I transitioned to minimalist running shoes going from a 12mm differential Asics GT 2160 to a Vibram Five Finger KSO over a year ago, I've been looking for a non-traditional, non-heeled, low drop dress shoe. A year ago, there was not much out there. I picked up a pair of Born slip-on loafer that I sized up by a half-size so I can have a wider toe box. But it has a stiff upper. Now there are a lot more choices including casual shoes from STEM Footwear, OeTZI3300, and Patagonia that I reviewed recently. For dress shoes, Vivobarefoot Dharma is a stand out and continuing the same quality and design tradition as the Evo II minimalist running shoe.

Casual yet sleek and trendy, the Dharma offers all the comfort of a sporty slip-on pump. The heel and rear foot is very snug and the toe box is super roomy. The Dharma is a comfortable dress shoe with a wide toe box and no more heels or stiff leather uppers.

There are not that many flexible shoes available today that you can roll up from toe to heel. Of all the casual shoes we have tested thus far, only the STEM Origins and VB Dharma fits that bill without taking out the insole or footbed. You can also roll up the OeTZI OTZ-1 Low Leather with the CORKfit footbed removed.

For those of you new to zero drop casual and dress shoes, the first few days of wearing such shoes, you will feel funny and unbalanced. It will be unnatural at first but over time, you will get used to it. Your walking gait may change a bit (for the better) but when you're used to it, you will never go back to heeled shoes again. Or non-heeled shoes that are heavy, inflexible, and uncomfortable. Guaranteed.

Note: I had to size up from a EU42 Evo II to a EU43 Dharma as they run a little smaller than other shoes in the Vivobarefoot line. Of all the dress shoes I have tested thus far including Patagonia Loulu, Patagonia Pau, and OeTZI3300 Low Leather, the Vivobarefoot Dharma is the most comfortable and super-light minimalist dress shoe.

Please visit any of the Natural Running Center store partners for their availability, or contact the manufacturer.