I Swapped My Standard Weightlifting Shoes For The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength — My Honest Review

I used to think wobbliness was inevitable during strength training workouts. Whether I was laterally lunging, pushing up for a squat press, or just standing straight for a bicep curl, I'd never feel fully stable.

So when I learned barefoot shoes can enhance motor control and balance1, I was officially intrigued. I know how important footwear is for injury prevention, but could swapping out my shoes actually help improve my balance during workouts?

I spent six weeks testing the Motus Strength shoes. I wore them primarily for strength training workouts at home and at the gym, but I also tested them out for a few short 2- to 3-mile runs on the treadmill.

I trained five to six days per week for 30 to 40 minutes per session. My workouts typically include squat presses, lateral lunges, jump squats, back lunges, single-leg dead lifts, and similar movements.

They're science- and expert-backed

Barefoot shoes are finally getting their moment in the spotlight, and it's for good reason. While I do believe there's a time and a place for well-cushioned shoes (a personal preference!), I can't ignore all the perks of a minimalist design.

In fact, one study found that barefoot shoes can increase foot strength by 58%2, and additional research shows that minimalist footwear helps enhance motor control and balance1 and reduces the chance of foot and knee injuries. 

On a recent episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, foot health expert and chiropractor Courtney Conley, D.C., explained that highly cushioned footwear can give your feet a false sense of security, which can cause the feet to overstrike, putting excess strain on your joints. 

Our feet are a vital sensory organ, and too much cushioning prevents you from truly feeling the ground beneath your feet. In other words, you're not able to properly strengthen those sensory receptors. 

It's actually quite simple when you think about it. Feet are the foundation of the body, so they are literally built to naturally support your body's movement. Barefoot shoes simply allow the feet to perform in the way they were meant to.

They have amazing traction

What surprised me most about the Motus Strength is that these shoes have incredible traction. I expected a barefoot shoe to be very minimal in the sole, but the Motus Strength has more grip than most traditional sneakers I've worn.

The durable rubber sole wraps around from the lateral side of the midfoot, over the toe box, and onto the medial side. The sole is 2 millimeters thick with a 1.5-millimeter indented grid pattern that helps the shoe get a stable grip on the ground beneath your feet.

I wore the Motus Strength on my apartment floor, gym floor, and on my yoga mat—and I felt great traction on all surfaces. I also wore them on a few treadmill runs, and the grip was just as strong.

The construction is very durable

Everything about this shoe feels like it was built to last, from the grippy rubber sole to the TPU rubber material that wraps around the sides, heels, and upper. 

Even the mesh knit material in the upper feels thicker and stronger than you'd expect. 

My feet feel stable in every movement

I'll admit I was pretty shocked when I laced up the Motus Strength shoes and began my typical strength training workout. It was like I finally understood how the movements were supposed to feel. 

They're flexible and breathable

Despite the sturdy construction, you can literally bend these shoes in half. This, combined with the zero-drop design, encourages my feet to perform their natural movements.

I read a few other reviews that said the mesh upper was not breathable enough, but I strongly disagree. I find the Motus Strength to be very breathable, even during the sweatiest workouts. 

They're comfortable

The Motus Strength were comfortable from Day One, and they seem to break in more and more with every wear. They come with an Ortholite insole, which does provide a very slight amount of cushioning—but if you prefer an even more direct connection with the ground you can remove it.

They look great on

If there's one thing I've learned over the past decade as a runner (and my last two years as a dedicated strength trainer!), it's that aesthetics should not be the most important factor in exercise footwear. That said, I'm human and I still want a shoe that looks good.

The Motus Strength is by far the best-looking barefoot shoe I've been able to find. It doesn't have the strange-toed design that turned me off from minimalist footwear for so long. Instead, it looks like a standard, sleek sneaker (just without the thick slab of cushioning).

The materials are sustainable

The footwear industry is notorious for a lot of waste, so I make an effort to support brands that prioritize sustainability. Vivobarefoot uses a blend of natural and recycled synthetic materials such as recycled PU foam, natural rubber, and bio-base carbon. 

These truly are a great strength- and cross-training shoe, and they are worth the $200 price tag. My only caveat is that I would not recommend the Motus Strength as a primary running shoe.

They were fine for a few short miles or sprints on the treadmill, but if you're looking for a barefoot shoe for long runs or extensive race training, I'd recommend the brand's Primus Lite 3.5 shoe.

As I mentioned, the Motus Strength do take a little breaking in. I felt comfortable the first time I wore them, but you'll notice with time they mold to your foot even more.

The Motus Strength isn't some magical shoe that makes me instantly stronger than I was before. Instead, this smartly designed footwear simply allows my feet to move the way they were meant to move—which helps my entire body step into its full potential.