Update: Downsized my Vivos and I have different sizing problems
I posted earlier about finding that my new Vivobarefoot Gobi in EU 41/US 8 felt a bit longer.
Because of the 50% off promo by Vivo, I decided to buy US size 7 in both the Gobi sneakers and Primus Lite Knit Natural.
The reason I decided to choose size 7 for the Primus Lite Knit Natural was because the Vivo sizing chart for Lite Knit has size 7/EU40 for for lengths 25-25.8cm/9.9-10.2inches, whereas for the Gobi (and Primus lite) it suggests size 7 for only up to 25.4cm/10in.
The size of my feet according to volumental Scan are 10.13in for left and 9.98in for right foot. Both my feet are roughly 3.9in/10cm wide. This is the largest measurement in both length and width for either foot I’ve had. When an outline of my foot and measured, I’ve never been able to measure more than 10in for my longer left foot. The volumental Scan was done in the morning when I assume my foot is the smallest. Its calculations are based on projections which I assume are not as great.
I Walked about 2 miles with the Lite Knit today. During the walk I get a somewhat sharp rubbing pain in the roof of only my left foot’s first metatarsal.
Mechanical Symptoms:
• The "Toe-Off" Bite: The pain happens specifically during toe-off (terminal stance) when the shoe creases.
• Inward Collapse: On my larger left foot, the material seems to buckle inward during the flex, creating a "pinch" or "hotspot" on top of the joint.
• Asymmetry: This does not happen on my right foot, which is 0.15in/3mm shorter.
With the Gobis, this is not as bad since they’re made with Leather. But I do feel size 8 might be more comfortable long term. I haven’t done a longer walk in either of the Gobis.
For reference again, my Lems primal Zen is very comfortable and I don’t have the issue in size 8.5. I also feel apart from the width of the Lems, the volume is also bigger - the toe box is taller.
In the last picture I’ve drawn an arrow where I feel the pain in my left foot when I’m in a toe off stance. The buckle in of both feet are similar. But I’m assuming since my left foot volume is bigger the roof of the Primus knit is brushing on my first metatarsal.
Unless someone can convince me otherwise it seems the obvious thing to do is to return the Primus knits at least. I ideally don’t want to walk this much to decide that the either Gobis might be a bad fit. So I might return them as well.