Those prices are astronomical, though. $240 for a pair of shoes, when according to the author of the original article, something that serves the purpose is available for a dollar a pair?!
I bought a pair of (similar-looking to the article's Chinese shoe) shoes for $17 at Target one day after I stepped into a puddle on the way to work. I figured they'd last me perhaps through the summer of occasional wear; can't expect much for $17, right? Instead I wore them everywhere for about 3 years. Comfortable in all weather and terrain except when it was wet.
You get what you pay for. These shoes last a very long time.
If you are timid about the price, they have regular clearance sales about twice a year, usually about 40% off. Just get on their mailing list. And buy quick as soon as the sale occurs!
I got my current pair on sale a couple of years ago and they are not dead yet (although fairly light use), but this year they didn't have any in stock of more than six styles I checked within hours of the sale announcement. I emailed them and they said they had been out for months. So sleazy advertising and expensive and most of the styles look horrible IMO (and, as the article complains, any style you like will no longer be made once you need another pair), but good shoes.
I'll keep an eye out for the cloth shoes. Not many options for thin sole shoes. Concrete can be horrible on shoes with softer soles, however, and the Vivobarefoot soles are the best thin soles I've seen for use on concrete.
Value is dependent on the person; Vivo shoes are worth a lot to me.
I do not know another shoe that fits my extra wide feet (see my other comments in this thread).I've had foot pain from narrow shoes (before I realised my feet were so wide) that keep me from enjoying life for weeks.
I have Vivo shoes that are still perfectly fine and at least 6 years old. They last better than my expensive laptop does.
I can move in these shoes (I like "alternate" sports like parkour). I used to wear shoes that were too long, to get the width that would fit. I'd always have an empty inch in the front of the shoe getting the way whenever is tried to do tricky movements. I also really dislike stiff soled shoes now that I'm used to Vivos.
If you don't care for what Vivo offers, don't get 'em.
I bought a pair of (similar-looking to the article's Chinese shoe) shoes for $17 at Target one day after I stepped into a puddle on the way to work. I figured they'd last me perhaps through the summer of occasional wear; can't expect much for $17, right? Instead I wore them everywhere for about 3 years. Comfortable in all weather and terrain except when it was wet.
I should get another pair on the way home...