Vivobareboot opens second UK store in Bristol

Vivobarefoot, the footwear brand that was founded in 2012 by cousins Galahad and Asher Clark – seventh generation cobblers from the family behind Clarks shoes – has opened a new store at 84 Park Street in Bristol.

It adds to the brand's store at 57–59 Neal Street in London’s Covent Garden, and follows the opening of Vivobarefoot’s new nature-inspired headquarters at Barley Wood Walled Garden - a regenerative workplace nestled in Somerset’s countryside.

The new 893 sq ft store is described as "a space to explore foot health, natural movement and regenerative living". Key features include a living biophilic wall, "designed to bring nature indoors and enhance wellbeing".

There’s also a Vivobiome foot scanning zone, where customers can experience a full foot scan with plantar pressure plate analysis alongside it that measures how weight is distributed across the foot, identifying imbalances, pressure points and areas that need support.

The full range of Vivobarefoot footwear, from everyday wear to performance and outdoor adventure shoes, is now available at the store as well as a dedicated ReVivo section - part of Vivobarefoot’s recommerce programme.

ReVivo gives worn and returned ‘Vivos’ a new lease on life. Each pair is revived, reconditioned and resold, extending its lifespan and reducing landfill waste. The store also features a take-back box, inviting customers to return their old Vivos and keep the cycle going.

To celebrate the new store opening this week, every customer who makes a purchase will receive a complimentary Barley Wood Organic Veg Box - fresh from the gardens of Vivobarefoot’s new regenerative home.

There’s also a Great Bristol Run offer, whereby all runners participating in the run, taking place on Sunday 11 May, are eligible for an exclusive in-store discount "to support their barefoot running journey".

Additionally, local health professionals and ‘movement advocates’ are invited to book a free Vivobiome scan and pressure plate analysis during the store’s launch month.

Customers can also expect rotating schedule of free yoga classes, as well as guided barefoot science and education sessions that are "open to the Bristol community".

The concept of Vivobarefoot actually began in 2004, when Galahad Clark introduced it as a sub-brand under his existing company, Terra Plana. The initial phase, referred to as ‘Vivobarefoot 1.0’, involved experimentation with minimalist shoe designs but "faced challenges and limited success".

The brand underwent a significant transformation in 2012, relaunching as an independent company – ‘Vivobarefoot 2.0’ - with a renewed focus on sustainability, regenerative design and barefoot science. Since then, Vivobarefoot has grown into a leading advocate for minimalist footwear and environmental responsibility.

Vivobarefoot promotes natural foot movement and health, "challenging the conventional design of modern shoes".

The brand is best known for its minimalist, ‘barefoot’ footwear designed to be wide, thin and flexible - allowing the foot to move naturally and enhancing sensory feedback from the ground.

Vivobarefoot's shoes also aim to strengthen foot muscles, improve posture and encourage a more natural gait.