Our verdict
The Magna FG is a great zero-drop shoe that is versatile and can be worn for walking, hiking, and working out. It offers the typical natural feeling of a minimalist shoe thanks to its lightness, amazing flexibility, and enhanced sensitivity underfoot. It’s comfortable and works for those with wider feet too.
Pros
- Extremely flexible
- Super-light
- Grips everything dry and wet
- Breathable and comfy
- Holds foot in place
- Great ground sensitivity
- Very versatile
- Wide feet are welcome
- More protected than other similar shoes
Cons
- Laces are not durable
- Too expensive
Who should buy Vivobarefoot Magna FG
Get this shoe if you are a minimalist fan and are looking for a solid option. It has everything that a shoe in this category should have, plus some more protection. If you are a beginner, note that a gradual approach is recommended when it comes to lower drops.
Who should not buy it
Look elsewhere if you:
- want a more durable shoe. The Vivobarefoot Tracker II FG is a great option for hiking.
- like a more traditional feeling. The Columbia Fairbanks Low is light, has ground sensitivity, and a higher drop
- want a more affordable shoe. Check out the Xero Shoes Mesa Trail instead
Magna FG is definitely comfortable
The upper is made with leather and wool, which may sound too warm, but the result is, as a reviewer explained, a “naturally breathable, temperature-regulating and sweat-wicking” upper.“ He said he didn’t have “any blistering or overheating issues during the blazing hot summer months.”
Besides, the knit around the ankle adds further comfort and the same tester pointed out that it’s “literally like wearing a sock.”
Like being (almost) barefoot
With the outsole and the insole being the only (thin) layers between the foot and the ground, sensitivity is high and very close to a barefoot experience, hence the name of the brand.
This can be awkward at the beginning, but as a tester said, “I can’t say I missed the cushion terribly.” Instead, he found himself “reaching for these shoes way more often than [he] expected.”
Lowest drop in the Magna FG
The difference in height between the forefoot and the heel is called heel-to-toe drop, and in this shoe is zero. This promotes natural walking/running, but it might take a while to get used to it if transitioning from higher drops (which most shoes on the market have).
A perfect grip
A hiker pointed out that the traction in this shoe is aggressive and it grips “on everything from wet, dry, to rocky and firm terrain.” No slippage was reported.
All about flexibility
This is a shoe that has no stiffness whatsoever. A runner perfectly put it: “you could practically roll these shoes up and put them in your pocket.”
Great support
For being a minimalist shoe, support is “as good as it can be,” as a tester said. This is due to a heel cup and two wings on the sides which hold the foot in place and increase stability.
Vivobarefoot Magna FG is roomy
The fit is true to size, but, as for other similar shoes, the toe box is roomy and lets “your toes spread out naturally.”
The laces don’t last
A tester noticed that this shoe is very well built: it’s “designed to take a beating and still look good.” However, where it comes short is on the laces, which the same tester described as terrible, due to the metal eyelets that cut through them and make them short-lived.
Good protection for its category
Although minimalist shoes lack protection for some, the Magna FG is more protected than many other Vivobarefoot options due to its thicker sole.
