Thread: Good cobbler in Auckland? And a whinge about Vivo Barefoot shoes

Boots 'Made in Vietnam'.
Probably not my first choice as a boot making nation.

Originally Posted by Grey Kiwi

Boots 'Made in Vietnam'.
Probably not my first choice as a boot making nation.

Yeah I used to think that way too, Asian made stuff I would always steer clear of. But I have actually changed my mind there over the years.

One of the best items I ever bought was a leather Tumi satchel, that I have carried every second I am outside the house (except bush), 365 days a year. For 14 years now. It is made in China, but designed etc in US or whatever. The quality of material and manufacture is superb. I will use it until I die, then leave it to one of my kids. It'll see them out too I believe.

I wear quite a bit of Helikon tex gear nowadays, and absolutely thrash it. Like daily wear 7 days a week, in all conditions, virtually never washed except chucked in a bucket of water sometimes. It's tough as. Designed in Poland, made in China, Vietnam etc. I can not fault it. And really well priced.

So although there is some shite out there, I don't just write off any gear that's made in Asia.
As for these boots, apart from that thread popping out, which I'm willing to accept as just one of those things ATM, they seem and feel like very high quality.
The leather quality is clearly top notch, the design is very clever with a lot of interesting features.

The soles are just amazing, truly. Michelin rubber, grippy like you wouldn't believe, in really shit conditions (slimy wet clay, steep, with tree roots and rocks mixed in.
I run in areas now, even wet, that I was pretty careful walking in previously in other boots / shoes.

Having done business with Chinese companies extensively in the last 20 years, buying a lot of different products in many different industries, I've learnt you get the quality you're willing to pay for.
You can commission and pay for the worst quality, or stuff that is up there with the very best from the EU / USA.
It all comes down to quality of materials, and manufacturing quality control.

I judge products nowadays more by the brand / features / after sales service / repairability, than country of manufacture.
And BTW Vivo Barefoot offer a 100-day full moneyback guarantee if size is wrong, and they have a full service repair / re-sole / re-sell shop in the UK (https://www.revivo.com/)
On this site they also sell at a discount shoes that people have returned under the size guarantee.

My wife and kids are going to London soon, and I'm buying them some of these boots to bring back.


I really love wearing them.