Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II - Woman

Women’s barefoot shoes for strength, gym training and demanding workouts

The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women are women’s barefoot shoes created for hard training without losing sensitivity, stability or freedom of movement.

If you are looking for women’s barefoot shoes for the gym that can handle strength work, cross training, functional exercises, kettlebells, rope, intervals and intense sessions, this model is not here for a stroll.

It is here to train.

To support well.

To feel the ground when you load weight, change direction or need your foot to respond quickly.

The Motus Strength II Women is not a soft shoe for running kilometres, nor an urban sneaker to wear with jeans and leave it at that. It is a barefoot training shoe with more structure, more grip and more resistance than a conventional lightweight barefoot shoe.

But without falling into the typical mistake of many gym shoes: turning the foot into a rigid block.

Here you still get a wide toe box, zero drop, flexibility and ground feel. Just with a construction that is better prepared for workouts where the shoe takes more punishment.

Why choose the Motus Strength II Women for strength training

In strength training, stability is not an extra. It is where everything starts.

When you do squats, deadlifts, lunges, presses, kettlebells or loaded exercises, you need a stable base. Not a high, soft platform that sinks at the worst possible moment. Not a midsole that swallows the information from the ground. Not a shoe that seems comfortable until you have weight on top.

Because that is where the truth shows up.

A heavily cushioned shoe may feel pleasant when walking down the gym corridor. But when you train strength, that foam starts working against you. The foot loses precision, the support becomes less clear and you end up compensating without even noticing.

The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women are designed to give you a different feeling: a firmer, flatter and more connected base.

Their Motus Strength sole combines a thin 2 mm base with 1.5 mm lugs to provide traction and stability in strength training. The high midfoot sidewalls also help with lateral movements and quick changes of direction.

That makes them especially interesting for women’s barefoot cross training, functional training, intense classes, loaded work, controlled jumps, dynamic exercises and sessions where you need grip without losing natural movement.

They do not train for you.

But they let you use what you already have better.

Motus Strength II Women compared with Primus Lite IV, Motus Flex and Primus Trail

The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women have a very specific role within Vivobarefoot. And it is worth understanding it well, so you do not mix up models that look similar but are not made for the same purpose.

They are not Primus Lite IV Women. The Primus Lite IV is lighter, cleaner and more versatile for the gym, asphalt, walking and active daily wear. The Motus Strength II Women is more specific for hard training, strength, cross training, lateral grip and abrasion resistance.

They are not Motus Flex. The Motus Flex focuses on maximum mobility, flexibility and free movement in more fluid exercises. The Motus Strength II Women keeps the barefoot philosophy, but adds more midfoot structure, more traction and more protection for demanding workouts.

They are not Primus Trail. The Primus Trail is designed for dirt, trails and grip away from asphalt. The Motus Strength II Women belongs in the gym, the box, technical floors, rope, sleds, loads and changes of direction.

So the choice is quite simple.

If you want a lightweight barefoot shoe for almost everything, look at Primus Lite.

If you want extreme mobility, look at Motus Flex.

If you want trail, look at Primus Trail.

If you want a women’s barefoot shoe for strength and cross training, this is where the Motus Strength II comes in.

More lateral control for workouts where the foot does not move in a straight line

Many workouts are not just lifting and lowering. There are transitions, turns, lateral supports, jumps, changes of rhythm, rope, sled, planks, lunges and moments when the foot needs to react quickly.

And there, a barefoot shoe that is too simple can fall short.

The Motus Strength II Women adds a structure that is better prepared for that kind of movement. The high midfoot sidewalls help when support is not completely frontal. The ribbed KPU overlay adds reinforcement without blocking range of motion. And the breathable mesh upper protects without turning the shoe into a heavy shell.

This matters if you are looking for shoes to train strength, but also to move between exercises. Not just to lift a bar and stay still. Also to push, pull, change direction, climb rope or move from one exercise to another without feeling your foot swimming inside a soft shoe.

The feeling is more serious than in a basic barefoot shoe.

Firmer.

More secure.

More prepared to suffer.

But still barefoot.

And that is the key.

Who the Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women are for

The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women are for women who train strength, cross training, functional workouts, calisthenics, kettlebells, intervals or intense sessions where a lightweight shoe falls short.

They are also for those who already use barefoot footwear and want a more stable and resistant option for the gym. More prepared than a Primus Lite. More specific than a minimalist sneaker. More natural than many conventional training shoes.

If you like training with your foot close to the ground, but need more grip and more structure for loads, lateral movements and demanding exercises, they make a lot of sense.

That said, they are not for everything.

They are not the best choice if you are looking for a soft running shoe, lots of cushioning or long distances on asphalt. They are also not a trail model, nor a lightweight casual shoe for relaxed everyday walking. You can wear them outside the gym, of course, but their real place is where there is load, intensity and movement.

If you want passive comfort, foam and disconnection from the ground, they are not for you.

If you want to train with a firm base, wide toe box and real barefoot feel, then yes.

A stronger minimalist shoe, without losing natural movement

The Motus Strength II Women sit in a very interesting place: more resistant than a basic barefoot shoe, but more natural than a conventional training shoe.

They have structure, but they do not trap you.

They have grip, but they do not disconnect you.

They have protection, but they do not turn the foot into a stone.

The wide toe box allows the toes to spread and create a more stable base. Zero drop keeps the foot flat, without raising the heel. The thin sole improves support perception. And the reinforcements are designed to handle more aggressive training without removing the flexibility that makes barefoot footwear special.

This is not a shoe to make training easier.

It is a shoe to make it clearer.

To notice where you land.

To correct when you lose organisation.

To push from a more natural base.

Because when you train strength, every support matters. And when the foot can work, you notice it.

Technical features of Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women

• Zero drop for a flat and natural stride.
• Motus Strength sole with a 2 mm base.
• 1.5 mm lugs for traction and stability in strength training.
• High midfoot sidewalls to support lateral movements and quick changes of direction.
• Designed for strength, cross training, functional training, intervals, kettlebells, sled pushes and rope climbs.
• Approximate weight: 266 g in size EU 38 / UK 5 / US 7.
• Wide fit in the toe area to allow natural forefoot expansion.
• New tongue construction for a secure and adaptable fit.
• Ribbed KPU overlay to support range of motion, flexion and airflow.
• Breathable, lightweight and comfortable mesh upper.
• Upper: 100% recycled polyester.
• Lining: 100% recycled polyester.
• Laces: 100% recycled polyester.
• Outsole: 58% synthetic rubber, 22% natural rubber and 20% additives.
• Removable Ortholite Performance insole.
• Insole: 98% pre-consumer recycled polyurethane foam and 2% water-based adhesive.
• Insole topper: 100% recycled polyester.
• Vegan model according to Vivobarefoot’s classification, with the brand’s clarification regarding adhesives and dyes.

My size in Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women

The size is similar to other Vivobarefoot models. The right thing to do is to measure your foot and use the button next to the size selector.

And if you do not get it right the first time, you will the second.

The size exchange system is simple, fast and free if you activate the exchange insurance for €1.99 (valid for Spain only).

For more information about fit, read this link.

Care and maintenance of Vivobarefoot Motus Strength II Women

Materials: as they are made with breathable mesh, recycled polyester and synthetic reinforcements, it is best to remove mud, dust or chalk with a soft brush after more intense workouts.

Care products: for a deeper clean, use a dry or slightly damp cloth and mild soap if necessary. Do not use bleach, harsh detergents or strong chemical products.

Remove the insole and let the shoes dry at room temperature. Avoid tumble dryers, radiators, direct sunlight and any intense heat source. After workouts with rope, sled or abrasive surfaces, check the outsole and reinforcements to remove any accumulated dirt.

For more information, you can check the guide on care and maintenance of barefoot shoes.