What is VivoBiome?

What is VivoBiome?
VivoBiome is our vision for a revolutionary system that is digital, simple, fast, and efficient, offering a bespoke barefoot fit. We aim to create a made-to-order, made-to-measure, and locally produced system, designed to be re-made in a fully circular way.

How is VivoBiome changing the way footwear is created and consumed?
Traditional shoes are produced using slow, complex, and wasteful supply chains. Around 19 billion pairs of shoes end up in landfill each year. On top of that, shoes don’t fit well—cushioning blocks sensory feedback, weakens muscles, and limits skilled movement, leaving feet weak and misshapen. VivoBiome aims to disrupt this with a digital, streamlined process that offers a bespoke barefoot fit, made-to-order, made-to-measure, locally produced, and built to be re-made.

When will VivoBiomes be available to buy?
We’re about to launch a wear testing program in the UK, with plans to establish and test the value chain in other regions. We aim to have VivoBiome products available for retail in the UK by 2024.

Why can’t you ship VivoBiomes overseas when they retail in the UK?
VivoBiome is designed to be produced locally, in small, on-shore factories, eliminating the need for complex supply chains or shipping components and products globally. We are working towards establishing on-shore factories in various regions to make this vision a reality.

What will VivoBiomes be made of?
Our goal is to create fully circular footwear, though we aren’t there yet. Currently, we are testing processes such as disassembling the upper from the outsole using heat, mechanically recycling the outsole by grinding it down, and chemically recycling the knitted upper. These processes are still in the early stages and will evolve as the project progresses.
The Biome Wings, featured in our launch marketing campaign and on display, are made from a 3D-printed TPU outsole and a 3D-knitted polyester upper.

Where are VivoBiomes currently made?
Our long-term vision is to manufacture the entire product locally. For now, different parts of the prototype are made in various locations as we collaborate with partners. The outsoles are 3D-printed in Ireland by WAZP, the uppers and laces are made in Vietnam, and final assembly takes place in Portugal.

How do you turn VivoBiomes into another pair?
We’re working towards creating fully circular footwear. At present, we’re testing processes to disassemble the upper from the outsole, mechanically recycle the outsole, and chemically recycle the upper. These processes are still in development and will likely change as the project matures.