The 7 Best Barefoot Shoes, According To Athletes

Weight: 8 ounces | Stack height: 7 mm | Removable insole: Yes

Pros:

• Durable
• Versatile use
• Sleek aesthetic

Cons:

• Traction could be better

There’s no passing off the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV as a “normal” shoe, but it does blow others out of the water when it comes to aesthetics. Their matte material gives them a sleek, sporty finish that carries an air of sophistication—a rarity in barefoot shoes, which can tend to resemble duck feet.

Looks aside, the Primus Lite IV earns our vote for the best barefoot shoe because of its unmatched durability and versatility. The hardy, weather-resistant upper combined with a puncture-resistant finish on the sole makes this shoe especially resilient across both indoor and outdoor settings. Hexagonal patterns on the sole give the rubber enough flexibility to roll into a tight ball, which says a lot about the range of motion that your feet can access while wearing a pair. A fellow ultrarunner that I trained with in Leadville last summer actually kept these stashed in his hydration vest while running so he could swap them with his higher stack shoes whenever he needed a change in ground feel. Just be wary of the grip, as these soles don’t shine on loose terrain. But paved roads, flat tracks and gentle trails—rain or shine—are fair game.

Weight: 10.2 ounces | Stack height: 6.5 mm | Removable insole: Yes

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Wide variety of styles
• Surprisingly strong grip

Cons:

• Somewhat baggy fit

The Whitin Cross Trainers can give you an idea of how barefoot shoes might fit into your life without making a bigger investment before you’re sure. At this price, it’s easy to justify these, even as an experiment. They have a slightly higher stack height than most barefoot shoes, which is another point in favor of these as a smart starting point for those new to barefoot shoes. They also grip the ground well on both smooth and loose surfaces, so you can learn to trust the strength of your own feet while also relying on the shoe itself to keep you upright. Their impressive traction makes them a good option for road-to-trail adventures, too.

Unless you have exceptionally wide feet from heel to toe, however, the Cross Trainers might not provide the second-skin fit that most want in a barefoot shoe.

Weight: 5.6 ounces | Stack height: 9 mm | Removable insole: No

Pros:

• Easy on and off
• Soft, comfortable fabric next to skin
• Practical and packable

Cons:

• Narrow and low volume

No joke, I fell asleep in my Sunrises while camping once. It’s that easy to mistake them for socks, given their soft fabric and unobtrusive profile. The Xero Shoes Sunrise Slip-On accompanies me everywhere: camping trips, family visits, long drives, cross-country flights, casual date nights, lunch meetings, you name it. They’re the one item in my bag that, as a self-proclaimed over-packer, I never have to question because they take up so little space. The microfiber upper bounces right back after being flattened like a pancake under the heaviest piles of gear and weaseled into the tightest corners of any pack. I’ve been toting them that way for going on two years now with barely a mark in the fabric to show for either the wear or the transport. Plus, they feel like a dream on bare skin, so socks are optional.

These shoes cradle narrow feet well, which isn’t exactly common for barefoot shoes. Wide-footed folk may want to size up, or at least let them stretch a bit before writing them off. Even so, elastic panels make the upper limber enough to pull on, then retract to lock in the fit. Skip and shuffle around all you want; these shoes aren’t going anywhere. For a more relaxed fit, though, just slide in, as the heels are made to fold down to switch the fit between slipper and shoe.

Weight: 13 ounces | Stack height: 12 mm | Removable insole: Yes

Pros:

• Retro aesthetic crosses over well from trail to life
• Lightweight for a hiking boot
• Waterproof

Cons:

• Slightly stiff in the ankle

Hiking boots don’t typically fall under my definition of stylish. That’s OK; they have a job to do, and it’s not to look cute on the trail. But fashion nevertheless meets function in the Ridgeway Hiking Boot from Xero Shoes. These look like retro-inspired, cool-kid kicks while actually pulling their weight in practice.

A waterproof coating atop canvas and suede, plus a seam-sealed inner bootie means the Ridgeways are up for anything nature may throw your way. Extra rubber wrapped up and around the edges of the shoe creates the illusion of a standard sole and adds some protection along the sides of your feet, perfect for tromping across uneven terrain without worry.

What our editors say: “As someone with flat feet, I’ve come to appreciate the long-term comfort and durability that Xero shoes provide. While the brand emphasizes its lightweight, minimalist designs, boots like the Ridgeway rely on loads of flex and a wider toe box to improve comfort. It’s as if you’re wearing a shoe that doesn’t want you to know it’s on your foot,” says gear editor Cam Vigliotta. “Even if you don’t have flat feet like I do, the ability to feel what’s underfoot, be it a slippery rock or a jagged root, is a unique experience. In fact, it’s what lures me back to minimalist trail footwear whenever I need a new pair of shoes. It might take a little while for your feet and legs to adapt if you’re unaccustomed to zero-drop footwear that offers minimal cushioning, so take things slow and in time, you might find yourself reaching for minimalist models like the Ridgeway and Sunrise Slip-On.”

Weight: 8.5 ounces | Stack height: 14 mm | Removable insole: No

Pros:

• Good traction on loose terrain
• Lightweight for a trail shoe
• Low-profile, close fit

Cons:

• Higher stack height than most barefoot shoes

Barefoot trail shoes can be hit or miss. The rugged nature of trail running demands more cushion and protection underfoot than barefoot shoes tend to offer. Unless you’re a fan of stone bruises, seek out shoes on the upper end of minimalist. That’s exactly where the Merrell Trail Glove 7s fall. One review deems them “barefoot-ish” due to the 14 millimeter stack height, which might disqualify these as truly barefoot shoes in the minds of some purists. But the slight increase in stack makes the Trail Gloves more effective on the trails while still adhering to the other defining characteristics of barefoot shoes: zero drop heel, flexible sole, low-profile upper, foot-shaped fit, ultralight construction, etc. A bit more support underfoot gives more confidence for pitter-pattering over rocks and bouncing over fallen branches.

A snug heel cup and wide toe box matter most in barefoot shoes, but these fit especially well in the mid-foot, which plays an important role in how they function on trails. It stabilizes the foot so you experience less slippage as you skid into a switchback or side-step around a fallen branch. A friend of mine who competes in the skyrunning sector of trail running mixes in the Trail Glove to her shoe rotation for just that reason; no other barefoot shoe gives her the protection she needs from harsh rocky terrain.

Weight: 6.4 ounces | Stack height: 8.5 mm | Removable insole: Yes

Pros:

• Extremely soft and flexible
• Comes in two width options
• Extra-wide toe box

Cons:

• Less precision due to extra-wide toe box

There isn’t a more supple barefoot shoe than the Softstar Primal RunAmoc. They’re also our top pick for wide feet because the toe box can’t be beat. You’re unlikely to even graze the edges of these shoes on either side. The “regular” width is still wider than most on the market, though there’s also a “wide” option for those on the far end of the spectrum. Prepare to sacrifice some precision in exchange for toe splay; the extra room up front does allow for some slippage. But on less technical terrain, the RunAmocs handle just fine for wide-footed folk. Those with narrow feet may want to save these for time spent on straightforward roads and trails.

Leather construction makes these shoes feel more comfortable than they appear. The tongue pads the top of the foot especially well—an area that most barefoot shoes breeze over. Runners with high insteps (like my first running partner, who struggled with bruising and chafing on the top of his foot until he found the RunAmocs) should appreciate the hint of cushion there. For even more comfort and peace of mind, they have protective toe caps made from upcycled bike tubes.

Weight: 5.9 ounces | Stack height: 15 mm | Removable insole: No

Pros:

• Customizable fit
• Uninhibited foot flexion
• Secure footbed

Cons:

• Narrow at the forefoot

I hesitate to even call the Luna Mono Sandal a “barefoot shoe” because it’s barely a shoe at all. There’s more negative space than actual material here, but that’s exactly the point. If the sole could only stay on by itself, Luna would probably scrap the straps, too. But since that’s not possible, it’s a good thing that they’re adjustable at all points so you can dial in a precise fit behind the heel and across the instep. This prevents the sole from flopping and slapping against the ground. Be forewarned that the straps do require a break-in period, but soften up considerably after a handful of wears. Take it from my good friend who backpacked the entire Appalachian Trail in the same pair of these sandals. After the first week, any sign of rubbing or chafing had completely faded. Light padding around the heel does a good job of preventing blisters or Achilles aggravation in the back.

The open-framework upper of these sandals gets to the core of the barefoot shoe mentality. Your toes are free to wiggle and splay completely uninhibited (though those with wide feet might find that their pinkies fall off the edge of the footbed should the straps get too loose). Despite the lack of enclosure, texture on the footbed retains a solid grip on the bottom of your feet for stabilization. The 4-millimeter lugs on the sole dig into the ground for external traction, as well.