REASONS TO BUY
Removable insoles with thickness options
Very minimalist
Casual style
Protective bumper
REASONS TO AVOID
Somewhat stiff at first
Fabric across midfoot is shallow
Wildling Arnow Review
These are a great casual barefoot shoe for the day-to-day or at work
Credit: Alex Glades
By Alex Glades ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 7, 2025
RELATED: The Best Barefoot Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Wildling Arnow is a casual shoe that excels in many ways. We appreciate it's simple style that functions well for work attire, yet they are comfy enough to wear day in and day out. They feature a very minimal stack height, wide toe box, and very flexible body - all features that make this a winner barefoot shoe. These shoes have one of the smallest stack heights in our barefoot shoe lineup, but the options for thicker insoles make it more approachable for those new to barefoot shoes. See how it stacks up against the rest in our barefoot shoe review
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Wildling Arnow | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Minimal Feeling Barefoot Shoe |  Best Barefoot Shoe for Men | Best Lightweight Barefoot Shoe |  Best Bang For Your Buck | Best Budget Barefoot Running Shoe |
| Price | $119 List | $120.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $70.49 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $50 List $41.99 at Amazon | $42 List $37.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | We are more than happy to wear these as our work shoe or for day-to-day errands | The spacious toe box, grippy outsole, and minor stack height make this barefoot shoe ideal for rocky trails | These minimalist shoes will help you feel one with the ground and all its intricacies | Whitin punches well above it's weight with the high performing minimalist shoe | If you're looking for a high-value trail runner option then look no further |
| Rating Categories | Wildling Arnow | Merrell Trail Glove 7 | Merrell Vapor Glove 6 | Whitin Minimalist | Whitin Cross Trainer |
| Ground Feedback (30%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Durability (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Wildling Arnow | Merrell Trail Glove 7 | Merrell Vapor Glove 6 | Whitin Minimalist | Whitin Cross Trainer |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 16.8 oz (size 10.5) | 17.4 oz (size 10) | 11.2 oz (size 9.5) | 20.2 oz (size 43EU | 20.4 oz (size 43EU) |
| Stack Height | 3.5 mm | 14mm (2.5mm lug) | 6 mm (4 mm base + 2 mm lugs) | 12mm | 6.5 mm (5 mm base + 1.5 mm insole) |
| Heel to Toe drop | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm |
| Outsole | Rubber | Vibram® Ecostep | Vibram ecostep, 30% recycled rubber, 2mm lug | Rubber | Rubber |
| Midsole | None | None | None | None | None |
| Insole | Yes | EVA foam - not removable | 30% recycled EVA foam wrapped in 100% recycled mesh | Not specified | Yes, not specified |
| Upper Material | Organic Cotton Canvas | 100% recycled breathable mesh | Recycled breathable mesh | Knit | Stretchy mesh |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Wildling Arnow features a lightweight design at 16.8 ounces for a pair of 10.5. They have a zero drop, as all barefoot shoes do. Additionally, they have just 3.5 millimeters underfoot, not including the optional insole. They are compatible with various thicknesses of insole, and we think this makes them a great option for beginners and expert barefoot-wearers alike.
The Arnow quickly rose as one of our favorite barefoot shoes.
Credit: Alex Glades
Ground Feedback
When we first slipped these on, our first thought was “wow, these feel really minimal.” And that is because they are. Without an insole, they are just 3.5 millimeters for a size 10.5. They come equipped with an optional insole at various thicknesses. Wildling offers various thicknesses for insoles. We tried the “Hanfy Double” in addition to the ones included with the shoe. These 7 millimeter insoles really make a difference in cushioning. While it dampens the ground feedback, it makes them a reasonable option for those new to barefoot shoes.
If you are going for the best ground feel, we recommend no insole at all. Without the insole, we were able to feel just about everything under our feet. Even small sidewalk cracks and tiny twigs could be felt. These shoes felt like they very lightly dampened the ground, yet we were still protected from sharp rocks.
The Arnow kept our feet protected but still offered ample ground feedback.
Credit: Alex Glades
Stability
Stability in a traditional shoe often refers to the support system, like arch support or ankle stability. In a barefoot shoe, this is a bit different. The minimalist materials offer no arch support or ankle stability. Instead, you are relying on your mechanics and foot and ankle strength. We look for shoes with a wide base that allows the toes to splay properly. Additionally, we don't want a shoe that is sliding all over the place and requires your toes to keep it in place. These shoes should be almost like a glove that allows your stride to occur just as it would without shoes on.
The Arnow has a wide base that kept our toes happy and spacious. We never felt cramped and we appreciate the boxy design that doesn't forget about the pinky toe. The outsole is slightly rounded so our stride naturally rolled without getting caught on a flat edge. We were able to lace up the shoes properly so as not to be too tight or too loose. All in all, these were an impressively stable barefoot shoe.
The Arnow was one of the easiest to roll up during our twist tests.
Credit: Alex Glades
Traction
The Arnow isn't the greatest when it comes to traction. The outsole has no lugs and instead features a minimal geometric pattern. This did fine on hard surfaces, but lacked the traction for off-road outdoor activities.
It is worth noting that not all traction has to do with the outsole and lugs. The rubber makes a huge difference. With such a soft outsole, our foot could curve around large boulders or off the edge of the curb. This increases the shoe's practicality for normal day-to-day use, but it still isn't capable of handling more rugged terrain. Plus, the upper has more flex than others, so it is well-suited as a casual shoe.
The Arnow has a minimal outsole, so they aren't the best on trails and rugged paths.
Credit: Alex Glades
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Weight
Barefoot shoes tend to be lightweight. As you might imagine, the minimal use of materials and skipped midsole shave down on weight. That said, some still feel clunky and heavy. Not the Arnow.
The Arnow lands in the middle of the group at 16.8 ounces per pair of US 10.5. This isn't the heaviest by any means, but it also isn't the lightest. The shoe feels light, though. As our team walked around, they were happy with how minimal they felt.
The insoles are removable, and if you want even thicker ones, you can get those from Wildling too.
Credit: Alex Glades
Durability
Barefoot shoes tend to struggle with durability. They are very minimal and use lightweight materials to achieve their “barefoot” feel. That said, they can often experience punctures and premature wear. However, the outsoles tend to have a longer life than traditional shoes. While cushiony midsoles wear away with time, and tread patterns get worn out, the extremely minimal rubber used in barefoot shoes keeps on going. We kept this in mind while testing each shoe.
The Arnow did well during our durability tests. This rubber outsole wraps up and around the toe box, which helped prevent scuffs and scrapes along the most susceptible part of the shoe. The rubber was also durable enough to handle everything we stepped on, rocks included. The upper was also durable and didn't show signs of wear, though we have some expectation for it to wear with more use.
The Arnow held up great during our extensive tests.
Credit: Alex Glades
Should You Buy The Wildling Arnow?
The Wildling Arnow is a well-built shoe that we have no trouble recommending. They are ready for life's daily adventures, but you should probably stay off the trails in them. The rubber bumper around the toes is a feature we particularly appreciated, as it prevented unnecessary damage to the lightweight upper. The shoe is very minimal, so they might be more of a transition for those new to barefoot shoes, but we still think they are worthy of your consideration.
What Other Barefoot Shoes Should You Consider?
If you frequent trails, we think the Merrell Trail Glove 7 is a great choice. We also think these are perfect for those newer to the barefoot style as they have more stack height. The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III is also a great option with a very minimal midsole. These have a more sporty feel and are great for the gym.
—Alex Glades
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