Wildling Mar - Women's Review

The Mar is a remarkably “barefoot” feeling shoe, even among the category. It is very thin and has some of the best ground feedback we have experienced with a shoe on. The insoles can be exchanged for thicker or thinner options, opening it up to more people in their barefoot journey.

Ground Feedback

These are the most “barefoot” feeling shoes I have tested to date. They have just 2.5 millimeters underfoot, and I could feel just about everything I stepped on. The soft rubber outsole was enough to protect my feet from being poked by rocks and twigs, but I was still aware of them.

The shoe reminds me of a ballet slipper with it being able to fold both forwards and back. This is the only shoe in the lineup that would easily move with my foot in max extension and flexion. That said, these shoes aren't for those new to barefoot shoes, unless you opt for a thicker insole. Wildling has various insoles for sale, and I suggest choosing one of the thicker ones for those new to the style. As your foot strength progresses, you will be able to switch to the thinner insole, or none at all.

Stability

The Mar has a square toe box that is generous. My feet could splay naturally as I walked, never being restricted by the walls of the shoes. The rubber outsole is cut out at the arch, meaning you won't have any arch support whatsoever. If you are new to barefoot shoes, this can be a little shocking, but becomes natural with more wear. As your feet get stronger, you might appreciate this lack of arch support. The Mar rolls up with ease, and during my twist tests, I could fold it up with minimal effort.

I never felt unsteady on my feet with the Mar. A lot of this is thanks to the very minimal stack height. The outsole is lightly rounded at the ankle, so my heel strike rolled right into the midfoot and toes. The upper is made from a lightweight canvas. The shoe has less rigidity than some others and is more challenging to get a tight fit. For running, I would opt for a different, more athletic shoe. But these will do fine in a pinch, and I have had no trouble weight lifting in these.

Traction

These shoes are great for the day-to-day, but they aren't my choice for hikes. The outsole is so minimal that it barely has any tread. Instead, it is very minor wavy lines. The rubber is grippy enough for daily wear and because the rubber is so soft, I could somewhat wrap my toes around larger rocks for traction, just like I would if I were really barefoot.

The Mar excels as a daily wearer. When heading out to the grocery store or taking my kid to the park, these are my choice. On concrete, gravel, hardwood, and tile, I have no concerns for the shoe's traction. As previously mentioned, my traction concern is more for hiking on more substantial terrain. When I traversed along a riverbank, I had decent traction. However, when I tried to ascend a steep hill, I wasn't as sure-footed.

Weight

The Wildling Mar weighs just 11.7 ounces per pair for an EU 40. It was no surprise to me that these were so light; they feel very lightweight while I am walking around. This is part of the reason I liked them so much; they really are minimal and one of the most “barefoot” feeling shoes that I have tested.

I used Wildling's printable size chart to order the shoes. Wildling's recommended sizing says they have already included enough rolling room, so I was easily able to find my size. With how generous the toe box is, I didn't need to order a half size up, as I often need to do with traditional shoes. With how minimal these are, there isn't any padding anywhere in the shoe, which helps cut back on weight.

Durability

I have some minor concerns with the durability of these shoes. During my very extensive testing of these shoes, I haven't seen any major wear. However, the suede along the toe box is susceptible to scuffs and dirt. Likewise, because the outsole is cut out around the arch, this area of suede also picks up some wear. Still, I have no holes or rips in the shoes, which is impressive with how much I wear these.

Some user reports have mentioned the outsole getting punctured as it is so thin. However, I had no issue with this. I wore these shoes in woodchips, on rocks, and on light hiking trails. The outsole was never punctured, nor does it appear to be damaged. Unless you are walking on something very sharp, the outsole should hold up just fine. That said, because the outsole doesn't cover the arch, this is a weaker point. Because the shoe is made from organic cotton canvas, they aren't water resistant at all. I unfortunately found myself with wet feet during a rainy day.

Should You Buy the Wildling Mar?

Our team loved this barefoot shoe. It is remarkably balanced and offers excellent ground feedback. The Wildling Mar is perfect for the experienced barefoot shoe wearer. If you want to slowly transition into this shoe, you can purchase thicker insoles from Wildling to make the transition more bearable. Otherwise, we think these are great for the day-to-day and for travels. However, those who live in a wet climate might want to opt for another, more weather-proof option.

What Other Barefoot Shoes Should You Consider?

The Lems Primal Zen have 9.5 millimeters underfoot and offer a smoother transition into the style without sacrificing the zero-drop and wide toe box, so these can be a little more gentle for those new to barefoot shoes. If you need something more capable of trails, the Merrell Trail Glove 7 is our choice thanks to the minimal, yet capable outsole.