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Our field testing team is full of movement artists and runners of all types, who cover a variety of terrain types, move at all speeds, and get out in all weather. The result is a review full of robustly field-tested shoes and our critical perspectives on 11 of the top options.
Our favorite barefoot shoe is the Merrell Vapor Glove 6, with its small stack height, flexible outsole, and spacious toe box. These are ready to go right out of the box, and we were shocked at just how much we could feel under our feet.
For a good deal on a pair of barefoot shoes, check out the Whitin Minimalist. These are comfortable, roomy, and a great place to start if you are new to the world of barefoot shoes.
Time and time again, we reached for the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 when headed out the door. Whether we were running errands, walking the dog, or taking a trip abroad, we loved how versatile and comfortable these shoes were right out of the box. The natural shape box is wide enough for most, and allows for a proper splay step-by-step. The Vibram outsole is grippy on wet and dry surfaces, and we even found it to be a handy water shoe at the river. We felt comfortable stepping on various surfaces, from rocks and twigs to concrete. We still felt mostly everything underfoot with the subtle protection from the jagged surfaces. The lightweight material is perforated and breathable, just in case your feet run warm or you accidentally step in a puddle.
The Vapor Glove is among the most “barefoot” shoes we tested with a stack height of just six millimeters. While barefoot enthusiasts might be happy to hear about this very small stack, those who are just getting into the style might have a harder time adjusting to these shoes. Merrell offers another style very similar to the Vapor Glove called the Merrell Trail Glove 7. These shoes are almost identical but contain a 14-millimeter stack height. Both Merrell styles do not include a removable insole, so unless you add your own, the transition time might be a bit longer. However, if you want the most minimalist feel underfoot, the Vapor Glove is an excellent choice.
Interested in a barefoot shoe for the day-to-day? The Lems Primal Zen is our favorite for on-the-go functionality without looking too sporty. The faux leather and mesh make for a breathable yet protective shoe. These minimalist shoes are a great place to start if you are new to barefoot shoes. They have a 9.5-millimeter stack height with a removable cork insole. For more ground feedback, the insole can be removed. However, we find this extra cushion helpful for those new to the barefoot feel. The Primal Zen has a wide and naturally shaped toe box, and step by step, we felt like our toes could properly splay without being restricted. Lems designed the shoe with a gap in faux leather near the toe box where your toes would naturally flex, so we never felt restricted by the shoe. We appreciate the more casual styling of these shoes as they are a more versatile option.
The Primal Zen is stiffer than many other options in our lineup. Because of this, we felt more supported in the shoe. As these are more casual shoes, these aren't our top pick for running. While you certainly can run in these shoes, they feel a bit clunky for longer stretches. They weigh in at 15.3 ounces, which is about average. If you specifically want a running shoe, try the Xero HFS II. These weigh in at 14.2 ounces and have an 8.5-millimeter millimeter stack. They have tread that resembles a traditional shoe, which makes them a great option for both road and trail running. The pricey Primal Zen runs small, so be sure to order up. We found the best fit with a full size up, which took some trial and error.
To say that we were impressed with the Whitin Minimalist would be an understatement. These budget-friendly shoes deserve a spot in just about everyone's closet. They are comfortable from the first wear on and boast a very wide toe box. If you are starting your barefoot shoe journey, this is a great place to start thanks to its low pricepoint. These shoes have a 12-millimeter stack height, with an optional three-millimeter insole. If you are new to the barefoot world or prefer it, keeping the insole in can provide a little extra cushion for the transition. The Whitins are also among the “bendiest” shoes in our lineup. They easily curl up and twist up. While your feet certainly don't move that way, these flexible shoes will allow the to move in whatever direction feels natural.
Most of our testers had no problem with the wide fit of the Minimalists. However, if you have specifically narrow feet, you might feel like you are swimming in these shoes. In that case, the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III might be a better fit. Though the Primus Lite is substantially more expensive than the Whitin, they have excellent craftsmanship. We don't feel confident saying the same about the Whitin. The outsole is glued to the upper instead of stitched. While we had no problem during testing, we also realize the glue will likely degrade faster than a stitched shoe. That, along with mixed online comments, we have a hesitant take on the durability of these shoes. However, as we continue to test these, we will certainly keep you in the loop if any noticeable damage occurs. The Whitins are also heavy for a barefoot style shoe, and the flexible fabric made us uncomfortable for running. However, these affordable shoes excel in just about every other aspect, earning it a spot among our favorites.
Running in barefoot shoes can be a challenge, especially if you have never done it before. We recommend building your way up to this if you are used to a more traditional style shoe. During our runs, we loved the Xero HFS II. These shoes have 8.5 millimeters of stack height, with an optional insole. The tread on the bottom closely resembles a normal shoe, so when the path turned to gravel or hardpack trail, we had no trouble with slipping - a frequent issue with barefoot shoes. We wouldn't suggest these for anything more aggressive than hardpack trails, but they did all that we wanted for our runs. They are on the lighter side, especially for a running shoe, at 14.2 ounces for a US size 9. Beyond running, they make a great day-to-day shoe as well. The toe box is wide and let our toes splay during impact. Likewise, the broad base let us feel stable step-by-step.
These shoes took a few runs to break in. The upper is not very tall, meaning it dug into our testers forefoot when the insole was in. As soon as we took the insole out, we had no issue. However, this meant we didn't have the extra cushion from the insole for our runs. Additionally, the laces were very short. So, even as we let out the slack to get more room inside, the laces ran out. This could be fixed with aftermarket laces, but we wish the stock pair on the Xero HFS II were long enough. If you have more low profile feet, none of this should be a problem. But our testers with mid to high profile feet had trouble. We were also more than happy to run in the Trail Glove 7 as they have a larger stack height that tackles impact more gracefully. However, they aren't as responsive as the HFS II.
The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III is the shoe we opt for when headed to the gym or indoor specific errands. The wide base of these shoes provides plenty of stability needed for lunges or squats. We never felt like we were going to roll over one side of the shoe during our workouts. They are lightweight at 14.5 ounces with the insole. They also have minimal stack underfoot. Total they are seven millimeters, which includes the outsole and insole. If you want even more of a barefoot feel, ditch the insole for just four millimeters underfoot. These shoes are very flexible, so movements that require your toes to flex and bend are no trouble. Additionally, the mesh upper is breathable, so as your heartrate increases, you won't have to worry about sweaty feet.
Beyond the gym, these shoes are great for indoors or light outdoor use. The tread pattern is very minimal so we found them to be a bit slippery on rocks and trails. Instead we turn to a shoe with more grip, like the Merrell Trail Glove for outdoor use. The Vivobarefoot also had a steeper taper than most in the lineup. Our lead tester with a wider foot mentioned, “the toe box tapers so close to my pinky toe that it rubs more than others.” This probably won't be the case for those with more neutral and narrow feet, but those with specifically wide feet might opt for another boxier option, like the Lems Primal Zen. Although pricey, we think the Primus Lite is a great shoe that excels in indoor and gym settings and worth every penny.
When the seasons change, normal barefoot shoes can be a little chilly, especially those with breathable mesh in their upper. If you live somewhere that gets cold or snows, you don't have to give up your barefoot shoes for the seasons. We loved the Lems Chelsea for our winter months. These stylish boots are waterproof and had no trouble keeping our feet dry. They have a wide, natural-shaped toe box, and our feet never felt restricted, even with thicker socks on. We stepped through streams and hiked through snow and were pleasantly surprised that our feet stayed dry the entire time. These stylish boots can easily be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
These boots have an 9.5-millimeter stack height. While they still have good ground feedback, it isn't as good as some of the shoe-style options due to the stiffness of the rubber. And while we love them for chilly weather, the flood height is 2.5 inches, where the elastic sides start. A quick splash won't soak your feet, but standing in water deeper than this flood height will cause trouble for your toes. With all our Lems shoes, we had to order a few pairs before we got the right size, which ended up being an entire size bigger than our normal feet. The Xero Tari is another great winter boot, though we found it to be tighter across the toe box. With time, this broke in and we felt more comfortable in the boots. However, we appreciated the immediate comfort from the Lemsright out of the box.
The Lems Chelsea is a boot we will tackle river and snow days. Our toes stayed warm and dry as we hopped across rocks and braved the snow.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
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We put these barefoot shoes to the test to see which were the most like wearing nothing at all.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Why Trust GearLab
Our lead tester for this review is Becca Glades. She lives an active mountain lifestyle in Colorado. She hikes, bikes, runs, and explores in barefoot shoes, unless she is actually barefoot, of course. Becca has taken foot strengthening very seriously in the last few years and, as such, made the switch to minimalist and barefoot-style shoes. Joining Becca for this review is Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, AMGA Rock Guide, and AIARE avalanche instructor Lyra Pierotti. During winters, she leads avalanche education courses for backcountry skiers and climbers AIARE, and in the summers, she guides clients on alpine climbs and expeditions. She is also an active member of the American Mountain Guides Association. Lyra travels extensively for work, guiding mountains all over the globe, and keeps a pair of minimalist shoes with her everywhere she goes so she can keep her heart — and her feet — as strong as possible. Her career depends upon it. Her CSCS certification also gives her more in-depth knowledge of strength training and conditioning, further underlining her passion for fitness, training progression, and the relentless pursuit of healthy and efficient movement patterns.
The Whitin (left) has a much boxier toe box compared to the Vivobarefoot (right).
We twisted and rolled up lots of shoes to see how flexible they were.
The Merrell Trail Glove 7 is a top-notch trail shoe.
We wore these shoes in all our normal places and tested their sensitivity to their surroundings to see which felt the most barefoot and comfortable.
How We Test Barefoot Shoes for Women
In testing barefoot shoes, our testers were primarily concerned with the ground feedback they provided. While we wore these on various surfaces to test the feel underfoot, we also took precise measurements of the stack height and insole, should one be included. This information, along with the width of the toe box gave us a great base. We ensured our feet were up for the challenge of running miles in minimally cushioned shoes, so we strengthened our feet and got to work.
Our testing metrics for this category are divided as follows:
Ground Feedback (30% of overall score weighting)
Stability (20% weighting)
Traction (20% weighting)
Weight (15% weighting)
Durability (15% weighting)
The shoes on the left represent a normal pair of shoes that scrunch the toes together. On the left is the Xero Prio, allowing proper toe spacing and splay.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Analysis and Test Results
We tested each shoe in the environment it was designed for — that is to say, we did not unfairly knock down a road running shoe for poor performance on the trail. However, as enthusiastic adventurers with critical minds, we also wanted to see how far we could push the boundaries of some of our tested shoes. Meaning, we pushed these barefoot shoes slightly outside of the box when testing, thoroughly discussed throughout each article. Check out our findings below, and have fun out there!
The roll test comparing two shoes. The Merrell Vapor Glove (left) are far more flexible than the Xero Prio (right).
Credit: Rebecca Glades
What's the Best Value?
Are you looking for a specialist shoe or more of an all-rounder? If you have a specific use in mind, it might be easier to assess the value of a shoe. For most, the value of a product relates directly to how well it performs in the activities you love. However, many of us are looking for a shoe that will satisfy several needs. Footwear is not a trivial expense, so we assess the versatility of each shoe vs. the price. We want to help you make sure your favorite footwear is worthy of its price tag.
While we love gear, we don't like for it to accumulate, so we appreciate versatility. However, due to the nuanced nature of this type of footwear, we recommend investing in a couple of different pairs to cover you appropriately through different terrain types. The Whitin Minimalist is by far the best value in this review. The price is hard to beat and the shoes are great quality. We continue to recommend this to our friends who are looking for casual everyday barefoot shoes. Our Editor's Choice, the Merrell Vapor Glove is midpriced but another solid choice. These have a more athletic fit, so their versatility will extend beyond casual wear. As far as boots, the Lems Chelsea is not a budget-friendly option. However, the durable build is sure to last years to come.
The Whitin Minimalist are all around great barefoot shoes at a price that is hard to beat.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Ground Feedback
Barefoot shoes should feel fairly minimal underfoot. This feedback is largely due to the stack height, or the amount of shoe that separates your foot from the ground. While barefoot shoes often have less than 15 millimeters of stack height, those towards the thicker end will have less sensitive feedback. Still, we tested each and every pair, noting how much we could feel under our feet as we walked around.
The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III has just two millimeters of outsole, two millimeters of lug, and three millimeters of insole. With and without this insole we felt connected to the ground and felt just about everything we stepped on. We could feel so much underfoot, that it was almost too much at first. Those that are new to the style will certainly need some time to get used to these.
Barefoot Shoe Stack Height
Stack Height
Merrell Vapor Glove 6
6 mm
Lems Primal Zen
9.5 mm
Merrell Trail Glove 7
14 mm
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III
7 mm
Xero Shoes HFS II
8.5 mm
Vibram FiveFingers KSO
3.5 mm
Whitin Minimalist
12 mm
Lems Chelsea Waterproof
9.5 mm
Vibram FiveFingers KSO EVO
5 mm
Xero Shoes Prio
8.5 mm
Joomra Minimalist Trail
14 mm
Xero Shoes Tari
10 mm
The Vibram FiveFingers KSO has the smallest stack height in the lineup, at 3.5 millimeters. While we could feel lots under our feet, we were also somewhat distracted by the fabric between our toes. After we got more used to this sensation, we were back to feeling the minimal amount of material underfoot. The Vibram FiveFingers KSO EVO was just slightly more at five millimeters, but the same rang true. The Merrell Vapor Glove 6 has just six millimeters of stack height, making for a very sensitive feel. Not only that, but the shoes are very flexible and the rubber outsole is soft. As we walked over large boulders, our feet conformed to the natural shape of the rock, just as it would if we had no shoe on. Because this shoe has no insole, six millimeters is the lowest you will get, but we found this to be enough for our barefoot preferences.
The rubber outsole extends around the edges and toe line, taking on most bumps and scrapes.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Shoes with a larger stack height aren't necessarily a bad thing, especially if you are new tp barefoot shoes. We found options with removable insoles to be great beginner shoes. The Xero HFS II is an example of this. With the insole, the shoe has an 8.5-millimeter stack. Still, we felt grounded in these. But, remove the insole and you will have even more ground feedback. And though the Trail Glove has a larger stack height, the softer rubber allowed our feet to feel more of what we were stepping on, giving them a fairly good score in this metric. This soft rubber also made the Whitin Minimalist feel responsive underfoot, even with its thicker stack of 12 millimeters.
For trails, we love the Merrell Trail Glove 7 as they have excellent traction and stability on uneven terrain.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Stability
As barefoot style shoes are wider than traditional shoes, they are among the most stable on the market. That, plus the lack of cushion that can give you some sway in your step, barefoot shoes help with feeling stable on the ground. However, not all barefoot shoes are created equal. Some are better than others. Let's dive in.
By far, we felt the most stable in the Whitin Minimalist. These shoes have a wide toe box at 11 millimeters for a US size 9. They also have a skater-like bottom that is lightly rounded. When standing still, we didn't have any play with our stance. Plus, there is no overly cushioned sole to promote early pronation. Our toes had no trouble splaying out in these shoes. We never felt confined, and the lacing system let us get perfect fit.
The Whitin Minimalist provides a stable base due to its very wide design.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
The Merrell Vapor Glove is another sturdy shoe. Instead of the flat bottom, these lightly round around the heel and flatten back out at the toe box. This rounded heel was a little weird at first, but quickly became a feature we liked, as we felt like our foot strike was more rolling and natural. The Vapor Glove also features a roomy toe box that didn't squish our toes together.
The outsole rounds with the foot, allowing the footstrike to roll naturally.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
The Lems Primal Zen has a wide fit that helped us feel comfortably set on the ground. The 9.5-millimeter stack height isn't too much, either. Sometimes as the stack height increases, so does the instability. However, the wide toe box can often counteract this, as seen with the Merrell Trail Glove and Lems Chelsea Boot. The Lems Chelsea has a very similar bottom to the Primal Zen, but the added stability of an around-ankle build.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite has a solid base with a very small stack height of seven millimeters with the insole in, or four millimeters without. Because of this, we felt comfortable taking these to the gym for weightlifting. Some shoes, like the Xero Tari struggled as the boot was long and narrow. Meanwhile, the related Prio was so wide that we felt like we were swimming in the shoe. As we broke both shoes in, they were better in terms of stability, but we wish we didn't need to go through this break-in period.
The Xero HFS II (left) has a narrower fit than the Xero Prio (left), which is much wider.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Traction
To test traction, we took these shoes out on various terrain types, including dry and wet rock, loose and hardpack trails, steep inclines, and more. Most barefoot shoes don't have much a tread pattern with deep lugs. However, they still include features and different types of rubber that can impact the shoe's traction.
The Xero HFS II Is a standout model for traction. They have a lug pattern that is very similar to a traditional shoe. The chevron lugs handle off-road conditions and are among the best in the lineup. We gladly took these on and off-road for our runs.
The HFS II has a unique (for barefoot shoes) lug pattern that closely resembles a traditional shoe.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Tied with the HFS II are the Merrell Trail Glove 7. These feature a Vibram outsole that is sticky, especially on wet rock and loose trail. The Trail Glove is stiffer than the HFS, so they tend to be better on the trails. Instead of exposed lugs, the Trail Glove has an inverted-appearing tread pattern. We found this to be very effective, though small pebbled can sometimes get lodged in the crevices.
The Trail Glove is one of our favorite shoes for taking on the trails.
The traction on the Trail Glove is great for mild to moderate trails.
The Trail Glove 7 does what its name implies: tackles trails with ease.
The Merrell Vapor Glove 6 has the same tread pattern and Vibram outsole that the Trail Glove features. The outsole is sticky on most surfaces. Even in sandy beach, we confidently walked around feeling put on the ground without the tread getting caked in sand. Of course it was just a matter of time before we threw the shoes off and enjoyed the beach actually barefoot, though!
The Merrell Vapor Glove 6 has great traction on various surface types.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
The Lems models also did well in this metric, specifically proving to have great traction on boulders and slick rock. We took these shoes to the riverside and never once felt like we were going to slip in. Even after submerging the Chelseas, they clung to the rock without trouble. Once used to the individual toe design of the Vibram FiveFingers KSO, they can offer plenty of traction. Each toe is able to splay in the way it would without the shoe, wrapping around rocks or tree branches. Of course, this comes with a learning period, though.
Vibram's iconic FiveFinger shoes have long defined minimalist and “barefoot” footwear. Overlooking the Moscow River, Moscow, Russia.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Weight
If you're opting for a barefoot shoe, you are probably looking for the most minimal option, and weight it worth considering. We weighed all of our shoes, sized US 9, and compared the pros and cons that accompany the weight. The Vibram FiveFingers KSO EVO were the lightest of the bunch at just 8.5 ounces for the pair.
The Merrell Vapor Glove is has a lightweight mesh upper. It is very breathable, and even doubles as a water shoe if you are in a pinch. This with the six millimeter stack height allow these shoes to weigh in at just 10.4 ounces. The Vibram FiveFingers KSO follow closely behind at just 11.5 ounces. They also have minimal material underfoot (just 3.5 millimeters!) and they feature a lightweight synthetic upper.
The lightweight Merrell Vapor Glove is made from mostly mesh and a Vibram outsole that wraps around the toe.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Next in line are the Xero HFS II and Vivobarefoot Primus Lite at 14.2 and 14.5 ounces, respectively. Both of these have minimal rubber underfoot and synthetic polyester uppers that avoid bulky weight. Not only are these shoes lightweight, but they feel like almost nothing on our feet. The HFS II has slightly bulkier materials compared to the Vivobarefoot. However, both become unnoticeable after the first few wears and a lot of that is thanks to their weight.
The Vivobarefoot is not just light, but it feels light on our feet.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
The heaviest option in this lineup is the Lems Chelsea at 23 ounces. It is important to note that these are boots, and on par with the weight of the Xero Tari at 22.7 ounces. Both of these boots have leather uppers and significantly more material than the below-ankle shoe models. That said, when winter rolls around, these are an excellent way to stay barefoot. It is also important to remember how lightweight these are compared to traditional boots. They are still well under two pounds for the pair (including insoles) and don't make you sacrifice zero drop and minimal stack height.
The Xero Tari can slightly be tightened around the ankle with the buckle.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Durability
Barefoot shoes are made from lightweight and fine materials. Many concerns arrise with how long you can actually wear them for before the light upper blows through. We took this into consideration and thoroughly wore each shoe for an extended period of time. Any concerns we saw along the way were noted so we can share them with you here.
The boots in this review are by far the most durable. However, they are both constructed of leather, which causes the boot to be heavier. The Lems Chelsea gets the upper hand as the full grain leather took no damage as we bumped and scraped across rocks and twigs. The outsole confidently took on river crossings, as well as day to day ventures. After extended use, we feel that these shoes will last for many years to come.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
The Lems Primal Zen and Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III were surprisingly durable, considering their lightweight mesh and synthetic uppers. Each have a toe bumper that took on most of the scrapes and bumps of walking around. Still, they didn't show much signs of wear after they were thoroughly worn in.
The Lems Primal Zen is constructed from durable materials that handled our day-to-day.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Our concerns mostly were with the Joomra Minimalist Trail and Whitin Minimalist. We noticed quick signs of wear with the Joomra, especially after we hiked around the river with them. The knit fabric got snagged on some bushes. We also have concerns for the longevity of the quick lacing system. Both shoes are glued together rather than stitched. We didn't see any major concerns with the Whitin, but we are concerned about the glued outsole which has shown light signs of wearing away after our extended testing cycle. However, it is worth noting the reasonable price these shoes are available at.
The lacing system on the Joomra is easy to use, but we don't have a lot of confidence in the longevity of the system.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
The HFS II and Trail Glove 7 also prove to have durable builds. Both are on the stiffer side and the rubber feels more substantial than many others. While we took these shoes on plenty of runs and hikes, we didn't see much wear and tear that isn't out of the ordinary.
The Trail Glove 7 was durable enough to handle regular trail use.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
How to Choose Barefoot Shoes for Women
Stack Height
The amount of shoe underneath your foot is considered the stack. For barefoot shoes, this should be minimal, as opposed to the extra-cushiony shoes often seen today. The smaller the stack height, the more barefoot you will feel. This style typically doesn't exceed 15 millimeters. If you are new to these shoes, opt for an option that has more stack height. Over time you can switch to shoes with less height. Or, if there is a removable insole, simply remove it for even more grounding.
The Vivobarefoot has the smallest stack height in the lineup when the insoles are removed.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Toe Box
Barefoot shoes tend to have what we call “natural shaped toe boxes.” This means that they don't taper too early and your toes don't get squished. This extra space in the toe box allows for the toes to extend and splay naturally during the stride. If your toes are getting crunched in any way during walking, the size isn't right or the toe box isn't wide enough. This also allows barefoot shoes to appeal to those with wider feet, though different brands have different fits, including narrow.
The Lems Primal Zen has more sturdy materials when compared to other barefoot shoes, making them slightly heavier.
Credit: Rebecca Glades
Zero Drop
The heel-to-toe drop refers to the millimeters of height that your heel has over your toes. Barefoot shoes often have a zero drop, meaning the heel is at the same height as the toes, just as if you were barefoot. If you have never worn a zero drop shoe, or don't often walk around without shoes, this transition can be slightly annoying. With no drop, you must train the muscles in your legs and feet differently than when using shoes with drops. So, you might fatigue quicker than normal on the first few times you wear them. Rest assured, this “break in” period goes by fast, and you will feel normal in the zero drop shoes. While you wait for your barefoot shoes to arrive, you can get a head start by walking around your house barefoot.
Even the shoes with the largest stack, like the Trail Glove, have a zero heel-to-toe drop.
