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We hopped, skipped, jumped, and ran in 14 minimalist shoes from Vivobarefoot, Xero, Merrell, Lems, and more to bring you a seriously comprehensive review
Credit: Becca Glades
By Becca Glades ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Updated May 8, 2026
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 14 of the top options.
Our favorite barefoot shoe is the Vivobarefoot Gobi II Leather. This shoe is seriously versatile, with style and functionality as its top attributes.
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.
Editor's Note: On May 8, 2025, we updated this review to include a new award-winning barefoot shoe like the Vivobarefoot Gobi II Leather, Merrell Vapor Glove 7, and Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV.
The Vivobarefoot Gobi II quickly became our favorite barefoot shoe for its versatility, whether it be daily wear, travel, or lifting. The stylish suede upper looks great with casual outfits (and even summer dresses), yet it has a rugged edge that keeps it from feeling too fancy. That said, we gladly packed this in our gym bag and took it on walks around our neighborhood. Underfoot, the shoe is very minimal, but offers more protection than the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV, though less sensitive. The same is true for the leather upper. We scraped and bumped these against rocks, and had no trouble with their durability, which is a concern we had for those with mesh uppers. They have an accommodating fit that allows proper toe splay, but the laces can also be cinched if you have a more narrow foot. The colorway we tested includes two colors for laces - maroon and white, so you can choose whatever works best with your style.
Our biggest concern was the outsole traction on wet indoor flooring. We slipped a few times when encountering wet tile, so we don't recommend these for work or anywhere you might encounter slick tile. The Lems Primal Zen has a much grippier exterior for surfaces like this. We also had a short break-in to get the Gobi II feeling just right. At first, the upper was stiff. However, after a weekend of wear, they were loosened up and flowing with our natural stride. Still, we think the short break-in is well worth it. Additionally, these are on the pricey side, but given how durable they are, you'll get more miles out of them than with other barefoot shoes.
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.
The Merrell Vapor Glove 7 has the most sensitive ground feel of all the barefoot shoes we have tested. The outsole is extremely thin and flexible, allowing your feet to move almost as freely as they would barefoot. Our feet wrapped around rocks and branches as we trekked around, increasing their natural stability and traction. We were able to feel just about everything underfoot, like pebbles and cracks in the sidewalk, though slightly dampened as compared to being fully barefoot. The Vibram outsole is great for slick surfaces like wet rock and tile, and we would even opt for these as a water shoe.
The Vapor Glove 7 has a slightly narrower fit than the previous version, though it is still roomy enough for a proper toe splay for those with average-width feet. However, if you have wide feet, you'll want to opt for another option like the Lems Primal Zen or Whitin Minimalist. These shoes also don't have a removable insole, so the midsole size is what you get - no option to slim it down or beef it up. We don't think this is a huge problem if you're after the most barefoot feel, but they aren't great for newer barefoot wearers who want a little extra cushion. The Merrell Trail Glove 8 is very similar to this shoe, but with a thicker midsole, should you want more underfoot.
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 latest version of the Primus Lite remains our favorite gym shoe, especially for weightlifting. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV boasts a wide, low to the ground, very solid base. Our toes could splay fully, enhancing our natural balance and foot strength. The entire shoe is among the most flexible, yet it doesn't slide off the heel during bigger movements. The result is a “barefoot” feel during gym work without actually having to ditch the shoes. The lightweight mesh upper is breathable as well, so our feet were able to stay cool during our full workouts.
There isn't much between your foot and the ground (just 2 mm of tread and 2 mm of sole). While a pro for many cases, these aren't our favorite shoes for extensive outdoor wear. These can also be a jarring experience for new barefoot shoe wearers, unlike the Primal Zen, which has a little more cushion underfoot. Additionally, the outsole, like on the Gobi II, lacks traction on wet surfaces as well. Still, if you're after a gym shoe that helps keep you balanced and grounded, these are the choice.
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 that will tackle river and snow days. Our toes stayed warm and dry as we hopped across rocks and braved the snow. Credit: Rebecca Glades
Product Comparison Table
Connecting to your surroundings is one of the major perks of wearing barefoot shoes. Credit: Becca 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.
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 Tested
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!
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
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. 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 Merrell Vapor Glove 7 has some of the best ground feedback of all the shoes we tested. While not the thinnest sole at 6 mm, its still plenty thin and very flexible. Our feet worked around twigs, rocks, and even softer surfaces with no trouble. We could feel plenty underfoot. The shoes don't have a removable insole, so the ground feedback of these shoes cannot be adjusted for those newer to the style.
We could feel plenty underfoot in the Merrell Vapor Glove 7. Credit: Becca Glades
The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV 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.
The Primus Lite IV has minimal underfoot, which can be a bit much at first. Credit: Becca Glades
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.
Barefoot Shoe Stack Height
Stack Height
Vibram FiveFingers KSO
3.5 mm
Vivobarefoot Gobi II Leather
3.7 mm
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV
4 mm
Vibram FiveFingers KSO EVO
5 mm
Merrell Vapor Glove 7
6 mm
Xero Shoes HFS II
8.5 mm
Xero Shoes Prio
8.5 mm
Earth Runners iON SYNC Tolos
8.5 mm
Lems Primal Zen
9.5 mm
Lems Chelsea Waterproof
9.5 mm
Xero Shoes Tari
10 mm
Whitin Minimalist
12 mm
Merrell Trail Glove 8
14 mm
Joomra Minimalist Trail
14 mm
The Vivobarefoot Gobi II has just 2.4 mm of sole, 1.3 mm of tread, and a lightweight cork insole. The outsole doesn't bend as freely as mesh/synthetic upper options in our lineup, but it still offers excellent feedback. These shoes have more of a stable feel due to the suede leather upper that holds the shoe more steady. Both new barefoot shoe wearers and seasoned pros can find something to love about this style, as it isn't too aggressive, yet still plenty “barefoot” in feel.
As we explored around, we felt plenty underfoot in the Gobi II, yet the upper kept us feeling supported. Credit: Becca 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, and offering up a great option for beginners. This soft rubber also made the Whitin Minimalist feel responsive underfoot, even with its thicker stack of 12 millimeters.
On the left (white shoe) is the Merrell Vapor Glove, and on the right (black shoe) is the Merrell Trail Glove. Here you can see the differences in stack height between the two very similar shoe. The Trail Glove offers much more cushion underfoot, which can be ideal for those new to barefoot shoes.
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
Both the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV and Gobi II offered excellent stability through a wide base and small stack height. These rely on your foot strength and balance to keep you supported and stable. The Gobi offered slightly more stability compared to the Primus Lite IV due to the leather upper and cork insole that molds to your foot over time.
The Primus Lite IV has a solid base that is wide and thin, connecting you to the ground to keep you stable and secure in your footing. Credit: Becca 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.
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 8. 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 pebbles can sometimes get lodged in the crevices.
The Trail Glove 8 is great for rocky paths thanks to its Vibram outsole. Credit: Becca Glades
The Merrell Vapor Glove 7 has the same tread pattern and Vibram outsole that the Trail Glove features. The outsole is sticky on most surfaces, including wet rock and sandy beaches.
The Vapor Glove 7 also has a Vibram outsole, but its inverted lugs aren't as aggressive. Credit: Becca 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.
The Lems Chelsea did a great job tackling various surfaces, including wet forest floors. Credit: Rebecca Glades
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 has a lightweight mesh upper and minimalist outsole that helps make it so light at just 11.6 ounces for the pair. It is very breathable, and even doubles as a water shoe if you are in a pinch. The Vibram FiveFingers KSO weighs in at 11.5 ounces. The FiveFingers KSO have minimal material underfoot (just 3.5 millimeters!) and they feature a lightweight synthetic upper.
The Merrell Vapor Glove 7 is one of the lightest pairs of shoes we have tested, and it is obvious once they are on. Credit: Becca Glades
Next in line are the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite and Earth Runners iON SYNC Tolos at 12.7 and 13.4 ounces, respectively. Both of these have minimal rubber underfoot and synthetic polyester uppers that avoid bulky weight. Of the two, the Vivobarefoot are much less noticable on due to the super flexible upper. While the iON SYNC Tolos are light, the upper is more rigid in comparison, which can feel restricting to movement.
Here are the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite IV and Earth Runners Tolos. The Primus Lite feels much lighter and airy on compared to the Tolos.
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.
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
The Vivobarefoot Gobi II is made from a durable suede leather that withheld plenty of wear in our tests. We travelled with this shoe and were pleased with how well it held up, even though the light color showed some scuffs. We bumped against rocks and twigs, and even got wet in the river, and they didn't show any durability concerns.
The Vivobarefoot Gobi II held up after various outings, including travels and lakeside walks. Credit: Becca 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 8 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 8 is more of a burly barefoot shoe, which allows it to have a longer lifespan than most. Credit: Becca 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 amount of space between your foot and the ground is the stack height. Typically, less means more ground feedback. Credit: Becca 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.
For the most natural feel, there shouldn't be any height difference between the heel stack and toe stack. Credit: Becca Glades
Other Notable Barefoot Shoes
Wildling Mar: We absolutely love this shoe as it really embraces what it means to be barefoot. These shoes have a soft, pliable outsole that bends around what you are stepping on. The outsole is 2.5 millimeters thick, and the removable insole is available in various thicknesses depending on your preference. These are a seasonal shoe by Wildling, so they might not be available today, but keep an eye out for when they are.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III: These are still widely available and often on sale. They are very similar to the new version, with different materials that are slightly heavier (about 2 ounces).
Xero Z-Trail EV: These barefoot sandals are great for summer. They pack up small, dry fast, and can be taken anywhere, all while letting your toes move freely.
The Mar is responsive to the ground, and the soft outsole allows you to still feel what is underfoot. Credit: Becca Glades
Conclusion
With the benefits including stronger feet and better balance, we understand why choosing the right pair can be a long journey. We hope to have made this process a little easier, and hope your feet are happy in your new pair of barefoot shoes.
