The Best Barefoot Shoes for Walking or Running
You were born barefoot, and a growing body of evidence suggests you should have stayed that way. The technology and padding of the modern shoe protect your feet, but protection isn't always what you want. Feet were made to stretch, flex, roll, and bend, and letting them do what they evolved to do can reduce impact injuries and provide a host of other benefits.
What Makes a Barefoot Shoe?
Readers often ask why we don't include Altra or other zero-drop shoes. The answer has to do with how thick the sole is. Our definition of a barefoot shoe is that it should have a thin sole, or stack height as this is sometimes called. I put the cutoff at 10 mm or less (ideally less) to allow for good ground feel and toe splay, and to give you the kinds of feedback your foot needs to maintain natural movement.
That said, there are some categories where this doesn't always make sense. WIRED readers asked about heavier, work-boot style shoes, so we now include Lems boots. They have a 13-mm sole, but no arch. Splitting hairs over definitions does more harm than help to the barefoot community in my opinion. Zero-drop shoes are a huge step up from high-arch, super-padded running shoes, and if that's where you want to start, that's great.
That said, please do not buy a pair of these barely-there shoes and start walking or running the way you always have. That won't work, and it can lead to injuries. You need to ease into all things barefoot-related, and to some degree you need to relearn how to walk and run. In this guide, we've got advice on making the transition from padded shoes to “barefoot shoes” (also known as minimalist shoes or zero-drop shoes), and we've rounded up our favorites. They're as close as you can get to achieving that barefoot sensation without running afoul of “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” signs.
Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including our Best Running Gear and Best Snow Gear roundups.
Updated November 2024: We've added Xero's new Ridgeway Chelsea boots, Merrell's Vapor Glove 6, Pedestal Footwear's workout shoes, and made Vivobarefoot's All-Weather Primus Trail our new favorite trail running shoe. We've also updated prices and links throughout.
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Photograph: Nick Dolding/Getty ImagesGo Barefoot Before You Buy
Test the WatersThe best barefoot footwear out there is … your bare feet. There is no need to run out and spend money on any of these shoes. Instead, start by walking around barefoot. This may be easier said than done; if you live in a major US city, don't stroll the sidewalks barefoot. See if a nearby park has some small stretch of grass you can explore barefoot.
Don't walk far—10 paces is enough—but as you walk, pay attention to your feet. Focus on how much of your foot is actually in contact with the ground. If you're like most people, this can be a mind-blowing experience. Now put your shoes on and go home. If you wake up the next day feeling fine, go do it again for a little longer. Keep slowly expanding your distance until you can comfortably walk a mile barefoot. Once you've got that down, you're ready to go all-in on some shoes for places where your bare feet aren't acceptable.
- Photograph: Xero
Best Sandals
Xero Shoes Z-TrailI love these shoes. They are the only shoes that have ever inspired me to write 1,000 words. They are really that good. Think of these as the barefoot answer to Chacos. Except where Chacos are like putting tractors on your feet, the Z-Trails still flex and bend as you walk, giving your feet the freedom of movement you expect from a barefoot shoe. Despite being sandals, these have 10 mm of cushion, which is more padding than most of the shoes you see here. That makes the Z-Trail a good option for newcomers.
Having been wearing barefoot shoes for six years now I don't wear these as much as I once did. I prefer the even more minimalist Xero Z-Trek sandals ($60), which eliminate the soft padding in favor of an extra-minimal 6-mm sole. I don't recommend the Z-Trek if you're just starting out with barefoot shoes, but if you're looking for something more minimal, but don't want to do with the truly minimalist sandals below, they're ideal.
- Photograph: Merrell
Best for Barefoot Runners
Merrell Vapor Glove 6The Vapor Glove 3 was the first barefoot shoe I ever tried, and three generations later the Vapor Glove 6 is still a great shoe for running. These make a good intro to barefoot running because they're still fairly shoelike (you don't have to go straight to Micah True-style homemade huaraches), but with a wide toe box and tight heel cup. They have zero drop (the heel is the same height as the forefoot) and minimal padding, putting them firmly in the barefoot shoe camp. It's a solid, comfortable shoe that will fit a wide range of feet and stand up to all the abrasion and other abuse of trail running.
My only problem is that Merrell feels the need to update the Vapor Glove constantly. I missed a couple of versions, but after spending some time in the Vapor Glove 6 this summer I'm back to recommending these, especially for newcomers who want to run barefoot. The one thing I don't like about these shoes is that they only last me about six months of average use (say 3-5 miles, 3 days a week).
- Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
The Best All-Weather Running Shoe
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III All Weather FGVivobarefoot's Primus Trail shoes have been in this guide in various guises since it launched years ago, but this latest version is their best. While I have picked the Merrell Vapor Glove over these for most people, these are my favorite running shoes. If I lived in southern California or the desert, I'd probably stick with the Merrells, since they're cheaper. But I don't. I live in a climate that turns to complete muddy mess for four months of the year and a frozen world of snow for another four.
That's where Vivobarefoot's all-weather Primus Trail come in. They are not kidding about the all-weather. These really do keep my feet dry in anything I've thrown at them. Except like, running through a river, but no shoe stays dry when you submerge it. Despite this, my feet don't feel overly suffocated, nor do they end up a soaked sweaty mess (pro tip: get these Minus33 Merino Trail Running running socks ($23), they will change your life). Originally I disliked the outer material of these, which makes noise at first, but that went away as these broke in and these are now my go-to shoes for trail running.
- Photograph: Luna Sandals
Best for Sandal Beginners
Luna Sandals Mono WingedIf you've never run in sandals before, Luna's Mono Winged Edition is a great way to start. These are technically what I (and Luna) call “zero-drop,” rather than “barefoot.” The soles are thick enough to provide a good cushion—you're less likely to bruise your feet the first time you run in them. At the same time, the strap design allows your ankle to get used to moving around in a way that modern running shoes do not allow, easing the transition to sandals. That's not to say that veteran barefoot runners won't enjoy them as well. I love them for hard surfaces, like concrete and asphalt. Experienced barefoot enthusiasts looking for a thinner sandal might like Luna's Venado sandals ($95), which lack the trail-friendly sole but are much thinner.
- Photograph: Softstar
Best Minimalist Runners
Softstar Primal RunAmocMy wife came back from her first run in these Softstar Primal RunAmocs and said they were so good, she'd never wear any other shoe again. I agree; they're excellent shoes. The soles are minimal, like those in the rest of this guide, but for some reason they seem softer and let me feel the ground more than many others. The leather uppers are the softest leather I've ever owned and, surprisingly, don't make my feet overly sweaty (which I was worried about going in—again, merino wool socks help a lot). The toe box is wide, almost comically so, but after wearing these you'll never want to go back to a smaller toe box. The more your toes can move, the better you will run.
If you routinely run in muddy conditions, I'd suggest the Megagrip model, which uses a Vibram sole with more traction on it. My other suggestion is that you use Softstar's sizing guide but then order a full size bigger, as all three pairs I tested were on the small side. I should also note that Softstar makes some great barefoot shoes for children as well.
- Photograph: Xero
Best All-Around Shoe
Xero Shoes Prio NeoRemember when you were a kid and you just had shoes? Like one pair of shoes? They were your shoes. There were not shoes for the gym and shoes for a night out. There were just shoes. If you want to return to that world of minimalist fashion, I recommend these. Xero calls them “athleisure” shoes, which gets most of their appeal into a single word. They're trim, light, flexible, and well ventilated, making them good for a run, but they're also nice enough to wear around town as a causal shoe.
If you want something even nicer, there's a Prio Suede ($110, Men's/Women's), which is more or less the same shoe in suede.
- Photograph: Freet
Best Slip-On
Freet TangaWIRED readers are big Freet fans. I got quite a few emails suggesting I try these, and I'm glad I did because the Tangas are my new favorite around-the-house shoes. The single-piece mesh upper is made of recycled coffee grounds, so they lean on the positive side of the sliding scale that is environmental friendliness. They're also very comfortable, and the mesh fabric is nicely breathable for warm days.
The Tangas sport a thicker 6.5-mm sole out of the box, but it's easy to pull out the insole and reduce that down to 4 mm if you want a thinner feel. This makes them a good way to start your barefoot journey, since you can reduce the amount of padding as you go.
★ Alternative: Xero's new Pagosa slippers ($75, Men's/Women's) aren't nearly as robust as the Freet Tangas, but make a good slip on for around-the-house wear in cooler months. They're vegan (fake wool) and keep your feet toasty without feeling trapped. My only complaint is that the soles squeak loudly on my floors, YMMV.
- Photograph: Xero
Best Barefoot Hiking Boot
Xero Shoes Scrambler Mid II WPIf you're headed out on rocky trails, or just want some additional ankle support in your barefoot shoe, my favorite barefoot boot is Xero's Scrambler Mid II. The Scrambler was just updated for spring 2024 with a new waterproof version (using PFAS-free waterproofing), which I tested this past fall.
I'll confess that when it arrived I was dismayed at the thickness of the sole. Turns out that's an optical illusion designed to make it look more like a hiking boot. The sole has two parts. The outsole lug layer uses a Michelin-designed material. Above that is the typical padding layer you'd find in any Xero trail shoe. The result is a strong, but still thin and flexible sole.
The waterproof upper worked very well in my testing, but you do lose some breathability compared to regular mesh (there's a not-waterproof version available as well). I like these because they're very light (about 12 ounces) and have great traction, but don't sacrifice too much of the barefoot feel. They're also made of high-quality materials that have stood up to considerable abuse on the trail.
★ Alternative: I also tested the Scrambler Low ($150), which has the same sole, but in a lower cut under the ankle. It ends up feeling like the HFS running shoe (recommended below), but with a much more heavy-duty, grippy sole. Also worth noting, Xero's Mesa Trail II ($120, Men's/Women's) makes a great hiking shoe that can also double as trail runners when you want to move faster.
- Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Best Zero-Drop Boot
Lems Boulder Boot Grip WaterproofWIRED readers have been emailing me to ask about barefoot leather boots. I tested quite a few, and these Lems rose to the top of the stack for two reasons: They're incredibly well made and they have that rugged leather boot look that's otherwise missing in the barefoot shoe world. Barefoot purists will decry the 13-mm sole; just call it a zero-drop boot if you get hung up on technical terms. That said, I found these somewhat jarring after years in 6-mm sandals. There is very little ground feel, but they're reasonably wide, especially in the toe box, which helps give them a different feel than your typical leather boots. When the snow has been dumping and the thermometer is just a puddle of red well below 0 degrees, these are nice to have.
- Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Best Leather Barefoot Hiking Boot
Vivobarefoot Tracker II FG BootVivobarefoot's Tracker II FG is the most comfortable hiking boot I've worn, barefoot or otherwise. It's somewhat the luck of the draw, but whatever the case, these happen to fit my feet perfectly with a nice, tight heel that doesn't slip and a reasonably wide toe box that lets my toes splay out quite well considering it's a leather boot. I did 8 miles with these straight out of the box and didn't come home with a single hot spot or blister (that said, I do suggest trying on any shoe before you buy, or ordering from somewhere with a good return policy since every foot is different). I've been wearing them now for hundreds of miles and even use them as work boots and as with any good shoe, I forget I'm wearing them most of the time.
The tread on these is similar to all Vivobarefoots labeled FG (firm ground), which is to say good, but not nearly the huge lugs you'll find on “normal” hiking boots. Personally I don't want those huge lugs, I want to feel the ground, but if you do love you some lugs, I also tested Vivobarefoot's Forest Esc ($270), which features a heavier tread. I don't like the looks as much, but if you love the lugs or ruck in a lot of muddy terrain the Forest Esc is worth considering.
- Photograph: Xero
Best Winter Boot (Women's)
Xero Shoes Tari Boot (Women's)This slip-on boot has kept my daughter's feet warm from the cold winter beaches of Texas to the frigid plains of Colorado. While technically a slip-on, it does have an adjustable strap that runs from the top of the arch, down to the sole, and then through a buckle near the back, which means you can snug it down a little if you need to. That said the fit on these is pretty true to size, so unless you have a very low arch, you shouldn't need the strap too much. I am the last person you want to go to for fashion advice, but to my eye these look great. Unless they're really familiar with barefoot shoes, most people probably won't notice these as anything other than cool boots.
- Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Best Chelsea Boot
Xero Shoes Ridgeway Chelsea BootXero's new Ridgeway Chelsea is half Chelsea fashion boot, half hiking boot. Xero has paired the sole it uses in its Ridgeway hiking boots with a leather Chelsea boot-style upper. The sole is on the heavy side, and the leather is somewhat stiff, but the toe box is nice and wide. The stiffness of the leather, combined with the heavier sole make these good for rocky trails as well as paved city streets.
Despite the toe box being roomy, I found these overall on the small side. I had to size up to an 11, which still on the tight side. I would suggest getting these somewhere with a good return policy just in case you need to swap them out for a larger size (if you're near an REI, they usually have a pretty good stock of Xero shoes so you can try before you buy).
- Photograph: Vivobarefoot
Best For Around Town
Vivobarefoot Gobi IVThe Gobi IV is Vivobarefoot's take on a barefoot chukka-boot style casual dress shoe. The wild hide leather is sourced from independent African cattle farmers. If you're looking for a shoe to wear around town, this is one of the best-looking barefoot shoes you'll find. The leather is soft, and I had no issues with chafing. I didn't mind wearing them without socks; my feet did not get sweaty in the leather, as I'd feared. That said, they're definitely the warmest shoes on this page, so keep that in mind if you live someplace hot.
The sole is a 4mm outer, with a cork inner that ends up at about 6mm overall, giving them good ground feel and plenty of movement. They do run wide—especially in the toe box (a good thing, really)—so I recommend trying these on in person if you can. I've included links to last year's Gobi III which is very similar and can still be had in some sizes for bit less money.
- Photograph: Xero
Best for Road Running
Xero Shoes HFSI've tried several of Xero's various running shoes, but the HFS is my favorite for running on human-made surfaces like concrete and asphalt. That said, they work great on trails too. I went backpacking in mine with a 45-pound pack and had no problems. Barefoot purists (yes, those exist, see the barefoot running subreddit) would argue that these are pushing the definition of barefoot, but why let semantics get in the way of a great shoe? These are comfortable and durable, and they offer about 7 mm of padding to soften the impact of running on hard surfaces.
- Photograph: Vibram
Best for Toe Freedom
Vibram FiveFingers ClassicWhenever I tell someone I'm testing barefoot shoes, if they have any response at all it's usually, "Oh, like those five-finger things?" Yes, these are the classic, perhaps original barefoot shoe (if you're willing to disregard millennia of sandal-making around the world).
Barefoot shoes aren't for everyone, and these FiveFingers are especially not for everyone, but I really like them. The foot-shaped sole and separate toes make them very minimal. I am especially fond of the KSO Eco model ($100), which is lighter and more flexible than the traditional FiveFingers. I've come to appreciate the separation of toes—it does actually help with balance and it allows your toes to naturally splay wider. It also leads to things like walking through undergrowth and ending up with a bouquet of dandelions stuck between your toes.
- Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Best Barefoot Lifting/Gym Shoes
Pedestal Footwear TreadsOne of the places going barefoot can be most beneficial is lifting weights. Allowing your toes to splay freely improves balance and stability, and lifting barefoot has been shown to improve foot and ankle strength. If you're like me, you just swing a kettlebell barefoot at home (and yeah, it's scary to be barefoot around a kettlebell, but let's face, shoes aren't going to help you if you drop a kettlebell on your foot). But what if you are not like me, and you work out in a gym?
Pedestal footwear has your solution. The company advertises its barefoot, um, shoes saying "it looks like a sock but functions like a shoe," which is pretty close to the truth. These are socks with a nice, grippy, waterproof latex bottom on them. I tried the Treads Crew, though after wearing them for a bit, I wish I'd opted for the low. The sock portion of the shoe is a wool and nylon blend. Unfortunately, I can't find a percentage for the wool content, but I suspect it's low. These feel very synthetic to me. The good news is they don't start to smell until after a few wears. If I were doing a lot of lifting, especially squats, these are the "shoes" I'd be wearing. They're also plenty grippy enough to do yoga on bare floors, if you have some way to keep your hands stable.
- Photograph: Xero
Best for Minimalists
Xero Shoes GenesisModeled (somewhat) on the running sandal of the famous Tarahumara runners, the Genesis sandal was my first exposure to Xero Shoes. You buy either a DIY kit to make your own sandals or opt for the premade Genesis. These are fast becoming my favorite shoes, but beginners shouldn't start here.
These are a mere 4-mm sole with some shock cord to hold them to your feet. Despite their apparent flimsiness, they're wonderful to run in and great for just lounging around the house. Buyer beware: They will take some getting used to, and having a cord running between your toes is not for everyone.
- Photograph: Xero
Best Barefoot Water Shoes
Xero Shoes Aqua CloudEver since I went to barefoot shoes, the one thing I've really been missing is a good pair of water shoes—something for paddling, stepping into streams while fishing, or wading in shallow bays where old fishhooks might be present. Xero's Aqua Cloud sandals are pretty darn close to what I was after. They're very similar to the Genesis above, but with some extra grip on the foot bed and a raised heel cup to keep out sand and gravel. The result is a shoe that's comfortable and performs well in the water.
I found the Aqua Cloud great for fishing and paddling. (I strapped them to the front of the SUP I tested so I had footwear for forays ashore.) Wading in sandals isn't the best, and that's true of the Aqua Cloud as well as my trusty old Chacos. Still, these are my go-to sandal for all things water-related, up to whitewater rafting, which is the one thing I keep my Chacos around for.
- Photograph: Vivo Barefoot
Best for Toddlers
Vivobarefoot Pluma KnitMy son was only 1 when he tried these, so he couldn't exactly tell me how much he liked wearing the Vivobarefoot Pluma Knit shoes, but he clearly loved the grip and flexibility they gave him. He had an easier time climbing on slides with these shoes (something all toddlers are on a mission to do) and slipped less often than he did in classic soles. These knit shoes were easy to slide on and off his wide, thick little baby foot and didn’t squeeze. The only downside was that, even though they were knit, they didn’t seem particularly warm, and my son preferred to wear them with socks. A funny upside: Never in my life have I gotten so many compliments on a pair of toddler shoes. —Nena Farrell
How to Get Started With Barefoot Shoes
You've probably been wearing padded shoes most of your life. Don't expect to toss them and be able to do the same mileage—whether walking or running—in barefoot shoes. To a certain degree, you must relearn how to run and walk. It's going to take a conscious effort on your part, and it can be very difficult. You're not just learning, you're also unlearning some ingrained habits. The key is to go slow. Very, very, absurdly slow.
How you approach barefoot shoes depends on what you're looking to do. I happened to be getting into running, which worked out nicely because I had to take it slow (I sucked). If you're currently an ultra-marathoner and want to try barefoot shoes, you'll have a hard time holding yourself back. If you're somewhere between those poles, it'll still be hard not to overdo it. Focus the discipline you usually use for distance into not doing distance.
If you don't know where to start, check out Graham Tuttle's YouTube channel, especially his foot strengthening exercises. These will help you develop the foot and ankle strength you lack if you're coming from years of padded shoes, and help reduce muscle soreness when you're getting started in barefoot running. Tuttle also offers some paid programs aimed at giving you a more personalized guide (I have not tried any of these). Another YouTube channel I've found helpful is the MovNat channel, which isn't barefoot-specific but has plenty of good barefoot advice sprinkled throughout its content. And if you haven't read Christopher McDougall, both Born to Run and Natural Born Heroes are fun barefoot-related reads. Indeed, Born to Run arguably did more to popularize barefoot running than anything else since the padded shoe was born in the early 1970s.
It's also worth saying that barefoot shoes are not a zero-sum game. For over a year I wore barefoot shoes running, regular shoes for other tasks, and sandals the rest of the time. It's not all or nothing. If you go on a barefoot run and then slap on your favorite Converse right after, that's OK. It's equally important to know that everyone is different. It took me six months to fully transition to barefoot shoes. But that's just me. It might take you two months or two years. Go at your own pace, and don't worry about the experiences of others.
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