The 10 Best Barefoot Shoes of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Whereas we have been initially skeptical of the consolation of the Path Glove, these barefoot shoes for women and males shocked us with the extent of assist, clean higher materials, and improved floor really feel. We felt no discomfort, blisters, or chafing, and the steadiness was greater than we anticipated for such a minimal shoe. We are inclined to heel-strike once we stroll, and because the minimalist midsole inspired extra of a forefoot strike, we did really feel elevated calf fatigue after longer put on. That isn’t essentially a nasty factor, and it was attention-grabbing to notice relating to the distinction in inspired stride. 

As with most of our barefoot shoe testing, we felt the bottom extra (particularly on trails and rocky surfaces) however the outsoles had simply sufficient safety the place it didn’t trigger true discomfort. We cherished that the entrance of the footwear had an added toe bumper for extra safety, and the entire shoe is effectively designed and constructed. The bolstered eyelet alternate options present these have been designed by individuals who have put them to the take a look at, and so they’ve proven no signal of damage or injury.

The Particulars: Measurement 6-13 males’s and 5-11 girls’s | Mesh, foam, and rubber | 14.2 ounces | 0 mm drop 

We have been so impressed with how this shoe for men and ladies encourages a pure gait—whether or not strolling or working—that we gave it prime marks in virtually each class. We felt virtually no sense of pavement underfoot, and the traction was wonderful. We wore these in moist and stormy circumstances, over roots and slick rocks, and the grip and talent to make use of our toes for added leverage was incredible. The only supplied simply the correct amount of thinness: near our toes with out sacrificing consolation, and it molded to our foot virtually like a wetsuit—comfortable, versatile, and form-fitting.

We wore these round cobblestone streets and on journeys in excessive temperatures and humidity, and felt no stress from the bottom, scorching spots, or overheating regardless of the nice and cozy circumstances. They flexed with out resistance, and we’ll proceed to put on these for years to come back since they’re simply that comfy.

The Particulars: Measurement 7-15 males’s and 5-11 girls’s | Mesh and rubber | 11.3 ounces | 0 mm drop

Altra is thought for his or her “foot form” construct and zero-drop midsole, and this minimalist pair for men and ladies performs off that ethos by encouraging pure foot strike and providing prolonged consolation. We by no means felt rubbing or pinching, and so they have sufficient cushion the place it was much less of a dramatic change from normal trainers to this minimalist pair with out foot or calf fatigue. 

These are somewhat taller than a real barefoot shoe, which makes them a great transition pair for those who’re simply moving into making an attempt footwear with much less cushion. I’ve personally worn these as my lifting footwear for the previous yr, and respect the steadiness and assist underfoot in addition to the benefit of steadiness throughout complicated actions. So far as sizing goes, these run somewhat massive (and would possibly really feel larger for those who’re used to narrower footwear), so for those who’re between sizes, we advocate dropping a half dimension.

The Particulars: Measurement 7-15 males’s and 5.5-12 girls’s | Mesh, EVA foam, and rubber | 18.3 ounces | 0mm drop

These comfy, fashionable shoes for women and males felt comfy instantly, and are product of a tender suede-like materials for a singular feel and look. We discovered these to be pretty huge (much more so than different barefoot footwear), which allowed our toes extra room to naturally splay. In the event that they have been any wider, they’d have felt virtually sloppy, however the steadiness ended up being good and we felt no fatigue, soreness, or scorching spots through the take a look at interval. 

We walked in these footwear for upwards of 12 hours and put greater than 10 miles on them and felt loads protected on variable surfaces because of sturdy sole and extensively spaced traction. That stated, they do have thicker outsoles than essentially the most minimalist footwear we examined. This offers loads of safety, however it may be tougher to inform if the shoe promotes a pure gait. So whereas we love these for longer walks, individuals searching for a extra minimalist pair ought to in all probability look elsewhere.

The Particulars: Measurement 4.5-15 males’s and 6-12 girls’s | Polyester, rubber, and cork | 15.3 ounces | 0 mm drop

These tender, modern unisex sneakers include comfortable textured insoles that can be flipped over for a clean floor. We cherished the versatile lacing system and supportive heel that supplied simply sufficient cushion across the achilles with out feeling constricted, and so they are available in six impartial colours to match no matter we really feel like carrying. They’ve a protecting 3.5-millimeter rubber outsole and 2-millimeter insole for a complete of 5.5 millimeters of safety—midrange for this type of shoe and supplied versatility for put on period. 

We did have some match points with these footwear, and wouldn’t advocate them for individuals with wider toes or bunion points. They felt fairly quick prime to backside, and the toe field was slender sufficient that our pinky toes felt pinched. However for individuals with lower-volume toes or slender widths, they’re an amazing guess and a basic sneaker type simple to pair with a variety of outfits.

The Particulars: Measurement 5-14 males’s and 6.5-15.5 girls’s | Polymesh and rubber | 14.8 ounces | 0 mm drop

I’ve been carrying Xero’s Prio Sneakers as my go-to pair of barefoot footwear for the previous few years. I typically put on reasonable footwear for every day errands, however my trainers are fairly extremely cushioned, and I like to modify it up and put on barefoot footwear as a change of tempo, easing into my put on every season to keep away from damage. The Prio for men and ladies are wonderful for this, as they’ve a barely extra reasonable 5.5-millimeter outsole that gives somewhat extra assist than the thinnest footwear we examined, and the offset lacing presents extra wrap by the higher. 

These have been actually good for encouraging my pure footstrike, and I wish to suppose that even my on-and-off utilization helps strengthen my toes. I additionally love how breathable the higher materials stays through the summer season, and I can put on them with skinny socks and haven’t any overheating points.

The Particulars: Measurement 6-14 males’s and 5-12 girls’s | Mesh, artificial leather-based, and rubber | 14.6 ounces | 0 mm drop

Vivobarefoot has a powerful nook of the barefoot shoe marketplace for every little thing from lifting footwear to dress shoes to trainers. Actually, my pal simply ran a quick 5K with me in a pair of Vivobarefoot footwear—a far cry from my max-cushioned street runners. 

We discovered the RA IV Males’s Oxford Sneakers to be so comfy we discovered ourselves carrying them round the home frequently. There was loads of room for our toes, and the cork-like sole supplied a pleasant bounce and added consolation whereas strolling. We didn’t expertise any fatigue whereas carrying these footwear for a lot of the day, although they lack a lot in the way in which of arch assist, so individuals with flat toes would possibly desire an added insole. In any other case, there have been no scorching spots or tenderness, and the type goes effectively with every little thing from informal summer season outfits to nicer garments we’d put on to a fancier restaurant. They do have ample room within the toe, so individuals with shorter toes would possibly need to dimension down for a more in-depth match.

The Particulars: Measurement 7-15 males’s | Leather-based and rubber | 20.6 ounces | 0 mm drop

These shoes for women and males have been so comfy throughout testing they grew to become our every day go-to pair. We didn’t discover any rubbing or pinching and so they flexed rather well proper out of the field, whether or not we have been coaching on the fitness center or working errands. The only is sort of skinny and we have been in a position to really feel whether or not we have been strolling on concrete or gravel, however as soon as we grew to become accustomed to the sensation, it barely registered. 

The underfoot cushion is among the many most minimal on this record, with simply 2 millimeters within the forefoot and heel. Since these are so minimalist, we did really feel fatigue in our toes and calves at first (bear in mind, it’s vital to ease into barefoot footwear), however we respect the strengthening from this type. When you’re heading to the fitness center for lifting, you’ll additionally just like the steady platform and talent to micro-adjust for steadiness.

The Particulars: Measurement 7-12 males’s and 5-10 girls’s | Mesh and rubber | 19 ounces | 0 mm drop

Our first impression proper out of the field was how extremely light-weight these unisex footwear felt. They have been lighter than some other footwear on our cabinets, and we cherished the power for our toes to splay out within the huge toe field regardless of the minimal construct. Wildling promotes these as a few of the lightest footwear on this planet thanks partially to their skinny construct and distinctive supplies that embody cotton and washi (a paper materials). So far as sizing goes, they did really feel somewhat quick at first and we have been involved about rubbing on the tops of our toes, but it surely wasn’t a difficulty as we might modify the lacing and tongue. 

Much like the Vivobarefoot coaching footwear, you’ll really feel a lot of what’s happening underfoot, and we advocate avoiding tough or rugged surfaces whereas getting used to this type. These have been extremely simple to stroll in and we felt no match discomfort, and the cotton insole supplied a scant little bit of cushion with out shedding the barefoot, breathable really feel. These are a extra “superior” barefoot shoe and really feel very pure on our toes, although we’d advocate carrying them for shorter quantities of time at first. 

The Particulars: Measurement 4-13.5 males’s and 5-14 girls’s | Washi, polyester, cotton, and rubber | 8.8 ounces | 0 mm drop

These tremendous minimalist sandals for men and ladies are one among my go-to camp footwear, journey sandals, and packable choices when house is at a premium. I put on them on my paddleboard, in my kayak, and as pool footwear. They’re tremendous adjustable and the straps are light-weight however properly cushioned to keep away from scorching spots. They cinch down with only one tug, and the flat underfoot portion is really easy to pack I virtually lose them in my carry-on. 

Regardless of this skinny, barefoot construct, the sandals even have a three-layer platform that features a foot-conforming foam beneath my toes, a cushioned TrailFoam midlayer, and a toothy rubber outsole with related traction as my thicker mountain climbing sandals. I don’t essentially hike lengthy distances in these, however the pure stride and ease of packing makes them a stalwart on my sandal shelf.

The Particulars: Measurement 5-13 males’s and 5-12 girls’s | Rubber, foam, and polyester | 8.6 ounces | 0 mm drop