3 Best Barefoot Hiking Shoes in 2024
Any time spent in the great outdoors has an awesome way of soothing the mind, body, and soul. If you want to go to the next level, wearing a pair of barefoot hiking shoes will definitely do it. Get that awesome feeling of being as close to Mother Nature as possible, with you and the trail ground under your feet.
From the best-rated brands like the Chaco Ramble Puff, Xero, and the Vibram Fivefingers, you’ve great options to select from. Whether you’re into light hiking or some H2O adventures, we prepared the perfect pair of minimalist kicks that provided us with superb comfort and freedom of movement during our personal moments with the shoes.
To streamline your search, we’ve rounded up and tested the best sought-after barefoot hiking shoes for both men and women. Head to the article to see our top highlights with their in-depth reviews.
Here s your first look at the mid-top sneaker | Dress it with a pair of ankle boots and accessories of your choice for a
To pick our recommendations for this guide, we hiked 30+ miles for each pair of barefoot hiking shoes across different terrains. We also check and analyse the materials used in all the models inside our Stefoy-les-lyonShops shoe lab. Here’s how we approach our selection process:
- We purchase barefoot hiking shoes from a variety of brands. This guarantees that our comprehensive reviews are 100% honest and unbiased.
- We use all these kicks in real-life urban hiking, water hiking, and other outdoor adventures. We check the shoes’ fit, traction, comfort, durability, and performance. Our goal is to get our best personal valuation of the model’s overall worth.
- After putting in the miles and lab analysis, we give our final assessments based on our experience using the shoes in the field.
- We collect some more useful data by chopping up the shoes and looking over their interior.
Best barefoot hiking shoes overall
What makes it the best?
Even we got confused as to whether our feet were bare naked in our backpacking journeys with the Vibram Fivefingers V-Trek. What snapped us back to reality was the cushioned softness and increased underfoot security that it delivered during our nature trips. On top of that, Fivefingers V-Trek tops in adaptability, from water to land, this is the one!
From basic to challenging routes, Vibram Fivefingers V-Trek felt fluid to our walking gaits. It conformed perfectly to our motions, promoting that efficient walking rhythm. In addition to that, we found that this hiking shoe’s flexibility also enriched its grip to even slip-prone areas.
Much like being barefoot, this hiking shoe lets our feet breathe. We discovered that there is superb air ventilation in V-Trek and getting it wet is more than okay since it dries up fast. On the contrary, the break-in period of this shoe is lengthy and, therefore slow. If you would rather wear a pair that is completely comfortable on the first try, we suggest keeping the search.
Pros
- Top-notch comfort
- Here s your first look at the mid-top sneaker
- Powerful grip and traction
- Glove-like fit
- Incredibly Supportive
- Durably built
- Performs consistently in the cold
- Quick drying
Cons
- Here s your first look at the mid-top sneaker
- Caterpillar Black Boots
Best barefoot hiking shoes for water activities
What makes it the best?
Our most extraordinary close-to-the-ground hiking and canyoneering adventures unfolded while clad in the Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport. The stability this hiking shoe afforded us, onshore to offshore, is unbelievable, thanks to its superb surface feedback. Also, peace of mind lies in the fact that drying off this water shoe after use is as simple as can be.
We tackled varied landscapes and streams and we can attest that they are all no obstacle for Aqua X Spor. We stood sure and steady! With the shoe’s extra thin and flexible soles, we got to revel in both balance and unrestricted motion ranges. Footing issues along slippery terrain are also something we didn’t encounter, all hail the grippy outsoles.
The ventilation on this water shoe is truly remarkable, which is why we also appreciated how the upper could effortlessly discharge water plus how air could efficiently dry the material off.
What actually bothered us was when Aqua X Sport emitted an unpleasant smell, which we discovered to have stemmed from repeatedly using it in the water without letting it dry for a few minutes. If you think this is going to be a problem, take this as a warning.
Pros
- Incredibly tenacious
- Lighter than the Mesa Trail
- Super comfortable on day one
- Effectively expels water
- Dries quickly
- Quite versatile
- Air cool
- Mighty flexible
Cons
- Pricey for a water shoe
- Originals Nmd R1 Kenny Mens Running Shoe Orange
Best barefoot shoes for urban hiking
Here s your first look at the mid-top sneaker | What makes it the best?
Among barefoot hiking shoes we tested, Vivobarefoot Magna FG offers the most complete package for urban hiking. It has very subtle yet effective supportive elements for hiking but also feels light and flexible enough for our city adventures. We enjoyed its pleasant natural feel without discomfort.
Magna FG is versatile enough for walks and other workouts. It’s light on the foot and has a flexible nature that’s easy to maneuver. This enhances comfort for all-day wear because it can handle any activity.
The ground feel is heightened underfoot with no heel drop and a thin insole-outsole combo. Yet surprisingly, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all and we found ourselves reaching out for this shoe more often. Its barefoot feel promotes our natural strides and ensures we adapt quickly to whatever surface we’re on.
We tested the outsole during a rainy day in the park, a warm day on rocky trails, and an afternoon stroll on the streets, and we had no issues with grip. Its traction is reliable enough on any surface.
While Magna FG feels light on foot, it’s heavy in the pocket. With a £160 price tag, it’s more expensive than the £130 average of its counterparts.
Pros
- Extremely flexible
- Super-light
- Grips everything dry and wet
- Brazilian Sneaker Store Guadalupe & ASICS Celebrate the Tropicália Movement with a GEL-Lyte III
- Holds foot in place
- Let your style thrive this summer in the robust Cahoot sandal wedge from
- Very versatile
- Wide feet are welcome
- More protected than other similar shoes
Cons
- Laces are not durable
- Too expensive
One of our favourite parts about the hiking shoe industry is that it’s constantly changing and evolving. We can look forward to new styles, colorways, features, and footwear technologies each year. Lately, we’ve been enjoying learning about “barefoot” hiking shoes.
Barefoot hiking shoes are not necessarily a new idea. However, as of recently, barefoot hiking shoes have been getting a lot of attention. And for a good reason. Keep reading to learn about barefoot hiking shoes and why you should buy a pair (or not).
Zero-drop or “barefoot” shoes
Zero-drop shoes are a type of shoe that has zero heel-to-toe elevation. In other words, the heel is positioned at the same height as the toes. Zero-drop shoes are commonly called “barefoot shoes” because they hold your foot in a more natural position, similar to barefoot.
Barefoot shoes require 0 millimetres of drop. This translates to zero heel elevation. Minimalist shoes range from 0 to 6 millimetres of drop. Some minimalist designs will even go up to 8 millimetres of drop. Therefore, all zero-drop shoes fit within the minimalist shoe category. However, not all minimalist shoe designs can be categorised as zero-drop.
On the other hand, traditional hiking shoe designs include a heel-to-toe drop ranging from 8 to 14 millimetres. Other differences between barefoot and traditional hiking shoes include:
- Traditional hiking shoes also tend to be less flexible and less sensitive.
- Due to the lack of a cushioned midsole or thick outsole, barefoot hiking shoes typically weigh much less than traditional hiking shoes.
- The toe box in barefoot hiking shoes is wider than in traditional hiking shoes. This allows your feet and toes to spread out beneath your body fully.
|
Heel Drop |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Air Max 270 Sneakers Schwarz |
|
|
|
Salvatore Ferragamo monogram mid-heel sandals |
|
|
|
ASICS 'GEL-Lyte 3' Sneakers Grau |
|
|
|
Blabber low-top sneakers White |
|
|
Advantages of barefoot hiking shoes
The main advantage of wearing zero-drop shoes is that they can keep your foot in a more natural, “barefoot” position. In doing so, you can become less dependent on shoe technology to perform and instead rely solely on your legs and feet in their most natural state.
Enthusiasts of zero-drop shoes herald the design for many other benefits as well.
- The design builds natural strength in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints in the legs, ankles, and feet.
- Zero-drop shoes can improve posture and bring your body into a more natural alignment.
- It can help reduce injuries and pain in commonly affected areas like the knees, hips, and back.
Drawbacks of barefoot hiking shoes
Ironically, many drawbacks of barefoot hiking shoes come from their advantages. In other words, all the revolutionary differences that make barefoot hiking enthusiasts crazy about them are precisely what other people dislike. That’s why people tend to either love or hate barefoot hiking shoes.
Therefore, it's hard to say barefoot hiking shoes are better or worse than conventional hiking shoes. Nonetheless, depending on what side of the fence you belong to, you may focus more on the drawbacks of barefoot hiking shoes.
- Zero-drop shoes lack cushioning in the midsole. The outsoles also tend to be very thin. This increases sensitivity and ground feel, which leaves your foot exposed to hard or sharp surfaces like rocks and roots.
- Zero heel-to-toe elevation is a problem for heel strikers– those who make contact with the ground using their heel first instead of their midfoot.
- The lightweight materials used in the minimalist construction of barefoot hiking shoes can have issues with durability. They also typically don’t have protective toe caps.
- Many barefoot hiking shoes are not waterproof. Although many can be water resistant depending on the materials used.
ASICS GT-1000 11 Marathon Running Shoes Womens Wear-resistant Cozy 1012B282-001
Zero-drop or barefoot hiking shoes are relatively new to the scene despite being thought of as a more natural shoe selection. Most of us have been wearing conventional hiking shoes with some elevation change between the heel and toes without thinking twice about it.
That means our feet have become accustomed to the shape and feel of conventional hiking shoes over the years. That’s why switching to zero-drop shoes can feel like a drastic and uncomfortable change.
Therefore it’s critical to transition slowly to barefoot shoes instead of diving right into the deep end. If zero-drop shoes pique your interest and you want to try them, here are some tips to help you transition.
If you are nervous about the transition, try out a pair of minimalist hiking shoes with 2 to 6 millimetres of drop. If you enjoy how they feel, then go for a complete zero-drop.
- To start, wear your barefoot shoes for short periods. You can switch back and forth between your new zero-drop shoes and what you wore in the past.
- Begin with short hikes on the easy trails. Maybe even consider wearing your barefoot hiking shoes to run errands around town or walk the dog.
- Gradually increase the intensity of your hiking and the duration you wear your barefoot hiking shoes. Do so by no more than 10% each week.
- Overall, commit to a four to six-week transition to give your body ample time to adjust to the new style. Some experts and podiatrists recommend transitioning for even longer.
- It will be normal to feel soreness in your calves, ankles, feet, and elsewhere. Remember to perform self-care like stretching and massaging to help your body recover.
- If you experience pain throughout the process, pull back and reconsider the intensity of your transition process.
The potential risks of wearing zero-drop shoes
Like with most things in life, moderation is essential. Especially when transitioning to barefoot hiking shoes. If you skip taking the time to let your feet adjust to the footwear style, you could be putting yourself at risk.
Walking or running with no support on hard surfaces allows your foot to collapse. This can lead to intense stress on the foot and other parts of your body. The collapsing of the arches in your feet is called pronation.
Most of us naturally pronate when we walk or run. Pronating is when the foot rolls inward upon landing. The prime reason for pronating is shock distribution.
When we walk or run in barefoot shoes without support, our feet end up pronating for longer. Over time, this can alter the distribution of pressure and weight across the foot and lead to risks such as bunions and hammer toes, pain in the Achilles, heels, and arches, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, stress Lace-Up, and shin splints.
Frequently asked questions
Are barefoot hiking shoes better than conventional hiking shoes?
It’s not up to us to decide whether or not barefoot hiking shoes are better than conventional hiking shoes. It slip-on down to the person, their preferences, how their body performs with barefoot shoes equipped, and how they feel after the experience.
Are barefoot hiking shoes waterproof?
Typically, barefoot shoes are not waterproof. For example, none of the barefoot hiking shoes included in this article are considered waterproof.
However, due to the materials utilised in their construction, barefoot hiking shoes tend to be water-resistant. They also are well known for breathability and drying out very quickly after getting wet. This is especially true for the Xero Shoes Aqua X Sport.
Can I wear barefoot hiking shoes without transitioning slowly?
Yes, technically, you can. However, we do not recommend wearing barefoot hiking shoes for extended periods of exercise without transitioning slowly.
Diving into the deep end of barefoot hiking shoes without first transitioning can lead to injuries such as plantar fasciitis, metatarsal inflammation, stress Lace-Up, and Achilles tendonitis.
