The 10 Best Barefoot Shoes of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

43 13 minutes read

While we love a good pair of fully cushioned walking shoes, barefoot shoes have been seeing increased interest from folks leaning more into the minimalist shoes trend. These shoes have minimal cushion and often a zero-drop heel-to-toe build, which can help encourage a more natural stride while maintaining some support and protection from the ground. I typically lean toward moderate-to-full cushion shoes, but I love a good pair of barefoot shoes to help keep my feet strong and improve my ground contact.

Studies have shown that wearing barefoot shoes can help strengthen your feet and ankles, which improves control, balance, and stability, but they aren’t for everyone. “The benefits of barefoot shoes include improved stability and activation of intrinsic or small foot muscles for improved balance and strength,” says Dr. Peter Lovato, DPM. “When used in the correct setting and training regimen, they can reduce overuse injuries.” And if you’re just getting into barefoot footwear, podiatrists recommend starting off by wearing the shoes for short periods of time.

We put a range of barefoot shoes to the test while walking, running, training, and running errands, evaluating everything from out-of-box comfort to long-term durability and impact on posture and stride. These are the barefoot shoes we tested and recommend for travelers of all types.

Merrell Men’s Trail Glove 7 Trail Running Shoes

Credit: REI

While we were initially skeptical of the comfort of the Trail Glove, these barefoot shoes for women and men surprised us with the level of support, smooth upper material, and improved ground feel. We felt no discomfort, blisters, or chafing, and the stability was more than we expected for such a minimal shoe. We tend to heel-strike when we walk, and since the minimalist midsole encouraged more of a forefoot strike, we did feel increased calf fatigue after longer wear. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it was interesting to note regarding the difference in encouraged stride.

As with most of our barefoot shoe testing, we felt the ground more (especially on trails and rocky surfaces) but the outsoles had just enough protection where it didn’t cause true discomfort. We loved that the front of the shoes had an added toe bumper for more protection, and the whole shoe is well designed and constructed. The reinforced eyelet alternatives show these were designed by people who have put them to the test, and they’ve shown no sign of wear or damage.

The Details: Size 6-13 men’s and 5-11 women’s | Mesh, foam, and rubber | 14.2 ounces | 0 mm drop

Zappos Merrell Women's Vapor Glove 6 Trail-Running Shoes

Credit: Zappos

We were so impressed with how this shoe for men and women encourages a natural gait—whether walking or running—that we gave it top marks in almost every category. We felt almost no sense of pavement underfoot, and the traction was excellent. We wore these in wet and stormy conditions, over roots and slick rocks, and the grip and ability to use our feet for added leverage was fantastic. The sole offered just the right amount of thinness: close to our feet without sacrificing comfort, and it molded to our foot almost like a wetsuit—snug, flexible, and form-fitting.

We wore these around cobblestone streets and on trips in high temperatures and humidity, and felt no pressure from the ground, hot spots, or overheating despite the warm conditions. They flexed without resistance, and we will continue to wear these for years to come since they’re just that comfortable.

The Details: Size 7-15 men’s and 5-11 women’s | Mesh and rubber | 11.3 ounces | 0 mm drop

Credit: Amazon

Altra is known for their “foot shape” build and zero-drop midsole, and this minimalist pair for men and women plays off that ethos by encouraging natural foot strike and offering extended comfort. We never felt rubbing or pinching, and they have enough cushion where it was less of a dramatic switch from standard running shoes to this minimalist pair without foot or calf fatigue.

These are a little taller than a true barefoot shoe, which makes them a good transition pair if you’re just getting into trying shoes with less cushion. I’ve personally worn these as my lifting shoes for the past year, and appreciate the stability and support underfoot as well as the ease of balance during complex movements. As far as sizing goes, these run a little big (and might feel bigger if you’re used to narrower shoes), so if you’re between sizes, we recommend dropping a half size.

The Details: Size 7-15 men’s and 5.5-12 women’s | Mesh, EVA foam, and rubber | 18.3 ounces | 0mm drop

Credit: Lems

These comfortable, stylish shoes for women and men felt comfortable right away, and are made of a soft suede-like material for a unique look and feel. We found these to be fairly wide (even more so than other barefoot shoes), which allowed our feet more room to naturally splay. If they were any wider, they would have felt almost sloppy, but the balance ended up being just right and we felt no fatigue, soreness, or hot spots during the test period.

We walked in these shoes for upwards of 12 hours and put more than 10 miles on them and felt plenty protected on variable surfaces thanks to sturdy sole and widely spaced traction. That said, they do have thicker outsoles than the most minimalist shoes we tested. This provides plenty of protection, but it can be harder to tell if the shoe promotes a natural gait. So while we love these for longer walks, people looking for a more minimalist pair should probably look elsewhere.

The Details: Size 4.5-15 men’s and 6-12 women’s | Polyester, rubber, and cork | 15.3 ounces | 0 mm drop

Credit: Tolos

These soft, fashionable unisex sneakers come with comfy textured insoles that can also be flipped over for a smooth surface. We loved the flexible lacing system and supportive heel that provided just enough cushion around the achilles without feeling constricted, and they come in six neutral colors to match whatever we feel like wearing. They have a protective 3.5-millimeter rubber outsole and 2-millimeter insole for a total of 5.5 millimeters of protection—midrange for this style of shoe and provided versatility for wear duration.

We did have some fit issues with these shoes, and wouldn’t recommend them for people with wider feet or bunion issues. They felt quite short top to bottom, and the toe box was narrow enough that our pinky toes felt pinched. But for people with lower-volume feet or narrow widths, they’re a great bet and a classic sneaker style easy to pair with a range of outfits.

The Details: Size 5-14 men’s and 6.5-15.5 women’s | Polymesh and rubber | 14.8 ounces | 0 mm drop

REI Xero Shoes Prio Running and Fitness Shoe

Credit: REI

I’ve been wearing Xero’s Prio Shoes as my go-to pair of barefoot shoes for the past few years. I often wear moderate shoes for daily errands, but my running shoes are quite highly cushioned, and I like to switch it up and wear barefoot shoes as a change of pace, easing into my wear each season to avoid injury. The Prio for men and women are excellent for this, as they have a slightly more moderate 5.5-millimeter outsole that provides a little more support than the thinnest shoes we tested, and the offset lacing offers more wrap through the upper.

These have been really good for encouraging my natural footstrike, and I like to think that even my on-and-off usage helps strengthen my feet. I also love how breathable the upper material stays during the summer, and I can wear them with thin socks and have no overheating issues.

The Details: Size 6-14 men’s and 5-12 women’s | Mesh, synthetic leather, and rubber | 14.6 ounces | 0 mm drop

Credit: REI

Vivobarefoot has a strong corner of the barefoot shoe market for everything from lifting shoes to dress shoes to running shoes. In fact, my friend just ran a fast 5K with me in a pair of Vivobarefoot shoes—a far cry from my max-cushioned road runners.

We found the RA IV Men’s Oxford Shoes to be so comfortable we found ourselves wearing them around the house on a regular basis. There was plenty of room for our toes, and the cork-like sole provided a nice bounce and added comfort while walking. We didn’t experience any fatigue while wearing these shoes for most of the day, though they lack much in the way of arch support, so people with flat feet might prefer an added insole. Otherwise, there were no hot spots or tenderness, and the style goes well with everything from casual summer outfits to nicer clothes we’d wear to a fancier restaurant. They do have ample room in the toe, so people with shorter feet might want to size down for a closer fit.

The Details: Size 7-15 men’s | Leather and rubber | 20.6 ounces | 0 mm drop

Vivobarefoot Primus Lite 3.5 Road-running Shoes

Credit: Vivobarefoot

These shoes for women and men were so comfortable during testing they became our daily go-to pair. We didn’t notice any rubbing or pinching and they flexed really well right out of the box, whether we were training at the gym or running errands. The sole is quite thin and we were able to feel whether we were walking on concrete or gravel, but once we became accustomed to the feeling, it barely registered.

The underfoot cushion is among the most minimal on this list, with just 2 millimeters in the forefoot and heel. Since these are so minimalist, we did feel fatigue in our feet and calves at first (remember, it’s important to ease into barefoot shoes), but we appreciate the strengthening from this style. If you’re heading to the gym for lifting, you’ll also like the stable platform and ability to micro-adjust for balance.

The Details: Size 7-12 men’s and 5-10 women’s | Mesh and rubber | 19 ounces | 0 mm drop

Credit: Wildling

Our first impression right out of the box was how incredibly lightweight these unisex shoes felt. They were lighter than any other footwear on our shelves, and we loved the ability for our toes to splay out in the wide toe box despite the minimal build. Wildling promotes these as some of the lightest shoes in the world thanks in part to their thin build and unique materials that include cotton and washi (a paper material). As far as sizing goes, they did feel a little short at first and we were concerned about rubbing on the tops of our feet, but it wasn’t an issue as we could adjust the lacing and tongue.

Similar to the Vivobarefoot training shoes, you will feel much of what’s going on underfoot, and we recommend avoiding rough or rugged surfaces while getting used to this style. These were incredibly easy to walk in and we felt no fit discomfort, and the cotton insole provided a scant bit of cushion without losing the barefoot, breathable feel. These are a more “advanced” barefoot shoe and feel very natural on our feet, though we’d recommend wearing them for shorter amounts of time at first.

The Details: Size 4-13.5 men’s and 5-14 women’s | Washi, polyester, cotton, and rubber | 8.8 ounces | 0 mm drop

Credit: REI

These super minimalist sandals for men and women are one of my go-to camp shoes, travel sandals, and packable options when space is at a premium. I wear them on my paddleboard, in my kayak, and as pool shoes. They are super adjustable and the straps are lightweight but nicely cushioned to avoid hot spots. They cinch down with just one tug, and the flat underfoot portion is so easy to pack I almost lose them in my carry-on.

Despite this thin, barefoot build, the sandals actually have a three-layer platform that includes a foot-conforming foam under my feet, a cushioned TrailFoam midlayer, and a toothy rubber outsole with similar traction as my thicker hiking sandals. I don’t necessarily hike long distances in these, but the natural stride and ease of packing makes them a stalwart on my sandal shelf.

The Details: Size 5-13 men’s and 5-12 women’s | Rubber, foam, and polyester | 8.6 ounces | 0 mm drop

Others We Liked

We’ve tested a lot of pairs of barefoot shoes, which are even more subjective than standard footwear. That means there are a few options that were close to making our top list, but had one or two issues that eliminated them from the main slots. They’ll still work for plenty of people though, and are worth checking out.

Feelgrounds Droptop Knit Barefoot Shoes: While we were initially put off by the abundantly roomy toe box (which gives the shoe a bit of a duck-foot shape), we came to appreciate the air flow and breathability, especially on hot days. The shoes conformed to our natural foot shape quite easily, but overall we’d love more toe and arch support for this style.

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Whitin Men’s Wide Minimalist Barefoot Sneakers: These sneakers were comfortable to walk in, and the soles are soft and flexible with a nice fit. The price was right as well, but we didn’t love that the glue line was visible, and we had some issues with the tongue scrunching up under the laces. Overall, they are a good deal, but the construction felt a little slipshod.

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Our Testing Process

To find the best barefoot shoes, we sent our testers a range of shoes from the most minimals pairs on the market to heftier options for people just getting into the barefoot shoe world. We had our testers take notes from the start of testing, including how the shoes felt during their initial wear, and whether or not they broke in and conformed to our feet during the test period.

Since barefoot shoes have a very specific feel, we also had our testers track whether the shoes helped encourage a natural gait, and if they felt any sort of fatigue in their feet and calves. We kept tabs on who these shoes would be best for, the experience our testers had with previous barefoot shoe use, and how well the shoes held up during the test period. We will continue to test these shoes and collect long-term insights after this initial test, and will update this guide accordingly.

Tips for Buying Barefoot Shoes

Understand heel to toe drop

Most minimalist and barefoot shoes have a zero-drop heel-to-toe design. This means the cushion underfoot is the same under your heels as it is under your toes, and helps maintain a forefoot strike (instead of heel). This can reduce pressure on your knees and is supposed to mimic a more natural stride. If you’re used to a shoe with a standard heel-toe drop (typically 4-8 millimeters) we recommend walking or running shorter distances in zero-drop shoes to make sure your calves and achilles are used to the new style.

Get the right style for your needs

Like standard footwear, barefoot shoes come in a range of styles best for different activities, and one size (usually) doesn’t fit all. “For trails with crushed gravel where it’s sharp and uncomfortable, barefoot shoes with a thicker sole, but no padding is recommended,” says Cory Clement, DPM. “In addition, look for a medium volume with removable insoles for trail shoes.”

For beach terrain environments, Dr. Clement recommends a minimalist shoe designed for a natural feel with superior grip, flexibility, and quick-drying materials. For hiking, check out a flat zero-drop sole with good tread, grip, and durability. For urban minimalist shoes, he recommends a natural outsole and leather footbed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do podiatrists actually recommend barefoot shoes?

Whether or not a podiatrist recommends barefoot shoes depends largely on the person they’re working with. Lovato says that the benefits of barefoot shoes include improved stability and “activation of intrinsic or small foot muscles for improved balance and strength.”

That said, he noted that people prone to overuse injuries or with significant foot deformities should avoid barefoot shoes, as well as people with arthritis who “need impact absorption to reduce the stress on joints.” For more information, we recommend speaking with your own doctor or podiatrist for specific recommendations.

Is it good to wear barefoot shoes every day?

For those accustomed to this type of footwear, wearing barefoot shoes every day can be beneficial. “The biomechanical and health benefits of minimalist shoes is that they encourage the natural foot movement and ground feel, [promoting] intrinsic foot muscle strengthening,” Clement says. “They also promote a more natural gait because the heel and forefoot are at the same height. They also allow natural toe position and splay thus promoting better balance.”

If you’re new to barefoot running and this style of shoe, take it slow at first. Lovato recommends beginning by running or training for short distances and considering forgiving surfaces such as turf, a well-padded track, or natural grass. Since I only wear barefoot shoes in the summer, I ease into them each year with short outings at first, slowly building up to help get the most from this type of footwear.

What is the difference between barefoot and minimalist shoes?

While many outlets and manufacturers use these terms interchangeably, barefoot shoes often have a zero-drop heel-to-toe design and a thin sole that encourages a strong ground feel. Minimalist shoes typically have somewhat more support and cushion than barefoot shoes, as well as a stronger upper with more substantial lateral support. Both styles are less cushioned and thick than standard footwear, and encourage a natural stride while allowing your feet to feel the ground better and help develop muscles in feet and legs while aiding in balance.

How long do barefoot shoes last?

Barefoot shoes have more minimal materials and less substantial construction than standard shoes, so they typically don’t have the same lifespan through the outsole and upper. I like my standard shoes to last around 500 miles, and my barefoot shoes to last around 300 miles. That said, barefoot shoes have less midsole compression to deal with, so you might notice fewer knee and hip issues from compressed midsoles than you do with a thicker EVA cushion that can wear unevenly and create stride imbalance.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Maggie Slepian is a writer and product tester who walks and hikes hundreds of miles every year in order to test a variety of footwear. She most recently tested the Xero Shoes Z-trail EV Sandals and the updated Prio Shoes from Xero and has worn several iterations of the Altra Solstice Barefoot Shoes. For this piece, Maggie collaborated with the TL internal test team to compile their reviews and feedback of their tested shoes, as well as considering her own experience with the pairs she’s worn. We also spoke with Peter Lovato, DPM, and Cory Clement, DPM for their expert advice on the best practices for people looking into a new pair of barefoot shoes.

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