After spending 2 years on the sidelines from all my activities (soccer, taekwondo, running), I knew I couldn’t just go back to regular footwear.
That’s what started the pain in the first place.
For soccer, I looked all around for suggestions. I experimented with so many different shoes. I got laughed at for what I would show up to play in.
I didn’t care. I was serious about feeling better.
Which brings me to My 2nd Big Announcement to end the year:
The Minimalist/Barefoot Sport Shoe List is now here 🥳
This was originally a newsletter to my email subscribers. If you like the content and want easy access when it first comes out, subscribe here.
This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
I’m putting this list together because I genuinely believe minimalist/barefoot footwear is the future. It’s saved my feet from chronic pain and I want it to do the same for you while allowing you to play the sports you love forever.
I’ve gotten many questions over what to wear for soccer since I’ve talked about what I play in.
I was also inspired by a list written by Dr. Andrew Wojciechowski, ND for basketball shoes. Many of those models are now discontinued, so let this serve as an update.
These shoes are not meant to be taken as advice, simply suggestions. Use them for sports at your own discretion.
Basketball
Key Features: Medium stack height to accommodate for the excessive jumping on artificial ground & low heel elevation to improve ankle stability, balance, agility.
Features: wider toe box, zero drop sole, minimal cushioning, rubber herringbone traction, velcro strap for adjustable fit
Features: wider toe box, zero drop, 9 oz each for men’s 9, omni-directional tread, low stack height, Huarache-inspired tension straps
Features: wider toe box, super lightweight (6.5 oz each for men’s 9), adjustable instep + midfoot straps to customize the fit, 4.5mm rubber sole, zero drop, dual chevron tread grips
Features: wider toe box, rubber outsole, high-top ankle cover, lightweight, thin + flexible sole
Soccer
Key Features: Low toe spring to get under the ball, zero drop sole, low stack height for ball control, balance, and agility.
You don’t need the widest toe box because you don’t want to slide around in shoes. Preferably rounded edges around shoe (hard to find). Decent traction like small studs. I would look mostly at Vivobarefoot shoes here.
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail firm ground/soft ground (pictured)
Features: no toe spring, zero drop, rubber studs, wide toe box, low stack height, snug fit
These are the shoes I wear for soccer. I have both a firm and soft ground version, I prefer the soft ground version. They work well on grass or artificial turf. Traction is great, durability has been great.
Features: no toe spring, zero drop, low stack height (very flat), wide toe box
These have no studs, so use these as an indoor/basketball court/futsal option.
Features: wide toe box, flexible sole, real studs
These are genuine cleats. Wear these on artificial turf or grass.
Tennis/Pickleball
Key Features: Wide toe box, zero drop sole, and low stack height are the objective here. Trying to maximize lateral movement capability, balance, agility while not having the feet slide inside the shoes. I would look mostly at Xero Shoes/Vivobarefoot here.
Features: wide toe box, zero drop, thin + flexible sole, low stack height, good traction
Features: wider toe box, ultra-lightweight, zero drop, no toe spring, thin + flexible sole
Features: wider toe box, zero drop, lightweight, flexible 6mm sole, herringbone tread
Features: wider toe box, zero drop, 9 oz each for men’s 9, omni-directional tread, low stack height, Huarache-inspired tension straps
Features: wider toe box, zero drop sole, 5.5mm stack height. Thin, flexible, rubber sole
Squash/Racquetball
Key Features: Much like tennis/pickleball, there’s a lot of sudden, lateral movement here. This time, on a basketball-type court. Shoes that can handle constant lateral movement and have exceptional grip are the goal.
Features: wider toe box, zero drop sole, 5.5mm stack height. Thin, flexible, rubber sole.
Vivobarefoot Geo Court (pictured)
Features: wide toe box, zero drop, thin + flexible sole, low stack height, good traction
Features: wider toe box, zero drop, lightweight, flexible 6mm sole, herringbone tread
Features: wider toe box, zero drop, 9 oz each for men’s 9, omni-directional tread, low stack height, Huarache-inspired tension straps
Volleyball
Key Features: Played on a basketball court with much less running and a bit less lateral movement, but lots of jumping for some players. Great traction, very lightweight, and some stack height for impact protection are prioritized.
Features: wider toe box, zero drop sole, 5.5mm stack height. Thin, flexible, rubber sole.
Features: wider toe box, super lightweight (6.5 oz each for men’s 9), adjustable instep + midfoot straps to customize the fit, 4.5mm rubber sole, zero drop, dual chevron tread grips
Features: wider toe box, zero drop, lightweight, flexible 6mm sole, herringbone tread
Features: wider toe box, ultra-lightweight, zero drop, no toe spring, thin + flexible sole
CrossFit
Key Features: CrossFit has various athletic movements happening that call for adaptability. A lightweight, flat sole, and stable shoe is the goal here.
Features: wider toe box, zero drop, 9 oz each for men’s 9, omni-directional tread, low stack height, Huarache-inspired tension straps
Features: wide toe box, zero drop sole, heel + instep lockdown strap, 8.7 oz each for men’s 9
Features: no toe spring, zero drop, low stack height (very flat), wide toe box
Powerlifting
Key Features: Stability is the name of the game here, so a wide toe box, a flat sole, and reinforced side walls are prioritized.
Features: wide toe box, zero drop, thin sole, extended side walls, reinforced toe cap
Features: wide toe box, zero drop sole, heel + instep lockdown strap, 8.7 oz each for men’s 9
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This is a list that will get updated in the future.
So if you’re looking to see other sports or activities included, email me at myvitalsage@gmail.com or DM me on Twitter.
Let me know what shoes you picked and how they went for your sport!
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