I’m putting this list together because I believe 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 run forever.
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.
Some Notes about This List:
-I am against shoes with excessively high stack heights as it increases the risk of rolled ankles. It also hinders balance, agility, and groundfeel.
-Running shoes are known to have toe spring / ”rockers” in the sole. I did my best to avoid this as it’s problematic for foot health.
-The specs for some of these shoes was a bit unclear so I made my best approximations.
-Each category is in order from least to most barefoot.
These shoes are not meant to be taken as advice, simply suggestions. Use them for running at your own discretion. This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Walking
Key Features: low stack height/cushion, high flexibility, heel can be zero drop
Features: widest toe box, flexible sole, zero drop, no toe spring, 13mm outsole thickness
Features: very wide toe box, 8.2 oz per shoe, 11mm stack height, removable insole, flexible sole, zero drop, wider outsole than Primal 2, breathable mesh upper
Lems Primal 2 *My Pick*
Features: very wide toe box, 6.9oz per shoe, 9mm stack height, removable insole, very flexible sole, zero drop, breathable mesh upper
Road Running
Key Features: thicker/firmer sole, less flexibility
Features: wide toe box, zero drop, 22mm stack height, 6.8oz per shoe, low/medium flexibility
Xero Shoes HFS *My Pick*
Features: 8.5mm stack height, removable insole, wide toe box, very flexible sole, zero drop, 7.9oz per shoe, adjustable tension straps
Features: 7mm stack height, removable insole, breathable upper, very flexible sole, adjustable tension straps, 7.9oz per shoe, zero drop, wide toe box
Trail Running
Key Features: some flexibility in sole, grip, zero drop, low-ish stack height to minimize ankle rolls on rough terrain and to feel the ground
Features: 9.5oz per shoe, 21mm stack height, zero drop, wide toe box, grippy outsole, mesh upper, low sole flexibility
Features: abrasion/water-resistant upper, 9.5-12.5mm stack height, removable insole, zero drop, wide toe box, lugs for traction, very flexible sole, adjustable tension straps, 9.6 oz per shoe, toe bumper
Xero Shoes Mesa Trail II (+ a Waterproof Version) *My Pick*
Features: 7.8oz per shoe, thin & durable toe cap, tough sidewall welding, adjustable tension straps, lugs for traction, very flexible sole, wide toe box, zero drop, 8.5-9.5mm stack height, removable insole
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III AW SG
Features: good for soft ground, durable build, slightly firm and flexible sole, water-resistant, ~11.8oz per shoe, 7.5mm stack height, deep lugs for grip on different terrain, wide toe box, zero drop
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III AW FG
Features: good for firm ground, flexible/puncture-resistant sole, water-resistant, ~11.1oz per shoe, 5.5mm stack height, shallow lugs for grip on different terrain, semi-wide toe box, zero drop
Sprinting
Key Features: lightweight, low cushion/stack height, zero drop
Xero Shoes Speed Force (or Speed Force II) *My Pick*
Features: 7.5mm stack height, 6.6oz per shoe, removable insole, zero drop, semi-wide toe box, breathable upper, adjustable tension straps, very flexible sole
Features: semi-wide toe box, breathable knit mesh upper, 7.5oz per shoe, removable insole, zero drop, tire-inspired tread design, very flexible sole, ~7mm stack height
Features: semi-wide toe box, zero drop, breathable mesh upper, very flexible sole, 4mm stack height, hexagonal tread for flexibility and grip, ~9oz per shoe, rubber outsole
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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.
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