TravelTrained
11 Best Barefoot Hiking Boots (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)
The barefoot revolution has long since begun, and it’s taken us from funny looking five finger designs all the way to bonafide hiking boots that function on the trail. It’s a remarkable change that points to the benefits barefoot hiking can offer.
I’m a fairly recent convert (barefoot shoes will always take some time to break in), and I can attest to the undeniable uniqueness of the sensation of walking without soles, of actually having some kind of connection to the forest floor that extends past occasionally tripping on a rock.
It’s something everyone should try if they can. So to save you the time and money of trialing various designs yourself – we’ve come up with this handy guide to the best barefoot hiking boots and shoes.
The Best Barefoot Hiking Boots of 2023
1. VivoBarefoot Tracker Forest Esc
Men’s | Women’s
In my mind, the VivoBarefoot Tracker Forest Esc (short for escape) places easily among the best barefoot hiking boots: fantastically functional, and designed specifically for the trail.
The sole – manufactured by tire company Michelin – offers both superb flexibility and a superior grip when compared to other minimalist footwear.
In practical terms, this means an immense level of dexterity, something vital for countering a nasty trip or fall on rough or icy terrain.
It’s specifically designed for more high-intensity hikes, though it remains versatile with that tough but tactile sole – I’ve worn it in a variety of places with little issue.
You’ve also got excellent breathability when compared to most minimalist hiking boots, without missing out on warmth.
The boot’s (naturally water-resistant) leather uppers are supplemented by an internal breathable mesh. Just be aware that it may get a little sweaty during long hikes in the hot summer months.
Aside from some warm weather issues, the boot is only water resistant, not waterproof, so don’t be surprised if you experience occasional leakage.
I used to counter this by using a spray on the boot’s leather uppers – but I’ve since learned that such chemicals might be harmful to the environment, and fortunately, the boot dries pretty fast.
Pros
- Superior grip with a Michelin-designed sole
- Water Resistant
- Excellent Breathability
- Practical for Use on Hikes of Various Intensities
- Tough and Durable Material.
Cons
- Not Entirely Waterproof.
2. Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion
Men’s | Women’s
The Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion is also among the best barefoot hiking boots on the market, and an excellent alternative to the Forest Esc for instances when a waterproof boot is a must.
The Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion is indeed a fully waterproof boot, with a gusseted tongue that will keep your feet dry (unless water enters at the very top).
It also shares almost all the features with the Forest Esc, including the essential wide toe box and zero drop soles (though without that incredible Michelin design). The lack of leather uppers also means that it’s made from exclusively vegan-friendly materials.
The sole is still fantastic – effortlessly flexible and completely flat for great ground feel, not to mention durable. It’s a definite improvement over the last Xero Shoes iteration, which, while a great hiking boot, was a little more rigid.
The whole thing is lighter too, at only 13.3 oz.: that’s an astonishing drop in weight compared to the typical 32 oz. of traditional hiking boots.
The best pair of barefoot hiking shoes have to feature plenty of toe room, allowing us to stretch out our stiff foot muscles – so I was disappointed when I found that the toe box in my pair of Xero Shoes ran a little narrow for me (admittedly) wide feet.
I might recommend buying a half size up if you’re someone with wider feet like me who could do with the extra room. If you have narrow feet, they’ll probably be a good fit.
Pros
- Completely Waterproof
- Excellent Ground Feel
- Lightweight
- Vegan Friendly.
Cons
- Runs a Little Narrow.
3. Whitin Cross-Trainer
Men’s | Women’s
Moving on from beloved barefoot hiking boot brands like VivoBarefoot and Xero Shoes, and onto retailing titan Amazon’s offering.
Naturally, this is about as affordable as a barefoot hiking boot can get (though there is a cheaper one on this very list), as Amazon’s massive shipping operations and access to labor reduce its overall cost.
But despite being comparatively cheap, it ticks all the necessary boxes of a barefoot shoe: wide toe box, zero drop soles (which are indeed flexible), and breathable material – making it perfect for warmer weather workouts.
It’s also a good pair for transitioning from trail running and onto the road, which is sometimes necessary during a hike. Its soles are durable, and the removable thermal insole can be purchased separately online in case it degrades.
Like the Xero Shoes offering, it’s also ‘vegan-friendly’, made from ‘0% animal products’.
We have to admit, this isn’t entirely a hiking boot. If anything, they’re lightweight hiking shoes, and appropriately, they’re more useful for light hiking.
It’s not waterproof, and it has limited traction (so you should avoid rocky trails), though as with all barefoot shoes, the rubber outsole still offers a decent grip.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for Transitional Use
- Flexible Zero Drop Soles
- Breathable Material.
Cons
- Not Waterproof
- Limited Traction.
4. Chaco Ramble Puff
Men’s | Women’s
The Chaco Ramble Puff is like wearing a hug – and while it looks like a camping slipper (and indeed, serves that role fantastically), it’s got a surprising level of versatility that ranks it highly amongst its competitors.
This barefoot hiking shoe is among the most comfortable on our list – exceptionally so. It also excels in keeping your feet warm in cold conditions, and despite appearances, it’s eminently cleanable and doesn’t pick up too much dirt even on muddy terrain.
The design itself is also stylish and utterly charming. Overall, it’s a good choice for a casual lightweight hiking boot, at a feather-like 7.06 oz..
You should expect a lower level of traction and note that the low profile makes it susceptible to water getting in through the top.
I’ve found it to be best utilized not as a set of trail shoes, but instead, as a pair for commuting around a campsite, for slipping on when I get back to base, where that extra warmth is vital in cold evenings.
It’s also worth buying a half size up, as the interior has more cushion than some of the other barefoot hiking boots on our list.
Pros
- Amazingly Comfortable
- Highly Insulating
- Super Lightweight
- Stylish Design.
Cons
- Not Completely Waterproof
- Comparatively Low Traction.
5. ALTRA Lone Peak 5 Trail Running Shoe
Men’s | Women’s
The Lone Peak 5 has a conventional profile: on the surface, it appears to be a lightweight shoe used for performance running. However, it’s got a zero drop sole and a wide toe box (with plenty of space for our toes to spread out).
Only a few changes have been made to the design of this shoe in regards to its predecessor – but they’re important ones. The midsole is more durable, and the (only slightly) modified outsole is smaller around the ankle and more flexible.
Pressingly for us as hikers; it has better traction compared to conventional running shoes, retaining a great grip on its fair share of trails.
As referenced above – it lacks the traditional hiking boot profile of the VivoBarefoot or Xero Shoes offering, which is more than just an aesthetic concern. It’s not very insulating, nor is it waterproof, and therefore it doesn’t work great in particularly cold or wet conditions.
Plus the thicker sole provides very little ground feel – which in my mind is one of the reasons minimalist hiking is so unique compared to conventional hiking in the first place.
Regardless of these disadvantages, with good traction and durability, we’d still consider it one of the best barefoot hiking shoes.
Pros
- Greater Traction Than Conventional Running Shoes
- Durable Sole
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Poor Insulation
- Little Ground-Feel.
6. ALEADER Barefoot Trail Running Shoes
Men’s | Women’s
This Aleader offering makes for an affordable first pair of barefoot hiking shoes, and are worth considering if you’re just starting on your minimalist hiking journey. Though of course – they’re not without their downsides.
They feel great around the feet (for their price), and their grippy rubber soles are appropriately flexible whilst providing support to the ankle and protecting the toes – something that I know is a common worry for fledgling minimalist hikers.
Their zero drop design is nodding to the older model, ‘five fingers’ style of minimalist footwear (though the new sole is fused in the style of similar lightweight shoes). Beyond aesthetic concerns, this may help you to adjust to the wider toe box.
They’ve got a good ground feel too, and feature a breathable mesh so you can feel comfortable on the move in those warm months.
Being a shoe, they lack the high profile of a barefoot hiking boot, and they’re not at all waterproof. This is less of a worry given that they dry exceptionally fast.
Overall, a great choice for a new hiker who doesn’t want to spend too much money on hiking gear.
Pros
- Very Affordable
- Decent Ankle and Toe Support
- Good Ground Feel.
Cons
- Not Waterproof.
7. Oranginer Barefoot Shoes
Men’s | Women’s
Oranginer is one of the most popular barefoot hiking shoe and minimalist hiking boots manufacturers on the market, though popularity isn’t always an indication of quality.
The outsole is however remarkably flexible despite the slightly raised toe box. The whole profile of the shoe is a little unconventional compared to some of the others on our list, with a design that’s also not dissimilar to the five fingers minimalist hiking shoes of the past.
Like such shoes, it is however fantastically light – only 12 oz, and while it’s also not waterproof, it does dry incredibly fast.
If you’ve been up close with this shoe you might have seen this coming.
It’s not quite got the zero drop faculty that we’d hope for – the raised toe box is an issue, in fact even without buying the product yourself you’ll see on the website that it’s only ‘barefoot inspired’. They also don’t offer much ankle support.
That said, it may make for a fantastic transitional shoe for new barefoot hikers, plus it’s quite cheap.
Pros
- Incredibly Light
- Quick to Dry
- Great Transitional Pair.
Cons
- Not Truly Zero Drop
- Limited Protection Around the Ankle.
8. Be Lenka Ranger 2.0 Minimalist Hiking Boots
We’ve covered a lot of trail shoes on this list, so let’s get back to a proper boot in form and function.
The Be Lenka Ranger certainly has the aesthetics down. Though we hate to admit it, some barefoot shoes can look a little goofy with the zero drop sole.
This isn’t the case with the Lenka, it’s got an attractive, outdoorsy design that keeps its form whilst still being flexible.
It’s also got exactly the kind of durability you want from a boot – with a sole tough enough to ensure that it’ll stand the tests of time. But the best feature, in our view, is warmth, with a woolly lining that is fantastic for most practical purposes.
There is a slight downside to this, however. A lot of hikers employ two pairs of socks in particularly chilly conditions, I certainly do, and pretty much buy all my conventional boots at least a half size up to compensate for this.
With all that woolly padding, you’re not going to get this kind of choice. It might not beat out a traditional pair when it comes to the extreme cold.
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Insulating Wool Lining
- Tough Sole.
Cons
- Padding can be a little tight with two pairs of socks.
9. SoftStar Switchback Minimalist Hiking Boot
The SoftStar Switchback is another minimalist shoe with traditionally boot-like stylings – but how does it hold up on the trail?
Well, pretty fantastically – you’ve got an excellent level of grip in that sole.
The boot itself is also waterproof and has an attractive ‘military style’ design that swaps out the classic leather finish for something more refined.
Like the Be Lenka Ranger, it’s also got a wool lining, meaning you can take on tougher environments – I’ve had no problems weather-wise whilst wearing these shoes.
Everything looks great so far – so what’s the drawback? Each shoe on our list generally excels in some areas at the expense of others, for the Switchback, it’s a ground feel.
That sole is robust, but inflexible, and you’ll get a better sensation with some of our other selections.
Pros
- Excellent Grip
- Attractive Design
- Insulating Wool Lining.
Cons
- Limited Ground Feels.
10. Joomra Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes
Men’s | Women’s
It’s not déjà vu, Joomra’s offering to this list is aesthetically quite similar in appearance to our Oranginer selection, but more importantly, how do they function when put to the test?
Like the Oranginer, they make for a brilliant transitional pair, as you go from conventional shoes to barefoot hiking boots. They’re outfitted for trail running, so they’re not completely useless on challenging terrain, with decent traction and grip.
Plus, they’re incredibly easy to clean, a not inconsiderable factor if you’re going to be using these in several environments. You could easily wear these to the gym as well as take them onto the trail. I have.
Plenty of these ‘trail running’ type shoes aren’t designed to be waterproof, but they make up for this by drying fast. The Joomra – not so much.
Its particular design simply allows more water to collect around the shoe, and it’s not unheard of for these more affordably priced pairs to go moldy if not taken care of.
Another (albeit anecdotal) gripe is that someone I know purchased a couple of these exactly for transitional use and the fit differed depending on the color ordered. We’ll put this down to the complexities of international shipping.
Pros
- Excellent for Transitional Use
- Decent Grip
- Easy to Clean.
Cons
- Doesn’t Dry Well
11. Weweya Barefoot Shoes
Men’s | Women’s
Weweya is a Chinese shoe manufacturer retailing on Amazon, which puts them into competition with Whitin, Amazon’s in-house barefoot manufacturer brand. So, how do they hold up against the competition and the rest of the barefoot hiking shoe market?
The answer is pretty well – these are a comfortable, affordable set of shoes. And we mean affordable, retailing on their website at only $39.99 for the cross-training set, which is the one you’re going to want to buy if you have even a remote interest in hitting the trail.
Aesthetically, they’re more like a five fingers design than a traditional boot, but there’s still a reasonable degree of space in there compared to conventional footwear.
They come in all kinds of colors if that’s your thing. It’s certainly mine, if I’m going to have a pair of barefoot I want them to look good – though when it comes to the trail, it’s functionality over beauty any day.
On the topic of functionality, they’re not necessarily appropriate for longer hikes. I’ve been wearing these casually and they’ve topped out at six months. If you’re taking more challenging trails, it’s worth buying a higher-end pair.
That toe box is also not as wide as some other barefoot options, you might have to mess around with sizing before you get the right fit, which inevitably means the hassle of sending a pair back. You still can’t beat them for the price, however.
If you need wide-foot hiking footwear, please check our guide for the best wide-foot hiking boots where we reviewed and compared different types of shoes.
Pros
- Very Affordable
- Reasonable Grip
- Plenty of Aesthetic Choices.
Cons
- Narrow Toe Box
- Limited Durability.
Barefoot Hiking Boots Buyer’s Guide
We’ve distilled the factors worth considering when picking up your new pair into a neat 10 points. When we picked out each of the barefoot boots on this list, it was with these 10 things in mind.
We tried to be attentive to each one of them, though naturally, some of the more extraordinary (or substandard) ones gained prevalence. Here are the areas we think some of our picks particularly excel in.
Quick Drying
Not all hiking boots are waterproof, and if they don’t have that faculty, the ability to dry quickly is the next best thing.
Barefoot shoes are unique in that they draw more attention to each of your movements – the uncomfortable soggy sensation of saturated boots is more evident, and paradoxically, less of a problem as there’s plenty to distract you from it.
Our pick for the fastest drier has to go to Aleader Men’s Barefoot Trail Running Shoes. Yes, they might be designed specifically for the mountain trail, but Aleader’s history of making water shoes shines through here. The upper material dries in an instant.
Zero/Low Drop
Ideally, our barefoot soles would be completely flat. Many conventional shoes curl up at the toe, even though our feet aren’t shaped that way when firmly placed on the floor.
What we’re looking for here is a shoe that stays level with the ground, if not completely touching it.
So for this pick, we’ve chosen the SoftStar Switchback Minimalist Hiking Boot.
No – it doesn’t have the most fantastic ground feel, but it does run almost parallel with the ground, without looking ridiculous.
Thin Soles
Thin soles aren’t always the best for hiking, but so long as they’re resistant to punctures and have good traction, they have a decent utility – not to mention that all-important ground feel.
We’ve gone for the Lone Peak 5 here: those slight modifications from its previous incarnations have made a difference to the performance of this shoe – primarily because you’re getting a thinner, less intrusive sole.
We’ll tip our hat to the R&D department of ALTRA for taking consumer concerns into account.
Weight
Weight is always a concern when buying hiking boots, you absolutely will notice the difference between a heavy pair, no matter how snug they feel or how fantastic the traction of the soles is.
Take my word for it: you do not want to embark on a long trail and suddenly realize the effort in each step.
Barefoot shoes are always lighter than their conventional counterparts – they’re described as minimalist for a reason. But is there a particular shoe on this list that was as light as a feather?
Yes: and it’s the Chaco Ramble Puff. At an unbelievable 7.06 oz (even with its warm lining), you’ll get all the comfort of a woolly interior with none of the weight of a heavy sole. It’s like walking on a cloud – I cannot recommend these for casual outdoor use enough.
