The best barefoot shoes you can buy in 2023 1. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III: Eco-friendly, minimalist vegan trainers

This model will work decently for more versatile training, however, I’d stress making sure you’re acclimated to this style of footwear in these training settings. The lightweight build of this shoe makes it a joy to wear for longer sessions and it breathes really well. So why should you use them? Barefoot shoes are designed to promote freedom of movement while also strengthening your feet, which grow weak over time due to the excessive cushioning and cramped toe boxes found in most normal shoes. Humans didn’t always wear shoes – for most of evolutionary history we’ve gone barefoot. Key features – Sizes available: UK6-14 (men’s), UK3-9 (women’s); Colours available: 5 (men’s), 6 (women’s) (some sizes may be unavailable in some colours); Other key details: Lightweight, vegan, 100-day trial Running is a different story entirely. While walking on concrete with barefoot shoes can feel normal within a few weeks (provided you walk enough), running will take a lot longer. The standard advice is to start running on soft ground for a while before you transition to pounding the pavement of your local town or city. Landing on the midfoot, as opposed to heel-first, is the key to running barefoot without injury. As with any sort of shoes, sizing varies by manufacturer, but obviously barefoot shoes don’t have the same snug feel as standard shoes due to the minimal materials and wide toe box. Unlike regular footwear, barefoot shoemakers want the toes to be free to splay as they would if you weren’t wearing shoes at all.While the Primus Lite tips the scales at 7.3 ounces per shoe, you'd never guess it from how they feel on the road. This shoe's outsole is so thin — we couldn't imagine an experience closer to actually running barefoot. Although it's hefty compared to the competition, when compared to more conventional road trainers, the Primus is still super lightweight — something to consider before writing off this brutally barefoot-feeling shoe. Traction Number one, the build quality feels beautiful. The upper is carrying little to no bulk, and the joinings of different materials are near seamless. The only areas that could give way are purely down to wear rather than material failure. For versatile workouts, I’d give this shoe a strong 8/10. The upper is secure enough for most versatile workout demands and the mesh breathes well to keep the feet cool during longer sessions. Just because I say they’re stiff doesn’t mean they lose their flexibility. It’s all about the areas of flexibility. The upper is a little stiffer than you may be used to, but the sole and the underfoot are entirely flexible. The fold-the-shoe-into-itself test passes perfectly with Vivos, so you know you’ll be utilizing your foot’s unique structure and complex muscle system. There were those who went true to size but to those who would like to get their own pair, it should be noted that going true to size will be affected by instep height, foot width, and foot shape. Fit

Merrell has a few barefoot shoes in its range now, and this edition of the Vapor Glove is one of its most minimalist models. They use a Vibram TC5+ Outsole and has a ‘Barefoot 2’ construction with zero heel drop to bring about more natural movement patterns. The shape is somewhat conventional compared to the options from Vivobarefoot and Vibram on this list, especially in the toe box area. There’s not as much room for toe splay, so they can feel snug compared to a typical pare of barefoot shoes. The Barefoot Primus Lite III is foot-shaped. Compared to conventional shoes, it follows the anatomy and natural curve of the feet with the forefoot area having enough room for the toes to spread out while moving. Wide toe box: Toe boxes on regular shoes cram the toes into a tight space that does not match the actual shape of our feet. As we get older, our naturally splayed toes become cramped and curled by the mechanical forces being applied to them (by shoes). Over time, barefoot shoes may be able to restore your toe splay. The first version of the Primus Lite was meant to be a nimble shoe. Although the brand was true to their word, it could be the lightest they’ve made yet, there were issues with durability. Vivobarefoot seemed to have designed the Primus Lite II with better durability and longer mileage in mind, updating the upper design and materials. On the second version, the outsole was retained, but updates to the lacing system and heel padding design were made. Key features – Sizes available: UK6-14 (men’s); UK3-9 (women’s); Colours available: 4 (men’s), 5 (women’s) (some colours may be unavailable in some sizes); Other key details: Rugged sole, 100-day trialThe Primus Lite III is part of the (Re)new and Improved program that remakes shoe models with materials that are more sustainable, more specifically post-consumer plastic waste, which reduces the impact the shoes make on the planet. Performance The upper in this model also complements lifting settings well due to its slightly more breathable and durable nature. If you’re concerned about the durability in the gym with this model, I think you should be safe and it will last you a while if you plan to just train in your shoe. Agility, Plyometrics, and HIIT