10 Best Barefoot Shoes 2025 in the United States

The Merrell Men's Vapor Glove 6 is designed to offer a barefoot shoe experience with several thoughtful features. It uses a 100% recycled breathable mesh upper, which helps keep feet cool and is eco-friendly. The toe box is designed to allow natural toe splay, a key aspect of barefoot shoes. The sole is made of rubber and features a molded nylon arch shank for some support, while remaining thin to maintain ground feel, important for flexibility and natural movement.

The shoe includes Merrell's Air Cushion in the heel, providing shock absorption and stability, which offers comfort without compromising the barefoot feel. The bellows tongue helps keep out debris, making it suitable for outdoor use. The fit is secured with laces, and the materials include leather and recycled components, balancing durability and sustainability. Some users may find the arch shank adds more structure than traditional barefoot shoes, which are usually very flexible, so this might feel somewhat firm for those seeking maximum flexibility.

This shoe is well suited for those looking for a close-to-barefoot feel combined with a bit of cushioning and support, especially for outdoor activities where debris protection and shock absorption are important.

These barefoot shoes are designed with a wide toe box and zero-drop sole, both important for mimicking natural barefoot movement. The wide toe box allows your toes to spread out comfortably, which helps prevent common foot problems caused by cramped shoes. The zero-drop sole means the heel and toe are at the same level, encouraging a more natural posture and foot strike.

The rubber sole is flexible, lightweight, and slip-resistant, supporting various activities like running, hiking, or casual walking. The upper uses breathable mesh with suede accents, offering a mix of comfort and casual style. Inside, there's a lightly supportive arch insole, which helps activate foot muscles without sacrificing the barefoot feel. The fit tends to run true to foot length measurements, with advice to size up slightly for wider feet.

If you want minimalist shoes that combine function with a casual look and versatile use, these could be a good match. For those new to barefoot footwear, it is important to follow sizing instructions carefully to get the best fit.

The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength shoes are designed specifically for people who want a true barefoot experience during high-intensity workouts like CrossFit, powerlifting, and running. They feature a zero heel-to-toe drop, which helps promote natural foot movement and stability. The sole is quite thin, with a total of about 3.5mm thickness including 2mm rubber and 1.5mm lugs, offering good ground feel while still providing reliable grip and protection, especially thanks to the added midfoot sidewalls for support. The toe box is wide, supporting natural toe splay which is important for balance and strength.

These shoes are lightweight (around 282 grams), breathable due to their mesh fabric upper, and use eco-friendly materials like recycled PET and an insole made with recycled foam. The lace-up fit allows for adjustment, and the construction aims at durability and flexibility, key for barefoot-style training. However, the thin sole might not provide enough cushioning for those new to barefoot shoes or anyone needing more shock absorption on hard surfaces. Additionally, while the shoe is designed for a wide fit, the mesh material might not offer much structure, which could affect support for some users.

For those seeking a barefoot shoe that balances natural foot movement with protection suitable for intense workouts, the Motus Strength serves as a strong option, especially for individuals who value sustainable materials in their footwear.