Best & Tested:

Barefoot shoes

BEST & TESTED

Barefoot Shoes
Title

Which barefoot shoes are the best?

Which barefoot shoes are 
the best?

Welcome to another "best & tested" post where we compare the best barefoot shoes, and this time, Ethan Tremblay, Madeleine Niemi, and Emily Carson are sharing their opinions.

 

Barefoot shoes have become incredibly popular as everyday shoes, hiking boots, and running shoes. Terms like "zero drop" and "wide toe box" are becoming more common. So, if you've decided to improve your foot health, balance, and movement patterns, you've come to the right place!

 

Choosing the right barefoot shoe can be a struggle, with prices ranging from 40 to 200 dollars. Are there any affordable barefoot shoes for walking and where does price meet quality? Is there a difference between men's and women's barefoot shoes? What are the best barefoot running shoes? We will cover all this and more in our comprehensive test!

Our Mission

Our mission was clear: to find the best barefoot shoes with all the fantastic benefits, but without breaking the bank.  We test and compare factors like comfort, toe box size, flexibility, material and price.

Our Promise

The right gear shouldn't cost a fortune! We're here to guide you through the choices so you can get top-notch quality at a low price!

OUR TOP 3

TOP-PICK

HIKULT

Barefoot Shoe All-round

  $54  

9.6

VIVO Barefoot

Primus Trail II

  $175 

8.1

BIADEL

Barefoot Shoe UNISEX

  $47  

7.6

TOP-PICK

HIKULT Barefoot Shoe

  $54  

9.7

VIVO Barefoot

Primus Trail II

  $175  

8.1

BIADEL Unisex

Barefoot Shoe 

  $47  

7.6

Fit

10

10

6

Flexibility

9

7

9

Grip

10

9

8

Toe Box

10

8

7

Versatility

9

8

7

Value for Money

10

7

9

Best Price

HIKULT
VIVO
AMAZON

HIKULT

Barefoot Shoes All-round

HIKULT

Barefoot Shoes All-round

Measurements

The sizes are slightly larger than normal. we recommend that you choose a smaller size than normal. 

 

36 = 9.2" / 23,3 cm

37= 9.4" / 24 cm

38 = 9.7" /  24,6 cm

39 =  10" / 25,3 cm

40 =  10.2" / 26 cm
41 =  10.5" / 26,6 cm

42 =  10.8" / 27,3 cm

43 =  11" / 28 cm

44 =  11.3" / 28,6 cm

45 =  11.5" / 29,3 cm

Features
  • Zero Drop
  • Extremt Grip
  • Versatile, suitable for many activities
  • Wide toe box with segmented grip for each toe
  • Quick-Dry Material
  • Breathable & Light material
  • "Bare" feel
To HIKULT

Ethan Tremblay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My favorite has got to be Hikult's Barefoot Shoes – the quality is great and it's affordable. You really get your money's worth and the comfort is unmatched. It's a true all-round shoe that fits any occasion!

Madeleine Niemi

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I chose the barefoot shoe from Hikult. I actually like the design of the Vivo Barefoot Shoe a bit more, but it's pricey and it's just not worth it. The functionality is not great and it feels more like a gym shoe. 

Emily Carson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I cast my vote on the Hikult Barefoot Shoe! Hikult delivers again with impressive quality at a low price. You can really feel your feet working, and they're ultra-lightweight!

Ethan Tremblay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My favorite has got to be Hikult's Barefoot Shoes – the quality is great and it's affordable. You really get your money's worth and the comfort is unmatched. It's a true all-round shoe that fits any occasion!

Madeleine Niemi

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I chose the barefoot shoe from Hikult. I actually like the design of the Vivo Barefoot Shoe a bit more, but it's pricey and it's just not worth it. The functionality is not great and it feels more like a gym shoe. 

Emily Carson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I cast my vote on the Hikult Barefoot Shoe! Hikult delivers again with impressive quality at a low price. You can really feel your feet working, and they're ultra-lightweight!

The Best Barefoot Shoes

 

In our latest review, we set out to identify the best barefoot shoes for men and women, suitable for various activities. 

 

Our goal was to identify the top barefoot shoes that offer a great barefoot feel, ample toe space, and excellent grip without breaking the bank. After thorough testing and comparing of comfort, function, and price, we have finally settled on what we thing is the best zero drop shoes on the market.

 

Review - Top Barefoot Shoes
Hikult All-round Barefoot Shoes

The Hikult All-round Barefoot Shoes stood out as an excellent and versatile choice, earning a top score of 9.6 and a unanimous winner according to our test-group.

 

The fit is exceptional—so much so that it almost feels like wearing a sock. It truly has that "barefoot-feel" and you almost forget that you're wearing shoes. They are well ventilated and doesn't have that beach/swim shoe feel. Their flexibility is nearly perfect, offering significant freedom of movement for both feet and toes. 

 

Another top aspect of the Hikult Barefoot Shoe is the grip. Whether you're on a forest trail, a treadmill, or at a CrossFit session, you have a great overall grip.

Balance & Grip

The generous toe box in the Hikult barefoot shoe enhances balance, while the segmented grip on the sole makes it easier to engage your toes and improve your foot strength.

 

Another significant advantage is their versatility. They are stylish enough for everyday wear, they dry quickly and offer superb grip on both trails and in the gym, making them some of the best barefoot shoes.

Fit & Comfort

These shoes can be worn barefoot or with socks and are machine washable, sole included. 

 

Although they are not the cheapest barefoot shoes, they are affordable and you get great value for you money. Their performance justify the price, and they are still in the "affordable segment". They are available in gray, black, and turquoise and the sizes are unisex. I would recommend downsizing because they are a bit larger in size.

BIADEL Barefoot Shoes – Budget Friendly

The BIADEL Barefoot Shoe from Amazon is our top pick in the "cheapest barefoot shoes" category, with a total score of 7.6. The fit rates average, and the toe space isn't as broad as one might hope. Unfortunately, it feels somewhat like a water shoe, and the elastic around the ankle can be a bit tight, especially after many hours on your feet when ankles might swell.

 

Flexibility & Ventilation

However, its flexibility is impressive, it's lightweight and well ventilated. The low price was noteworthy, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable barefoot shoe. It's quick-drying and ideally suited for a wet hike, though not the best for indoor gym or treadmill use.

 

We would still recommend it as a decent zero drop shoe for walking.

Primus Trail II - Premium option

Vivo Barefoot's Primus Trail II shoe represents the premium choice, segmented by gender but differing only in size. and color. It's marketed as a luxury variant, and the quality is indeed high, scoring an 8.1 overall. However, we all agreed that the price exceeds the quality, as similar quality shoes are available for less—sometimes you pay more for the brand. 

 

However, the design is sleek, and the grip is excellent, though they feel more like indoor training or casual shoes and it's not the best barefoot walking shoes for trail walks.

Fit & Versatility

The fit and versatility of the Vivo Barefoot Primus Trail II are comparable to Hikult's, but its flexibility and toe space are slightly lacking. You can spread your toes, but they don't provide the same mobility or "grip" sensation across all activities. This might be due to the lack of segmented grip. 

 

The shoe is flexible yet slightly more robust, which means you miss out on the bare feel and isn't really a shoe that feel like bare feet. They're great for the gym, and you get some style points for the brand. However, if you're looking for a truly affordable and versatile all-round shoe—especially f it's your first pair of barefoot shoes—we recommend Hikult's barefoot shoes.

Primus Trail II - Premium option

Vivo Barefoot's Primus Trail II shoe represents the premium choice, segmented by gender but differing only in size. and color. It's marketed as a luxury variant, and the quality is indeed high, scoring an 8.1 overall. However, we all agreed that the price exceeds the quality, as similar quality shoes are available for less—sometimes you pay more for the brand. 

 

However, the design is sleek, and the grip is excellent, though they feel more like indoor training or casual shoes and it's not the best barefoot walking shoes for trail walks.

Fit & Versatility

The fit and versatility of the Vivo Barefoot Primus Trail II are comparable to Hikult's, but its flexibility and toe space are slightly lacking. You can spread your toes, but they don't provide the same mobility or "grip" sensation across all activities. This might be due to the lack of segmented grip. 

 

The shoe is flexible yet slightly more robust, which means you miss out on the bare feel and isn't really a shoe that feel like bare feet. They're great for the gym, and you get some style points for the brand. However, if you're looking for a truly affordable and versatile all-round shoe—especially f it's your first pair of barefoot shoes—we recommend Hikult's barefoot shoes.

Our winner

Hikult Barefoot Shoes All-round

Our winner is Hikult's Barefoot Shoes, they are, without a doubt, the best barefoot walking shoes. They are the best zero drop running shoes we've tried and they are equally equipped for trail walks, gym workouts, and daily wear. While Vivo Barefoot Primus Trail II is a premium option, the quality does not justify the price when comparable options are available for half the price. 

 

For those looking to save money, the BIADEL shoe from Amazon is adequate for outdoor use, but we suggest spending a bit more for a truly excellent all-round barefoot shoe. Once you start wearing barefoot shoes, they're addictive—you'll never want to take them off. For all you barefoot beginners, just wait and see how much you'll love them!

 

 

Our winner

Hikult Barefoot Shoes All-round

Our winner is Hikult's Barefoot Shoes, they are, without a doubt, the best barefoot walking shoes. They are the best zero drop running shoes we've tried and they are equally equipped for trail walks, gym workouts, and daily wear. While Vivo Barefoot Primus Trail II is a premium option, the quality does not justify the price when comparable options are available for half the price. 

 

For those looking to save money, the BIADEL shoe from Amazon is adequate for outdoor use, but we suggest spending a bit more for a truly excellent all-round barefoot shoe. Once you start wearing barefoot shoes, they're addictive—you'll never want to take them off. For all you barefoot beginners, just wait and see how much you'll love them!

VERSATILE

Great for all activities. Suited for both trail runs and gym classes.

COMFORTABLE

Great fit with a wide toe-box and segmented grip for each toe. 

FLEXIBLE

With a thin and breathable sole. Incredibly light and flexible.

VALUE

Great value for money. Hikult offers factory prices & top quality.

To Hikult

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