Best Barefoot Road Running Shoes For Men
We round up the best barefoot/minimalist road running shoes on the market
Barefoot shoes shouldn't be complicated. The approach is, the less the better.
Although there should be fewer features to a barefoot shoe, choosing the best one can be challenging because there are many options in the market today. There are so many manufacturers and models to choose from. Each has its interpretation of what is a barefoot shoe/ sandal, how to make the best shoes for our life, and challenges.
If you wish to read how to evaluate barefoot footwear, check out this article, barefoot footwear guide.
With careful evaluation of different barefoot shoes, we will try to help narrow down your choices.
We search the web for real reviews, seek out experts who have tried the shoes themselves, and we spend hundreds of hours examining and evaluating models and statistics.
In the following article, you can find the best barefoot road running shoes for men. These models have received the highest scores by multiple users on multiple websites. We only gather all data and summarize it for readers as a tool to help you purchase your next best footwear.
Hope you enjoy and benefit from it (:
Based on 141 reviews
Brand: Xero Shoes
Xero's best-selling do-it-all shoe is now available in soft, durable full-grain leather.
Review Summary:
The Prio All Day has been designed by Xero to be a do-it-all shoe. Many who have worn the pair agree, saying that the Xero Shoes Prio are comfortable, flexible, and stylish. Because of their versatility, many users were able to shift from one activity to the next without changing footwear. All this while allowing the feet to move naturally and freely.
Buying Options
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From 129$ | See deals |
Pros
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Versatile in terms of usage and design
Cons
- Some say the toe box is a bit narrow
- Will take some getting used to for barefoot shoe beginners
- Not very breathable
Based on 510 reviews
Brand: Xero Shoes
The all-new 360º is a lightweight cross-training shoe designed to handle court sports, parkour, CrossFit, and just about anything else that requires quick lateral movement.
Review Summary:
Xeroshoes 360 is a cross-training shoe designed to handle the demands of CrossFit, court sports, and other activities that involve quick lateral movement. With enough room in the toe box, the upper has been reinforced in key areas to tackle the demands of the activities mentioned. It’s considered by many as a good companion to the gym and in an everyday setting.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Vegan-friendly
- Breathable
- Stable
- Durable
Cons
- Acclimation period
- Not ideal for concrete
Based on 569 reviews
Brand: Inov-8
Men's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 85%
Based on 79 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 74%
Based on 42 user reviews
Felt true to width 89%
Based on 8 user reviews
Based on 405 reviews
Brand: Vivobarefoot
The Primus Lite is Vivobarefoot's lightest and most flexible creation, promising to deliver maximum ground feeling.
Men's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 82%
Based on 17 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 100%
Based on 7 user reviews
Review Summary:
The Primus Lite is one of the lightest shoes ever created by Vivobarefoot. All of the components are made up of light, breathable and flexible materials. According to the website, each shoe only weighs about 150g. Sporting a 3mm thin sole and a highly breathable upper, the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite may just deliver the truly barefoot experience many are looking for.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Best breathability
- Good ground feedback
- Stylish and modern despite the limited colorways
Cons
- Pricey
- Some durability issues
Based on 308 reviews
Brand: Vibram
EVA Arch Construction follows contours of foot and reduces weight Sole Spec: •4 mm rubber outsole • 2 mm PU footbed Machine Washable, Air Dry
Sizing:
Felt true to size: 72%
Based on 585 user reviews
Buying Options
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From 80$ | See deals |
Based on 188 reviews
Brand: Vivobarefoot
The Primus Lite III is a minimalist shoe designed to allow wearers to train hard but still tread lightly on the planet.
Sizing:
Felt true to size: 69%
Based on 16 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 70%
Based on 10 user reviews
Review Summary:
The Primus Lite III is one of the lightest and most minimalist shoes from Vivobarefoot. It was designed to allow feet to move freely without the limitations delivered by an over-designed shoe. The third version of the series strengthens feet naturally while still delivering protection and good ground feedback, especially in urban environments.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Extremely lightweight
- Made with recycled materials
- Close to being barefoot
- Stylish and modern despite the limited colorways
Cons
- Pricey
- Durability issues
- No half-sizes
- Laces come undone sometimes
- Takes some getting used to (for beginner barefoot-shoe users)
Based on 1007 reviews
Brand: Xero Shoes
The Xero HFS is a lightweight running shoe suitable for running and working out. It's made of vegan-friendly materials with a Huarache-inspired design.
Men's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 79%
Based on 163 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 69%
Based on 134 user reviews
Review Summary:
The Xero HFS is a lightweight running shoe for men and women. These shoes are meant for runs and workouts on roads or gyms, but not for the rough trails. While they don’t have much sole grip, they make up for it in flexibility to help your feet grip the surface you run or workout on. With its minimal support and thin soles, the shoe can encourage natural movement on your feet.
Pros
- It offers great lightweight breathability and comfort
- Zero drop and provides the adequate ground feel
- Versatile design that you can use for walks, runs, weightlifting, or even casual use
- Dons a Huarache-inspired design for style
- Superb traction made for roads and tracks
- The Xero HFS comes with a removable insole for extra cushioning if needed
Cons
- The shoes’ mesh uppers aren’t as durable as other parts of the shoes, tearing them apart from intense use.
- The Xero HFS is not meant for long trail runs, as it can do numbers on the outsole.
Based on 122 reviews
Brand: Inov-8
- New & improved super-breathable design
- Added durability for 24/7 protection
- Close to the ground for the ultimate bare-foot feel
Men's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 88%
Based on 25 user reviews
Felt true to width: 88%
Based on 7 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 86%
Based on 7 user reviews
Felt true to width 77%
Based on 10 user reviews
Based on 5589 reviews
Brand: Vibram
Weight: M43 = 4.8 oz. Sole Spec: • INSOLE: 2mm EVA + Anti-Microbial Drilex Sockliner • MIDSOLE: 4mm EVA • RUBBER: 2.5mm Upper Material: Polyester Lycra Stretch Mesh + Polyester Microfiber Machine Wach Cold / Air Dry
Sizing:
Felt true to size: 75%
Based on 642 user reviews
Felt true to width: 96%
Based on 24 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 65%
Based on 371 user reviews
Felt true to width 69%
Based on 11 user reviews
Based on 1342 reviews
Brand: Vibram
Weight = 4.8 oz. / 136 grams 3.7 mm rubber outsole 2 mm Foam insole for added comfort 50/50 wool / synthetic upper material for improved breathability and reduced odor Machine Wash Cold / Air Dry
Sizing:
Felt true to size: 65%
Based on 290 user reviews
Felt true to width: 89%
Based on 8 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 56%
Based on 39 user reviews
Felt true to width 95%
Based on 19 user reviews
