Best Barefoot Vegan Shoes For Men
We round up the best barefoot/minimalist vegan 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 vegan 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 (:
Xero Shoes
Xero Shoes
Xero Shoes
Vivobarefoot
Xero Shoes
Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot
Xero Shoes
Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot
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 643 reviews
Brand: Xero Shoes
The Xero Shoes Alpine Winter Snow Boots offer a zero-drop midsole and excellent traction against slippery surfaces. It's made of 100% vegan-friendly materials and suitable for those walking or hiking during the winter season.
Sizing:
Felt true to size: 92%
Based on 12 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 70%
Based on 27 user reviews
Review Summary:
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you need to give up the barefoot or minimalist walking lifestyle for the season. While the Xero Alpine Snow Boot doesn’t give the ultimate ground feel, it still promotes natural movement with its flexibility and lighter weight traditional boots don’t offer.
Pros
- The Xero Shoes Alpine Snow Boot is genuinely waterproof and keeps your feet dry.
- Made with durable construction, holding up to long walks on sharp snow
- Offers polyester insulation and heat-reflective insole, so your feet stay warm during the very cold weather
- Enough flexibility and a thin outsole to help encourage natural movement
Cons
- These Alpine winter boots don’t have enough grip and traction over slick and icy surfaces.
- While the boots have a zero-drop outsole, experienced barefoot walkers may not find that the boots have enough ground feel.
Based on 1099 reviews
Brand: Xero Shoes
The Xero Shoes Denver is a minimalist boot that's designed to be cold-weather friendly.
Sizing:
Felt true to size: 87%
Based on 115 user reviews
Review Summary:
The Xero Denver Boot is packed with all the right features to keep the foot warm while still delivering a low-to-the-ground feel. The construction of the pull tab can be improved according to a good number of reviews. Other than that, the Denver shoes from Xero is a viable choice as a cold-weather companion.
Pros
- Minimalist Design
- Flexible
- Warm
- Good ground-feel
Cons
- Only comes in Men’s
- The heel tab rips when pulled on too much
- The insole can be cumbersome
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 376 reviews
Brand: Xero Shoes
The Xero DayLite Hiker Fusion is made with vegan-friendly materials, suitable for hiking and casual days.
Review Summary:
The Xero DayLite Hiker Fusion is designed for hikers who want a reliable grip and ankle protection without boots’ usual stiffness and heaviness. Its central feature is the non-elevated ‘zero drop’ heel to improve balance and posture. This is a minimalist hiking boot with lightweight, durable features made for all types of outdoor adventures.
You can also check out this expert DayLite Hiker Fusion review by ultra-marathon runner Randy Kreill!
Pros
- Made of vegan-friendly materials
- It has a wider foot-shaped toebox for more comfort
- More confidence on a slippery surface with its good grip and traction
- Extra rubber on the outsole for some ankle and foot protection
- Outsole lugs are more significant, spreading out to easily remove dirt
- Very lightweight, adding to its minimalist feel
Cons
- The midfoot area on the outsole isn’t as flexible compared to its prior model.
- There’s a bit of stability built into the boots, which some minimalist hikers may or may not appreciate.
Based on 536 reviews
Brand: Vivobarefoot
Our best-selling, ultra-light vegan shoe now UPDATED and water resistant for winter. Puts your feet in control of every run, walk and workout with maximum freedom of movement and full sensory feedback. Primus Lite II Winter is made using recycled plastics and non-wicking materials for water-resistant, breathable performance — making sure you tread light on the planet.
Sizing:
Felt true to size: 83%
Based on 6 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 75%
Based on 32 user reviews
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 560 reviews
Brand: Vivobarefoot
With improvements made on the quality, the Primus Lite II is a nimble shoe designed to allow wearers to move uninhibitedly.
Men's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 83%
Based on 6 user reviews
Women's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 74%
Based on 31 user reviews
Review Summary:
The Primus Lite II is a vegan-friendly barefoot shoe that’s mainly made up of bio-materials – Vivobarefoot’s effort to reduce the mark each shoe makes on the planet. True to the series, this second iteration of the Primus Lite still feels very lightweight, allowing wearers to move freely and quickly. Despite some reports of sizing, durability, and pricing concerns, the Primus Lite II is a pair most reach for when looking for that close-to-barefoot experience.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Extremely lightweight
- Made with recycled materials
Cons
- Pricey
- Sizing issues
- Takes some getting used to (for beginner barefoot-shoe users)
Based on 419 reviews
Brand: Vivobarefoot
Wear your eco-warrior statement with the Primus Lite II, putting your feet in control of every run, walk and workout. This leather-free shoe is made using recycled plastics and bio-based materials, providing lightweight and breathable movement, while treading lightly on the planet.
Men's Sizing:
Felt true to size: 83%
Based on 6 user reviews
