Best barefoot vegan shoes for men

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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

360

Xero Shoes

Alpine - Snow Boot

Xero Shoes

Denver - The Cold-weather Friendly Minimalist Boot

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite

Xero Shoes

DayLite Hiker Fusion

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite III

Xero Shoes

HFS - Lightweight Road Running Shoe

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite II

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite II Recycled

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite II Bio
360
4.9

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.

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 119$ See deals
Amazon logo From 114$ See deals
360
Pros icon

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Breathable
  • Stable
  • Durable
Cons icon

Cons

  • Acclimation period
  • Not ideal for concrete
Alpine - Snow Boot
4.7

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.

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 159$ See deals
Amazon logo From 164$ See deals
Alpine - Snow Boot
Pros icon

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 icon

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.
Denver - The Cold-weather Friendly Minimalist Boot
4.7

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.

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 109$ See deals
Amazon logo From 114$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 0£ See deals
Zappos logo From 0$ See deals
Denver - The Cold-weather Friendly Minimalist Boot
Pros icon

Pros

  • Minimalist Design
  • Flexible
  • Warm
  • Good ground-feel
Cons icon

Cons

  • Only comes in Men’s
  • The heel tab rips when pulled on too much
  • The insole can be cumbersome
Primus Lite
4.6

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.

Buying Options

Vivobarefoot logo From 100$ See deals
Amazon logo From 166$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 133£ See deals
Primus Lite
Pros icon

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Best breathability
  • Good ground feedback
  • Stylish and modern despite the limited colorways
Cons icon

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Some durability issues
DayLite Hiker Fusion
4.6

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!

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 119$ See deals
Amazon logo From 124$ See deals
Zappos logo From 119$ See deals
DayLite Hiker Fusion
Pros icon

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 icon

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.
Primus Lite III
4.5

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.

Buying Options

Vivobarefoot logo From 170$ See deals
Vivobarefoot UK logo From 135£ See deals
Amazon logo From 166$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 95£ See deals
Primus Lite III
Pros icon

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Made with recycled materials
  • Close to being barefoot
  • Stylish and modern despite the limited colorways
Cons icon

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Durability issues
  • No half-sizes
  • Laces come undone sometimes
  • Takes some getting used to (for beginner barefoot-shoe users)
HFS - Lightweight Road Running Shoe
4.5

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.

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 119$ See deals
Amazon logo From 124$ See deals
Zappos logo From 119$ See deals
HFS - Lightweight Road Running Shoe
Pros icon

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 icon

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.
Primus Lite II
4.5

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.

Buying Options

Vivobarefoot logo From 114$ See deals
Amazon logo From 160$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 60£ See deals
SportShoes.com logo From 147$ See deals
Primus Lite II
Pros icon

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Made with recycled materials
Cons icon

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Sizing issues
  • Takes some getting used to (for beginner barefoot-shoe users)
Primus Lite II Recycled
4.5

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

Buying Options

Vivobarefoot logo From 107$ See deals
Amazon logo From 159$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 54£ See deals
Primus Lite II Recycled
Primus Lite II Bio
4.5

Based on 287 reviews

Brand: Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite Bio harnesses the power of plants to deliver a vegan high performance shoe that puts you in touch with the ground under your feet, in the best possible way. A shoe that benefits your feet and the planet.

Sizing:

Felt true to size: 63%

Based on 19 user reviews

Buying Options

Vivobarefoot logo From 109$ See deals
Amazon logo From 128$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 54£ See deals
SportShoes.com logo From 128$ See deals
Primus Lite II Bio