Best Minimalist Running Shoes For Women

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Best Minimalist Running Shoes For Women

We round up the best barefoot/minimalist 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 minimalist running shoes for women. 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

Prio All-Day

Xero Shoes

360

Xero Shoes

Mesa Trail - Lightweight Trail Runner

Xero Shoes

TerraFlex Trail Running and Hiking Shoe

Inov-8

F-LITE 245

Xero Shoes

Prio Running and Fitness Shoe

Xero Shoes

Speed Force

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite II Bio

Vivobarefoot

Primus Lite III
Prio All-Day
5.0

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

Xero Shoes logo From 129$ See deals
Prio All-Day
Pros icon

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Versatile in terms of usage and design
Cons icon

Cons

  • Some say the toe box is a bit narrow
  • Will take some getting used to for barefoot shoe beginners
  • Not very breathable
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
Mesa Trail - Lightweight Trail Runner
4.7

Based on 1668 reviews

Brand: Xero Shoes

Ready for adventure

Sizing:

Felt true to size: 78%

Based on 130 user reviews

Felt true to width: 90%

Based on 78 user reviews

Women's Sizing:

Felt true to size: 55%

Based on 51 user reviews

Felt true to width 95%

Based on 63 user reviews

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 119$ See deals
Amazon logo From 124$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 135£ See deals
Zappos logo From 119$ See deals
Mesa Trail - Lightweight Trail Runner
TerraFlex Trail Running and Hiking Shoe
4.7

Based on 3836 reviews

Brand: Xero Shoes

Trail-gripping comfort for your off-road adventures

Sizing:

Felt true to size: 76%

Based on 296 user reviews

Felt true to width: 100%

Based on 55 user reviews

Women's Sizing:

Felt true to size: 62%

Based on 112 user reviews

Felt true to width 100%

Based on 53 user reviews

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 109$ See deals
Amazon logo From 114$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 258£ See deals
Zappos logo From 109$ See deals
TerraFlex Trail Running and Hiking Shoe
F-LITE 245
4.7

Based on 569 reviews

Brand: Inov-8

Simplicity done right – super lightweight training shoe, perfect for functional fitness and running.

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

Buying Options

Inov-8 logo From 135$ See deals
Amazon logo From 131$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 110£ See deals
Zappos logo From 135$ See deals
SportShoes.com logo From 138$ See deals
F-LITE 245
Prio Running and Fitness Shoe
4.7

Based on 9294 reviews

Brand: Xero Shoes

Whether you’re out on a run, trying out a new trail, hitting the gym, or toeing a slackline, you’ll love the Prio’s combination of freedom and protection.

Sizing:

Felt true to size: 85%

Based on 498 user reviews

Felt true to width: 91%

Based on 190 user reviews

Women's Sizing:

Felt true to size: 74%

Based on 201 user reviews

Felt true to width 92%

Based on 95 user reviews

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 89$ See deals
Amazon logo From 94$ See deals
Zappos logo From 89$ See deals
Prio Running and Fitness Shoe
Speed Force
4.7

Based on 1167 reviews

Brand: Xero Shoes

Ready to set new personal bests (in speed and comfort)

Sizing:

Felt true to size: 70%

Based on 63 user reviews

Buying Options

Xero Shoes logo From 99$ See deals
Amazon logo From 1014$ See deals
Speed Force
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
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
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)