My Top 4 Barefoot Gym Shoes of 2025
After testing dozens of barefoot shoes, here are the barefoot gym shoes I wear on repeat.
One of the best places to experience the benefits of barefoot shoes is the gym. Traditional athletic shoes often come with thick, stiff and cushioned soles that don’t allow your feet to move and can throw off your balance and stability with their narrow toe boxes. Barefoot shoes, on the other hand, let your feet spread out naturally and keep you connected to the ground. This makes a big difference for lifting heavy weights, moving quickly through circuits, or just feeling more in control of your body during training.
I’ve tried dozens of athletic barefoot shoes for the gym, but these are the ones I’m wearing on repeat. We all might want something a little different so I’ll follow this up with a longer list list later. All of these shoes are ideal for medium width feet, but can adjust to narrower and wider. Most of these have minimal cushion with a lot of ground feel, but I also included an option with moderate and high cushion.
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Feelgrounds Move – All-Around Gym Shoe
Stack height: 8mm total, 4 mm sole plus a 4 mm removable insole | $129 | KELLY5 for 5% off
The Feelgrounds Move is one of the most versatile barefoot shoes I’ve worn. They have enough grip and security for gym workouts, but the style works just as well for casual wear. The knit upper is made with breathable, stretchy Tencel, which gives them a soft, sock-like feel with plenty of freedom for your foot to move. I don’t get any rubbing or hot spots, but because the material is so flexible, they’re not the best choice if you prefer a shoe with lots of structure. The fabric can also be a little delicate, so I keep mine for gym workouts rather than anything that would involve a lot of abrasion.
The heel collar is padded for extra comfort, and the sole is 4mm, flat from heel to toe, and very flexible with excellent ground feel. They also come with removable insoles that add another 4mm of cushion, so you can customize the feel depending on your workout. I often take the insoles out when I want more connection to the ground, but I’ll put them back in for running or jumping when I want just a touch more padding. The detached tongue and stretchy upper let you adjust the volume quite a bit, which makes it easy to fine-tune the fit.
Width-wise, the Move is very similar to Feelgrounds’ casual shoes through the toe box. I compared the insoles and found them nearly identical in width, but the Move can tighten down more securely thanks to the lacing system—a feature I really appreciate in a gym shoe.
I tested them on a variety of surfaces and found the traction solid on typical gym flooring like cement and wood. They were a little slippery when I wore them outside after the rain, especially downhill, since the outsole is mostly smooth. That makes them better suited to indoor workouts and casual outdoor wear, but not for situations where you’d want lugged grip.
For my US readers, Feelgrounds ships their shoes delivered duties paid (DDP), which means you will pay your new tariff as part of checkout.
Sizing: Sizing runs EU35–49, and I’m wearing an EU38 on my 23.3 cm foot. The length feels consistent with other Feelgrounds models, which makes it easy to switch between their different styles without guessing.
Bahé Revive Modes – Best for High Impact and General Exercise
Stack height: 10mm to 22mm, depending on the Mode | Starting at $185 | Code BAREFOOTGUIDE for 10% off
I’ve been a fan of my Bahé Revive shoes since 2023, and with the new Modes line in 2025 I get the same great fit but with the option to choose high, medium, or low cushion. I have a full review of the Bahe Modes here, but the quick highlights are what make them stand out: a wide toe box, generous volume without feeling bulky, and a lightweight, breathable mesh upper. Even with the higher stack heights they stay flexible, which isn’t always the case with cushioned barefoot shoes.
The Bahé Flex comes in at 10mm with no midsole, the Adapt is 14mm which I find is that sweet spot between flexibility and ground feel, and the Endurance is 22mm, ideal for longer-distance running. All come with a 3mm removable insole, which means you can adjust for volume and cushion.
They’re technically designed as trail runners, but the lugs are moderate enough that they don’t feel out of place in the gym. Durability has been another strong point—I’ve worn mine for just about everything, from workouts to hiking, and two years later they’re still going strong.
Sizing: I find that these fit true to size. I wear the Bahé Revive Modes in an EU38.
Avancus Apex Power V3 – Best for Weightlifting
Stack Height : 6mm, including a 3.5mm outsole | $99
If your training revolves around heavy lifting, the Avancus Apex Power V3 is built for it. This is a more recent addition to my gym rotation, but after trying them, I could see why their new drop was selling out so quickly. If your size isn’t currently in stock, you may have to wait until their next release…and then grab them fast!
The sole is thin and extremely stable, giving you that grounded feel that makes a difference under the bar. The wide toe box allows your feet to spread naturally, and the overall build is tough enough to handle repeated sessions without breaking down. These shoes don’t try to do everything, but what they do, they do exceptionally well. They’re $99, which also makes them a pretty affordable option for such a great barefoot gym shoe.
Sizing: I found these to run a little small; the EU38 was a little small for me, so I sized up to the EU39 which was a much better fit.
Vivobarefoot Motus Strength – Another great all-around
Stack Height: 3.5mm outsole with removable insole | $220 | Code BSG20 for 20% off
Vivobarefoot designed the Motus Strength with dynamic movement in mind. It’s great for plyometrics, kettlebell work, and anything that involves quick changes in direction. The sole has excellent traction and durability, while still giving you the barefoot flexibility you want. If your workouts lean toward functional training and higher intensity movement, this is the shoe that will keep up.
If you don’t need quite as much structure, and are happier in a knit or mesh shoe, check out the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit (pictured above in white) or the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite (pictured below in white), which start at $150.
Vivobarefoot shoes are thoughtfully designed, but they do run a bit narrower and lower in volume. I usually remove the insole to create more space, though I often still wish for a little extra room—especially for gym use. They’re also on the higher end price-wise, so if you’re looking to save, you can use my 20% discount code BSG20.
Sizing: I find that Vivobarefoot fits true to size; I’m wearing these in an EU38.
Final Thoughts
No matter your training style, there’s a barefoot shoe that can match it. These are the barefoot shoes in my gym rotation, let me know yours!
