10 Best Barefoot Hiking Shoes and Trail Runners: Reviews from a Hiking Enthusiast 

If there’s any time a shoe is going to make or break or experience, it’s on the hiking trails. Find the best shoe for your feet and your favorite terrain in this guide for barefoot hiking shoes.

I used to wonder if there truly was a hiking shoe that would be comfortable all day. I spent many miles trying to “break in” my hiking shoes, hoping that on the next hike, I wouldn’t end up with sore feet and blisters.

But, all of the hiking shoes, trail runners and hiking boots I’d tried thus far had massive design flaws. Hiking shoes with a narrow, tapered toe aren’t designed to fit the natural shape of the human foot. They pressure and deform the foot into becoming shoe-shaped. And the stiff, heeled soles aren’t designed for natural human movement. They alter the way our feet, ankles, knees and hips move, often resulting in pain somewhere along the kinetic chain.

When I found hiking shoes that were designed for the natural human foot and natural human movement, everything started to work. I no longer needed to break in my shoes, they just fit. If you too have been on the hunt for comfortable hiking shoes, then use this guide to barefoot hiking shoes and minimalist trail runners to find the best pair for you.

Why should you trust this hiking shoe guide? 

I love hiking! Looking for an alternative to stiff, clunky hiking boots is what got me started on my barefoot shoe journey.  

I’ve tested these barefoot hiking shoes out a lot on the trails. I’ve hiked extensively in each state that I’ve called home (California, Arizona and North Carolina). Plus, most of our travels are geared around hiking or surfing (both if possible), so I’ve put these shoes to the test in a lot of different climates and terrain as we’ve explored the trails across the US, Europe, Asia and Central America. We hike a lot with kids but squeeze some long range and more difficult hikes in too.

What to look for in the best barefoot shoes for hiking 

I first consider the fundamental characteristics of a barefoot shoe: 

When it comes to hiking shoes, there are a few more things to consider. However, since the idea is that my feet are strong and capable, I no longer look for hiking shoes that provide a lot of support or stability. My feet can do that on their own now. But it does help to consider how much grip, toe protection or cushion I may need based on the environment. 

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Looking for sturdier hiking boots? This post focuses on lightweight hiking shoes and trail runners, so check out these round-up of the best hiking boots for when you need more warmth, water-resistance, and protection. 

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Best Barefoot Hiking Shoes and Trail Runners

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3 Saguaro Shoes Trail Runners

Stack Height: 6mm | Price: From $40 | Code: KELLY15 for 15% off Saguaro website

Sizes: EU24 to EU46

Best For: medium to wide feet, medium to high volume

Discount Code: KELLY15

Uppers: Knit and mesh

Location + Shipping: Offer worldwide shipping | Manufacturing location: China

Saguaro is an affordable barefoot shoe brand that’s been exponentially growing their line of barefoot styles. They started with a barefoot water shoe that works well as a trail runner, and I still think it’s one of their best shoes. 

These styles have markings for the toes and a 6mm rubber sole with great grip. The uppers are a knit mesh that’s breathable and dries quickly. Styles that feature this sole include the SmartI, SmartII, and Vitality III. The Active II has the same sole shape, but a different design for the lugs.  My son has worn these for a few summers and they’ve lasted the season, but the insole and sole can wear down if you’re wearing them on hard surfaces.

The Forestep IV is another lightweight hiking shoe from Saguaro that uses a different sole shape. It has more of a slope in the toe box, so it’s better for those with a stronger slope to their toes.  

Fit & Sizing: These trail runner style of shoes typically fit true to size. For me that’s an EU38, for Aaron that’s an EU43. I find them pretty roomy with the insole; taking out the insole can accommodate for even higher volume feet.

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4 Xero Shoes Scrambler Low 

Stack height: 10 mm | Price: $110 – $150

Sizes: Women’s US 5 – Men’s US

Best For: narrow width, low to medium volume

Uppers: Abrasion-resistant and breathable mesh upper with protective overlays

Location + Shipping: Offer worldwide shipping

Xero Shoes has a few options when it comes to barefoot hiking shoes, but my favorite so far is the Scrambler Low. The Michelin Fiberlite sole is super grippy and super light—it’s performed well on mud, rocks and slick pavement. They have a good balance of ground feel and flexibility while still providing enough protection for tougher trails and longer distances.  

My main gripe is that while they’re foot-shaped, they’re still fairly narrow through the toe box. I have medium width feet, and I can feel my pinky toe hitting the edge.  

The TerraFlex and Mesa Trail are also popular barefoot hiking shoes from Xero Shoes. The TerraFlex was their first trail shoe, made for running and hiking, while the Mesa has a few features that are made more specifically for running. 

Both have 4mm chevron lugs and a 3mm TrailFoam layer built within the outsole to provide some cushion and protection on rockier paths. 

Fit & Sizing: These run a little short, so if you’re between sizes, I’d size up. I’ve been wearing a 7.5, but would likely size up to get a little extra space and some width. These also fit low to medium volume best, so I wear them without the insole as I have a higher instep.

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5 Bahe Revive Running Shoe 

Stack height: 13mm Price: $193 | Coupon Code: BAREFOOTGUIDE for 10% off

Sizes: EU36 – 47 

Best For: medium to width, medium to high volume

Discount Code: BAREFOOTGUIDE

Uppers: Mesh uppers with water-resistant coating; reinforced heel and toe 

Location + Shipping: Based in the UK with worldwide shipping.

The Bahé Revive is a minimalist trail running shoe that features a wide toe box, zero-drop sole and moderate cushion. The 2.5mm lugs provide good grip, but they’re not so luggy that you can comfortably wear them casually or to the gym. I recently did a trail that had both steep slick rock and loos rock, and these worked great. 

The Bahé shoes are that sweet spot for me when it comes to fit, flexibility and design. They have ample toe space without looking noticeable wide, plenty of volume (I can even wear these with the insole), and good movement even with a 10-13 mm stack height.  

Fit & Sizing: Bahé shoes are unisex and currently come in whole sizes. I comfortable wear a US7/EU38. EU38 is my usually size, so I’d say these fit true to size. The Revive shoes have one of the wider toe boxes currently available in the barefoot shoe market.–when I compared among the Lems Primals and Altra Lone Peaks, the Bahe shoes had the most space in the toe box.  

The Revive shoes also have enough room to accommodate my higher instep, even with the removable insole left in. This means that they can accommodated those with pretty high volume feet if you do remove the insole. And if you have low volume feet, you may have to swap out for a thicker insole.  

Read in-depth Bahé brand review

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6 Freet

Stack height: around 10mm including insole | Price: Starting at $95 | Coupon Code: KELLY for 10% off 

Sizes: EU37 – 48

Best For: medium to wide width, medium to high volume 

Code: KELLY

Uppers: Most winter styles are leather or felted wool (in prior years, cork leather was also used) 

Location + Shipping: Based in UK with worldwide shipping.

Freet has been busy expanding its line of barefoot hiking shoes, so there are a few great options to choose from with more rugged soles. They use innovative materials for the uppers, like the Kidepo bootee that uses a knit fabric made from recycled coffee grounds. 

For a shoe with a sock-like fit, try the Howgill. The knit upper is super breathable, and the sole features 4mm lugs for wetter and more technical trails. The Feldom also has a grippy sole with 4mm lugs, but a more traditional athletic shoe design and some reinforcement around the toes. The Calver has an even more aggressive sole with 6mm lugs and an open weave mesh that’s made to drain water quickly. 

Fit & Sizing: Freet makes some of the best barefoot hiking shoes for wide feet as both the toe box and overall shoe accommodate wide, high-volume feet. Freet shoes are unisex.  

Sizing varies from model to model, but tend to run slightly small.  

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Best Barefoot Hiking Shoes with Minimal Cushion 

These options are as close to barefoot you can get without actually ditching your shoes. These barefoot hiking shoes have soles that are 5mm or less.

7 BeLenka Trailwalkers

Stack height: 4mm | Price: Starting at $179 | Coupon code: KELLY5 for 5% off 

Sizes: EU37 – 48

Best For: medium to wide width, medium to high volume 

Code: KELLY5

Uppers: Suede

Location + Shipping: Based in Slovakia with worldwide shipping. Shoes made in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Italy.

For a hiking shoe that keeps you close to the ground with minimal cushion, try the BeLenka Trailwalkers. These have a thin 4mm sole with more of a textured sole vs lugs, so they’re best for paths where you don’t need a lot of cushion or protection. 

The BeLenka Trailwalkers are a bit unique in that they have a full suede upper (it’s so soft!). While many are looking for more breathable mesh, a less porous upper can be handy when you’re hiking through the desert and there is a lot of dust and sand. The Trailwalkers keep the dirt out, but are still very lightweight.  

To add protection, a rubber bumper comes up and around the toes, which also provides a lot of volume in the toe box.  

Fit & Sizing: These run a little short. I typically wear an EU38 in most BeLenka shoes, but these are a better fit in an EU39.

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8 Vibram FiveFingers V Trek

Stack height: 4mm | Price: Starting at $110

Sizes: EU35 – 50

Best For: slope shape feet

Uppers: Various synthetic uppers

Vibram FiveFingers (VFF) are the OGs when it comes to barefoot trail running shoes. You’ll never have to worry about your toes getting squished together in these, because they separate toe pockets function as toe spacers too. If you eventually want to get to full barefoot hiking, these are a good final step.  

Vibram soles are used by many other hiking shoe brands because they’re durable and grippy. The different FiveFinger styles have varying design and amounts of grip. The provide some protection and traction, but not much cushion. The V-Treks pictured here with the Vibram Megagrip 4mm outsole that worked well for both wet and dry conditions. They do come up a bit high around the ankle. If you don’t want them that high, try the V-Trails. 

Fit & Sizing: If VFF fit your foot shape, they can be amazingly comfortable. All Vibrams have the same slope shape, so if they’re not a good fit for your toe shape, size or length, then they just may not be for you (and that’s okay!). Sizing does vary a bit based on style. I’m wearing an EU38 based on my 23.3cm foot length, and I have just enough room for my big toe, with a little extra space in all of the smaller toes. 

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Best Wide Toe Box Hiking Shoes with Maximal Cushion 

This third section is for those that want a wide toe box, zero-drop hiking shoe, but still want the cushion. These shoes have a stack height of 25mm or higher.

9 Altra Lone Peak and Superior

Stack height: 25mm | Price: Starting at $140  

Sizes: US Women’s 5.5 to US Men’s 16

Best For: Medium to wide width, medium to high volume

Uppers: Ripstop mesh with reinforced toe area

Altra stood out in the running scene when they launched their wide toe box, zero-drop shoes. In contrast to most shoes that have these features, Altras also have quite a bit of cushion.  

The Altra Lone Peaks are a favorite amongst trail runners and through hikers as they have plenty of room for your toes, a rugged sole, and a 25mm stack height including a rock plate to help you through long days and rocky trails. They use Altra’s Original FootShape Fit, which is their widest option. 

The Lone Peak Alpine are the same shoe except with partially suede uppers. 

The Timp 5 and Superior 6 are also solid trail running options, both of which use the slightly slimmer standard FootShape from Altra. 

Fit & Sizing: Most find that these Lone Peaks fit true toe size. I wear a women’s US8. The toe box and overall fit of the Altra Lone Peaks are spacious enough for medium width and volume feet. They do offer a wide version in both the men’s and women’s; note that the actual rubber outsole of the shoe isn’t wider in the wide version relative to the same size in regular, there is just more upper material which creates more volume and opportunity for the feet to spread out. 

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10 Topo Athletic Pursuit

Stack height: 28mm | Starting at $140  

Sizes: US Women’s 6 – US Men’s 14

Best For: Medium to wide width and medium volume

Upper Materials: Mesh uppers with protective overlays 

Topo Athletic is another brand in the running shoe space that touts a roomy toe box as a signature feature of their design. They aren’t a purely minimalist shoe though. Some of zero-drop, but many have a 4-5mm drop. Also note that the insole has built-in arch support and the shoes have a noticeable toe spring.  

If you want a shoe with more cushion, it usually comes down to personal preference and fit whether people like Altras or Topo Athletic shoes more. The Topo cushion does feel more firm (vs the bounciness of the Altras), so that often plays into the preference as well.  

The Pursuit Trail Shoe is a zero-drop trail runner with a 28mm stack height. It uses the Vibram® Megagrip, which is meant for grip and traction across all trails, and spaced lugs to shed mud quickly.

Fit & Sizing: I found the size 8 to fit me best. The Topos are better for lower to medium volume feet, so I’m most comfortable without the insole.

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Have any questions about barefoot hiking shoes or minimalist trail runners? Drop them below!