Chunky trainers just don't feel right when you're stepping around gym equipment, especially if it's in a space that you've put together in your home. If you're still clunking your way around the gym in running shoes, it's time you checked out the barefoot training shoe option.
If you live in Australia, the chances are your friends have already told you all about the benefits of a good set of barefoot shoes for working out. But if they haven't, you always can be the first to try them out and spread the word.
Before you rush out to buy your first pair, you'll need to take some time to figure out which kind will work best for your training goals.
That'll take hours of boring research, but only if you skip the 7-minute read we've prepared below to get you up to speed with the shoe you need faster than a spur-of-the-moment HIIT training session.
Our staff and resident fitness fanatics have come up with a carefully curated list of the top five barefoot gym shoes on the market, along with a breakdown of what activity each of them is designed for.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on personal opinions. While we strive to offer accurate and helpful advice, the selection of barefoot shoes is subjective and may vary depending on individual needs, preferences, and workout routines. We recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or a fitness expert before making significant changes to your footwear or workout routine, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or specific foot health concerns.
Without further ado, let's jump in.
What makes a great barefoot shoe for working out?
The seven things to look for in a high-quality barefoot training shoe:
- The Wide toe box - regular shoes can squash your toes and have a negative impact on your balance.
- Thin but durable soles - standard gym and running shoes are cushioned for high-impact, outdoor running, and sports. The downside is that they can make your ankles and feet weak if you wear them all the time. A barefoot shoe is thin enough to force your feet and ankles to be strong but also thick enough to protect you from sharp, heavy, or blunt objects in the gym.
- Highly flexible - chunky sports shoes force immobility in your feet, which is no good when you're doing squats, balance exercises, or any kind of weighted standing exercise. Barefoot shoes provide optimal flexibility with maximum protection.
- Lightweight build - the barefoot experience should mimic having no shoes on your feet at all as closely as technically possible. A lightweight shoe is more comfortable to wear and also easier to pack and carry.
- Minimal ankle/arch support - some so-called barefoot shoes are that in name only. A true barefoot product gives all the protection your foot needs from the floor and random objects in the gym while allowing you to build ankle strength and resilience in the sole and arch of the foot.
- Zero drop heel elevation - who exercises in high heels, right? Gym and running shoes have highly supported heels for a reason, but none of them apply when lifting weights or working out in the gym. Zero heel drop is how your foot evolved to function optimally, and that is exactly how a good barefoot shoe should be.
- Killer good looks - looking great isn't the most important part of going to the gym, but if it's as easy as pulling on a pair of sweet, ultra-modern barefoot training shoes, then why not go ahead and look awesome while you're working out?
Did you know your foot has 29 muscles and three major arches of support? It’s possible to work out in a highly cushioned training shoe and hit virtually none of these. The barefoot experience changes this by removing all of those superfluous supports.
Wanna know a secret?
Every barefoot gym shoe on this list hits all 7 points, so whatever pair you pick is going to be great. What makes the difference is optimizing your specific training goals with the exact shoe for your routine.
Read on to find out how.
Our top five picks for barefoot gym shoes that optimize your workouts
5. VivoBarefoot Primus Lite 3.5
The ultra-lite Primus Lite 3.5 is a favourite for those with a broad cross-training routine who want an all-around general shoe that also promotes improved balance.
Whether you're doing power yoga or powerlifting, your connection to the ground below you is assured with this now classic version of the barefoot workout shoe.
Pros
- it’s the shoe that works for every style of workout
- super lightweight weight, so you'll get an authentic barefoot experience
- keep it simple and grab this shoe if you’re unsure what your workout is going to be
Cons
- general purpose shoe, not optimized for specific training
- extra lightweight feel takes getting used to
- there are better shoes for running, walking, and more complex workouts
4. VivoBarefoot Motus Flex
This heavy-duty, extra-flexy version of the barefoot shoe - Vivobarefoot Motus Flex - is designed to withstand the demands of full foot articulation from heel to toe when you are doing calisthenics, intense bodyweight training, or the highly specific movements of a primal movement routine.
Pros
- bends up like a pretzel to stay in place and give support to your feet no matter what twists and turns your workouts involve
- ideal for calisthenics, bodyweight training, primal movement
- articulated soles feel extra grippy
- wrap-around segmentation effect on toe, heel, and sides feels snug and protective
Cons
- not the lightest barefoot gym shoe in the catalog
- the extra weight takes away a little from the barefoot experience
- specialization means it won’t be optimal for all your workouts
3. Be Lenka Velocity
The ultimate barefoot 'sneaker' effect. The Be Lenka Velocity can double up as everyday footwear that instantly transforms into an exercise shoe. Designed for an optimal walking experience, it is the ultimate choice for those who value their outdoor fresh air time as much as their indoor gym workouts.
Pros
- the perfect exercise shoe to take on the road in the great Australian outdoors
- looks like a regular trainer, feels like a supportive barefoot workout shoe
- barefoot walking enthusiasts who want to feel as close to the earth as possible while enjoying full protection love this shoe
Cons
- if walking isn’t your thing, this shoe might be less than optimal for your needs
- not the most lightweight shoe in our range
- if you’ve got a lot of twisting and turning in your routine, there are more flexible shoes you can find than this one
2. VivoBarefoot Primus Lite Knit
VivoBarefoot Primus Lite Knit - a stunning, much loved, all-around barefoot training shoe with the lightness of the classic VivoBarefoot Primus Lite 3.5 combined with an upper knit design for added flexibility.
It doubles up as standard streetwear, so it's perfect if you're serious about taking the barefoot experience into the workplace or outdoors.
It's also great for general workouts that may require a little more give and flexibility than the most minimal barefoot options.
Pros
- super lightweight to give you a true barefoot feeling with all the protection of a thin but durable sole
- passes for a regular trainer while offering all the benefits of a barefoot shoe
- perfect all-around shoe for varied workouts, including the complex movements of calisthenics, CrossFit, dynamic yoga, Pilates, and primal movement
Cons
- not a specialist shoe; there are more flexible, heavier, and grippier versions for specific workouts
- not everyone is a fan of the upper-knit design
1. VivoBarefoot Primus Lite III
VivoBarefoot Primus Lite III - The puncture-resistant indoor and outdoor ultra lite all around barefoot training shoe. Perfect for those with varied cross-training routines that change a lot, as well as both indoor and outdoor running.
Pros
- lightweight shoe perfect for most indoor gym workouts as well as running and outdoor activities
- designed to be the best all-around shoe
- puncture-proof sole to make this the most durable lightweight barefoot shoe in the VivoBarefoot catalogue
Cons
- not designed for one specific activity
- extra layer of protection on the sole slightly reduces the barefoot experience
Which training shoe is the best fit for me?
Ask yourself these questions to find out:
1. Do you regularly change up your routine and do a lot of cross-training in the gym?
We recommend an all-around shoe with the best overall close-to-barefoot experience. For us, this is the VivoBarefoot Primus Lite 3.5.
2. Do you mostly train indoors in the gym with weights, CrossFit, or primal movement routines?
Our pick for your profile is the VivoBarefoot Motus Flex. This super flexible shoe can withstand all the twists and turns you can throw at it in an indoor setting.
3. Is walking a big part of your exercise routine? Do you want a barefoot training shoe that you can wear outdoors but that also does the job when you are in the gym?
Our top choice for this combo has to be the versatile Be Lenka Velocity walking and workout shoe.
4. Are you looking for a training shoe that offers outdoor protection for running as well as the flexibility you need for indoor body weight and functional movement training?
The VivoBarefoot Primus Lite Knit has the streetwear look, protection, and additional flexibility that make it an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor training.
5. Do you want a barefoot training shoe with extra puncture-proof protection for a busy indoor workout environment as well as the outdoors but is also designed with maximum flexibility in mind?
For us, that's got to be the VivoBarefoot Primus Lite III. We believe it's the perfect shoe for those with highly varied, changeable cross-training routines combined with regular outdoor running.
Ordering your barefoot gym shoes is easy
Don’t put it off any longer. Check out our full range of Vivo barefoot shoes here and order the training shoes you need today.
Resources
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/rw/blog/why-you-should-train-in-barefoot-footwear
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/blog/train-natural
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/blog/the-benefits-of-barefoot-shoes-for-weightlifting
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/blog/how-to-improve-ankle-mobility
