Barefoot shoes continue to grow in popularity as a valid footwear option for training and lifting. I personally like to alternate between barefoot shoes and cross-training shoes for lifting and training. Both types of shoes allow me to enjoy different sensations when performing squats, deadlifts, and recreational exercises.
If you have never worn barefoot shoes, you have probably wondered which barefoot shoes are best for training and lifting. Since not all barefoot shoes are created equal, I would like to compile a list of my favorite barefoot shoes for lifting and training. Barefoot shoes are a great option when you want to train with a close-to-the-ground feel.
In this roundup of the best barefoot shoes for lifting and training, I explain why I like each pair of Best Barefoot Shoes For Lifting below for specific lifting, performance, and training parameters.
Best Barefoot Shoes For Lifting
Best Barefoot Shoes For Lifting | Comparison Table 2022
| Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III, Mens Vegan Light Breathable Shoe with Barefoot Sole Black | Vivobarefoot | Check Price | |
| Inov-8 Men's Bare-XF 210 V3 - Minimal Barefoot Cross Training Shoes - Black/Gum - 10.5 | Inov-8 | Check Price | |
| New Balance Men's Minimus TR V1 Cross Trainer, Black/Outerspace/White, 7 | New Balance | Check Price | |
| Xero Shoes Men's Prio Cross Training Shoe - Lightweight Zero Drop, Barefoot, Black/White, 10 | Xero Shoes | Check Price | |
| Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit, Womens Vegan Ultra-Light Trainers with Barefoot Sole | Vivobarefoot | Check Price | |
| WHITIN Men's Trail Running Shoes Minimalist Barefoot 5 Five Fingers Wide Width Toe Box Gym Workout Fitness Low Zero Drop Male Lightweight Minimus Tennis Flat Comfort Black Size 9.5 | WHITIN | Check Price | |
| Xero Shoes Men's Mesa Trail Running Shoe - Lightweight Barefoot Trail Runner, Forest, 11.5 | Xero Shoes | Check Price | |
| Oranginer Men's Barefoot Running Shoes Minimalist Big Toe Box Zero Drop Shoes for Men Gray/Red Size 11 | Oranginer | Check Price | |
| Xero Shoes Women's HFS Running Shoes - Zero Drop, Lightweight & Barefoot Feel, Atoll Blue, 8 | Xero Shoes | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Barefoot Shoes For Lifting | Reviews 2022
1. Vivobarefoot Primus Lite
- The lightweight recycled active trainer, made for uninhibited movement
- Breathable Recycled PET Mesh to keep feet cool
- Mens Exercise Shoes
- made for uninhibited movement
- Train hard while treading lightly on the planet
- The Primus Lite III is our hero trainer and its minimalist design lets your feet move in the most natural
- These trainers give you a barefoot feel to build strength on runs
- Lightweight and versatile trainers let you connect with the
- Mens Vegan Light Breathable Shoe with Barefoot Sole Black
2. Inov-8 Men’s Bare-XF
- ZERO DROP - Zero lift allow steady for deadlifts and stable footing so you can get that natural feel as near to being barefoot as you can without taking your shoes off.
- WIDE TOE BOX - Plenty of space in the forefoot allows you to spread out the toes and provides a solid base for weightlifting so you can feel secure in your stance.
- STICKY RUBBER GRIP - A patented stick rubber on the outsole guarantees a non-slip grip so you can feel confidence in your stance when weightlifting.
- MINIMAL CUSHIONING - These lightweight trainers have minimal support so you can feel more balanced, agile and connected to the ground during indoor workouts for that true barefoot experience.
- VERSATILE EVERYDAY SHOE - Perfect for everyday wear and multipurpose gym. These minimalist trainers are perfect for deadlifting and squatting.
- 210 V3 - Minimal Barefoot Cross Training Shoes - Black/Gum - 10.5
3. New Balance Men’s Minimus
- Midsole with full rubber coverage delivers added cushioning for enhanced comfort and impressive support
- Mesh upper designed for a lightweight feel and enhanced airflow
- Underfoot rubber for unmatched traction and a stable base
- TPU-infused design and reaction-diffusion engineering for exceptional durability
- Minimus construction and premium liners allow for a sock-free training session
- These mens trainers deliver enhanced cushioning without sacrificing stability
- The freedom of running in awesome-fitting tights with pockets to hold everything you need
- TR V1 Cross Trainer, Black/Outerspace/White, 7
4. Xero Shoes Men’s Prio Cross
- COMFORTABLE, FOR-EVERYTHING SHOE - 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
- XERO DROP SOLE FOR PERFECT POSTURE - The Xero Drop sole offers a non-elevated heel and is low-to-the-ground - this allows proper posture, balance, and agility for all-round performance
- ULTRA-THIN BAREFOOT DESIGN - Wear with or without socks. The optional 2mm insole lets you have more or less of a “barefoot feel” depending on your mood
- VEGAN FRIENDLY - Xero Shoes believes in promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles which is why the Prio is made with zero animal products
- GET THE RIGHT FIT with FREE Domestic Exchanges - This shoe runs true to size. If for any reason thats not the case for you, contact us for a free domestic exchange of your like-new shoe
- Training Shoe - Lightweight Zero Drop, Barefoot, Black/White, 10
5. Vivobarefoot Geo Racer Knit
- Newly engineered knit upper for dynamic feel and fit
- Knit upper made from recycled polyester provides freedom of movement, unparalled breathability and maximum performance
- Womenss Exercise Shoes
- Unlock your natural locomotion with every run, walk, and workout
- Vegan materials including durable yarn engineered from recycled PET plastic
- made from vegan post-consumer recycled plastics and are designed
- Our mission is to make it easy for every man to find good vegan shoes
- Our mission is to make it easy for every man to find good vegan shoes
6. WHITIN Men’s Trail Shoes
- A wide toe box lets your toes spread and relax.
- Produced using animal free products and processes.
- Removable sockliner (insole) if you want a “more barefoot” feeling.
- True rubber sole provides great protection while still getting the ground feedback.
- Note, if between sizes, order next size down
- Minimalist Barefoot 5
- Five Fingers Wide Width
- Toe Box Gym Workout Fitness
- Low Zero Drop Male Lightweight Minimus Tennis Flat Comfort Black Size 9.5
7. Xero Shoes Men’s Mesa Trail
- LIGHTWEIGHT FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES - The Mesa Trail is made with barefoot-friendly, minimalist running in mind to handle your active lifestyle. A men’s 9 is about 7.6 ounces each so you’ll practically fly over your next trail when you’re wearing it
- XERO DROP SOLE FOR PERFECT POSTURE - The Xero Drop sole offers a non-elevated heel and is low-to-the-ground for proper posture, balance, and agility. You’ll love the comfort and traction that comes from a wide toe box and lugged, dual-chevron tread
- FLEX YOUR FEET, FEEL THE FLOOR - Our patented 5mm FeelTrue sole offers just-right protection and the ground feedback that your feet love; 3.5mm lugs give you the right combination of protection and grip
- VEGAN FRIENDLY - Xero Shoes believes in promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles which is why the Mesa Trail is made with zero animal products
- GET THE RIGHT FIT with FREE Domestic Exchanges - This shoe runs true to size. If for any reason thats not the case for you, contact us for a free domestic exchange of your like-new shoe
- Lightweight Barefoot Trail Runner, Forest, 11.5
8. Oranginer Men’s Barefoot Shoes
- Wide Toe Box Design - Wide enough toe box allows your toes to relax and spread out naturally for more comfort and stability in uphill climbs and downhill descents, helping with balance and giving you better feedback from the ground.
- Barefoot Inspired - Wearing this barefoot you’ll engage your feet more, and strengthen the muscle fibers that get neglected when you’re all laced up. With stronger accessory muscles in the foot, injury rates were expected to drop and running efficiency would improve.
- Lightweight & Flexible - The flexible synthetic mesh upper provide breathability when you are doing workout or running, breathable mesh design and insoles can keep your feet away from damp conditions.
- Various Activities - This trail running shoes are suitable for many occasions, such as walking,training, running, jogging, physical exercises, daily gym sports and so on. You can also wear it as a water shoe.
- WARRANTEE & CUSTOMER SERVICE - We produce every pair of shoes responsibly. We trust that you will enjoy our shoes so all of our shoes come with a 12 months Warrantee. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied, please contact us.
- Minimalist Big Toe Box Zero Drop Shoes for Men Gray/Red Size 11
9. Xero Shoes Women’s HFS Shoes
- SHAPED FOR COMFORT, BUILT FOR SPEED - Xero HFS features a lightweight, minimalist build that contours to the shape of your feet. Its spacious toe-box allows you to splay, spread, and relax your toes for superior comfort
- XERO DROP SOLE FOR PERFECT POSTURE - The Xero Drop sole offers a non-elevated heel and is low-to-the-ground - this allows for proper posture, balance, and agility for all-round performance
- FLEX YOUR FEET, FEEL THE FLOOR - Our tire tread inspired patented 5.5mm FeelTrue sole strikes a balance between just-right protection and feedback - it delivers heel to toe cues to the brain for your best run ever. Allows your feet to bend and flex as nature intended
- TRAVEL FRIENDLY, 5000 MILE WARRANTY - Xero HFS’ extra-durable construction is backed by our 5,000 Mile Feel the World Sole Promise. Being ultra-flexible, you can roll ‘em up and put in your pack or pocket for compact storage and easy travel
- VEGAN FRIENDLY - Xero Shoes believes in promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles which is why the HFS is made with zero animal products
- Zero Drop, Lightweight & Barefoot Feel, Atoll Blue, 8
HowTo Choose The Best Barefoot Shoes For Lifting | Unrivaled Guide 2022
Fit
As a general rule, choose shoes for barefoot training that are a half to one size larger than your normal shoe size. Feet naturally spread out over time. There should be enough room for the toes to move without bumping into the front of the shoe, but not so much that the heel slips off when walking.
However, fit varies considerably from shoe to shoe and person to person, so be sure to try them on for size yourself before giving your credit card information. (At the very least, make sure there is a flexible return policy.)
Durability
Minimalist training shoes contain less material than other shoes, so make sure the materials included are of high quality and long-lasting. Many minimalist training shoes use recycled plastic, rubber, or rubber-based materials for the soles. Some also use thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is commonly used in the soles of safety shoes.
Comfort
When choosing several pairs, always choose the most comfortable ones. Your idea of comfort and your friend’s idea of comfort is different, so don’t rely on other people’s opinions when buying shoes.
Try on as many pairs as you need to find the best shoes. The best shoes for weightlifting are always the ones that fit your feet perfectly and feel good.
Style
As we will see in our overview, barefoot weight training shoes come in a variety of styles – from athletic pairs that separate the toes to urban-cool high-tops (a la Feelgrounds). Which type you choose depends largely on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the shoe.
Advantages Of Barefoot Shoes
The benefits of barefoot shoes can vary widely depending on who you ask. For the hardcore barefoot shoe enthusiast, the benefits can be a bit exaggerated. To objectify my perspective as a trainer, here are some of the benefits that are quite consistent with barefoot shoes.
1. Increased Proprioception With The Ground
Most barefoot shoes have soles of 6 mm or less, allowing the wearer to better “feel” the ground beneath the foot. This results in a better perception of the surface you are working on.
2. Improve Foot Muscles
As mentioned earlier, there are 29 different muscles associated with the foot and ankle. On the medial side of the foot, there are small intrinsic muscles that help shape the foot. The foot has three major arches: the lateral longitudinal arch, the medial longitudinal arch, and the anterior transverse arch.
3. Promote Full Contact With The Ground
Barefoot shoes are also useful in training situations to promote full foot contact with the ground. For example, in movements such as deadlifts and Romanian deadlifts, the ideal state is for the feet to be in full contact with the ground, the so-called tripod foot.
Are Barefoot Shoes Good For Lifting?
Barefoot shoes make good lifting shoes for several reasons. Before diving into these reasons, I want to make it clear that barefoot shoes are a great shoe option for weightlifting, but not for their own sake.
For example, I myself like to alternate between barefoot shoes, workout shoes, and weightlifting shoes. This is because each style of shoe is slightly better in certain contexts.
I think it’s important to be objective about how you use your shoes so you don’t fall into the “this is the best and only” trap. Below are two of my favorite reasons to use barefoot shoes in training
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They Are Great For Deadlifts And Deadlift Variations
If you like weightlifting and regularly train with different deadlift variations, you will appreciate the feel of barefoot shoes in this performance. The barefoot shoe’s minimal height, thin sole, and wide construction are great for reducing the distance to the ground and promoting stability.
In deadlifts and deadlift variations, this is great because it reduces the total range of motion required to lift weights and allows the feet to be firmly planted on the ground, which in some contexts can contribute to power generation. If you are trying to optimize your deadlift performance, it is hard to fault barefoot shoes and how their structure supports the deadlift.
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Suitable For Foot Joint Exercises And Active Foot Exercises
Another reason barefoot shoes are excellent for lifting is in the context of promoting foot joints and foot structure. Barefoot soles are thin, allowing them to bend easily and promote movement through the natural mechanisms of the foot.
This is also recommended for those who are training their feet through active foot exercises. Another benefit for weightlifters who want more sensory return to the ground is that they can bias the order of load transfer to specific areas of the foot.
For example, if you work on something like a walking lunge barefoot, you will probably notice that the shoes move with you very well and provide a high level of maneuverability.
How big should barefoot shoes be?
In general, we recommend sizing your barefoot shoes so that there is between 0.3″-6″ of space at the end of your shoe’s toe box. This is generally a good range for most foot anatomy and will not make barefoot shoes cramped during training.
How To Choose A Good Exercise Shoe? | Video Explanation
FAQs
Are barefoot shoes suitable for weight training?
Barefoot shoes can be an excellent footwear option for strength training. Specifically, barefoot shoes can be an excellent footwear option when a high return to the ground is required, such as in deadlifts and lower body workdays.
Are barefoot shoes suitable for weightlifting?
Barefoot shoes are an excellent shoe choice for deadlifts. Their minimalist sole helps limit the total range of motion in the deadlift that you need to lift the weight, and their wide toe box promotes full toe-off for stability.
Is wearing shoes barefoot good for me?
Barefoot shoes can be good for you, depending on your needs and preferences. For many people, barefoot shoes can be a useful tool to keep in rotation with other footwear options to develop foot muscles and provide a variety of feedback to the feet.
Can barefoot shoes be worn every day?
Yes. Barefoot shoes can certainly be worn every day if you like the fit and feel. However, if you wear barefoot shoes every day, remember that it is important to slowly get used to this style.
Why are shoes called “barefoot”?
Barefoot shoes get their name because they replicate the sensation of walking and moving around barefoot. They have a minimal sole that replicates the sensation of barefoot but protects the foot.
Conclusion
Barefoot shoes make excellent footwear options for lifting and training. They can also be useful in lifting situations because of their minimal soles and non-slip construction. With so many barefoot shoes on the market, finding the Best Barefoot Shoes For Lifting can be difficult. Hopefully this guide helps you to choose the the shoes of your choice.
Hi, I am Brian, Lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, and Went to The University of Texas at Austin, I am a shoe lover & know the inside out of shoes. I am well aware of the qualities of top-quality boots. That’s what I’m sharing with the reader of About Shoes/boots/footwear. Read More Here
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