You’ve come a long way, baby. It’s a saying that doesn’t really apply to shoes, but it definitely could do so. Running shoes have come such a long way, with such revolution and evolution of their design, that it looks like they have come back around the other side. It’s almost went too far at times, and because of that, we have seen the emergence of barefoot and minimalist running shoes as a result. These types of shoes are tricky, but they can offer you a range of benefits that you just don’t find from the ‘normal’ shoes you are used to unboxing. Today, we’ll be breaking down the ins and outs of them, giving you everything you need to know, before we give you the top ten most popular options from these two categories. Sit back and relax, or get on the move!
Top Barefoot and Minimalist Running Shoes Comparison Chart
| Product | Material | Price | Where to Buy? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Vibram Men’s KSO Evo Cross Training Shoes | Polyester Fabric | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 2. Merrell Men’s Trail Glove 4 Runner | Textile & Synthetic | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 3. Nike Men’s Free RN Sense | Mesh | $$$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 4. New Balance Men’s MT10V1 Minimus Trail Running Shoes | Synthetic/Mesh | $$$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 5. Vibram Men’s V-Run Running Shoes | Polyester Lycra Stretch Mesh/Polyester Microfiber | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 6. Whitin Men’s Cross Trainer Minimalist Shoe | Rubber sole | $ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 7. Amococo Unisex Wide Toe Minimalist Trail Running Shoes | Rubber sole | $ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 8. L-Run Athletic and Water Barefoot Shoes | Polyester | $ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 9. TSLA Men’s Trail Running Minimalist Barefoot Shoes | Nylon | $ | Check Price On Amazon |
| 10. Inov-8 Men’s Bare-XF 210 V2 Sneakers | Textile & Synthetic | $$$ | Check Price On Amazon |
Barefoot and Minimalist Running Shoes Buying Guide
What Are They?
Before we get too far into this, we need to look at barefoot and minimalist running shoes and define what they are for you. You may not know much about them, and this can prove fruitful for you as we build in further sections of the guide beneath. Barefoot shoes are going to be the sorts of shoes that are little more than a little bit of rubber and a coat of paint, if you will. They will not have much of an impact on top of the foot. Minimalist shoes also have this same sort of definition, for many have been unable to tell them apart. If you want a working definition, then this is the one The Journal of Foot and Ankle Research gave: “Footwear providing minimal interference with the natural movement of the foot due to its high flexibility, low heel to toe drop, weight and stack height, and the absence of motion control and stability devices.”
For our purposes today, since it’s going to be one list, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to be splitting hairs on this not so vital topic. But, a whole lot of people, including me, would put barefoot shoes as the more ‘extreme’ of the two. Minimalist shoes are a sort of ‘transition,’ that’s what some would call them, from the regular shoes we are used to running in. Either way, what you end up with is a pair of shoes that is wholly different from what you are used to, lacking in features that have long been considered to be necessary. That, and that alone, is what makes them unique and puts them in one of the two categories: “barefoot” or “minimalist.”
Benefits of Barefoot and Minimalist Designs
You may be wondering what in the world you would want from a pair of shoes that are just basically going to hover you right above the ground without nearly as much protection. That’s a good, fair question, but it’s one that many people have asked and then came to find to be true when they got their answer and tried them out.
The number one thing you get from many of these designs is that you get a ton of flexibility. Whether it’s a true blue barefoot shoe, or a minimalist look, it’s going to have a lot of flex to it, giving you full range of motion. This doesn’t seem to be a big deal on the surface to you, but it really, really is. If you have ever wore a pair of shoes in which you couldn’t move your toes very well, this is the way to combat that. And it’s not just moving them up and down, either. It’s the side to side motion- the splaying of the toes- that can mean a whole lot to you. How many times have you caught annoying, debilitating cramps as a result of trying to move your toes just a little as you ran so you could have a modicum of comfort? That doesn’t occur with barefoot or minimalist designs. If it does, it’s not really made to be what they claim it is!
A related benefit of this is that it helps you to run in your natural gait. Like it or not, a whole lot of running shoes on the market are going to sort of force you into running a certain way. They may be made for a more neutral runner, but what that kind of does is force you to run that way. And that may not be your style. With a barefoot or minimalist design, you are going to be getting yourself the ability to run your natural way, which is huge and will ensure you don’t pick up unnecessary niggles and injuries as a result of running.
A further benefit of them is that they are super responsive. A lot of people get confused by this term, but responsiveness can be summed up as being the ability to respond to stimuli. A lot of times, running shoes can be made to be clunky in design. Even the ones that are made to be as lightweight as possible might not have the best of materials in the midsoles, causing them to not react as you need them to. With barefoot and minimalist running shoes, this is not present. You are able to move around freely, as discussed above, and you are able to go this way and that in the blink of an eye. Furthermore, you are able to get a lot of balance work out of the shoes, since your muscles are doing more work than they would with regular old shoes on. This makes you a more flexible, balanced, and coordinated person, all of which are great traits that will make you a better athlete and runner.
A major aspect of minimalist and barefoot running shoes also has to be the fact that they are very breathable. This fact alone is enough to sway certain groups of people that live in certain areas of the world since it gets so dang hot. Regular running shoes are getting very good at providing a means to wick sweat and make sure the feet are not getting soaked and too warm, but even the best of those have nothing on barefoot designs that have an open face to them. Even those that aren’t open ended have very little material above, which is made from breathable materials anyway, helping you to get excellent ventilation. A whole lot of people also forget that this contributes to the prevention of blisters. Blisters are downright ugly, mean, and an annoyance of which none of us want. We typically think of them as forming because shoes are too small or because our socks and shoes don’t mesh very well, but they can also form as a result of too much heat. Chafing, too, is a worry if that is occurring, so having these shoes can definitely combat that by keeping you calm, cool, and collected. Of course, the thing you have to keep an eye on here is that what goes out can also come in. If you have an open area for the releasing of water, then you also have an area where it can come in at. So if you are running in the rain, or if you are going through muddy trails, then you might just find the water seeping in, too. For some people in certain climates, it would not be the best thing to have such openness, even if you really want to be more in tune with nature and the world around you.
An alternative motive to wearing minimalist and barefoot shoes is going to be the ability to go anywhere and everywhere. Sure, it might be a little bit more burdensome, but some of the regular running shoes you see won’t be able to handle tremendous changes of traction. You could never go swimming in your regular shoes, and you probably wouldn’t want to run on trails, either, with them, unless they are made for that kind of thing. Versatility is king when it comes to shoes with these sorts of designs, meaning you can even have them double, in a lot of cases, as a water shoe. This just adds to the benefits and will be sure to keep you happy for longer.
We’d be remiss to also mention the brilliant feature that is known as comfort. Too often we overlook this when we buy athletic shoes, and especially running shoes. We feel like we just need to buy something that will get the job done for us and leave it at that. We can live with it, after all, so why worry about it? If that’s you, fine, you’re not going to be convinced very much, so have it your own way. But for others, they want something different and more comforting as they work hard. Many find that their feet are binded together when running, unable to move. We talked about flexibility and how much these types of shoes help aid in that endeavor, but it’s also more than that. It’s about having less weight on you and feeling in touch with the ground. Comfort is one of those things that can be given, but it will take you a while to get used to barefoot and minimalist designs at first. You will need to wear them several times before you start to feel good, since it’s just such a departure from the way you have ever felt before. But once your body does begin to process what is happening to it, you’ll become accustomed to wearing them and will be able to find comfort with a more natural style of running, hearkening back to a time when we as a people didn’t have shoes.
Drop
We mentioned the concept of ‘drop’ a little bit earlier, and it’s something that needs to be expanded upon here so that we can get a full grasp on the situation at hand (or foot, rather). Drop refers to the height difference between the heel and the toe. For example, most running shoes are going to have a drop that measures somewhere in the range of 10 and 12 millimeters. It doesn’t seem like much, but this is done to try and offset some of the pressure points in the foot. With barefoot and minimalist running shoes, there is much less ‘drop’ involved, and many times there is none present at all. While there is still a lot of work to be done to prove if the theory is true, and it is to many out there, a lot of people believe that barefoot and minimalist shoes will cause less injuries to the hip and knees because the drop is not present (or as present). The idea is that a traditional shoe is going to make the feet and heels strike at places that they should not due to the drop, thus putting stress and strain upon areas of the body that you wouldn’t normally think all that much about. Like we will talk about later, transitioning is very much needed for someone as they seek to leave the world of ‘regular’ runners and join the world of the barefoot shoes.
Outsoles
Outsoles are one of the more curious bits of the shoe for most people. It’s an area that is confusing because you just don’t know what it’s for. We all know what the upper does, what the soles do, what the tongue does, etc, but what does the outsole do and why is it so crucial to the cause? In ordinary shoes, the outsole has a number of jobs. It’s there in order to give you protection and stability, ensuring you have the necessary traction to help you get through whatever your activity is. But in recent years and perhaps decades now, there has been a move for outsoles to begin to also support. You may notice creases on the outsides of your shoes. Those are outsoles, and no, they aren’t just for looking cool and being hip. They are there in order to make the shoes wider and take strain off of the foot by having a wider base.
So, that’s the role that outsoles play. In barefoot and minimalist shoes, you are not going to be getting as much of a starring role from outsoles, but you still absolutely have to have them and have to know what it is you need. First and foremost, it’s vital to understand that you have to have some outsoles. Running with just your bare feet planted firmly to the ground is going to be a recipe for disaster. Not only is it going to be painful for your heels and the bottoms, but you could get any number of diseases or step on virtually anything imaginable to bring you pain. So, you’ve got to have a pair of shoes, something beneath you, unless you just want to be totally reckless and dangerous with your own health and safety, which we do not recommend.
What you need to look for with outsoles is whether or not they are going to hold up to the pressure that you put them through. What purpose do you have for them? Are you running on long, damp trails, on pavement, or another form of environment? Are you in a warmer climate or a cold one? Generally speaking, you don’t need nearly as much grip if you are going to be running on smooth, flat surfaces. But once you start mixing it up with dampness and uphill climbs, you are going to require more. It’s always best to go with more grip than less grip, so if you feel you might get into that sort of running- even if it’s only five or ten percent- it’s ideal to go ahead and get something with a very grippy outsole. Some outsoles are not designed to give you great traction in the rain and the wet, so don’t assume they are just slippery to begin with and can be broken in magically. In fact, they tend to get worse over time in this regard, as do all shoes! Nothing lasts forever, after all.
Materials
The materials that are used to make shoes, of any variety, need to be looked at hard before you set about buying a pair. These can make or break your time on the trails or on the road, and you don’t want to end up realizing you made a mistake shortly after you purchased your shoes. Overall, there are less materials used in the making of barefoot and minimalist shoes, so it’s not too cumbersome to talk about them.
Mesh is the first in the list, since it is immensely popular and very much necessary to have. Mesh is not the most resilient of materials, but it has the benefit of bringing excellent breathability to the picture. By using tiny holes in the fabrics, it is not only going to be able to wick the sweat away from the foot, but it is also going to help the shoes be flexible, giving them a combo that makes them what they are.
TPU and TPR are also very commonly used in the making of these kinds of shoes. TPU, also known as Thermoplastic Polyurethane, is a blend of silicone and hard plastic that produces a substance that is very smooth, durable, elastic, and also helps steer clear of developing abrasions. That last part means the shoes won’t take as much wear and tear and that holes aren’t as likely to form as you’d otherwise think.
TPR, or Thermoplastic Rubber, is made out of rubber and plastic, as you could probably guess, and is used in order to make a compound that is resistant to a lot of weather and is also light. On top of that, it also does a good job at keeping you warm or cool, whatever the weather dictates, while working hand in hand with mesh.
Then you have, of course, rubber as well. This is mainly used in the soles and the in the outsole areas as well. This is very much needed in order to give you ‘tread’ and traction to keep on moving forward. Without it, you are in a world of hurt. You can find either natural rubber or synthetic (i.e. man made) out there, but the two are basically the same, so it’s not worth delving any further into their minute differences here.
Taking It Easy… At First
One of the reasons why this craze has ‘burned out’ a bit over the years has been due to the fact that there were many overzealous patrons of the idea. They sought to jump right into the fray, slipping on their new minimalist and barefoot designs and getting right into it. What ended up happening for many of them was a rash of injuries in conjunction from the use of these shoes. The reason it happened was because the people wearing the shoes was in no way, shape, or form, ready to wear those shoes. They were used to having plenty of support over the years from their regular shoes, and instead of easing their way toward wearing much less on their feet and not having support, they just jumped full bore into it. It’s not the wisest thing to ween yourself quickly and haphazardly off of addictive drugs, and it’s also not smart to just stop wearing the shoes you’ve always been used to in order to wear these. It’s best to give yourself time to transition and time to build into it. This can take the form of wearing them a little at a time, or you could even go from your current shoes down to a lighter shoe and then to another lighter shoe until you have ran yourself down and are ready. Some of us can take the beating right away, sure, but is it really worth the pain and potential injury that can happen?
Fit
Equipping yourself with the best shoes is only going to get you so far if you don’t have the right fit to them. Even though you have less materials and less there to hamper you and hold you back, the fit is still vitally important to getting the most out of your shoes. With minimalist shoes, there are different challenges than what you will see with more regular shoes. The more minimal you get, the more you really need to make sure that your shoes fit well right out of the gate. With normal shoes, you have the tendency to have to break them in. This is just how it has always been. With minimalist running shoes, you want to have the best possible fit and be comfortable right from the get go. Any spot that causes soreness or irritation is only going to get worse. As it relates to the other end of the spectrum, where you are going toward more of the regular form of shoes, you need to also think about this. While it’s not as paramount and you may have a tiny bit of break in time, you also need to make sure they fit well in a general sense right away.
Fitting yourself is not hard to do, but a lot of people don’t take the time to do it right. If you haven’t measured your feet in a couple of years, you really should do so. Sometimes we get it into our minds that we are a certain number. It can be our weight, our height, or our clothing sizes. Shoes, too, are like this, and we never check back up on it. So checking to make sure that is right is critical. Next, trying them on in a place in person is going to be the most ideal. I know that we are all busy and have the internet that can be such a tremendous marketplace, but that doesn’t cover up the need to try on shoes live and in color. If you don’t do so, you may not match up as well.
If you can’t go in person, then you have to be extremely careful and pay close attention to what your research and other people’s reviews say. Some companies will ever freely admit that their shoes run small, such as Vibram, which we will see below. Nikes are notoriously known for running small and narrow, too, so you have to do your research if you want the best, most comfortable fit for you and your feet. It’s not as hard as it might seem, but you do have to make a little effort and put some time into it. Once you do get your shoes, you need to try them on right away and make sure they feel good. If they don’t, send them back. It’s not worth the potential injuries, stress, strain, and a lack of general comfort that will correspond with a poor fit.
The three places to check are the toe box, the midfoot, and the heel. The toe box is an obvious one. You want to be able to wiggle your toes at least up and down a little and a bit from side to side. Some shoes offer more of a chance to do this, while others don’t. Some people have very wide feet up there and shoes tend to choke them, so that’s a no-go and something to look out for. The midfoot is important, too, though, since you have to also have some support. If it’s too wide for you, you might not be able to step as nimbly or securely as you would like. It will greatly impact your strides, throwing you off and causing you to come up short. The heel is also a place to look at. A lot of people associate this area with comfort alone, but it’s about so much more than that. It’s also going to be the place that locks you into the shoes. A good heel counter will lock you in without being overbearing and gripping into you. Some shoes do that, and they hurt a great deal and cause flare ups of the skin. Padding is a good thing to have, but it’s not always necessary.
Price
The price you pay is largely going to depend upon the brand in which you have decided to go with and the quality in which their products are made. A lot of people would probably assume that shoes made with minimalist and barefoot designs are cheaper, but that’s not always the case. It just depends on what it is, and if you want a good, quality product from a brand that is established and well known, then you will have to stump up some extra cash for it. In our list, we are going to have examples of bigger, more well known brands, such as Vibram and Nike, while also including brands that are new on the scene, as well as those that are very inexpensive. This range is going to help you be able to narrow down what it is you are willing to settle on and what you must have.
The Top Ten Barefoot and Minimalist Running Shoes Reviews
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Vibram Men’s KSO Evo Cross Training Shoes
The name does imply cross training, but part of any training regimen will be some form of running, thus it makes our list here at the top. With separate toes, like a glove on the ground, you will have full range of motion and be able to splay them this way and that however you may seem fit. With a padded tongue, that’s not too aggressive, and a lacing system that is quick and simple to use, you are ready to get up and moving in no time while being comfy in doing so. This is very much a barefoot running shoe if you have ever seen one, but it does have ‘bladed’ lugs beneath, helping to give you grip on all kinds of terrains. They have no drop to them as well, so they are going to keep you right on top of the ground. The main issue is that they do run small, so sizing without wearing them before can prove tricky.
Pros:
- Versatile pair of shoes
- Padded but not overly so
- Excellent grip
Cons:
- Does run small
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Merrell Men’s Trail Glove 4 Runner
Following up Vibram is a brand that is just as well known in the outdoor industry in Merrell. Merrell’s offering here, though, is more toward the minimalist scale, so it can be used to transition toward the barefoot or just be your new preference. With a Vibram outsole included on it, it’s going to give you excellent grip, all the while the top is going to give you more protecting and the lower will be more supportive than the Vibram could be. It is called a ‘glove’ in the name, but it’s not much of a glove, only so much as that in the fact that it’s fairly light and not going to be a burden on you. With a number of colors to help you stand out, there’s a lot of style choices, too, as you run on the trails with very sticky lugs beneath.
Pros:
- Great on the trail
- Very grippy
- Full shoe but not too heavy
Cons:
- Not great on pavement
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Nike Men’s Free RN Sense
Nike may not strike you as a minimalist company, but the truth is that they have been moving in that direction for a long time now. Like so many of their models now, the RN Sense is very lightweight, making it an excellent transition piece toward barefoot running models. It uses tons of mesh, on the upper, sides, and even the tongue to keep you cool, has a comfy collar and tongue that isn’t way too aggressive, and uses Nike’s Dynamic fit and Flywire cables to make the lacing easy, support, and adjustable to every single individual. At a very good price as well, it’s hard to find a fault with these. Though some will in the fact that Nike aren’t exactly well known in this sector, so that could be seen as a knock by some.
Pros:
- Good price
- Tons of mesh makes them breathable
- Supportive and easy fit
Cons:
- Nike not known for minimalism
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New Balance Men’s MT10V1 Minimus Trail Running Shoes
As the name implies, these shoes from New Balance are made to be a pivot point between barefoot and the regular running shoe. They feature Vibram outsoles, helping you to grip the ground very well while out on the trail, an essential piece to the puzzle of keeping you safe. By using mesh along with synthetics, they are super easy to keep clean and will breathe out extremely well, too. With their acteva midsole, you can expect great responsiveness since it is both lightweight and also supportive of you. You also get a ton of flexibility here, along with just 4mm of drop, making this an ideal shoe for the transition or just so you can hit the trails. They do tend to run small, so keep an eye on that.
Pros:
- Sticky Vibram outsoles
- Responsive and agile
- Very breathable and easy to clean
Cons:
- Runs small
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Vibram Men’s V-Run Running Shoes
Vibram comes back onto the list here with a shoe that is specifically made for running. Like their previous offering, this one also has the toes individually placed, allowing greater range of motion. Unlike that one, though, this one has their VI-Lite midsole to help you with your responsiveness, giving you overall support and comfort while making sure you don’t feel slow on the trail. With a drilex sockliner, these are going to wick away sweat very well and make sure you don’t develop fungus or anything of the sort. They are super light, easy to take off and put on, and also have a superior rubber compound on the bottom than most, making them ideal. They run large, unlike many, so that is one thing you must account for.
Pros:
- Wicks sweat and rids microbes
- Responsive and very light
- Excellent range of motion
Cons:
- Runs larger than most
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Whitin Men’s Cross Trainer Minimalist Shoe
If you would like a much more affordable version of the Vibram, then Whitin is a good place to start. With the toes made to be worn individually, like a glove, you get a lot of movement and a full range. On top of that, they mold to the feet, promoting your own anatomy over just being mass produced for everyone to squeeze into. Made with Vegan friendly materials and having no heel to toe drop, you can count on them being good for the environment and helping you feel more in tune with nature. This is very much a barefoot shoe, and that is perhaps one of the worries. Some will be worried it is too minimal, and since it’s not quite as well known, it might be too much for them to overcome. But for a starter, these might be your ticket to success.
Pros:
- Very good price
- Plenty of toe room
- Environmentally friendly
Cons:
- Not as well known as other brands
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Amococo Unisex Wide Toe Minimalist Trail Running Shoes
If you want to stick to the same general price range but want to have a bit more protection and support, then these minimalist shoes from Amococo are a good selection to look at. With a very wide toe box, you are able to splay out your toes a great deal compared to other runners. Made for the trail, these shoes have an adjustable hook and lace closure, a pull tab on the back to pull them up, and have a sole that is made to resist slipping. It’s even got a toe cap on it, just in case you happen to hit your feet up against an object. The use of fly knit in the upper makes them both very soft and breathable, as do the holes they placed on the sides. These aren’t going to last forever, but for the price, it’s hard to complain for sure.
Pros:
- Awesome price
- Very wide in the toes
- Easy to get on and keep on
Cons:
- Not the most durable
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L-Run Athletic and Water Barefoot Shoes
If it’s versatility that you want and you don’t want to pay a ton of money, then this offering from L-Run is worth a look. These shoes look minimalist, but they are pretty much barefoot ones since they are constructed to be so lightweight. Made in a multitude of colors, sure to help you stand out, you are able to use a hook and lace closure for them. Their versatility makes them ideal for both traversing in and around water, as well as on the trail or on the road. You can’t expect them to hold up for too long, compared to others out there, but you get a great deal of benefits from them that you don’t see with some others. For less serious runners, this is the way to go.
Pros:
- Good on the water and road
- Great price
- Very colorful
Cons:
- Not great durability
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TSLA Men’s Trail Running Minimalist Barefoot Shoes
Another affordable option that you might go with if you want something a little bit more on he minimal scale than the barefoot is that of TSLA. These trail running shoes come in some pretty snazzy colors but have no drop to them, making them a good blend of looks and feel. The outsoles and the soles are made to be very sticky, while they have utilized a flyknit upper to make sure that they are very easy to clean and that they are super, duper breathable, too. They even have a nylon band, which enhances their durability a bit and makes them more flexible, giving you a lot to be thankful for if you go with these. They do run a half size too big, so you will have to factor that in if you plan on going with them.
Pros:
- Great range of colors
- Super breathable and easy to clean
- Nylon makes them more flexible
Cons:
- Runs large
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Inov-8 Men’s Bare-XF 210 V2 Sneakers
This is a company that is looking to move into the fitness market and are doing a good job of it so far. It continues here with a pair of shoes make for quick traveling of the trails. They are super lightweight and very breathable, using vents all over these shes so that you will never overheat. With a toe cap in front, you will be protected from running into things in front of you and getting injured. With the prevalence of the mesh used, you are able to move your toes freely both from one side to the next and from each side to the other. The heel counter cradles you in and makes sure there’s no movement from there, a common gripe about shoes in this particular genre. With rope-tec surrounding the entirety of them, you can get awesome grip both climbing ropes and traversing trails. These might not be best for heavier runners, as they have a lack of support. They are also pretty expensive, too.
Pros:
- Very breathable
- Locks you in comfortably
- Awesome grip all over
Cons:
- Expensive choice
- Not best for heavy runners
Conclusion And Final Barefoot/Minimalist Running Shoes Recommendations
Finding the right barefoot or minimalist running shoe is not the easiest thing you could ever do. There aren’t as many options available to you, it seems, as there with ‘normal’ running shoes, and you naturally just don’t know as much- well, most people don’t- about them. That means it can be harder to know and understand what you need, causing you a lot of confusion and trouble due to it. But that doesn’t have to be the way it is, and you don’t have to find yourself overwhelmed by it all. That was the entire point of our buying guide today. It’s helped walk you through everything you need to know, and it’s also given you some options to jump off from. So, what are you waiting for then!?
FAQ’s About Barefoot/Minimalist Running Shoes
Why Not Just Run Barefoot?
This is a good question, and a fair one, but it’s a pretty foolish proposition to try and do to run barefoot. The only place I’d personally feel comfortable doing this would be in my own yard, and even then, you never, ever know what is lurking. All sorts of things can happen, from cuts and scrapes and bites from various insects. On top of that, you have to get used to running that way, so you’re going to be hurting to begin with, even more so than with these shoes we have talked about. It’s just not the best idea for you to go with and offers so little protection that it’s not worth it!
Should I Wear Socks Or No?
This one is a personal preference thing, and it’s likely going to come down to which of the two camps you are in: minimalist or barefoot. If you are in a shoe that is more like that of a regular running shoe, then you should probably wear them and probably will. If you are in a minimalist shoe, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to wear them. Once again, though, it’s about how you feel and your preference at the end of the day.
What If I Have Flat Feet?
Those of us with flat feet will know that running present certain challenges, and it can be very tough to deal with activity as whole without proper support. Luckily, you have some options available to you, even in the more minimal range. These are not perfect by any means, and you do sacrifice some of the lightweight feel, but you can still get the support you need while also trying to reap the benefits of these kinds of shoes.
