We Tested 5 Barefoot Shoes – Here’s the One That Outperformed the Rest

By Kayla Wood | February 1st, 2025 | 10:12 UTC

If you want all the benefits of barefoot shoes – better posture, zero foot pain, and total freedom of movement – choosing the right pair is crucial.

With so many options on the market, we decided to test the 5 most popular barefoot shoes to see which actually delivers on comfort, durability, and foot health.

Our Testing Criteria

We wore each barefoot shoe for 14 days, testing them for:

Comfort & Fit – Does it feel natural and lightweight?

Durability – Can it handle daily wear and outdoor use?

Traction & Grip – How well does it perform on different surfaces?

Foot Health Benefits – Does it support pain-free walking and running?

Value for Money – Is it worth the price?

After rigorous testing, one clear winner emerged – and it wasn’t even close.

The Top 5 Barefoot Shoes

– Ranked Best to Worst

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🏆 1. Purestep Explorer Barefoot Shoes (Best Overall Choice)

Rating: 4.9/5 | 1,200+ Reviews | From £69.90

After two weeks of testing, the Explorer Barefoot Shoes from Purestep outperformed every other brand. It provided an unbeatable combination of comfort, flexibility, and durability that we didn’t find in the other shoes.

Why It’s Our #1 Pick:

Superior Comfort – Feels like walking barefoot but with added protection.

Ultra-Flexible Sole – Promotes natural foot movement.

Wide Toe-Box – No pinching, cramping, or rubbing.

Anti-Slip Grip – Perfect for trails, pavements, and even wet surfaces.

Durable & Lightweight – No bulky material, just pure performance.

Zero-Drop Design – Encourages proper posture and reduces knee and joint strain.

Money-Back Guarantee – Full refund if you don’t love them.

Limited Time Offer: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE + Free Shipping Today!

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2. “Barefoot” Sneakers

Rating: 4.0/5 | From £89.99

This style offers a minimalist design ideal for runners but lacks the wide toe-box needed for full comfort. While it provides a good ground feel, some testers found it too thin for long-term wear.

Pros:

Lightweight

Flexible sole

Cons:

Minimal protection

Not ideal for all-day wear

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3. Toe-Separating Barefoot Shoes

Rating: 3.7/5 | From £99.99

Designed to mold around each toe individually, these shoes provide good grip but felt restrictive and uncomfortable after long hours. While they perform well for certain sports, they lack versatility, and aren't as “socially acceptable” as others on the market.

Pros:

Great grip

Good flexibility

Cons:

Can feel restrictive

Harder to put on and take off

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4. Sandal-Style Barefoot Shoes

Rating: 3.2/5 | From £120.00

Barefoot sandals offer breathability and a flexible sole, but they lack overall foot protection and aren’t ideal for colder or rough terrain. Better suited for casual wear than active movement and foot-pain reduction.

Pros:

Breathable

Comfortable in warm weather

Cons:

No full foot protection

Not great for hiking or running

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5. Traditional Minimalist Moccasins

Rating: 3.0/5 | From £49.99

A classic barefoot shoe design with soft material, but lacked durability and arch support. While comfortable at first, they wore out quickly and didn’t provide enough traction.

Pros:

Soft and flexible

Cons:

Wears out fast

No arch support

Slippery on some surfaces

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Final Verdict: The Explorer Barefoot Shoes Are the Clear Winner

After testing all five styles, the Purestep Explorer Barefoot Shoes came out on top. It checked all the boxes – from comfort to durability to pain relief.

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Recommended:

4.7 | 137,628+ Reviews

Explorer Barefoot Shoes

Reduces Foot Pain & Inflammation

Relieves Your Foot & Arch Pain From Plantar Fasciitis

Walk or Work Up To 12 Hours With No Trouble

Cloud-Like Comfort & Lightweight Material

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