Minimalist/Barefoot Shoe comparison - 3 Winners, 1 Loser
If you’re here, you already know the benefits of being barefoot. You know that wearing over-cushioned shoes weakens the musculature in our feet, and flattens our arches. Unfortunately, most gyms or any other places that you can train at won’t be too happy if you walk in without any footwear. The best option, then? Barefoot/minimalist shoes. The problem is, there are too many shoes out there to choose from! Thankfully, I’ve gone through dozens of pairs of barefoot shoes myself, and so have discovered which minimalist shoes are the true winners of the field.
Some of what I’ll cover in this article
In this article I will highlight what I think are three fantastic options for minimalist shoes for movement training - and one that I would advise against. Namely, I will cover the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite, the Groundies Tokio, the WILDLING Tanuki, and the FEIYUEs. I will cover each shoe’s price point; the different features of each shoe such as their responsiveness, the flexibility of the shoe, and sole thickness; the ethics behind each brand; and how well each shoe performs specifically for running.
Ground Feel and Sole
One of the many beautiful things about barefoot shoes is that you reclaim your foot’s responsiveness and awareness. This is thanks in large part to the much thinner sole found in barefoot shoes, and is also related to the sole’s softness/hardness. The harder the sole, the more sensory feedback you will get from the shoe. In this section I’ll cover the feel, flexibility, thickness, and hardness/softness of each shoe.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite
I’ve been using Vivobarefoot shoes for several years now, and have been using this model in particular for over a year now. Overall, I really enjoy this shoe. The sole is grippy, and is also very thin, meaning you will get great sensory feedback from the ground. Regarding stiffness: if you were to try to fold the shoe so that the bottom of the shoe bends into itself - it is stiff in that direction. For most people this doesn’t matter too much, and for me it hasn’t made a noticeable difference either.
Another notable feature of the Primus Lite sole is that it has a curved edge, which helps in preventing twisted ankles, and also helps in mimicking the feel of being naturally barefoot.
The shoe uses Vivo’s 3mm active lifestyle sole, and you really feel in touch with the ground when using it. You feel basically everything you’re stepping on when wearing these, which to me is a good thing.
Wildling Tanuki
I really really like the Wildling Tanukis. Their sole has a very interesting shape - there is actually no sole in part of the shoe - this allows you to curve and bend your feet in all directions. The sole is 2.5mm, meaning there’s almost nothing between you and the ground. I personally love that - it means I feel everything I’m stepping on. Another plus for this sole is that it’s quite grippy. A bonus factor for the sole of this show is that it is made of 80% synthetic rubber, of which 50% is recycled rubber. The remaining 20% is made from cork. Overall, the sole of this shoe feels amazing. It’s like nothing I’ve ever tried before.
Groundies Tokio
The groundies, like the Primus Lite, has a 3mm sole. Compared to the Tanuki and the Primus Lite, the Groundies Tokyo has a softer sole. For some this may be a good thing, but personally I prefer a harder sole, with which I can really feel everything I”m stepping on. However, if you’re new to the concept of barefoot/barefoot shoes, starting with a softer sole may be a good choice. Then again, you can always insert a softer insole into a shoe which has a harder sole, whereas you cannot make a shoe that already has a softer sole, harder. Another downside to softer soles is that they wear out quicker than hard soles.
The soles of this shoe are rounded on the edges, and it is also flexible in all directions - more flexible than the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite. The grip on these shoes is good.
Feiyue
Overall, I just have to say ‘No’ to this shoe. The soles on this shoe are super thick and super soft - walking in them is like stepping on pillows. The shape of the shoe is sort of like a boat, which I find to be super strange - it gives a sort of wobbly feel, as I feel a lot of my weight is focused on the middle of the shoe. I really don’t like this about the Feiyue.
The sole of this shoe is not durable at all, and they wear out super quickly. Spending less on a shoe doesn’t count if you have to buy them more frequently!
The FEIYUEs do, to their credit, have a zero heel drop, which is better than most common sports shoes have going for them.
Price, Ethics, and Responsibilities
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite - €145
Vivobarefoot is constantly innovating regarding the use of sustainable materials. They produce the rubber for their soles out of, for example, harmful algae, cleaning up rivers in the process of production. Where they use leather shoes, they use wild hide leather, meaning the leather does not come from factory farmed/caged animals. As well, Vivobarefoot has a lot of humanitarian projects going on in their production countries, namely China, Portugal, and Africa. In Africa, for example, they support local businesses with their handmade Sole of Africa line of shoes.
Wildling Tanuki - €83
Produced and made in the EU, the Wildling shoe upper is made out of paper. The sole, as mentioned above, is 20% cork and 80% rubber - 50% of which is recycled. This company is evidently putting an effort into the sustainable production of their shoes. As well, there isn’t much material in their shoe in general - so each shoe is consuming less energy to make. Finally, this brand has a lot of environmental projects going on.
Groundies Tokio - €119
Groundies shoes are designed in Germany, and produced partly in Germany and partly in Portugal. This company focuses heavily on sustainable production, fair working environments, and also claims to be climate neutral.
FEIYUE - €35
Based on price alone, the FEIYUEs would be the go-to on this list. Remember, though: you get what you pay for. The FEIYUEs are made in China and the website states nothing on its company’s working conditions. As well, the shoes use a hell of a lot of rubber - presumably un-recycled. Other than that, I wasn’t able to find much information on the ethics surrounding this company - a sign that they probably don’t have much to boast about in that regard.
For Running
Wearing Vivobarefoot Primus Lites
For running purposes , your feet will benefit fairly evenly from most barefoot shoes. The zero drop and thin sole will help you strike the ground with your mid to forefoot, as you should, rather than with your heel. The main factor, then, that matters between shoes, is the shoes’ breathability and how well they feel on the foot.
Feiyue
Shitty. I’d never run in them. They are super unstable and they just don’t feel good. Since they are zero drop, they’d be a better choice, in my opinion, than a lot of other running shoes, but they still wouldn’t be near my top choice.
Wildling Tanuki
The Wildling Tanuki’s are surprisingly comfortable to run in. Keep in mind, they are super minimal, meaning you will feel every small stone and pebble that you run on - so be mindful of that. For running, this would be a more advanced shoe, in terms of how experienced you are being barefoot. The upper is super breathable for these shoes. I didn’t feel sweaty at all, and I have very sweaty feet.
Groundies Tokio
I found the Groundies to be comfortable for running in. However, the relatively softer sole makes them, for me, a less desirable option. I thought they would be more breathable, but I found my feet to sweat a bit more with the Groundies than the Wildling Tanukis.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite
The Primus Lite 2’s are very nice for running in. I like them a lot. They are super breathable, they have a nice ground feel, and their sole feels especially nice for running.
My choice?
My personal favorites of this bunch are the Wildling Tanukis and the Vivobarefoot Primus Lites. The Wildling Tanuki is the lightest, most flexible minimalist shoe, and is also the most affordable of the three models I recommend. The Primus Lite is a very durable minimalist/barefoot shoe, and as a bonus is fashionable for most occasions.
Wanna get a pair yourself? Head here if either the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite or Wildling Tanukis pique your interest. I am partnered with them - therefore, if you do decide to get a pair through my website, you’ll also be supporting me :). Hope this article helped you narrow down your options, and happy trails to you!