CrossFit is an area of physical activity that has taken the fitness world by storm as it combines movement and endurance. You’re a CrossFit practitioner who’s looking for a pair of barefoot shoes to aid in your performance. Which are the best barefoot CrossFit shoes?
We recommend the following barefoot CrossFit shoes:
- Xero Shoes Prio Running and Fitness Shoe
- Merrell Trail Glove 5
- Vibram V-Train 2.0
- Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Recycled
- WHITIN Minimalist Trail Runner
Keep reading to learn more about barefoot CrossFit shoes as well as why we selected each of the 5 shoes that we did. We’ll have reviews of each shoe with shopping links, and we’ll even share a buyer’s guide at the end of this article that’s rife with tips for helping you choose the right shoes. You’re not going to want to miss it!
What Are Barefoot CrossFit Shoes?
First, what are barefoot CrossFit shoes? Barefoot or minimalist shoes are the closest you can get to exercising barefoot but with the support of shoes.
The barefoot style has a low heel-to-toe drop, sometimes a matter of only millimeters and other times a dramatic drop of zero. Barefoot shoes also boast a very thin sole. The wide toe box gives your toes room to move. Some barefoot shoes are molded for each toe, and others are not.
Although some CrossFitters prefer wearing powerlifting or weightlifting shoes or even athletic shoes, barefoot and other minimalist shoe styles are becoming more and more common in CrossFit gyms. The design of barefoot shoes keeps your center of gravity low and thus increases your stability as well as your sense of proprioception.
The 5 Best Barefoot CrossFit Shoes
If you’ve only worn athletic shoes to your CrossFit classes, but you want to try barefoot shoes, which do you choose? Per the intro, we have 5 great suggestions for you from brands like Xero Shoes and Vibram. All barefoot shoes are available for both men and women.
To pick the barefoot CrossFit shoes on our list, we looked at specific criteria. One criterion was the shoe material, which we wanted natural and comfortable on your feet. We also considered the shoe sole structure, leaning more towards zero-drop options. Further, we assessed the shoe top structure and the shoebox too.
Without further ado, here are our 5 best barefoot CrossFit shoes with reviews of each.
Xero Shoes Prio Running and Fitness Shoe
The Xero Shoes’ Prio Running and Fitness Shoe. The men’s version is here, and the women’s version is here.
These shoes may look like a standard pair of athletic sneakers, but they’re anything but. The minimalist styling will suit your needs. The Prio barefoot shoes are made for a variety of activities you’d do during a CrossFit session, from toeing slacklines to lifting weights and running.
The Prio shoes are entirely vegan. Featured in the Prio are instep straps for keeping your feet secure in the shoes even if you don’t wear socks. Since you need your feet squarely on the ground and unmoving when lifting heavy weights during a CrossFit class, these shoes are a solid pick.
The heel of the Prio barefoot shoes is reflective and inspired by Xero Shoes’ Huarache sandal. The lightweight quality of the Prio shoes is another talking point. The women’s shoes weigh 6.4 ounces in a size 7 and the men’s 7.6 ounces in a size 9. Barefoot shoes are supposed to mimic that barefoot feeling, which means being lightweight, and the Prio does so in spades.
FeelTrue rubber–which is only 5.5 millimeters–lines the bottom of these shoes, so you’re not lacking foot protection in any way. The insole, which is a mere 2.2 millimeters, can be removed if you prefer so you’re as close to barefoot as possible.
Xero Shoes’ Prio Running and Fitness Shoe is available for under $100. The men’s shoe comes in styles such as black and white, Lightning Blue, Charcoal Red, and all black. The women’s shoe comes in black and white, Lilac, Robin’s Egg, or all black.
Merrell Trail Glove 5
The next barefoot CrossFit shoe is courtesy of Merrell, and it’s the Trail Glove 5. You can pick up the men’s shoes here or the women’s shoes here.
The Trail Glove 5 shoes are a result of the team at Merrell learning about and optimizing the way our feet move when running, walking, and generally being in motion. Ideal for switching between movement types such as during a CrossFit class, the Trail Glove 5 stabilizes your feet no matter what you do during your CrossFit session.
The lug depth of these barefoot shoes is 3 millimeters with a stack height of 11.5 millimeters. The web is 1.5 millimeters, the midsole 4 millimeters per sole, and the insole up to 3 millimeters. The Trail Glove 5 shoes are lightweight like you need, with the men’s pair weighing 14 ounces for both shoes and the women’s pair 12 ounces.
A Vibram TC5+ sole within the shoes is thin and light. Keeping your feet safe even during heavier-duty activities is the TrialProtect rock plate. You won’t have to worry about tripping over a kettlebell or hurting your feet on hard debris with this sturdy plate included in your shoes.
Other great features are the integrated insole, mesh lining for breathability, lace ties, and an upper made of TPU and mesh. The film heel counter is also TPU and boasts Merrell’s Hyperlock technology to keep your heel counter secure. If you worry about your barefoot shoes getting stinky, M Select FRESH agents within are antimicrobial to keep your shoes smelling better.
The Merrell Trail Glove 5 is available for around $100. The men’s version comes in two styles: black and gray or tan and blue. The women’s shoes only come in one style, white and gray, with blue.
Vibram V-Train 2.0
If you’d prefer your barefoot CrossFit shoes with molding for each toe, then the Vibram V-Train 2.0 shoes have your name on them. Here is a link for the men’s shoes, and here’s the link for the women’s shoes.
As part of Vibram’s next-generation line, the V-Train 2.0 shoes are made for, as Vibram says, “functional athletes” and “serious trainers.” The men’s pair weighs just 7.8 ounces, and the women’s V-Train shoes 6.2 ounces. These barefoot CrossFit shoes feature Vibram’s XS Trek rubber outsole compound, a mere 4 millimeters, as well as a polyester sock liner and a 2-millimeter EVA footbed.
That rubber outsole compound is designed for all sorts of physical activity, including that which takes you outdoors or indoors. According to Vibram, the XS Trek technical rubber compound is non-marking with great wet traction and flexibility.
Vibram updated their panel lacing system with the V-Train 2.0 shoes too. Now the laces have a Hook + Loop closure for your convenience and a gentle feel to withstand lateral, even aggressive motion.
The arch lugs have rope traction for durability, as does the tougher upper construction, which is built for performance. Maintaining stability and balance in the V-Train 2.0 barefoot shoes will feel as natural as ever with your solid ground feel.
The Vibram V-Train 2.0 shoes cost under $130. All shoes are black with different accent colors. For the men, the accent colors include orange, blue, or black, and for the women, the options are pink, green, or black.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Recycled
Our vegan barefoot CrossFit shoe pick is the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III. You can shop for the men’s shoes here and the women’s shoes here.
As Vivobarefoot says about the Primus Lite III, you get “less shoe, less weight,” but more movement. The recycled materials include PET plastics; you can feel good about wearing on your feet. The performance insole from Bloom EVA is also bio-based, lending further eco-friendliness to these barefoot CrossFit shoes.
The design of the Primus Lite III is tailored to the natural shape of the foot. Combining that shape with the lightweight feel of these shoes can very easily make you forget that you’re even wearing shoes. That lets you focus on your CrossFit performance even more.
Mesh panels for breathability are made of Sorona fibers, which are plant-based. Unlike other shoes that rely on petroleum sources, Sorona fibers have no petroleum. That makes the Primus Lite III again a smarter choice for the environment. Even better is the Sorona uppers stretch where you need them to without losing shape. Oh, and they dry fast as well.
The Primus Lite III outsole is 3 millimeters, so you get the full extent of sensory feedback. Vivobarefoot made the outsole for a strong grip so you don’t slip on the CrossFit gym floor or wherever these shoes take you.
Vivobarefoot’s Primus Lite III shoes are available for under $145. The men’s version comes in Obsidian (black), Bright White, Vivid Blue, Vivo Red, and the women’s shoes Obsidian (black), Bright White, Apple Blossom, or Blue Haze
WHITIN Minimalist Trail Runner (Budget Pick)
If you’re looking for a reliable pair of barefoot CrossFit shoes, but you’re on a tight budget, we think you’ll like our last pick, the WHITIN Minimalist Trail Runner. Here’s a link courtesy of Amazon for the men’s shoes, and here’s the link for the women’s shoes.
Available for under $50, you’d never guess the price of these WHITIN shoes are so low once you put them on. Molded for each toe, these barefoot CrossFit shoes have a true rubber sole that lends you feedback when in use but still gives you the protection your feet and body require.
The insole comes with a sock liner, but you can take the liner out if you want to wear these barefoot shoes without socks. All processes and products used to make the WHITIN shoes are animal-free. Although these shoes aren’t quite vegan, you still know you’ve made an environmentally savvy choice with affordable shoes like these.
The hook-and-loop closure is located at your instep so you can secure your shoes without having any laces. The non-elevated, zero-drop sole lends you optimal balance and posture, so you’re ready for your CrossFit class.
The WHITIN Minimalist Trail Runner is available in a rainbow of colors, some even patterned. For the men, your options include neon orange, white, black/gray, camo green, dark/light blue, all black, and more. Some of the women’s shoe colors are navy blue, purple, all black, lime green, neon orange, and gray/pink.
Are there Barefoot and Minimalist Shoes that provide an even greater Barefoot Experience?
Are you ready to dive into the best barefoot shoes that are the closest thing to being barefoot?
Then you might find these shoes interesting. We have listed more of these types of shoes for you here.
Barefoot CrossFit Shoes Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Shoes for You
We just presented you with 5 great barefoot CrossFit shoes to pick from. If you’re contemplating which ones are the best choice for you, here are a handful of factors to consider.
Price
You likely have a budget in mind when buying a pair of shoes. The good news is that barefoot CrossFit shoes are about the same price as a traditional pair of athletic shoes. If your budget is tight, stick to something like the WHITIN Minimalist Trail Runner. Should you have a bigger budget, you can always double up and buy two pairs of the shoes on this list.
We recommended doing just this in our post about how long barefoot shoes last. When you have more than one pair of barefoot shoes, you can switch them out, so you’re not wearing the same ones every day. This keeps your shoes lasting longer, which is always nice.
Fit
Each of the barefoot CrossFit shoes we reviewed were made for a good fit with features like specialized hook and eye closures such as those found in the WHITIN shoes or the Vibram V-Train 2.0. This attention to detail ensures your barefoot shoes fit the way they’re supposed to, which is like you’re not even wearing shoes in the first place.
If you’re more of a traditionalist who would prefer to wear barefoot CrossFit shoes with laces, remember the Merrell Trail Glove 5 for men or women. Both versions of these shoes come with laces you can tie and tuck in so they don’t interrupt your CrossFit activities.
Style
Whether you prefer your barefoot CrossFit shoes with toe molding or without, you have a wealth of styles to choose from. The Xero Shoes Prio has that standard running shoe look, but the barefoot feel makes the shoes a smart pick for CrossFit training. Going back to the Vibram V-Train 2.0, the molded yet roomy toe box leaves space for each toe in a sporty, modern-looking shoe.
Support
Support is not lacking in any of the barefoot CrossFit shoes we reviewed. Although each of the 5 shoes has insoles and rubber soles that are mere millimeters apiece, you still get amazing support and rugged traction, so you’re less likely to slip on the running trail or the treadmill.
Whether you’re trying to improve your performance time or you’re aspiring to be a part of the CrossFit games, having supportive shoes lets you focus more on what you’re doing without the concern of losing traction.
Materials
Those who eat vegan and prefer to wear vegan shoes too have plenty of options, including the Xero Shoes Prio and the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite II Recycled, which was our vegan pick on this list of barefoot CrossFit shoes.
Even a non-vegan pair of barefoot shoes uses less rubber, so production is not quite as taxing on the environment. You can feel good about doing your part for our planet each time you slip into your favorite pair of barefoot CrossFit shoes.
Conclusion
If you’re an avid CrossFit practitioner, you need the right pair of shoes as you shift from cardio to weightlifting to jumping, stretching, and everything in between. Barefoot shoes can accommodate this range of activities, especially the shoes we recommended.
Available at many price points and in men’s and women’s styles, you can’t go wrong with any of the barefoot CrossFit shoes on our list. They’re all made of premium materials with thin insoles and outsoles, a lightweight and barely-there feel, and a close fit. Now you can focus less on your footwear and more on setting CrossFit records!