It’s long since been your goal to own a pair of barefoot or minimalist shoes, but you’re on a very, very tight budget; you could even say a shoestring budget. You don’t want to spend more than $50. What are your options within that price range?
Here are the best barefoot or minimalist shoes for under $50:
- WHITIN Men’s Minimalist Trail Runner
- Oranginer Men’s Barefoot Shoes
- L-RUN Athletic Hiking Water Shoes
- TSLA Men’s Trail Running Shoes
- Saguaro Outdoor Aqua Shoes
- Weweya Barefoot Cross-Training Shoes
- Joomra Barefoot Shoe Socks
- Body Glove 3T Barefoot Max Water Shoe
That’s right, any of these minimalist shoes meet your price requirements, and some are from big brand names as well. Ahead, we’ll review each of the 8 pairs listed above as well as talk about when inexpensive barefoot shoes can come in handy.
8 Pairs of Barefoot Shoes for Less Than $50
WHITIN Men’s Minimalist Trail Runner
Beginning our list is the WHITIN Trail Runner, which we should stress is a minimalist shoe and not barefoot. WHITIN does say the shoe is “barefoot-inspired,” though.
Designed to maintain your weight balance across the whole shoe, the Trail Runner features a 1:1 ratio for supporting your posture, especially as it pertains to your back and feet. Loading in the Achilles is designed for a more natural loading style that allows for easy propulsion with each step you take.
Although not a zero-drop heel, the WHITIN Trail Runners feature an equal amount of distance between the forefoot and heel. The true rubber sole provides some level of groundfeel and protection for your feet.
The insole is a sock-liner style and is removable so you can wear these men’s shoes without socks. The spacious toe box is a barefoot shoe staple and is evident here for toe splay. Plus, WHITIN makes its shoes without any animal processes or products!
There’s are women’s barefoot WHITIN shoes here.
Oranginer Barefoot Shoes
For under $40, the Oranginer barefoot shoes should also be on your list. These barefoot shoes, like the WHITIN Trail Runners, are modeled after the famous Vibram FiveFingers barefoot shoe style.
A women’s version is here, but they can differ in style from the men’s shoes.
The Oranginer shoes are truly barefoot shoes with their zero-drop heel and generously wide toe box.
Recommended for walking, cross-training, running, or just taking a relaxing stroll, these barefoot shoes feature a memory-foam liner within for keeping your feet comfy for hours.
Under the liner is the rubber outsole that promotes groundfeel. These shoes are easy to tie too so you can get on your merry way.
Select from a rainbow of colors such as neon green and black, bright orange and black, all black, and beige with gray.
L-RUN Athletic Hiking Water Shoes
Here’s another pair of barefoot shoes under $50, and this time, it’s the L-RUN barefoot shoes. This unisex footwear also doubles as aqua shoes, which means you’re free to get ‘em wet, as they absorb sweat and water alike.
Okay, but what about drying times? Those aren’t so bad either, as drainage holes along the bottom of the shoes send water out before it can saturate through your shoes. If it’s sweat that makes a swift exit, then you can combat foot odors in your barefoot shoes!
These shoes are so flexible that you can bend and fold them and then bring them with you anywhere. A lace-up stripe is adjustable for customizing the fit. It’s also nice to put on these shoes and not have to finagle with laces.
The TPR sole is built to provide traction. The upper features dual layers of fabric–both leather and mesh–for better support, breathability, and longevity.
The L-RUN barefoot shoes come in an assortment of fun colors to suit any occasion!
TSLA Trail Running Shoes
Turn heads in the TSLA trail running shoes for men. Flexible, breathable, and rollable into a small ball, the fold-and-go design of these shoes is ideal for athletes or men who have a jam-packed travel schedule.
A flexible groove outsole with hydro-grip technology stays secure even on wet terrain. The grooves are multi-directional for balance and traction as well. The Hexavent insoles are padded to provide comfort and shock absorption.
The upper is made of mesh vamp that dries fast. Breathing holes throughout the TSLA barefoot shoes also keep air moving through so your shoes are less likely to get stinky. Adjust the fit of these shoes via the included nylon band with lace construction for easing pressure and increasing comfort.
The TSLA men’s trail running shoes come in a variety of fun, sporty colors such as black with gray, red with black, black and gray camo, blue with red, dark brown with tan, teal with black, beige pixel camo, utility camo, all black, or all blue.
Saguaro Outdoor Aqua Shoes
Hit the gym, go swimming, jog on the beach…the Saguaro outdoor aqua shoes can do it all. These shoes are designed for women and men alike (with separate sizing for each), and there are even kids’ sizes!
The lightweight, stretchable, breathable mesh upper is comfortable on your feet for all-day wear. To keep you upright on your travels, an anti-skid, non-slip rubber sole acts as a buffer on slippery surfaces and terrain.
The toe box–a barefoot shoe staple–is anti-collision so that even if you step on a hard stone, your toes won’t be hurt. A honeycomb hole insole and a foam footbed lend comfort to these trendy-looking shoes.
Securing via a buckle, the Saguaro barefoot shoes are easy for kids and adults alike to slip on.
The variety of colors you can select from is awesome, including darker hues, Day-Glo neon shades like lime green or bright pink, and earth tones such as brown-orange or deep green.
Weweya Barefoot Cross-Training Shoes
How about a pair of barefoot shoes in a FiveFingers style but for less than $40? You’ve got ‘em in the Weweya barefoot cross-training shoes.
Suitable for climbing, hiking, biking, jogging, running, training, and casual strolls in your neighborhood or wherever your adventures take you, the Weweya barefoot shoes are also great for indoor use at the gym.
The zero-drop arch support insole (which is removable) will make the above activities less painful on your body. A spacious toe box lets your toes move apart when needed so you feel secure on the ground. The thin rubber sole is another trademark barefoot shoe feature.
With no tongue, your foot slips in through the opening. You can then tug on the laces until the shoes are snug on your feet.
Joomra Barefoot Shoe Socks
Sock shoes have made a big impact in the barefoot shoe world, so of course, we had to recommend the Joomra barefoot shoe socks.
These eco-friendly seamless shoes forego the adhesives so they can go for a spin in the washing machine when they begin to stink. The underside of the Joomra shoe socks has a non-marking, non-slip outsole for traction.
The uppers are made of stretch knit fabric that provides a perfect fit. They’re ready for beach strolls, yoga class, swimming, gardening, or spending a day with family and friends.
Absorbing sweat and allowing fresh air to pass through, Joomra designed their barefoot shoes conscientiously. Fold them down and stuff ‘em in a gym bag when they’re not on your feet, as they’re that flexible.
How about colors? You can select from hues like blue, forest green, burgundy, white, gray, and brown.
Body Glove 3T Barefoot Max Water Shoe
The last pair of barefoot shoes we recommend for under $50 is the Body Glove 3T water shoes.
The Integrated Drainage System or IDS sends water out of your barefoot shoes faster so they don’t get soaked and squeaky (you know what we’re talking about!). The quick-drying materials also prevent water from lingering.
It’s not just water that quickly exits the Body Glove 3T shoes but sweat as well. Who doesn’t love that?
The FiveFinger style when combined with a zero-drop heel and grippy outsole makes them one of the better barefoot shoes on this list for certain. Putting the shoes on is no struggle, as you can use the hook and loop strap and then pull on the shocklace system until you get the fit just right.
Should You Buy Inexpensive Barefoot Shoes?
You know the old saying that you get what you pay for, right? That’s the risk you run when you buy barefoot shoes for under $50. Well, really, when you buy any shoes for under $50.
The low price means that the manufacturer didn’t use the best materials to produce the shoes. They might fall apart quickly or look and feel cheap. Wearing them can be an uncomfortable experience, especially without socks.
That said, there are several instances in which buying cheap barefoot or minimalist shoes are warranted. For instance, if you’re just transitioning into wearing barefoot shoes and you aren’t sure if they’re right for you, then a cheap pair makes sense.
However, due to the aforementioned issues, you’re better off splurging for a good pair of barefoot shoes. Your adjustment period will be a heck of a lot more comfortable!
Some barefoot shoe wearers will buy an ultra-cheap backup pair just in case something happens to their main pair. That’s certainly not a bad idea!
Don’t get us wrong; there are some very high-quality shoes on this list from beloved brands, which proves you don’t always have to spend a fortune to get a good pair of barefoot shoes.
For the most part, though, we’d recommend the barefoot and minimalist shoes on our blog, as we can attest to their quality, often through personal experience!
Conclusion
A good pair of barefoot shoes for under $50 is not a unicorn. The list we presented today is a good place to start, as there are some real diamonds in the rough hidden here!