The minimalist movement embraces a lifestyle that eschews consumerism and accrual and embraces a ‘less is more’ ethos of living. At the heart of this philosophy is returning to a more sustainable and natural way of living that places more importance on how we live than what we own. Minimalist barefoot shoes reflect the return to more natural living in both style and design.
Barefoot shoes minimalists would love are shoes that most closely mimic their feet’ natural movement with heightened flexibility, even heel to toe gradient, or ‘zero drop.’ Minimalist shoes have low weight and stack and are free of devices that control motion or stability.
Barefoot shoes have a host of physical benefits as well as taking up less space in your minimalist home. If you have begun the transition to a clutter-free life, please read on to discover how barefoot shoes can enhance your minimalist lifestyle and which barefoot shoes made my top picks.
What Makes a Shoe Ideal for a Minimalist?
Minimalist shoes are designed to closely replicate the action of barefoot walking and running rather than the traditional shoe design. Unlike conventional shoes that distance our feet from the ground through padding and elevation, barefoot shoes provide the bare minimum to aid natural locomotion.
Barefoot shoes are ideal for minimalists because they are versatile and multi functional and eliminate the need for a shoe wardrobe filled with shoes dedicated to one function only. Minimalist shoes can reduce your footwear needs to just two to three items that are foldable and can be neatly stored in a bag or a closet. Barefoot shoes have a host of other benefits that are as follows:
- Barefoot shoes/Minimalist shoes are lightweight in comparison to traditional running shoes. Men’s running shoes weigh an average of 1,75 pounds ( 28 ounces) compared to the availability of men’s minimalist running shoes in under 6 ounces.
- The toe box is wide and accommodates proper toe movement, which is inhibited in most traditional shoe fits
- A low heel to toe drop mimics a more natural form of a foot on the ground, unlike the steep angles between heel and toe of non-minimalist shoes
- A flexible sole that allows natural flex and bend and is easy to store
- Minimal cushioning of the sole reduces the weight of the shoe and promotes natural flex.
Benefits of the Minimalist Shoe in the Minimalist Lifestyle
Minimalist shoes are versatile and fit the clutter-free lifestyle in multiple ways. Unlike traditional shoes where you have to break your shoes in, minimalist shoes break in a wearer body to their natural action of walking that has been inhibited by decades of brands and trends. Other ways that minimalist shoes can benefit a clutter-free life is:
- Multifunctionality. Instead of having a dozen pairs of shoes gathering dust, minimalist shoes can serve various functions in one or two shoes. Sports, recreation, hiking, and running can all be accomplished comfortably with just one shoe. This multi-purpose shoe should be paired with another pair of shoes to reduce wear and moisture build-up.
- Practicality. Minimalist shoes are flexible and lightweight enough to be carried on your person, and summer changes in weather are as simple as adding a pair of socks to your shoes.
- Space-saving. Minimalism is all about creating space in your life, both metaphorically and physically. Minimalist shoes can be folded or rolled due to their thin, flexible soles and take up hardly any space.
- Eco friendly. Minimalism embraces sustainability and more conscious interaction with the earth and each other. Minimalist shoes not only bring you closer to the earth and your natural movements, but there are also vegan shoes available for individuals where minimalism and veganism naturally intersect.
- Strength benefits. Barefoot shoes mimic our natural walking action that are inhibited by traditional shoe designs. This natural movement allows us to build up our foot muscles naturally and strengthens our natural walking motion.
- Unobtrusive. Minimalist shoes are made in a variety of styles and shapes that appear similar to traditional shoes but have all the covert benefits of sustainable and minimalist footwear.
What Should a Minimalist Shoe Wardrobe Look Like?
There is no need to have more than three footwear items in your minimalist life, and three is enough to fold up inside your bag should you feel the urge to roam. For warm weather shoes, a pair of barefoot sandals are a great way to feel cool while still walking naturally and organically.
A great example of a flexible and versatile barefoot sandal is the Unshoes Keota Barefoot Sandals. These sandals are stylish and comfortable and fit into your minimalist lifestyle perfectly. More secure than flip flops, they are versatile enough to use for running, hiking, or everyday use. It has a flexible 4mm ( 0.157’’)outsole with a zero drop and a stack height of ~5mm (0.196’’)
Ideally, you should also have an all-rounder, everyday barefoot shoe to use for work, for play, and for when the weather turns a bit colder. An ideal all-round shoe would also allow the addition of a pair of socks to keep your feet warm in winter. An excellent example of an all year round shoe is the GOBI II Everyday Shoes.
The Gobi II everyday shoes are the ultimate minimalist desert boot perfect for use every day. Made from free-roaming cattle leather, the GOBI II offers a removable anti-bacterial cork insole and naturally scarred durable leather design. The non-marking TPU sole is flexible and can easily be folded, and it weighs in at only 10.50 oz. ( 297g)
The third item in your minimalist footwear wardrobe has to be the ultra-comfortable barefoot sock-shoe. Barefoot sock-shoes can fit in your pocket or handbag and serve multiple functions such as beach sports, watersports, yoga, or feeling the earth on a hike. Because they function so well for sports, you may eliminate the need for a dedicated sports shoe altogether.
Some really functional sock shoes are the Skinners Barefoot Sock Shoes. These sock shoes are an award-winning minimalist multi-purpose shoe for indoor and outdoor use. The ant-abrasive sole is both flexible and delivers excellent grip both in and out of water.
The best shoe socks for hiking has to be the Barefoot Company Getfyf Sock Shoes. This ultimate all-terrain sock shoe is made with 46% specialized fiber called Dyneema®, which is fifteen times stronger than steel and is highly abrasion and cut resistant.
Barefoot Reports Picks For the Minimalist
Best Multifunctional Minimalist Shoes
Groundies Milano Men barefoot shoes are available in both vegan and leather upper options for business leisure or exploring the great outdoors. The thin and flexible soles provide a natural barefoot action for improved muscle function.
Groundies Milano Women’s shoes have a soft cow leather upper that is perfect for the office and everyday wear while still providing a zero-drop sole and a neutral footbed, and a wide toe box for natural toe movement.
Mukishoes brand embraces sustainability and ethical sourcing of its product’s materials to reduce its impact on the environment. Their 3.5mm barefoot soles function on a variety of terrains and deliver maximum foot to ground contact and flexibility.
Vivo Barefoot Gobi II Men’s are the top choice in style and design for multi-purpose everyday wear.
Vivo Barefoot Gobi Nubuck women’s Everyday Gobi is form-fitting and elegant in a nubuck suede leather upper suitable for any occasion. The Gobi is genuinely for all year round with a removable faux fur liner for chilly conditions.
Wilding Bussard Unisex has a unique sole that was inspired by the form-fitting Japanese Ninja boots. Not only that, their unique uppers are made of moisture regulating felted wool from Nordwolle.
Vegan or Eco Choices
Bohempia Chukka (Gray-black) Vegan Barefoot Shoes are PETA certified with a vegan microfiber suede, cotton fur, and hemp insole. These shoes are a perfect winter choice without losing the flexible barefoot outsole feel.
Mukishoes (Cork Black) is a sustainable and ecologically conscious choice and offers a unique upper made of cork and ecologically dyed. The padding is made from hemp, and the sole is 100% natural rubber. This shoe is 100% vegan.
Five Finger Toe Choices
Women’s FiveFingers V-Trek offer a 360° fleece lining to keep your feet warm in a water-shedding outer shell and inter toe protection. Perfect for exploring in wet and dry conditions, the V-Trek offers enhanced flexibility and comfort.
Men’s FiveFingers Outdoor Trail shoes keep your feet warm in cold weather with their heavy fleece sock liner and water-shedding outer lining. Versatile and flexible, this shoe weighs in at only 6.20z.
Top Choice for Practicality: Barefoot Sock-Shoes
Skinners Barefoot Sock Shoes are our top choice for these versatile and durable sock shoes. Great in and out the water with a soft touch feel with anti-abrasive Swedish polymer fibers.
Barefoot Company Getfyf Sock Shoes win the day for a five-toe barefoot walking experience in one of the toughest fibers in the world. Great for indoors and getting close to the earth on the trail.
My Minimalist Life
My movement to a minimalist lifestyle began organically with a growing need to free myself from unnecessary things in my life. In 2010, I further committed myself to reduce my life’s excess to the point that I could fit all my needs into a campervan.
From there, my minimalist life gained momentum as I embraced the freedom of a more simple and spacious life. From wardrobes full of unnecessary items, I may now sling my entire wardrobe over my shoulder in a gym bag and dine on a selection of two plates, two knives, two forks, and two spoons.
I have two pairs of lightweight and flexible shoes that I use across all occasions. However, I have extended my shoe collection just long enough to do authentic testing of the barefoot shoes I have shared with you today.
Conclusion
My minimalist journey has been a liberating one, and minimalist shoes have been essential in that journey. Finding your feet in a more natural and unencumbered way of life is best achieved with your feet firmly on the ground. Minimalist shoes are a great alternative to a cupboard full of unnecessary footwear that takes up space and fills no real purpose. I wish you luck on your minimalist journey and hope you have found your perfect barefoot shoe to fit your style.