If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then the Zaqq Expeq waterproof barefoot hiking shoes should be no stranger to you. They were one of my top recommendations in my list of the best barefoot winter shoes and boots.
For those who maybe missed that post or are new to the blog, hi, Tarek here. Today, I want to review another pair of barefoot shoes that I find quite exceptional, especially as the days turn shorter and colder.
I’m talking, of course, about the Zaqq Expeq shoes. These appealing barefoot shoes might not look like they’re ready for wintertime trekking and other outdoor activities, but you’ll see if you give them a try that indeed, they are!
In today’s post, I’ll go over the Zaqq Expeq boots in detail, including all my favorite features and what else about these barefoot shoes that I like so much.
I’ll also include buying information that will guide your purchasing decision, so check it out!
What Is the Zaqq Expeq?
Let’s dive right in and talk a little bit about the Zaqq Expeq shoes, shall we?
Zaqq is a barefoot shoe manufacturer from Germany that hand-stitches the rubber soles onto all their footwear.
The shoes are sustainable and always carry all the barefoot traits that shoppers want such as wide toe boxes and zero-drop heels.
One of Zaqq’s top sellers by far is the Expeq shoes. I’ll now take you through what makes these waterproof barefoot shoes so exceptional.
Lightweight and Flexible
When you think of winter shoes, you typically think about terribly heavy, bulky things, right? Winter shoes are usually so protective because they add extraneous layers and materials.
Not so with the Expeq shoes. A size 41 shoe weighs only 300 grams, which is approximately 10.6 ounces. That’s the weight per shoe.
Traveling with lightweight shoes is just a truly awesome thing. If you’re packing the Expeq shoes in your suitcase or gym bag, they won’t take up room.
Wearing them is going to deliver that same lightweight quality. You’ll barely remember that you’re even wearing shoes!
The flexibility of the materials used to construct these shoes is also top-notch.
I’ll delve further into materials throughout this section, but just know for now that they move, bend, and flex the same way your feet would without any feelings of constriction.
That’s how barefoot shoes should be!
Unisex
If you read my latest review of the Vivobarefoot Tracker II FG barefoot shoes, then you’ll recall that those shoes are only for the fellas out there.
Well, that’s not the case with the Zaqq Expeq barefoot shoes. These winter-ready shoes, which only come in black, are unisex.
They look quite spiffy in the workplace, but you can just as easily wear them as a city shoe with a casual outfit and the Expeq shoes would fit right in.
Soft and Supple
The flexibility of the Expeq barefoot shoes is achievable in part due to the soft, supple materials used to make these barefoot shoes.
Zaqq favors using natural products, and only those of the highest quality.
This is how, the manufacturer says, the Expeq and other barefoot shoes under the Zaqq umbrella balance the foot climate when wearing their shoes and encourages and enhances your natural foot movement.
Further, by embracing soft materials, you’ll reduce any foot soreness when wearing the Expeq shoes. If you’re prone to blisters, those should be a thing of the past as well!
Wide Toe Box
You’ll recall that Zaqq barefoot shoes always boast a wide toe box, and that’s true of the Expeq as well.
The sizable toe box allows your toes to move, splay, grip, and do what they’d do if you weren’t wearing any shoes at all.
Your feet never feel boxed in by the confines of your shoes, which is how you get that authentic barefoot feel.
The shoe is also spacious nearer the front of the foot so that the balls of your feet don’t feel jammed into the Expeq shoes. The Expeq shoes widen your degree of movement.
Foot-Shaped, Not Shoe-Shaped
How many shoes do you have in your wardrobe that are shaped for your feet and not shaped like a shoe?
If you collect barefoot shoes, then probably quite a few, but if you’re just getting into this style of footwear, then perhaps none.
The Expeq shoes, like other barefoot shoes, are shaped to your feet. You’ll get foot-hugging support in all the places you need it without feeling like your feet are constricted.
Zaqq also alters the shape of the Expeq barefoot shoes for the men’s versus the women’s versions since women usually have smaller feet. This close fit almost feels customized for you!
Strong but Slim Rubber Sole
The heel-free rubber sole underneath the Expeq is a standout for sure.
The heel is skinny to allow for a better groundfeel with each step you take. You’ll feel the crunch of the snow rather than just hear it, and hard concrete under your feet will feel sturdy and stable.
The design of the heel is meant to promote a healthier, more natural posture.
Zaqq also created their rubber sole to alleviate spinal pressure and safeguard your joints so that wearing the Expeq barefoot shoes is altogether a very healthy experience.
The soles are hand-stitched to the upper and measure 0.15 inches or 3.9 millimeters apiece. Zaqq promises the Expeq soles are abrasion-proof, non-slip, and very flexible.
Waterproof, Breathable Liner
The Zaqq membrane liner in the Expeq shoes is part of what makes them so exceptionally waterproof.
That liner also happens to be windproof, and it’s ultra-soft and very breathable as well.
So what does this mean for you, the wearer? If your feet get sweaty–which yes, can happen even in the wintertime–the liner prevents your shoes from feeling soggy and slippery inside.
The liner is also ready for any melting snow or puddles of water you step in on your day-to-day adventures.
Appealing Upper
I have to talk about the upper of the Expeq shoes, as they really are something!
Double-seamed and Strobel-stitched for durability, the uppers are made of premium Napa leather that’s waxed to perfection.
The uppers are waterproof so you don’t have to stress about getting your barefoot shoes wet. I wouldn’t recommend saturating the shoes in water, of course, but a few droplets of melting snow or rain here and there are just fine.
Better for Our Planet
Zaqq barefoot shoes are always environmentally-conscious, so that’s what you can anticipate of the Expeq shoes as well.
All processing of the shoes occurs in the Zaqq factory, which is located near Berlin.
The brand favors a production process with low rates of pollutants. The adhesives Zaqq uses are free of solvents.
Zaqq also has a sole exchange process so that once your Expeq shoes are way worn out, the soles could be recycled and used to make new soles.
My Experience Wearing the Zaqq Expeq Barefoot Shoes
Now that you’re privy to all the amazing features of the Zaqq Expeq barefoot shoes, I want to share my own experiences wearing these shoes, as I’ve gotten a lot of use out of them!
Of all the hiking and winter barefoot boots I’ve tried–and that has indeed been a lot–the Expeq are the most lightweight for a minimalist shoe.
Only the Joe Nimble adventureToes come close!
If the weight of shoes is important to you–and for barefoot shoe enthusiasts, it always is–then the Expeq shoes are a great choice.
It may feel a bit strange wearing such lightweight shoes in the winter at first, especially when you’re used to thicker, heavier boots, but once you adjust, you’ll never want to go back!
I find that the Expeq boots are especially great for hiking out in nature, which is one of my favorite hobbies.
You could just as easily wear these shoes for trekking through the city in the winter when the ground can be slick and wet.
Don’t be fooled – despite that the Expeq boots are designed for winter wear, you could easily make them more versatile by wearing them through a variety of seasons.
The only season I would say to maybe skip these barefoot shoes would be in the summer. It’s not that the shoes are too heavy or anything like that, but it’s too hot and you’ll want shoes that maybe cover less of your feet.
I also cannot get enough of the vintage look of the Expeq boots!
How Much Does the Zaqq Expeq Barefoot Shoes Cost?
If you’re thinking of adding the Zaqq Expeq barefoot waterproof shoes to your collection, you might wonder, how much do these shoes cost?
They retail for $167.
Yes, that’s a little expensive, but no more so than any other winter shoe, including non-barefoot shoes. Sometimes, Zaqq discounts the shoes, although not by a huge margin.
Remember, you’re getting real Napa leather outers, so that alone explains and justifies the price point in my opinion!
Should You Buy the Zaqq Expeq Barefoot Shoes?
If you’re still on the fence about purchasing the Zaqq Expeq barefoot shoes, then allow me to help you down.
The Expeq barefoot shoes are incredible in many ways. For a pair of shoes that’s designed for winter wear, they’re so much more lightweight than your average pair of winter boots or shoes.
They offer good coverage but never squeeze your feet. The foot-shaped design gives your toes room to splay and reduces friction and thus blisters across the rest of the foot.
The sole is thin for great groundfeel but has a strong grip so you won’t go flying in the snow when wearing these barefoot shoes.
They’re also waterproof thanks to the Zaqq internal membrane. The Napa leather outers are a huge selling point and allow me to remind you that these barefoot shoes are unisex as well!
Conclusion
The Zaqq Expeq barefoot waterproof shoes are some of my favorites for hiking and winter wear. You can easily get away with wearing these shoes into the spring and then again in the autumn, although maybe not so much in the sweltering summertime.
Lightweight, flexible, timeless, high-quality, and unisex, I hope you’ll strongly consider the Expeq shoes for all your winter adventures!