Winter is coming; are you prepared? Now is the perfect time to begin shopping for barefoot boots and footwear that will safeguard your feet from ice and snow while promoting a great ground feel all season long. What is the best barefoot winter footwear?
Here are our top 17 barefoot winter shoes and boots:
- Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion Boot
- Vivobarefoot Tracker All Weather SG
- Lems Boulder Boot
- Joe Nimble adventureToes
- Zeazoo Dingo Barefoot
- Magical Shoes Alaskan X
- Zaqq Expeq
- Groundies Manchester
- Wilding Nord Wolf
- Be Lenka Winter Barefoot Boots
- Ahinsa Shoes Winter Boot
- Xero Alpine
- Softstar Phoenix
- Manitobah Gatherer Mukluks
- Vivobarefoot Lumi (for kids)
- Wilding Akita (for kids)
- Zeazoo YETI Camel-Crazy Boots (for kids)
In this guide, we’ll review each barefoot winter shoe in detail, providing information on the sizing, materials, sole, and more. Whether you’re looking for a waterproof winter barefoot shoe, new shoes for hiking, or even shoes and boots for the kids, there’s something for everyone on this list!
The 17 Best Barefoot Winter Shoes and Boots
Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion Boot (For Winter and Waterproof Hiking)
If you want to do some hiking this winter and not worry about the water soaking through your shoes, try the Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion. You can shop the men’s version here and the women’s version here.
These barefoot boot boasts the brand’s FeelTrue sole, which is a mere 5.5 millimeters. Underneath the sole are dual-layered chevrons studded with 3.5-millimeter lugs.
Atop the outsole is a TrailFoam embedded foam layer that safeguards your feet from outdoor hazards and lends these barefoot winter boots even more comfort. Don’t worry, you’ll still feel the ground under your feet easily enough.
The tension straps, which are inspired by Huarache shoes, are tucked into the welded upper for a comfortable yet firm fit you can feel good about.
Also included are a water-resistant membrane, a seam-sealed inner bootie, and a protective toe cap. Your feet will be nice and toasty in these Xero Shoes!
Vivobarefoot Tracker All Weather SG (For Daily Use, Waterproof and Snowproof Hiking)
The Vivobarefoot Tracker All Weather SG men’s shoe is a fantastic waterproof hiking boot.
These ankle boots look like a stylish sneaker but are barefoot all the way. The scarred leather outer is responsibly sourced from free-roaming cattle. The rest of the shoes are recycled from post-consumer plastic waste.
A Soft Ground outsole features tacky rubber throughout that can handle mud and wet snow alike. The chevron-patterned lugs, each of which measures 5 millimeters, improve your traction. You get a better zonal grip through the textured arch. The outsole is 2.5 millimeters across the base.
The Outlast Thermal outsole can hold onto heat, absorb it for later, and then release it right when your feet feel like ice blocks.
The hi-top style prevents water, dirt, and grit from getting in these barefoot boots, which makes them an excellent hiker’s companion. The Sympatex membrane is both waterproof and breathable. Plus, these shoes flex and bend as your feet do and are nice and wide for awesome toe splay.
Although the women’s boot isn’t identical, the Tracker Hi FG includes many of the features you love, such as a Firm Ground sole with 3-millimeter lugs, a Nubuck leather upper, and a mesh lining made of recycled plastic.
Lems Boulder Boot (For Daily Use, Transitioning into Barefoot Shoes)
Are you looking for an urban barefoot shoe that’s great for everyday wear and easily transitions into hiking footwear? The Lems Boulder boot will end your search. The men’s version is here, and here’s the women’s version.
These stylish, functional barefoot winter boots feature a full-grain leather upper. The oiled finish lends the boots great appeal while the water-repellant treatment will keep your shoes dry well into the next winter.
The injection-blown LemsRubber outsole allows this boot to roll down and tuck away in your hiking bag. The boots are so lightweight that Lems says it’s easy to forget you’re even wearing footwear as you trek in the Boulder boots.
Their zero-drop heel will improve your posture and stop your bad heel-striking habit so you can spare your legs and feet. A generously sized toe box lets you spread your toes as your outdoor activities require it.
A gusseted tongue gives you the freedom to wear your laces looser or tighter so you’re always comfortable and your ankles don’t get soaked from snow.
Joe Nimble adventureToes (For Daily Use)
Next on our list is the Joe Nimble adventureToes, a unisex boot that you’ll want to wear all the time since they look that good. Fortunately, they’re designed for autumn, winter, and spring usage!
The upper is a sleek, waxed cowhide Napa leather, with Napa leather being some of the most premium leather that money can buy. According to Joe Nimble, they pretreat their hides and then process and finish them to keep the hides breathable and high-quality.
Inside the shoes are calfskin leather lining that’s soft on your feet and won’t bunch and wrinkle. You can experience the wonders of calfskin leather by foregoing socks in these barefoot shoes or feel your socked feet glide right into the adventureToes boots.
The rubber Vibram terrain sole is 6 millimeters for a great groundfeel. Cleats under the boots latch onto the ground for reliable grip. A Joe Nimble textile footbed that’s 4 millimeters fits perfectly into these ankle boots.
The footbed is finished with antibacterial, moisture-absorbing material for fewer odors and sweat stains. That said, if you’d like to take out the footbed, it’s removable.
The leather is water-repellant but not waterproof. These hiking-friendly boots are so cool you won’t be able to wait to show them off.
Zeazoo Dingo Barefoot (For Uggs Fans)
Are you an Uggs lover but the transition to barefoot shoes has left you with fewer options? Not anymore! The Zeazoo Dingo boots will fill that Uggs-shaped hole in your heart.
At first glance, these Uggs-inspired boots might not look barefoot, but we assure you, they are. The boots feature a 6-millimeter Vibram Superflex shock-absorbing rubber sole. The grip of the sole is certainly better than what you’d find in any Ugg boots so you don’t have to slip.
The sole also has a toe-shaped design so there’s room for each of your toes to settle.
The outer is sheepskin leather that’s moisture-absorbent. The leather also maintains your foot temperature so you won’t be shivering when outside this winter.
Zeazoo says the Dingo barefoot boots can be worn sockless or with socks depending on your preferences. Although they’re leather boots, they have excellent breathability and air circulation, so you don’t have to worry as much about odors.
That said, the Dingo boots are not waterproofed, so in heavy snow or rain, you might want to splash around in a different pair of barefoot winter shoes.
For more information on this fantastic boot, check out our review here.
Magical Shoes Alaskan X (For Daily Use)
Who says winter boots have to be big and bulky? The Magical Shoes Alaskan X take that notion and turn it on its head. These great-looking minimalist boots are ready for urban wear and outdoor treks in the snow alike.
A hydrophobic membrane and natural wool combine to create a shoe that can withstand temperatures into the negatives. Barefoot lovers will appreciate the degree of flexibility, zero-drop heel, and spacious toe box these shoes afford you.
The outsole is known as the Magical Rubber Trek sole and is built to be as durable as any sole Magical Shoes has ever made. The flexibility of the 7-millimeter sole is also top-notch. Built-in treads keep your feet in place even when walking in slippery ice and snow.
When putting on these shoes, you can do so quickly thanks to the inclusion of a zip fastener. That’s right, there will be no more finagling with laces.
Zaqq Expeq (For Waterproof Hiking, Daily Use)
For a lightweight, hiker-friendly pair of winter barefoot shoes, the Zaqq Expeq shoes are a fantastic pick to add to your shortlist. We love these boots so much we ranked the Expeq quite highly on our list of the best barefoot hiking shoes and boots.
Waterproofed throughout, these lace-up boots have a tall shaft to help you hike or walk as unencumbered as you like.
A membrane within the shoe augments breathability to keep both water and sweat from ruining your barefoot experiences. Windproofing means that even though these shoes are thin and flexible, they’re protective.
The upper is made from high-quality, premium waxed Napa leather that will turn heads wherever you go. The lining is Zaqq’s own windproof and waterproof membrane.
Under the shoe is a 3.9-millimeter barefoot rubber sole that’s abrasion-resistant and slip-proof. The upper is appealing with double seams and Strobel stitching. The sole is stitched by hand to the shoe’s upper. The whole barefoot shoe is then finished with a solvent-free adhesive bond.
Groundies Manchester (For Daily Use)
The Groundies brand has an awesome winter catalog, which made selecting a barefoot winter shoe from this brand a bit challenging. In the end, we chose the Manchester. You can check out the women’s version here and the men’s version here.
The TrueSense GS1 sole has a 3.9-millimeter tread and a 3-millimeter base. The sole keeps these boots slip-proof and resistant to everyday abrasions and other damage.
The upper of these boots is luxurious goat suede that’s so soft it’s touchable. The lamb’s wool liner also feels wonderful on your feet, especially when you put on the Manchester boots without socks.
The neutral footbed and zero-drop sole let you wander the way you like, and with an anatomically-correct toe box, each step will feel like a dream!
Wilding Nord Wolf (For Daily Use)
Woolly and perfect for winter, the Wilding Nord Wolf barefoot boots feature a stylish upper complete with a black and white herringbone pattern. The virgin wool used for the outer of every pair of Nord Wolf boots comes from Nordwolle, one of Wilding’s partners.
The colors used in the Nord Wolf barefoot boots are no accident. They’re meant to mimic the colors of the Pomeranian sheep the wool comes from.
As if that wasn’t luxe enough, inside these boots are Nordwelle’s felted wool loden lining for plenty of warmth.
Microfiber heel padding and an integrated membrane safeguard your feet and further make trekking in these barefoot winter boots the equivalent of walking on a cloud.
Be Lenka Winter Barefoot Boots (For Daily Use)
The Be Lenka Winter 2.0 is the upgraded version of Be Lenka’s original barefoot winter footwear.
Handcrafted Nubuck leather is supple and soft and lends these boots a classic, timeless appearance.
The wool liner inside prevents your toes from feeling cold. A protective waterproof membrane safeguards these shoes from moisture so you don’t have to stress if you play too much in a snow pile and your boots get wet.
The outsole has anti-slip lugs throughout. That flexible sole is also zero-drop style, and with a wide toe box to boot!
Ahinsa Shoes Winter Boot (For Daily Use, Waterproof and Snowproof)
This winter, put your feet in cozy Ahinsa barefoot winter boots. You can shop the men’s edition here and the women’s edition here.
Ahinsa worked with physiotherapists to come up with the winning design of their winter boots. Each pair is hand-made in Croatia and the Czech Republic. The purely vegan shoes feature cruelty-free fur that’s moisture-wicking.
The cruelty-free leather-like outer is scratch-proof and waterproof so these Ahinsa boots can handle winter after winter.
The Lifo+ German outsole is non-slip (including on wet snowy surfaces), lightweight, highly flexible, and thin for groundfeel.
Xero Alpine (For Heavy Winters)
Are the winters especially brutal where you live? Then not just any pair of barefoot shoes will do. You need heavy-duty barefoot winter shoes such as the Xero Alpine boots.
These seam-sealed minimalist boots have an upper with a waterproof membrane so that even tall piles of un-shoveled snow can’t stop you.
Inside the Alpine barefoot shoes is a layer of insulated polyester fleece lining. The insole is heat-reflective to further increase your warmth. Take the insole out anytime you want to feel even closer to the ground with every step.
The 200 grams of insulation throughout these boots are rated to withstand negative temps. As you walk, a grippy zero-drop sole with lug-enhanced treads keep you upright.
Oh, and the best part is that Xero uses vegan materials for the Alpine boots!
Softstar Phoenix (For Heavy Winters)
Color-blocking is still very trendy, and now you can jump on this fashion bandwagon in a pair of Softstar Phoenix barefoot winter boots.
The sheepskin leather boots feature alternating patches of brown and black leather that ought to have people stopping you on the street and asking you where you bought your shoes from.
A Vibram Tundra outsole is 4 millimeters for easy walking. The zero-drop sole features a 3-millimeter midsole with sheepskin fluff.
Speaking of sheepskin, that’s what the liner of these boots is made of. Softstar says you can wear these boots with socks or without; you should certainly try the latter at least once to experience the wonders of the sheepskin against your bare feet!
The spacious toe box, flexible sole, and sustainable leather make this one fantastic boot.
Manitobah Gatherer Mukluks (For Heavy Winters)
A pair of mukluks will be very reliable when wintry conditions are severe, and Manitobah Gatherer mukluks are a great pair to consider.
These mid-weight mukluks are rated for negative temperatures. A natural hide and sheepskin outer is breathable despite its fuzzy, fluffy texture. Oh, and the outer can also wick moisture, be that from sweat or melting snow.
The Tipi high-performance sole features Indigenous art that betters your tread as well. The sole is also designed for better circulation so you can walk unencumbered.
Vivobarefoot Lumi (For Kids)
How about a pair of barefoot winter boots for the kiddos? The Vivobarefoot Lumi is a kids’ winter boot that’s waterproof and ultra-warming.
The Kids Firm Ground outsole has a 2-millimeter base and lugs installed in several directions so your kids can run, climb, hang, and play as children do. The sticky rubber compound doesn’t waver, nor does the toe protection.
Hydrophobic treatments prevent the boots from absorbing snow and moisture. The included Outlast Thermal insole also promotes coziness as it regulates the wearer’s temperature and releases heat when conditions get cold.
The combination of recycled and vegan materials is why Vivobarefoot is a great barefoot shoe brand for kids and adults alike!
Wilding Akita (For Kids)
Little feet will stay warmer in the Wilding Akita barefoot boots for kids.
These 100 percent wool boots feature an upper with an appealing herringbone pattern. That upper is made from pure virgin wool while the interior liner is felted wool loden.
All wool that Wilding uses for the Akita boots comes from their partner Nordwolle, much as with the adult boots. The Akita boots are water-repellant and regulate moisture exceptionally well.
The appealing red laces are cotton, the outsole is recycled cork (50 percent) with synthetic rubber (80 percent), the edging is polyamide microfiber, and the membrane is polyester.
Zeazoo YETI Camel-Crazy Boots (For Kids)
Last but certainly not least on our list is the YETI Camel-Crazy barefoot children’s winter boots.
Each pair of boots is handmade. The outer is genuine waterproofed leather that’s not taped nor welded. Inside the boots is a wool liner so your kids can play in the snow for hours without feeling the cold!
You have your pick for the barefoot sole. The Vibram Superflex rubber sole is 6 millimeters and provides optimal groundfeel. If you’d rather, you can also order the boots with a double-layered, 9-millimeter sole. Six millimeters are Vibram Superflex rubber, and the other 3 millimeters include microcellular rubber.
Your child’s feet would certainly be well insulated!
Conclusion
Don’t dread going out in the winter in thick, clunky boots when you can slip your feet into stylish, lightweight, and flexible barefoot boots and sneakers. The 17 picks on this list run the gamut from fashion boots to mukluks for harsh winters and everything in between.
You’ll enjoy a greater sense of groundfeel without frozen toes. Does it get any better?