Barefoot shoes are a fantastic accessory to traverse the Earth with. They provide safety and support while still delivering an experience that keeps you close to nature, all of which help you to embrace your desired lifestyle. Not to mention their health benefits!
You may think that barefoot shoes are only suitable for on-land activities. Well, we have some great news for you! Barefoot shoes can also be ideal to wear in the water, whether you’re showing off your skills in an extreme sport or relaxing with a wild swim. So: Here’s our list of recommended brands for water sports and activities:
- Vibrams Watersports FiveFingers
- Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 Watersports Walking-Shoes
- Leguano Sneaker
- CAYMARO WATER GoSt Barefoots
- Getfyfs Barefoot Company
- Skinners
In this blog, we’ll talk you through why barefoot shoes can be the best choice for a range of activities, touching on topics including qualities to look for in a good pair of barefoot shoes, why we have recommended the above brands, their durability, and other activities that you can wear them for. We’ll go through some common questions and concerns, so you can compare different brands’ features and find the best pick for you.
Before we start if you’re brand-new to the world of barefoot shoes – Welcome! We recommend that you start with our previous blog,’ What makes a Barefoot Shoe a Barefoot Shoe?’, for a detailed introduction. For those of you who are already familiar with barefoot shoes and want to get into the specifics, let’s get started.
Qualities to Look for in Barefoot Shoes for Water Sports
A good pair of barefoot shoes will have three key features:
– Durability. This includes both the shoe and your foot. While you want the barefoot experience, you still want to keep yourself safe outdoors. Your barefoot shoes should help you feel close to nature while protecting your body from its more harmful surfaces.
– Comfort. Barefoot shoes should fit snugly against the skin of your feet, simply feeling like an extra layer. A close fit will stop the material from shifting around, which could reduce its effectiveness, particularly when trying to find a grip on a slippery surface. As stated in the name, barefoot shoes are designed to give you a barefoot experience – they should be comfortable enough that you can forget they’re there and get on with your adventure.
– Adaptability. When traveling on foot, you will come across all kinds of terrain. Uneven, hot, cold, jagged, slippery, muddy, dry… you need to know that your barefoot shoes can keep up with wherever you want to explore. If you’re going to be spending time in the water, you should make sure your shoes can adapt well to an aquatic environment.
Additional qualities to keep an eye out for when purchasing barefoot shoes for water sports include fast-drying material, fabric that allows for efficient water drainage, split soles for extra flexibility, and being lightweight so as not to slow you down.
Why Have We Recommended the Above Brands?
Now, barefoot shoes are not interchangeable with water shoes. They are two different styles of footwear, and not all barefoot shoes will be ideal for water sports. The brands we’ve recommended are all technically barefoot shoes but will suit a range of environments and activities, including those in water.
Getfyfs Barefoot Company, for example, specializes in all-terrain shoes that preserve the minimalistic style without sacrificing durability or comfort, acting like a tough second skin. When underwater, it can become difficult to know exactly where you’re putting your feet, so a little extra peace of mind goes a long way. Getfyfs Barefoot Company takes care of this by incorporating Dyneema®, a 46.5% specialized fiber that will guard your body against the roughest of terrains, such as jagged rocks or sharp shells. They also boast great thermal conductivity, keeping your feet cool no matter how much you move.
Similarly, Skinners help their wearers keep their footing no matter where they’re walking. They are designed to be as functional in water as they are on dry land, so you can run across hot sand, climb over wet rocks and dive into the ocean, knowing that your barefoot shoes will protect you from potential harm on any of these surfaces.
GoSt Barefoots guarantee protection with their chainmail design. These are designed to mimic animals’ paws, supporting your feet and even your legs in the most natural, optimal way. In short, they help your body function the way it was designed to.
These three brands deliver an outstanding all-around barefoot experience, but if you’re looking for barefoot minimalist shoes specifically designed for aquatic activity, we’d like to direct you to the following.
Leguano Sneakers are ideal for a beach adventure, whether you stick to sand and rocks or want to get out into the water. They’re lightweight and quick-drying, so you can jump from activity to activity without being weighed down.
Vibrams Watersports FiveFingers and Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 Watersports Walking Shoes are also specifically designed for aquatic activity, able to get a good grip even on wet surfaces and drain water efficiently.
Can Barefoot Shoes for Water Sports be Worn as Regular Daily Wear?
The three water sports barefoot shoe brands we’ve recommended are capable of carrying you across land as well as sea. So, in short – yes, they can be worn for regular daily wear. They are high comfort and high durability, so will not become damaged from frequent use on any surface.
However, if you are looking to spend a lot of time out of the water, we would advise you to purchase one of our more all-round recommendations. Getfyfs Barefoot Company, Skinners, or GoSt Barefoots would likely be more well-suited to your lifestyle as regular daily wear.
As a note: with barefoot shoes in general, there is nothing stopping you from wearing them every day! There’s an entire community of people who started wearing barefoot shoes and never looked back. However, if you are new to wearing barefoot shoes, it’s best to build up to this gradually. You should give your body time to get used to the barefoot experience before starting to wear them every day.
If you’re used to regular shoes, you will have become accustomed to walk and move a certain way due to the additional padding your shoes provide. With this padding removed, you may find it a slightly odd experience. Don’t worry – your feet are still protected – it simply takes time to increase muscle strength to get used to that natural, barefoot feeling.
Can you Wear Leguano Sneakers Every Day?
These shoes would be ideal for a busy summer with a new activity every day. High quality and adaptable, they can be worn every day, for long periods, without compromising on the experience they provide.
If you think Leguano Sneakers might be the right choice for you, you can check out our full review of these water-intended barefoot shoes here.
Can you Wear Vibrams Watersports FiveFingers Every Day?
These shoes specialize in ‘megagrip’, meaning they are perfect for surfaces whether slippery or rough. Their durability also means they can be worn very regularly on these types of terrain without becoming damaged or ineffective.
Can you Wear Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 Watersports Walking Shoes Every Day?
Though they specialize in wet terrain, these shoes will also support you well on dry land. Once used to the barefoot feeling, these shoes are very comfortable and can be worn for hours. They would be well suited to everyday use.
Should you Wear Socks with Barefoot Shoes?
Often, this comes down to personal preference. Some brands may provide a recommendation, for example, Skinners recommend wearing thin ankle socks underneath their barefoot shoes. Vivobarefoot, on the other hand, simply states that it’s the customer’s choice.
Naturally, some brands will suit the addition of socks better than others. Due to their design, Getfyfs are not made to have socks worn underneath them.
Most of these garments tend to walk the line between sock and shoe, so either choice can be suitable. Both options have benefits: with socks, you may feel more cushioned and hygiene can be improved; without socks, you will get closer to that ‘barefoot’ feeling you’re craving.
Walking
As stated, it can take some time for the muscle to build to allow you to walk long distances in comfort. Once you are used to the barefoot experience, though, you can walk a significant distance in one go. Many hikers will call barefoot shoes an essential part of their equipment due to the comfort and protection they provide.
As for total mileage, it depends on how intensively you use them. Heavy use will cause them to wear out more quickly; sparodic use will keep them lasting longer.
How Far can you Walk in Leguano Sneakers?
Leguano Sneakers will match regular trainers in terms of mileage. In total, they will carry you up to 1000 kilometres (approximately 620 miles)before the sole wears out.
How Far can you Walk in Vibrams Watersports FiveFingers?
When you’re used to walking with a barefoot shoe, there’s nothing stopping you from walking as far as you’d like in Vibrams Watersports FiveFingers. For running, the company recommends that, for running, you should only run 10% of your normal distance for the first 2-3 weeks while your body adjusts. As walking is lower impact, you can likely cover more distance earlier – but it’s a matter of listening to your own body.
As for total mileage, Vibrams do not provide a guarantee on how long you can wear them before they are no longer effective. However, their customers will sing their praises for adaptability and long-term use.
How Far can you Walk in Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 Watersports Walking Shoes?
While you get used to these shoes, it may be best to only wear them for short distances at a time. For longer hikes, perhaps you could carry them in a backpack and switch them out with your regular shoes for a while, that way if your feet become tired, you can return to the familiar. Once worn in, though, these shoes are extremely comfortable and can be worn in many environments for a range of activities. They are flexible, yet durable, so will support your feet for a significant mileage.
Do our Recommended Barefoot Shoes Dry Quickly?
Barefoot shoes are designed to be lightweight, which usually coincides with fast-drying. Our recommended picks, whether all-round or water-specific, are made with light and breathable fabric, so water won’t hang around in them. Some brands, such as Getfyf, even factor hydrophobic materials into their design.
Can Water Sports Barefoot Shoes be used for Other Sports?
Barefoot shoes are a great choice for a variety of sports in a range of environments. They’re popular with water sports as they protect against anything that lies on the water’s bed. With land sports, they can help to strengthen your feet and legs to provide a natural sportsperson build. This includes team games, gym exercises, and even martial arts. You might think that padded shoes provide more support, but barefoot shoes allow you to build that same support in your own body.
While all of this is true, if you’re thinking of purchasing a pair of barefoot shoes to use for a variety of activities, it may be best not to purchase a pair of barefoot shoes that were designed specifically for the water. Leguano Sneakers, Vibrams Watersports FiveFingers, and Vivobarefoot Ultra 3 Watersports Walking Shoes are examples of these types of products. It would be better to look for either an all-round barefoot shoe, or look for brands that cater specifically to the type of sport you’re looking for.
If you would like to read up on the best barefoot shoes for specific sports, you can check out our dedicated blog posts! Here are some of the sports and the best shoes for them that we’ve highlighted so far:
- Best Barefoot Shoes for Golf
- Best Barefoot Shoes for Weight Lifting
- Best Barefoot Shoes for Yoga
- Best Barefoot Shoes for Crossfit
- Best Barefoot Shoes for Squash and Other Indoor Sports
Can you Wear Barefoot Shoes on Concrete?
Absolutely – barefoot shoes are designed to help you traverse all kinds of rough terrain, so smooth concrete will prove no problem.
Final Thoughts
Barefoot shoes are in no way limited to land. There are plenty of brands out there that can cope with water just as well as solid ground, with some products even specifically designed for aquatic activity. Water sports can be enjoyed with safety, support, and a natural feeling, allowing you to get as close to your adventure as possible.