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Barefoot Shoes

Barefoot shoes are minimalist footwear designed to let feet move naturally, as if unshod. With a wide toe box, flexible soles, and zero-drop design, they allow toes to spread, flex, and feel the ground. Lightweight and sensitive to terrain, they support the foot’s strength and resilience without restrictive support, ideal for walking, running, or casual use.

Topo Athletic ST Review

Topo Athletic ST Review

Topo Athletic (“ToPo” is short for Tony Post, the founder of the company and former Vibram CEO and former Vice President of Product and Marketing at Rockport) first launched their brand about two years ago with a Tabi-informed, split-toe design built on…

ZEM U Cross Ninja/Split Toe

ZEM U Cross Ninja/Split Toe

For the last month, I have been lucky enough to try the latest trainer split toe from ZEM GEAR, the U Cross Ninja/Split Toe. I believe this shoe is fantastic for those getting into minimalist running and want to hone their form, while enjoying the…

Feelmax Niesa 3 and Panka 2 Review

Feelmax Niesa 3 and Panka 2 Review

I recently got the chance to test out the Feelmax Niesa 3 and Panka 2 running shoes and today I'll be sharing a full review of both. What makes these shoes special is that they just might be the lightest, thinnest running shoes in the world (at 2.7 oz…

Lems Nine2Five Shoes Dress Up with Mocha!

Lems Nine2Five Shoes Dress Up with Mocha!

I'm a big fan of what Lems has brought to the minimalist footwear world—comfortable and stylish shoes that are zero-drop and foot-shaped! Men's options we've reviewed include the Primal 2, the Mariner, the Boulder Boot, and of course, the Nine2Five.

Soft Star Portlander Review

Soft Star Portlander Review

The Portlander is a newer design from Soft Star, which is based on their popular Dash RunAmoc style. The Portlander features the same upper style, but the major and most obvious change is the way the upper is attached to the sole. The shoe uses a…

Gladsoles Original and Trail Huaraches Review

Gladsoles Original and Trail Huaraches Review

The Gladsoles Original and Trail running sandals are lightweight, very comfortable, and versatile huaraches that can pretty much handle anything you throw at them. Custom-made from tracings of your foot and made in the USA, they are what I consider to…

Woolby Slipper-Sock Cashmere "Boots" Review

Woolby Slipper-Sock Cashmere "Boots" Review

The founder of Woolby & Co, an eco-friendly footwear company you'll find over at Etsy, reached out a couple months back to talk to me about her reclaimed cashmere and suede slipper boots. She sent me a pair of the men's slipper sock boots (these…

Earth Runners Alpha X and Circadian X Running Sandals Review

Earth Runners Alpha X and Circadian X Running Sandals Review

For the last month, I have been testing out two of the latest sandals from Earth Runners: The Alpha X with leather laces and the Circadian X with leather laces and conductive inserts. I believe they are some of the most handsome-looking huaraches on…

VivoBarefoot Gobi 2 Hopewell Boot Review

VivoBarefoot Gobi 2 Hopewell Boot Review

Almost exactly two years ago I reviewed the Vivo Barefoot Gobi on this site. The Gobi is a desert boot that took the ever-popular Vivo Barefoot Ra clean-cut style and made it a boot. (Note: You can find some heavily discounted Vivo Gobis and Ras — the…

Soft Star RunAmoc with Bullhide Soles Review

Soft Star RunAmoc with Bullhide Soles Review

This shoe is a game changer. That was a bold statement—especially since we are talking about the minimalist market, which is known for innovations and “game-changers”—but this is no ordinary shoe. The Soft Star RunAmoc Dash with the bullhide sole is…

Vibram FiveFingers CVT Hemp Review

Vibram FiveFingers CVT Hemp Review

Earlier this year Vibram released the CVT Hemp—a FiveFingers model that was an alternative to the 2013-introduced CVT LS. The whole CVT thing stands for "convertible" due to the original CVT LS allowing you to flip the heel of the CVT LS flat and make…

Review VI-B Vibram FiveFingers

Review VI-B Vibram FiveFingers

A review of the (very rare) VI-B Vibram FiveFingers barely there "barefoot shoes."