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Barefoot Shoes

Zem 360 Barefoot Running Shoes Review

ZEMs are fun, colorful, minimalist shoes made by ZEMgear with the motto, “Less Shoe. More You.” I’ve been wearing ZEMs from their 360 series for a few months now to see how well they work both for everyday use and for running.

A review of the Zem 360 Ninja Split Toe (photoed left) and Round Toe (photoed right) barefoot-style running shoes.
A review of the Zem 360 Ninja Split Toe (photoed left) and Round Toe (photoed right) barefoot-style running shoes.
ZEMs are fun, colorful, minimalist shoes made by ZEMgear with the motto, “Less Shoe. More You.” I’ve been wearing ZEMs from their 360 series for a few months now to see how well they work both for everyday use and for running. Let’s review!

Uses

Visit ZEMgear’s website, and you’ll find a large assortment of models from which to choose. There are six different of categories of ZEMs plus a line for kids. There are ZEMs designed for travelers, indoor wellness activities, watersports, all sports, runners and an all-purpose series. I was provided a pair of Ninja Split Toe ZEMs and a pair of Round Toe ZEMs from their 360 series specifically designed for runners.

Design

The design immediately grabs your attention with the brightly colored stripes contrasting sharply against the black, stretchy lycra which makes up the upper. The stripes aren’t just for decoration though. Called “high-frequency tech bands”, they are there to to secure your foot firmly in the shoe yet flexing as appropriate to allow your foot to move naturally. I like the bold design which definitely sets ZEMs apart from other shoes. If you would rather not stand out, the ZEM 360s are also available in a black on black color scheme. The soles are very flexible, lightweight “phylon” rubber. There is a minimal amount of tread to provide some traction best suited for roads or easy trails. Not only are they flexible and light, they are completely flat and with no arch support. There is a minimal amount of toe spring, but nothing that would prevent you from planting your toes on the ground when necessary. You can get the 360s and several of the other ZEMs in either a split-toe or round-toe design. Isolating the big toe in the spit-toe design serves to lock your foot in place better for lateral movements. However, those without good toe separation might prefer the round-toe design. Aesthetically, you might prefer the round toe as the split-toe is oddly reminiscent of a lobster claw.

Fit and Feel

The ZEMs look like socks and they feel like them too. They are extremely comfortable. Slip the ZEMs on and they conform to every curve of your feet like a second skin. The material is soft enough to be worn with or without socks, and with no laces to tie or straps to adjust, it is easy on and easy off. The ZEMs are the closet thing to feeling like you’re not wearing shoes at all.

Running

As someone who regularly runs in huaraches, I wanted to know how the ZEMs compared. Like my huaraches, the 360s are very light, thin, and flexible allowing my feet to flex and land naturally. Unlike my huaraches, the ZEM’s lycra uppers provide some welcome protection against trail debris and the elements. They won’t completely keep out the rain, but they do a great job keeping out the cold and wind. The soles are a bit softer than many of my huaraches so they didn’t hold up as well on very rocky terrain. However, they’re perfectly suited for road running or easier trails.
ZEM 360s on the trail and very rocky road
Choosing between the split-toe or round-toe design comes down to personal preferences. I could not detect a profound difference between the two designs during my runs. Both versions fit snugly on my feet regardless of the split toe. I suspect those who are engaged in activities requiring more lateral movement would appreciate the split toe design.

Conclusions

The ZEMs are eye-catching, unique minimalist shoes. The 360s are terrific running shoes for those looking to transition to a barefoot running technique.

Ordering, Pricing, Availability

If you’re interested in picking up a pair, the ZEM 360 MSRPs at $59.99 and is available in either the Ninja split toe or round toe version in three different colors. ZEM 360s and the entire line of ZEMs are available directly from ZEMgear at their online store.

By James

James's life was changed forever when he tried running in Vibram Five Fingers in July 2010. He'll occasionally go barefoot, but he primarily runs in his homemade huarache sandals. He loves to experiment with different types of minimalist footwear and has previously reviewed huaraches (homemade, Invisible Shoe, and Luna Sandals), the Teva Zilch, and the VIVOBAREFOOT Achilles running sandals.

27 replies on “Zem 360 Barefoot Running Shoes Review”

Wow, what a unique and funky shoe! The split toe is kind of weirding me out, but I am LOVING the round toe black/black model on their website! The price is pretty great, too! Will definitely need to check these out more…

I was really interested in these, but the material and soft sole leaves me questioning how durable they are. How do you think they’ll hold up over time?

I have a couple of pair of ZEM’s. Their 360 and the Ninja Hi and I find them to be fairly durable. I like them and find them to be much warmer in the cold than my vibrams. You may also want to look into jika tabi (whick essentially is what the 360 split toe is based off of) if you want a slightly more durable sole.

I have these Originals, and my big issue with them is the sole is too short and I walk on the seam attaching the sole to the heel of the main fabric. Is this an issue with the 360s? I have been hesitant to order another pair of Zems because of this. Can you get a better picture of the sole/upper attachment? Both off and on the foot?

I have the same problem with my originals as Alissa. They are super comfortable if I am not moving, but as soon as I moce, I am stepping on the seam at the heel and it gets uncomfortable very quickly.

I have been doing most of my running in ZEM since August. I first bought the “Playa High” model, which has a much thinner sole than the 360. With those, you felt EVERYTHING. They wore out pretty quickly (a couple hundred miles) on the forefoot, but for the price I wasn’t upset.

I have both models of the 360 and like them quite a lot. I prefer the round. Had them about 2 months, close to 100 miles and still in good shape.

@Noah I have not tired either but weight wise the Zem is around 2.5 and the SeeYa is 4.8oz. each, 9.6oz./pair. So they are half the weight. I would say that is more minimal.

how is the breath-ability? better air flow than five fingers? just curious if you wore the zems barefoot, if it would make for super sweaty feet.

I wonder how the plain black, solid toe models would be as some sort of “BUSINESS SHOE”? I have a hell of a hard time finding anything that fits my wide toes (about a 14/47 in length, almost square toes). These look better.

@mynameisfoxtrot.com
I tend to wear mine barefoot and breathability is so so. I much prefer my zems in the winter as they are much warmer but I haven’t noticed major foot sweating issues at all. Hope that’s helpful.

I have a pair of the original split toe lo. I was wearing them quite frequently and they never got stinky like my VFF Jayas (Granted, I had to work those Jayas pretty hard to get them to that level of ripeness – they are my favorite for running).
The thing I didn’t care for much was the fit. They were sort of baggy about the heel which made me scrunch up my toes to get my foot positioned correct in the “shoe”.
But they were inexpensive – so meh.

The 360 is the best of all the ZEMs as the “mesh” is not a part of the sole like the ZEM Originals or the ZEM Playa Lo. So for those that fear you will be walking on the mesh in the back, this is not the case. (BTW, I hated that “short sole” with the Playas so I use them as slippers around the house)

If you search You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOpU5KrNyXg), you will see that the sole is different than the rest. It covers the whole length of the shoe. I really think Zem is finally started to get the point. — Plus these are designed with running and training in mind.

But the shoe is EXTREMELY comfortable and easy to put on. I currently have the Split Toe and will be getting the Round Toe shortly.

I hope this helps…..

Happy Trainings!

I’m currently running with Bikilas and I’d really like to give a try to the 360.
I live in Taiwan, anybody knows how I can buy one pair from here?

thanks!

I just got these yesterday. They are almost perfect…
But as some people have noticed there are thick seams inside the shoe. For some it irritates the heel, for me, it is the big toe. The seam is pressing on the area below the nail, meaning I can only wear my new 360s for a few hours at a time 🙁

I’m surprised that people say the 360s are so comfortable. The sole is harder than other Zems and the edges curve upward and press into your foot. The slight raise of the soul at the front clipped my toes all the time (its too short to be a toe box, if that’s what they were going for) but high enough to get in the way. I used them once then sold them, big disappointment. The O2s are a better fit for me (I have the round toe), but after wearing them for a few hours it gets uncomfortable because those straps across the top are too tight (I wear a UK10 and ordered a US11 – not sure how a size up would feel) – it leaves indentations across the top of my foot, to give you an idea. The originals were great though – sole doesn’t last too long, but they feel great. I have the split toe and the round toe – and I have to say the split toe is much more comfortable. It fits my foot better and feels less tight (I have the same size for both). I’m assuming a split toe O2 would be perfect. BUUT, this review is about the 360s and overall, of the 4 Zems Ive had they were the worst.

I’m Looking Into The ZEMGEAR Unisex Ninja Low Split Toe, The Fila® Womens SKELE-TOES 2.0 & The Vibram in SPRINT. But I Don’t Want To & Don’t Have The $ To Buy The 80$ Vibrams. Out Of The Ninja Low Split Toe, & Fila SKELE-TOES 2.0 What One Would You Recommend.

I Will Be Toobing, Walking, Swimming, & Such. at Schlitterbahn Water Park. What Would Be Best For That.

I REALLLLY NEED HELP CHOOSING, NEVER OWNED TOED SHOES BEFORE. Any One Have Any Advice?

Hmmm, I just spent a long time typing out a review before it was lost in the submission. Grrr. I’ll just get to the point then:

Pros:
Very comfy and easy to slip on, feels great on your feet and you can feel the environment very well.

Cons:
I wanted to like these shoes, I really did. But, problems have arisen.
First, airflow. I don’t know whether it was because I decided to wear them without socks, but I sweated up a storm in them. With sweat comes slippage inside the shoe, not good. This loses the power and take-off burst of energy that the split-toe enhances, and when I say loses, I mean that all the advantages are lost because you start-stop-start inside your shoe before you actually begin moving.

The sole is tragically thin, and has started wearing out after two hours of light training of parkour, which is tougher than running, granted, but still. The traction itself is not too good either, with the shoe being quite slippery on most surfaces, even steel where most other shoes can at least get a grip, these ones slide off quite easily.

In summary, these shoes are fine for running, and with that heel seam that people are talking about, they also encourage fore-foot running, which with this sort of shoe you’ll need to do. But for near anything else, you’ll have sweaty feet and bad grip both inside the shoe and out.

I’m sorry Zem. If anyone at Zem feels the need to ask more about this or this particular post has drawn their eye, just send me a message.

Hope this helps everyone. Adios.

hmmm vibrams are better.

these sort of leave your feet more vulnerable, especially in wet conditions as they can’t keep out water not even dew from grass.

from experience zemgear gives away foot protection for stretchy ‘breathable’ fabric – which still makes your feet smell.

then there’s the waterlogging it does to your feet when wet.
they get pruned and gritty. and as I’m sure we all know that can lead to a weird case of trench foot…or in winter black toes.

at least vibrams or other minimalist wear don’t completely desecrate and expose your feet – rocks and glass are killer in zemshits..yes zemshit to the max.

I could go on and on about experiences with the CS and the product but I believe you get the idea.

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