The benefits of buying locally are known and, luckily for you, the USA has the highest number of companies making minimalist running shoes.
So whether you're looking to buy mens minimalist running sandals or womens barefoot running shoes this is the complete list for you:
Verified Barefoot Shoe Brands
'Verified Barefoot' means the company makes shoes that meet the criteria to be classified barefoot.
BEDROCK SANDALS
From big adventures to easy-livin’, Bedrock Sandals are built to free your outdoor soul. Their industry-leading designs and unparalleled field testing let you tread light and secure, from mountain tops to river bottoms.
Shoe Types: Sandals
Features: Verified Barefoot, Vegan
Price: ~$100
DELIBERATE LIFE DESIGNS
The goal of Deliberate Life Designs has been to bring custom handcrafted, made-to-order minimalist sport sandals to enthusiasts of all types. Their sandals are great for hardcore runners on trail ultras, ultralight backpackers looking for the lightest weight trail or camp shoes, and barefoot aficionados looking for personalized kicks for everyday comfort.
Shoe Types: Sandals
Features: Verified Barefoot, Vegan, Handmade, Custom Fitting
Price: ~$100
EARTH RUNNERS
Inspired by ancient huarache running sandals, Earth Runners' grounded conductive lacing system combines the benefits of earthing with the functionality of minimalist adventure sandals to offer the closest thing to barefoot.
Shoe Types: Sandals
Features: Verified Barefoot, Vegan
Price: ~$100
LUNA SANDALS
LUNAs are hand-crafted, adventure sandals made in Seattle, Washington that preserve the age-old connection between the human foot and the planet. LUNAs are outdoor sandals that are great for hiking, walking, trail running, marathoning, and just about any other adventure you can imagine. They are also just awesome to wear every day.
Shoe Types: Sandals
Features: Verified Barefoot, Handmade
Price: ~$100
MERRELL
From Merrell's very first custom made hiking boots to their latest product innovations, they make all of their products with four core values in mind: Comfort, Durability, Design, and Versatility. For them, it’s all about removing the barriers to enjoying the great outdoors.
You'll want to look specifically at Merrell's Vapor Glove model if you're looking for a 'Verified Barefoot' shoe, otherwise, Merrell makes a lot of minimalist shoes that are in their 'Barefoot' category.
Shoe Types: Shoes
Features: Verified Barefoot
Price: ~$100
SHAMMA SANDALS
Shamma makes performance-focused footwear that makes you feel barefoot, while at the same time increasing your performance and keeping you safe. Their sandals are responsive, light, and form up to the exact shape of your individual feet - staying with you, supporting your activity, without getting in the way.
Shoe Types: Sandals
Features: Verified Barefoot, Handmade
Price: ~$100
XERO SHOES
Over 80,000 people in 94 countries wear Xero Shoes for walking, hiking, yoga, biking, working out, Crossfit, even running 100-mile ultramarathons through the jungles of Costa Rica. Xero Shoes let you enjoy natural, barefoot movement, with just-enough protection, an authentic style that's your very own with a 5,000-mile warranty!
Shoe Types: Shoes, Sandals, Boots
Features: Verified Barefoot, DIY
Price: $20 for DIY, ~$100 for shoes, ~$150 for boots
Minimalist Shoe Brands
Sometimes, shoes don't meet all of the standards but are pretty close and help you to transition to fully barefoot. I'll be referring to these as 'Minimalist'.
Altra
Elite runners and running store managers started Altra out of a need for a better, more comfortable running experience. What started as experimental shoe alterations in the back room of a Wasatch Mountain running store has evolved the only running shoe company to combine a foot shape toe box and fully cushioned zero-drop platform.
Shoe Types: Shoes, Boots
Features: Verified Barefoot, Waterproof/resistant
Price: ~$100+ for shoes, ~$150 for boots
CARSON
Everett Carson needed a better shoe. Finding most options were uncomfortable, poorly conceived, and imported. He wanted neutral running shoes that he actually enjoyed running in, and he wanted them made in the USA. So he started making them myself.
Shoe Types: Shoes
Features: Verified Barefoot, Custom Fit
Price: ~$130+ for shoes
NEW BALANCE
At New Balance, their goal is to aid athletes in their pursuit of excellence, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K, or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.
You'll want to look specifically at Minimus model if you're looking for a 'Minimalist' shoe, otherwise, most of their shoes are not considered minimalist.
Shoe Types: Shoes
Features: Verified Barefoot, Custom Fit
Price: ~$130+ for shoes
TOPO
Topo believes in making exceptional shoes that help bring out your natural stride – in running and in life. We exhibit this through a commitment to quality, both in product and in our daily actions that impact our world.
Topo shoes are lightweight with a wider toe box, but all of their shoes are not zero-drop.
Shoe Types: Shoes
Price: ~$130+ for shoes, $150+ boots
This is just a list of companies that are USA based. Many other amazing companies ship to the USA from all over the world!
For a complete list, check out our Ultimate List of Barefoot Shoes & Minimalist Shoes.
- Adam