The votes have been counted, the results are in 🙌
These are the best minimalist/barefoot shoes, sandals and boots for 2021 as voted for by the community.
Shoes 👟
1st Place 🥇- Freet Flex by Freet
Overall Community Rating = 9.7/10
What the community had to say...
"Lovely lightweight barefoot great for the gym - competitively priced and great customer care."
"Finally, shoes which are wide enough and vegan! Vegan shoes more, please."
"Widest shoe for sports I could find."
Check them out here.
2nd Place 🥈- HFS by Xero Shoes
Overall Community Rating = 9.6/10
What the community had to say...
"They have helped to eliminate ankle, knee, and hip pain as well as helped me enjoy running again."
"The shoes are great for running. My feet, ankles and knees feel great whether running 3 miles or attaining for a half marathon."
"Awesome shoes. Switched to barefoot shoes a year and a half ago and own various Vivos but for running I'm opting for Xero HFS and speedforce."
Check them out here.
3rd Place 🥉 - Primal 2 by LEMS
Overall Community Rating = 9.4/10
What the community had to say...
"My favourite shoes for casual wear, hiking, running, and travelling! I don't love the look of suede, but it's very durable."
"Very comfortable and well made. These were my first minimalist shoes and I was overjoyed to receive them."
"Love them! The toe box is wide without being clunky. Lightweight and durable."
Check them out here.
Sandals 🦶
1st Place 🥇 - Z-Trail by Xero Shoes
Overall Community Rating = 9.7/10
What the community had to say...
"They're awesome. I wear them more than any other pair of shoes I own and my feet feel great"
"Great for amphibious activities! Lightweight and flexible. The only suggestion would be to add a version without the heel cup."
"Excellent minimal replacement for my beloved Chacos"
Check them out here.
2nd Place 🥈- Circadian Adventure by Earth Runners
Overall Community Rating = 9.5/10
What the community had to say...
"Love the freedom, security, and ease. On top of that, to be grounded while out and about (on certain surfaces of course), makes me love these even more. But, where I currently live, I can only wear it during warm to warm-ish weather."
"Would move to a warmer climate to be able to wear them throughout winter as well!"
"I love how these sandals form to my feet. My feet look and feel absolutely amazing in them. Finding the right strap tightness has been a challenge, but that doesn't stop me from showing them off everywhere. The soles are just thick enough but also just thin enough. My Earthrunners are the only pair of shoes I own where my feet have zero pain after wearing them and slipping them off."
Check them out here.
3rd Place 🥉 - Z-Trek by Xero Shoes
Overall Community Rating = 9.3/10
What the community had to say...
"Love them! No break in time. Feel like I've worn them forever right out of the box!"
"Absolutely love them! Great ground feel and comfortable strapping!"
"Wish there were dressy sandal options but love these for casual and sports wear"
Check them out here.
Boots 🥾
1st Place 🥇 - Freet Mudee by Freet
Overall Community Rating = 10/10
What the community had to say...
"Best hiking shoes around with great toe freedom and waterproof!"
"My Freet Mudees are one of the best purchases of my life. I adore them. Waterproof is an understatement."
"These are the most comfortable walking boots I've ever owned. They're also completely waterproof, which is excellent for a vegan product."
Check them out here.
2nd Place 🥈- Boulder Boots by LEMS
Overall Community Rating = 9.6/10
What the community had to say...
"Stylish, comfortable, and durable. A great all-around boot for the fall and winter!"
"I love the boulder boots for winter time. Personally they're just too wide to wear without thick socks and the soles are somewhat thick so I only wear them winter time. But for a big proper boot they are light and flexible so we do love them! (Me and husband both have the leather boulder boots - husband wears his all year round and loves them)."
"They require a teeny bit of breaking in for the ankle to feel confortable. they are not waterproof- the seams leak a little- but i don't mind."
Check them out here.
3rd Place 🥉 - Winter Barefoot by Be Lenka
Overall Community Rating = 9.0/10
What the community had to say...
"The wool lining is so warm in the winter! Suit my extra wide feet (with a bunion) and the only boots I wear all winter. Would love to see a fully waterproof shoe from Be Lenka."
"Stylish, comfortable, and durable. A great all-around boot for the fall and winter!"
"So comfortable! The most lightweight and flexible winter boot I have ever owned. Bonus it looks awesome. And while I thought I would only wear it as a in between season boot (being in Quebec city, Canada), I was pleasantly surprised to see it actually felt comofrtable up to about minus 20 celcius as long as I was moving in them. They are so flexible that just the movement of the feet keeps them warm even if there isn't lots of insulation (just a thin layer of wool)."
Check them out here.
Kids 👣
1st Place 🥇 - Chelsea Boots by Paperkrane
Overall Community Rating = 9.6/10
What the community had to say...
"I love love love them, both for my kids and me."
"Love the look and they are so easy to slip on and off. There is a lot of volume in this shoe so would be good if they stocked or recommended an insert for a better fit. The sizes seem true to their charts, however run small for what would generally be considered x size."
"These PaperKrane boots are fabulous. So soft. Easy to get on and off."
Check them out here.
2nd Place 🥈- Primus Knit Wool Kids by Vivobarefoot
Overall Community Rating = 9.0/10
What the community had to say...
"These fit my kids feet the best and have amazing ground feel."
"Great looking shoes, well made but a little pricey."
"Best looking kids shoes out there hands down."
Check them out here.
Giveaway Winners 🎁
Pair of Xero Shoes Prios: TBA
Pair of Xero Shoes Z-Treks: TBA
Pair of Freet shoes (winners choice): TBA
Pair of Paperkrane shoes (winners choice): TBA
Pair of Luks Shoes Fuego Moccasins: TBA
