👉 This is post 11/11 of our series of Golden Toe Awards 2023 series.
Here we are fellow barefoot enthusiasts, the big finale. We are, ready to announce the winners of the 🥇 Best Barefoot Shoe category in the Golden Toe Awards 2023!
The process has been enthralling as we dived into the wide world of minimalist footwear to find the very best for the most agile, natural foot movement.
And the Winners Are...
🥇 Zing - Barebarics - Rating: 9.91
🥈 Prio - Xero Shoes - Rating: 9.85
🥉 Tanuki - Wildling Shoes - Rating: 9.82
Why They Won - Community Feedback
Throughout the process, our amazing community made their choices clear, voting for shoes that embody style, comfort, and quality. Here's a closer look at why these three barefoot shoe brands raced ahead:
🥇 Zing - Barebarics - Rating: 9.91
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Design and Fit:
- Often recognized for their regular sneaker-like design, making them a suitable choice for those seeking the barefoot style without sacrificing aesthetics.
- Wide toe box design, allowing ample room for toe splay.
- The minimalist look has been appreciated, which fits different life situations.
- Some found the soles a bit thicker than preferred, which suited beginners transitioning into barefoot shoes but wasn't the ideal choice for those looking for thin soles with significant feedback while walking.
- There have been a few voters that indicated the shoes fit well and feel lightweight.
Comfort and Performance:
- Frequently praised for their overall comfort, the shoes are also noted for their durability.
- Many enjoy their Zings for their suitability in the city, with their comfort as a key feature.
- Though the soles are on the thicker side, they are appreciated for being flexible.
- Some customers found the Zings rather warm due to the internal lining, expressing concerns about summer wear.
- A few wearers have pointed out that the shoes give decent feedback despite the thicker soles.
Specific Requests and Improvements:
- Additional color variations would be welcomed by the community.
- Some suggested making the Zings more budget-friendly.
Customer Feedback and Experiences:
- Zings have been complimented for their great quality and long-lasting nature, with wearers noting that they still look like new after everyday use.
- The Zings were described as being 'extremely comfortable and good-looking'.
- Some have indicated they use Zings for everyday use because of their casual, comfy nature and compatibility with different outfits.
- A few users mentioned receiving compliments on the shoes' stylish appearance.
Overall Value and Price
- Some of the community have mentioned that the shoes were a bit expensive but were still pleased with their purchase.
- Most voters had the opinion that they are a good value for the money due to their quality and comfort.
Get the Barbarics Zings Barefoot Shoes ->
🥈 Prio - Xero Shoes - Rating: 9.85
Design and Fit:
- Many voters expressed a great liking to the design of the Prio by Xero Shoes, finding them stylish and versatile.
- In terms of fit, voters appreciated the roomy toe box that provided extra comfort.
Comfort and Performance:
- The community praised the practicality and comfort of these barefoot shoes, considering them perfect for daily wear and an array of activities including gym training, running, hiking, sports, and more.
- Many found the shoes particularly lightweight and balanced, which contributed to an effortless walking experience.
- However, several voters suggested that the shoe's traction could be improved, particularly in wet conditions.
Specific Requests and Improvements:
- There were suggestions about adding more color choices to the design.
- A common suggestion for improvement included making the shoes more breathable and some voters suggested creating a waterproof version of the shoe.
- Some noticed the durability of the shoes could be improved, mentioning issues with the sole ungluing or the shoes wearing quickly.
Customer Feedback and Experiences:
- Many in the community report life-changing experiences with the product, citing alleviation of foot discomfort and improved foot strength as major benefits.
- However, a break-in period and poor wet condition performance were some experiences shared by a few community members.
- Overall, most voters consider the shoes a good value for the price and appreciate their groundbreaking barefoot design.
Overall Value and Price:
- Widespread opinion suggests the Prio shoes are highly valued for their quality, design, and the barefoot wearing experience they offer.
- Considering their performance and the benefits they provide to foot health, most voters found the shoes reasonably priced.
- Some, however, felt the shoes are slightly expensive, although they recognized that quality comes with a price.
Get the Xero Shoe Prio Barefoot Shoes ->
🥉 Tanuki - Wildling Shoes - Rating: 9.82
Design and Fit:
- Tanuki shoes have a minimalist design that's adored by users.
- Their ultra-light and flexible soles offer the ultimate barefoot experience, promoting natural gait.
- The shoes' upper made of washi paper further contributes to their weightless feel.
- Tanukis soles are 'perfectly integrated with all surfaces', according to some users feedback.
- Some users have found Tanuki shoes to be a bit narrow or shallow for their feet.
Comfort and Performance:
- Voters love the natural and effortless gait that these shoes promote, even on concrete.
- A noticeable segment in the community feels these shoes offer the best barefoot experience.
- They've received praise for exceptional flexibility and adaptability to all surfaces.
- Several users declared Tanuki their favorite running shoes.
- A few users would prefer the shoe without an insole.
Specific Requests and Improvements:
- A suggestion from the community is to make the shoes washable to increase their practicality.
- Some voters proposed swapping the laces for elastics to convert Tanuki into slip-on shoes.
- Adding wool insoles could potentially improve comfort and breathability according to one voter.
Customer Feedback and Experiences:
- The community loves the breathability and lightweight design of the Tanuki shoes.
- Several customers have worn them for running, hiking, and day-to-day use, reporting minimal wear after extensive use.
- A few have worn Tanukis for up to three years with only minor wear and tear.
Overall Value and Price:
- The overall experience with Tanuki shoes seems to be exceptional for most users.
- Even those with concerns about fit still prefer Tanuki to other brands, showing the shoes' superior value.
- Some users commented the Tanuki shoes were hard-wearing, making them worth the investment.
- One user proclaimed Tanuki as their favorite running shoes - a testament to their value.
- Given the praise for these shoes, they seem to offer excellent value for their price.
Get the Wildling Shoes Tanuki Barefoot Shoes ->
What's Next?
This may be the last post in our Golden Toe Awards 2023 series but the excitement is far from over. Tomorrow, we'll be ecstatically announcing the winners of our epic giveaway!
Be sure to follow our IG page to ensure you don't miss out on this - suspense and thrill await you!
We're incredibly thankful for everyone who was a part of this exciting journey - our passionate community, and not to be missed, our amazing brands who helped make the GTA 2023 truly special - Barebarics, Be Lenka, Cool East Market, Deliberate Life Designs, Earthing Moccasins, Feelgrounds, Freet, Fullsoul Runningpad, Geniale Sandals, Iguaneye, Kyrgies, PaperKrane, Shapen Barefoot, The Last Shoe Maker, Tomar Creation, Xero Shoes, and Zlatush.
Your passion for minimalist footwear and enthusiasm for this event, truly made it unforgettable!
See The Winners Of Other Categories
🏃 Best Barefoot Road Running Shoe ->
🏔️ Best Barefoot Trail Shoe ->
🥾 Best Barefoot Hiking Boots ->
🥶 Best Winter Barefoot Shoe/Boot ->
🏋️ Best Gym/Training Barefoot Shoe ->