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In fact it’s not barefootness that I’m looking for - more some folding shoes that take up minimal space for travel, bike packing etc, but comfortable for wearing when taking off hiking boots or cycling shoes. I’ve seen Vivo but 100 quid plus is way over the top. Any recommendations for cheap alternatives? Or just take a punt on Amazon?
The problem with the barefoot type stuff is that the size and comfort can be very different from what you wear normally. I would go with whatever you can find and actually try on locally rather than taking a punt on Amazon.
Sport pursuit have vivo shoes if you are lucky on size.
The low Gobi boot is really comfy.
I also have these which aren’t specifically barefoot but weigh nothing and are very minimal. Not much use in the winter though.
Merrell vapor glove. Period. Use them for travel (instead of sandal sometimes), bike packing, bothy / campsite shoe, to wear when I take spds off etc
Someone with 6 inches of cushioning on their shoes will be along soon to tell you barefoot shoes are a fad.
To try without parting with too much cash, the TSLA barefoot/minimilist shoes on Amazon are similiar to the Vapour Glove 3 - I've got and like both.
Not barefoot but a wise person on here suggested Teva sandals as back up to carry in pack on long distances hikes. Light, packable and able to walk good mileage in them
Xero Genesis sandals? I just ordered a second pair from Sport Pursuit.
Sports pursuit had Xero shoes recently. Might still be there.
Vivobarefoot have a site where they sell recycled shoes. Revivo. Wife has some, look like new ones.
I have some Merrell ones I use as you describe. Got them from sportspursuit
Amazon own brand are supposed to be ok. If the link doesn't work it is hobibear.
Im a huge fan of Vibram Five Fingers. I’ve been wearing them for 10y in various guises. Don’t often run in them these days, but when I travel, I can easily do a 10k in them even on chunky gravel.
Someone with 6 inches of cushioning on their shoes will be along soon to tell you barefoot shoes are a fad.
42mm of lovely Zoom-X foam actually, but close enough. And yes, they are a fad and terrible for your calfs if they're used for running.
But for the OP's use they sound a good solution, crack on, just don't run very far in them.
And yes, they are a fad and terrible for your calfs if they’re used for running
In the same way cycling is terrible for your thighs?
Someone with 6 inches of cushioning on their shoes will be along soon to tell you barefoot shoes are a fad.
Podcast I recently listened to had experts that suggested using a mix of both, as both have advantages and disadvantages.
And yes, they are a fad and terrible for your calfs if they’re used for running.
No they aren’t. Bit of a sweeping statement there. I used to run without any footwear and my calves were fine. I only wear barefoot shoes now. Occasional run, jump and tumble with the kids, do a bit of running at the gym when forced to do so as part of a class. Strangely my calves haven’t exploded!
To the OP - Vivobarefoot, Vibram FF or Merrel are all great. Not cheap though unfortunately.
Podcast I recently listened to had experts that suggested using a mix of both, as both have advantages and disadvantages.
The reality with most stuff is that it's neither 100% bad or 100% good, you just need to be aware of its strengths and weaknesses and accept that your body is very adaptable over time and use. It also depends a lot in the individual, where and how much you run, how heavy or light you are and how light on your feet etc. Same with walking boots versus lightweight approach shoes etc. or, gawd help us all, e-mtbs 😉
Thank sall. Merrell Vapor Glove wearers - how does the sizing run? I usually wear a 45 in Merrell shoes.
Happy Little Soles has a good size guide (and I think it lists it's shoes according to how it measures the shoes rather than what the manufacturer says it is).
https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/advice
Keen are affordable and good for me
Funnily enough I've just been thinking about this. I think I'm going to take a punt and order some cheap water shoes from Decathlon. The cushioning may not be great but I'm assuming they'll be very packable and I can use them for scrambling about on the beach in the summer.
But for the OP’s use they sound a good solution, crack on, just don’t run very far in them.
To be fair, aside from not running frequently enough recently, BF/minimal shoes could very well be the reason I can't run very far. However I don't have any past running experience in regular shoes to compare with. It took a long time for me to get used to running, wearing them, that's true.
I stopped running in the very thin Vapor Gloves and went to the Trail Gloves for running which offer a bit more protection against stones - stepping on a stone with the ball of your foot while running in minimal barefoot shoes (~3mm sole, no cushioning) left me unable to run for a couple of weeks on more than one occasion. The slightly thicker trail gloves are still minimal, and you still know when you've stepped on a stone, but they're resistant enough to allow you to continue (unless you hit it hard), and allow your feet/ankles to strengthen.
Minimal shoes do a great job of encouraging you to be mindful of foot placement! Difficult to be lazy in them (while running or even walking at a fast pace) which I like at this point in time.
Thank sall. Merrell Vapor Glove wearers – how does the sizing run? I usually wear a 45 in Merrell shoes.
The old VP 3, I wore 44, the leather VP I bought last year, bought 44 felt very tight, so returned and got 45. Still felt a bit narrow but just needed bedding in.
Bleurgh! Was about to ask if that was AI generated but they've only got five toes!
I'm normally a 44 in most shoes. But a 45 in merrells and wear a 45 in vapor gloves. They are a wide fitting shoe compared to any other shoe I have. I wouldn't size up if you wear a 45 in merrells already
I'm going to try the Inov8 bare-xf 210 v3 next, can be had for 70. Hopefully will like them as 60 is more the price i wanted to spend.