The 10 Best Men’s Barefoot Running Shoes For 2023

With so many other shoes offering all kinds of cushions, padding, and support, why would guys pay to feel like they’re not wearing anything at all?

Well, we’ve covered the many benefits of running barefoot before (and even HOW to run barefoot), so in this article, we’re just going to focus on selecting the best running shoe if you want a completely minimalist feel.

Fortunately, you’re not lacking for options.

The men’s footwear market is always growing, but 2022 was an especially good one for barefoot running shoes that offer minimal material between your feet and the ground.

So, whether you’ve long since ditched traditional running shoes or you’re ready to take the dive into minimal footwear finally, here are the best options for men currently on the market:

Finding a good pair of men’s barefoot running shoes can be difficult, but Prio All-Daybarefoot running shoes for men certainly make a choice a whole lot easier.

These shoes have many benefits that your average pair of running shoes won’t. For example, they are incredibly soft and versatile. 

You can quickly wear these shoes out for a long run, or you can wear them all day for walking.

You can do virtually anything in these barefoot shoes, and they won’t have a problem keeping up. Some men might find the price a bit expensive, but remember that you are paying for a very high-quality product, and it’s hard to find such good shoes for much cheaper. 

If you’re on the hunt for the best men’s barefoot running shoes and don’t know where to look, Xero Crosstraining Shoes 360 is another perfect choice.

As with the previous shoes, Xero’s Cross Training 360 shoes are also very versatile, and you can accomplish all sorts of things with them.

Since these barefoot shoes are incredibly sturdy, they are great for running long distances and Crossfit.

But the most significant benefit of these shoes is they are light.

In fact, you’ll have a hard time finding a pair of shoes that are lighter than these. Because these minimalist shoes don’t weigh very much, you don’t have to worry about the weight of your shoes ever dragging you down while you’re out and about.

Speaking of which, for a genuinely minimalist type of men’s running shoe, the F-LITE 245 is undoubtedly one of the best options on the market.

Just by looking at them, you can immediately tell how sleek and minimal they are. And yet, although they lack the designs many other shoes have, this footwear still remains very stylish. 

Instead of focusing on design, these shoes are all about functionality.

For that reason, these shoes won’t have any trouble carrying you to wherever you need to go. These shoes are very durable and are especially good for running long distances. 

While the shoe doesn’t look like much, you will find that the soles and the uppers won’t wear down in the slightest, even if you run for miles. 

The Primus Lite is a very flexible men’s shoe. You can easily twist and bend this running shoe into any shape you want, and it will spring right back into its original shape. The added flexibility of this shoe is perfect for running. 

After all, your foot will need to flex and stretch a certain amount with every footfall.

If your shoe cannot bend along with your foot, it will only end up rubbing against your foot, which could create blisters and other problems that could halt your run. Fortunately, you won’t have this problem with Primus Lite since it moves perfectly along with your foot. 

These shoes are also very light, so you won’t have to worry about them ever dragging you down during your runs.

In the world of running gear, the Vibram V-RUN running shoes are unique because they have individual spaces for your toes. Some guys don’t like this kind of design, while others love it. The benefit of having a design for separate toes is that it gives the shoe far more flexibility and grip.

In particular, it will be much easier for you to feel the ground beneath you and grip certain surfaces like rocks and other terrains.

This also makes this shoe ideal for mild to moderate hikes where you might need to hop from rock to rock to get across a trail. At the same time, the soles are thick enough to remain comfortable while you run, and you won’t need to worry about feeling every little bump in the road.

If you do decide that this shoe – or any of the other “toe shoes” on this list – are the right choice, check out our list of barefoot running socks that fit this type fo footwear perfectly.

These HFS Lightweight Road Running Shoes are also from the Xero Shoes brand and are known for being incredibly comfortable. At the same time, they are also known for fitting exceptionally well, too. The fit of a running shoe, of course, is critical. 

You might buy the best barefoot running shoes, but if they don’t fit you right, the shoes will only hurt your feet and may even cause blisters.

Fortunately, most of the shoes on this list run true to size. The HFS Lightweight Road Running Shoe is no exception.  

So, as long as you get your usual size, these shoes should fit like a dream and keep your feet comfortable even on the longest runs.

Another potential benefit of these shoes is that they are vegan. This makes them ideal for vegans and other men who care about animals and the environment. 

Some running shoes are covered in designs that make them heavier and reduce their flexibility and versatility.

Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about that when you opt for the Primus Lite III. These are minimalist shoes that aren’t weighed down with unnecessary features. 

For that reason, this shoe was designed to focus on functionality rather than useless features. At the same time, the lack of apparent designs makes this shoe streamlined and stylish.

Unsurprisingly, this makes for a highly light shoe, too. 

Because it is so light and made of light materials, these shoes will keep your feet cool even if you run for hours at a time. This is especially important if you tend to have feet that overheat when running. 

These shoes are yet another pair with individual spaces for the toes. Some guys think that this kind of design makes the shoe less efficient or that it makes one’s feet sweat more, but this isn’t necessarily true. 

Shoes like the Vibram EL-X are designed to be so light that it’s almost impossible for your feet to overheat inside the shoe, even if you are running for hours. Besides that, there is a lining within these shoes that is anti-microbial. So, even if you sweat into these shoes, the liner will prevent bacteria from building up inside. 

This will also prevent the shoes from developing a bad smell. Very few barefoot running shoes have this feature, which is a big plus for the Vibram EL-X. 

Here is yet another pair of shoes with individual toe spaces.

Besides that, the KMD Sport Shoes’s main feature is its unique construction for the arch. In particular, the arch is designed to offer more support to the foot than most barefoot running shoes. 

This is a critical feature if you have high arches.

Even if you don’t, the difference in this design helps remove any unnecessary weight from your feet. This is very important for long runs since the excess weight on your feet can make them very sore and achy – even for extended periods of time. 

These shoes are also effortless to wash since you can throw them into the washing machine and then into the dryer whenever you feel like it to keep the shoes fresh.

Run far enough for long enough and you’ll know just what a huge advantage that is.

The first benefit of these V-ALPHA Shoes is that they feature a foam insole. Not many barefoot running shoes have this feature. The foam design helps to encase your feet while you’re running completely. 

This not only keeps your foot comfortable, but it will also keep your foot in place within the shoe.

That way, your foot won’t keep shifting around inside the shoe as you run, which might create rashes and blisters. Besides the foam insole, the shoe’s upper part is designed to be very breathable. 

That way, you won’t have to worry about your feet overheating, even on hot days. The upper part easily allows air into the shoes to cool down your feet as you run. Even if your feet do happen to sweat, these shoes are effortless to wash.