Barefoot trainers - merrell, freet or something else?

[Sadik]

Admittedly not very stylish or beautiful - but having bought vivobarefoot tracker II boots to wear for work to help with foot problems, I now can't bear to wear anything else. I'd like to invest in a pair of barefoot trainers that will be good for when I don't want to wear boots - including general wear, rambling in warmer weather & potentially a bit of trail running (though mostly I run on the beach & entirely barefoot).
I've been looking at the Merrell Vapor Glove 6, & also the Freet Tanga & Feldom & wondered if anyone had experience with them. Or any other recommendations for good trainers that are perhaps a bit less un-stylish than the vivobarefoot ones...

I agree, the vivo boots are lovely. The trainers not so much!

Any top tips on barefoot trainers??

Have you looked on Happy Little Soles? They are the main UK stockist of many brands.

Merrell is quite narrow and I didn't find the shape suited my feet but it's been a few years since I tried them. For trail running I'd probably choose Vivo tbh.

I've had a trawl through the happylittlefeet site, but not found anything leaping out to me.

That's a really useful tip about the merrells - I've got feet that are wide at the front but narrow heels, so I suspect the freet ones probably a better bet of those two.

Ive been looking into barefoot shoes recently.

I think some of the Xero Shoes look nice.
On Amazon there's a brand called Hobibear that do some casual type shoes which I think is the UK version of Amazon US Whitin shoes.

I've been looking on youtube at them so it might be worth looking there OP.

I'll have another look at Xero - it's so hard not being able to try things on (which is why I'm dubious when reviews suggest returns may be tricky).

I know what you mean. I buy shoes in person only where I can but otherwise I use Amazon, Amazon have the best returns policies in my experience.

Altras are good for this. Have a bit more cushioning but have the nice wide toe box.

I have some Vibram Furoshiki wrap trainers I bought from Barefoot Junkie massively reduced to about £40 in last year's Boxing Day sale. Full disclosure: I'm not a serious runner and they're more day shoes but I love them. The site has some good deals on other barefoot shoes too.

PaperKrane are doing adult barefoot shoes now, I also recommend a company called Be Lenka. Both on Happy Little Soles website. The variety is growing thankfully

Altras are your friend here. Lovely wide toe box.

If you're a size 4, I've got two pairs of very good condition Merrell barefoots you can try! The toe box is quite wide and they're comfy, but I can't wear them anymore due to severe plantar fasciitis 😭😭

I actually am! I'll pm you....

That's very sad though :(

Hiya,
What was your problem with the Vivobarefoot? I have these trainers in a size bigger than my usual as advised. They do look a little like comedy clown shoes but they are absolutely fantastic.
My running has improved loads and I haven't had a single blister. I wish I had discovered them years ago.

I've tried on a couple of pairs of their trainers @shatteredmum1 in the shop & found that they were quite loose around the heel (even in the size I'd usually wear & that fits great in the boots).

To be honest, they're likely to get more use for general wear as I'm not a serious runner at all, but I could do with a pair of functional trainers.

It's a lot of trial and error with barefoot shoes. I've been exclusively wearing barefoot shoes for a few years now and spent a lot of money ordering and returning/reselling shoes that didn't work for me.

If you haven't done so already, it's important to measure your feet properly and understand the shape and volume of your feet because the fit between the brands vary a lot. Anya's reviews is a useful website with information on all the different brands and fit of the shoes. There are also Facebook groups for barefoot shoes that I use to find real life pictures/fit info on anything I like. Also Facebook groups for reselling barefoot shoes (some new, some used).

As for the style, I think you get used to the look of wider shoes. I honestly look at narrow/pointy shoes now and think they look weird.

Sorry, I didn't actually answer your question! Vivo Primus (all weather) were my first barefoot shoes and I used them for working out, everday casual and holidays. I think they're very versatile but understand if it's not your style. If Vivos work for you, Groundies might too. I think the GO1 sole fits similar and they have a wider range of styles, but make sure its the barefoot range. It really does depend on your foot shape and what you need (wide toe box, flexibility, ground feel, or all of these).

Have a look at Lems. My DH loves them.

Thanks avo - it was actually the Anja's site that pointed me to the Freets. I think I might give them a go, returns look OK fingers crossed if they don't work out.

Thanks OP, helpful thread. Happy New Year

I starting wearing barefoot shoes a few months ago - with Merrell Vapor Glove. Got them in dark grey and recently bought a green pair. I love them, and am finding ordinary shoes and boots a bit of a squeeze now.

https://www.sportsdirect.com/merrell-vapor-glove-ld99-187177?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=17599672495&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&cq_con=135090325821&cq_med=pla&cq_pos=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA4smsBhAEEiwAO6DEjdEpTiP63FZY0TNrSVCHTJmt5cYjK3MfigZ_lzHVHkiLZzzD9nBWwRoCl-8QAvD_BwE#colcode=18717715

Has anyone got any tips for reasonably smart, waterproof barefoot boots?

@Seeingadistance do you need fully waterproof for walking through wet grass, mud, puddles etc or just for rain in the city? Most boots will only be water resistant but perhaps Lems waterproof Chelsea? Though I haven't tried them myself. Be lenka states the level of water resistancy of their boots on the website - most of their boots have a nice wide toe box but the sole is a bit thicker/not as flexi if you don't mind. For smarter styles, leather would be naturally water resistant and you could treat them regularly to improve this. I usually use a waterproofing spray or Renapur.

Thanks for your reply. These boots would be for work - mostly urban walking, with occasional forays through wet grass and puddles too big for me to jump over! The knee high Be Lenka ones look good, so I'll give them a shot.

I love my BeLenka trainers.