Barefoot Running Shoes is an information, product and review hub on many of the best barefoot running shoes that are currently available as well as related products and accessories. We provide the latest information in hot new running barefoot shoes like Nike Free, Vibram FiveFingers, Vivo Barefoot, Inov-8, New Balance, and Newton Running. Not only do we feature the latest news, but we also look for the best deals and places to purchase these shoes. To join in on the barefoot running shoes conversation, join our Facebook group or go STRAIGHT to our blog!

Popular Barefoot Shoes and Barefoot Running Shoes Catalog

For a full product list of hand chosen shoes and accessories we find interesting, check out our product list section. For those also interested in check out some of the more popular barefoot running books.

“Wait a minute” you’re thinking to yourself…”Barefoot Running Shoes? Isn’t that an oxymoron?” Yes, it is not the best name for these type of shoes cause you are right, how can one be both barefoot and have shoes on? But really when we say “Barefoot Shoes” we mean shoes that embrace the benefits and philosophy of barefoot walking and running. Some people call these types of shoes minimalist footwear. Some of these so called barefoot running shoes look even more technical and advanced than regular running shoes. An example are Newton Running Shoes.

Other New and Hot Shoe Styles and Brands:

Presenting Your Foot

As simple as a foot looks on the outside it is an amazingly complex and well-adapted appendage. It is composed of 26 bones (25% of all the bones in your body), 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. All of these components work in tandem to support your body as your run and walk. Problems or flaws in the feet often can cause problems in other parts of the body.

In addition to providing tremendous support and shock absorption the foot is surprisingly malleable. It conforms to the shape which it is bound within.

In a 1905 a group of doctors studied the feet of native people in the Philippines and Central Africa. The study, which was published in the American Journal of Orthopedic Surgery, compared the feet of these natural barefoot populations with the feet of 1905 “modern” shoe wearers.

Below is what the average barefoot person’s foot looked like:

The doctors noted that on the naturally barefoot person’s foot that a line could be drawn to pass through the big toe, ball of the foot, and heel. They also noted that their toes naturally spread out which would allow for a wider base for stranding, walking, and running.

Below is what the average shoe wearing indvidual’s foot looked like:

Doctors observed that the foot seemed to form to the shape of the shoe that was worn. The toes did not fan out like those of the barefoot populations and that a line no longer could be drawn directly from the big toe to heel. The overall foot was more narrow which when compared to the barefoot people offered a less stable support base.

Benefits to Barefoot Running

What’s so good about barefoot running? Why should I do that? Won’t my feet get dirty?

While your feet will get dirty there is a growing amount of research that is showing that taking off your shoes might be a good idea. People have experienced different results but many have reported:

Less problems with recurring ankle sprains, chronic foot injuries, and plantar fasciitis

Greater agility

Less deformed toes

Improved balanced (which has helped prevent other injuries)

Prevention of varicose veins (thanks to increased blood circulation in the feet)

For additional benefits check out our article on Barefoot Running

Why We Created Barefoot Running Shoes

We wanted to create a useful resource for barefoot running shoes. There’s a lot information out there on barefoot running and minimalist running shoes. Some of this information is good, but a lot of it is misleading. We want to separate the truth from the hype so you can make the right choice.

Barefoot Running Shoe Brands