We’re not big fans of running in barefoot shoes, but for lifting? Sign us up! We’ve rounded up the best barefoot shoes from running to lifting based on our testers feedback.
All these new max cushioned running shoes are actually going to work against you in the gym.
They’re built to help propel you forward, layered with foam underfoot to soak up the impact mile after mile, and sometimes shaped with a rocker to help with that heel-to-toe transition. Perfect for running, but definitely not for lifting.
Barefoot shoes give your feet the chance to do what they’re designed to do, grip the floor, and help you transfer power more efficiently.
Why We Want Barefoot in the Gym?
Think about standing on one of those squishy balance pads or even a mattress.
Your body wobbles, you lose balance, and you can’t really push into the ground. That’s exactly what happens when you try to lift in cushioned running shoes.
It’s why so many lifters, CrossFitters, and people in the gym swap them out for flat, stable shoes or go barefoot altogether.
That ground contact actually strengthens your feet, which not only improves performance in the gym but also pays off big time for your running by reducing injury risk.
As noted, you can run in these types of shoes and a lot of people do. We just aren’t those people and as running coaches who have been around for the decades of different ideas on shoes, we can tell you they don’t mitigate injury risk. In fact, jumping in to them too quickly has lead to some serious injuries for a lot of athletes.
NOW when it comes to your lifting, you can go right to this lower drop without worry. It really is about a smart transition if you are using them for walking or running.
7 Best Barefoot Shoes
Understandably with heavy weights we don’t love being entirely barefoot (or in a public gym), hence the rise of lifting shoes which are often referred to as barefoot shoes because they’re so minimal. If you’re new to barefoot shoes, we’ve pulled together a list of the best options to help you build strength from the ground up.
The OG Running Barefoot Shoe- Vibram Five Fingers
The OG shoe for running with as much of your foot contacting the ground as possible. Just a thin durable layer of rubber protects your foot.
They truly mimic the feeling of running barefoot by providing a snug fit that allows your feet to move and flex naturally. This experience can help improve your balance and agility, as well as strengthen the muscles in your feet and lower legs.
The thin, flexible sole of Vibram Five Fingers allows for improved proprioception, or the ability to sense the position and movement of your body. This can help you adjust your gait and foot strike to reduce the risk of injury and improve your overall running form.
Vibram Five Fingers can be used for a variety of activities beyond running, including hiking, yoga, and water sports. This versatility has made them a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.
We know folks who have run marathons in them….not us. We don’t even want to run a mile in them.
- Weight: 5 oz Women’s, 6 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 0 mm
- Lots of colorways available
- Not available in wide
- Available from Amazon.com starting at $110
Lightweight Flexible Option- Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit
Vivo shoes are designed so that your foot moves naturally, whether you’re running or working out in the gym. There’s enough room in the toebox so that your toes can naturally spread out and move around with each step.
They’re designed so that your foot moves naturally, whether you’re running or working out in the gym. There’s enough room in the toebox so that your toes can naturally spread out and move around with each step.
The Primus Lite Knit will be great for days in the gym where you need a little extra grip, especially during heavy lifting sessions!
You can also take one of these shoes and curl it up into a ball, that’s how soft and flexible they are!
There are plenty of styles and colorways available. If you try them out, let us know!
- Weight: 12.9 oz Women’s, 8.7 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 0 mm
- Available in 2 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available from Rei.com for $170
Gym to Casual Shoe- Inov8 Bare XF
Our team hasn’t had the chance to test this Inov8 shoe, but it pops up on a lot of recommended barefoot shoe lists.
From what we’ve seen, it’s a solid option for gym sessions, strength training, cross-training, or even hybrid workouts.
Beyond the gym, it doubles as a casual shoe, too. If you’re curious about easing barefoot shoes into your everyday wardrobe, this one makes the transition feel simple.
Stylish, lightweight, and multiple purpose, it’s a great pick for anyone with a busy schedule who doesn’t want to lug around multiple pairs of shoes.
- Weight: 7.4 oz Women’s + Men’s
- Heel drop: 0 mm
- Available in 3 colors
- Available in Wide
- Available from Inov8.com for $120
Perfect for Hybrid Workouts – Flux Adapt Runner
Flux is a newer company that is starting to make waves across the running and fitness community. Their goal is to create shoes that move with your feet and not against them.
Similar to Altra, Flux trainers have that wider, more natural toebox-shaped design.
With a generous toe box, smooth knit upper, and over 100 nodes built into the AdaptSol™ insole, the Flux Adapt Runner oozes comfort not always given to zero drop styles.
Hybrid workouts like Hyrox are super popular right now. If you’re not sure what shoe to get to go from the treadmill to a sled push, the Flux has your back. 
While not a flashy or fast model, it offers a zero drop experience without going full barefoot, which means it can offer more comfort and stability.
- Weight: 11.15 oz Men’s + Women’s
- Heel Drop: 0 mm
- 5 core colors available
- Not available in wide
- Available on Flux Footwear for $140
- Check out our review of the Flux Adapt Runner here >>
Good for transitioning to Barefoot Running Shoes – Altra Escalante
Consider this your middle ground if you’ve been in more cushioned shoes and want to go less, but don’t want to jump right to the Five Fingers.
Altra is the only running footwear company to feature the cushioned Zero Drop™ platform and FootShape™ toe box technologies. This means that their shoes feature zero drop and the toe box is designed with the natural shape of the foot in mind.
If you’ve been wearing higher heel drop shoes, the Escalante is a great way to make that transition to a lower and even zero drop shoe. It gives you a more natural feel without making the full leap straight to barefoot shoes, so you can ease into the transition comfortably.
Altra shoes also provide balanced cushioning, which means that the heel and forefoot are the same distance from the ground. This encourages a more natural foot strike and can reduce impact on your joints.
- Weight: 9.5 oz Men’s, 7.5 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 24 mm
- Heel Drop: 0 mm
- Available in 13 colors
- Not available in wide.
- Available on Altra.com for $130
- Read our full review of the Altra Escalante 4 here >>
Heavy Lifting Companion- New Balance Minimus TR Boa
If you’ve spent time in the weight room or a CrossFit gym, you know that a close-to-the-ground feel can be a real advantage.
The New Balance Minimus TR BOA® v2 promises to handle even the toughest days at the gym with a barefoot-friendly design.
It’s just enough for most weight lifting and bodyweight exercises, and will transition well enough for some short cardio intervals.
This is truly a minimal shoe. They feel super lightweight and like an extension of your foot, which is a great thing for those who might prefer to lift barefoot but don’t want to do so in a public gym.
They’ll also give just a little protection for your feet in the event of a wayward barbell or dumbbell. No broken bones, please!
- Weight: 9.5 oz Men’s,7.5 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 4 mm
- Available in 1 color
- Not available in wide
- Available on newbalance.com for $149.99
- Read our full review of the NB Minimus TR BOA v2 here >>
Functional Training Shoe- R.A.D One V2
This is yet another shoe that doesn’t quite fit the barefoot shoe classification but will be a good transitional shoe for functional workouts.
Throwing some WODs into your training? These shoes will help you get through those intense workouts without compromising stability and support.
While you may not catch someone from our team doing headstand pushups, these are ideal for making those a little easier, allowing your feet to smoothly slide on the wall. 
Sometimes you compromise flexibility with stability in lifting/cross training shoes, but not with the R.A.D. ONE. The R.A.D. WAVE midsole wrap tapers off just before the forefoot flex zone, allowing for natural pronation and flexibility for highly dynamic movements.
This shoe is a solid choice for those looking for a cushioned, yet stable shoe for weightlifting, functional training and other gym workouts.
- Weight: 13.2 oz Women’s, 12.9 oz Men’s
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Available in 13 Colors
- Not available in wide
- Available on Rad-global.com for $150
- Check out our full review of the R.A.D One V2 here >>
Barefoot vs Zero Drop
As Coach Amanda pointed out in her barefoot running article, barefoot shoes and zero-drop shoes are not the same.
Barefoot shoes are designed with just a thin layer of rubber on the outsole to protect your feet while still letting you feel the ground.
Zero-drop shoes, on the other hand, can offer plenty of cushion and support but keep your heel and forefoot on the same level.
We bent the rules a little with this list and added a few picks that come with a touch more rubber underfoot. They’re great options if you’re curious about barefoot shoes but need a little buffer as you transition.
If you’re used to wearing shoes with a higher heel drop, resist the urge to jump straight into barefoot or even zero-drop styles.
Making the switch slowly is key to keeping your muscles happy and avoiding those nagging aches and pains.
How to Transition to Barefoot Shoes
We know you may be excited to make this transition but just like with anything new, you must do it slowly to lower your risk of injury.
With the shorter heel height, your Achilles will actually stretch farther and your muscles will need to adjust. Many runners find their calves are suddenly working a great deal harder.
- Start with a shoe that has a smaller heel drop than your current shoe before jumping to barefoot
- Alternate the new shoe with your original shoes for while during walks and/or workouts
- Once you feel comfortable workint out in the lower shoe, add a barefoot shoe to the rotation
- Again alternate the zero drop and barefoot shoes for a few months
Ideally, you want to make this a slow footwear transition over a number of months allowing your muscles to slowly adjust and build up to the new effort required.
In addition to the transition, don’t forget about adding foot-strengthening exercises. We know, it’s just another thing to add to your to-do list. BUT a lot of these exercises are simple and can even be done at your desk or while watching tv.
Here are a few to add to your routine:
- Toe Curls
- Calf Raises
- Single Leg Balance (make it more challenging with a Mobo Board)
- Toe Lifts
Remember, the key to working out pain-free and remaining injury-free is to consistently do not just the big things, but the little things too.
There you have it, our list of the best barefoot shoes. If you give a pair of these barefoot shoes a try, make sure to let us know how it goes!
What to read next?
- Altra Vs HOKA Running Shoes- Zero Drop vs Maximal
- Altra Experience Flow 2 Review- Low Drop, Low Weight, High Times
- Avelo Running Shoes: Like Having a Gait Analysis Lab in Your Footwear
Hoka Mach X3 Review | Finally Worth the Hype, Grab This Shoe
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