Boots for barefoot/minimalists

[JollyRoger]

I’ve been super happy with Merrell Wrapt Mid boots. I’ve beat the snot out of them for a few solid months and really like the fit, grip, and they’re comfortable. My feet aren’t begging to let out of the boots after a full day humping up and down mountains.

The biggest ding on them is durability. The soles will last me just past a full a fall season. They also have fabric lace loops which is generally not as sturdy as metal eyelets or hooks. So far so good on my pair though

 

[Willyb43]

I'm starting to get more into minimalist footwear to try and strengthen my feet...obviously its slow process, and from previous threads I've read on here, there are many guys that will use barefoot/minimalist footwear in the offseason for foot strengthening, but when the season comes, they still like to use more structured and supportive boots.
I feel I'm kinda in the same boat as I don't know if I would be ready for a LONG time to hunt in something like a Vivo Tracker.

That said, one of the side effects that I feel manifests pretty quickly when starting to wear minimalist footwear is the widening of the forefoot and splaying of the toes, as that part of the foot becomes stronger and more flexible...

Any recommendations for boots that fit this foot shape well but aren't really 'minimalist'? I was thinking about the Meindl Comfort Fit Hiker (little lower and more flexible than the comfort fit Hunter...)...Any minimalist/barefoot guys have experience with those?

I have a pair of Meindl comfort fit hunters, I only really use them late season in the cold/snow. I was wearing them yesterday in fact, hunting in northern Alberta looking for some late season roosters.

I wear Vivo tracker ESC’s mostly, this year I started running BäR wandersteifels, which are also an excellent transition boot, im attempting to keep a long term review going on them here. The Meindl’s are a good foot shape in comparison to the other two, they have a snug heel and generous toe box. They also have a thick sole, tall heel, and a lot of ramp from heel to toe. They are a far cry from a minimalist boot, but they have a good fit and shape.

Like most traditional goretex hunting boots, the meindls have a lot of foam padding inside them, for me it makes the boot fit feel vague, and the foam lining and goretex are very warm for a “non-insulated” boot. Compared to all the other main stream traditional hiking/hunting boots they are the best fit ive found as a guy with a narrow heel and wide forefoot that would rather be wearing a minimalist boot.