My journey into barefoot/minimalist shoes - Feel free to share yours

[packgoatguy]

I've been wearing mostly zero drop type footwear since mid 2023. I've had bad ankles, high arches, gout, and most recently a tailor's bunion... so plenty of foot issues. In the past decade, id used Solomon hightop lightweight hikers and big heavy zamberlain boots. After a very bad sprain in about 2014, I would regularly roll my ankle. Often a couple times a month. After switching to the vivo trackers, I haven't had a significant roll (while hiking) since. However, this past March, I was jogging (wearing my regular brooks trail runners, which are low drop, but not zero drop) and I had another bad ankle roll. After recovering from that, i did have a few minor rolls around mid May during bear season when the snow would give-way under my foot in an unexpected way. Once I was able to run again, I switched to my Altra lp 8, and found that I could only trust my stability if I forced myself to run with a toe-heel strike instead of a heel-toe strike. This was a challenge and I've had to work through tendinitis in my Achilles and have found I am more likely to catch my toe and trip... but in the end I think it has been worth it as my legs and feet adjust to my new form.

I've been wearing vivo tracker esc boots since the spring of 2023. I've got two pairs, one a size larger than the other that I use during the colder months because I can layer 2 socks inside. I only wear them for hiking/hunting... not around the house... but they both have a couple hundred miles on them by now. I've got a couple videos I can share that I made to show the wear and tear they've seen and how they have held up. (Be warned, they are boring). Overall, I've been impressed with the durability... the tread especially. I'm not a fan of the stitching around the outside of the sole, as it seems to get beat up and fray a lot. It would also be nice if there was more protection for the leather at the toe because it gets beat up there too. I've always worn mine with gaiters and I've been pretty on top of applying the beeswax stuff they recommend. One thing that I'm not a big fan of is their lack of waterproofing. The leather itself is reasonably water resistant if I've generously applied the beeswax... but that wears off in a day. The water comes in through the seams pretty easily though. So, if I know I will be in a lot of consistently wet conditions, I've had success making over-booties out of tyvek and gorilla tape. I can usually get 10-20 miles on a pair of the booties before they wear through. The tyvek breaths well enough that my feet don't get clammy, but is waterproof enough to keep the boots from getting soaked if it's raining or going through puddles.

I use the FP Insoles Kingfoam flat with the Trackers.

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[Dave0317]

I’ve always had wide flat-ish feet. Just turned 46 and spent most my life wearing Vans and Chuck Taylors…which are essentialy “zero drop/minimalist” footwear, so there hasn’t been any transition issues.
Last year I tried the Vivo Winter Tracker 2’s….not bad but they were too warm for me. Plus they tended to smell even though I only wear merino socks.
Right now my daily are the Lems Boulder Summit Waterproof. So far they’ve been great for town and light hikes with the dog, haven’t pushed em beyond that yet.
Looks like Lems is starting to use Vibram soles in some models which is nice. Next week they’re releasing an 8 or 9 inch “tactical pro” boot with Vibram sole I may try for next year during warming months.
Haven’t tried the Vivo Forest ESC’s yet, I need to get over the futuristic look.

This must be the e Lems boot you mentioned?

https://www.lemsshoes.com/products/mens-tactical-pro-tall-boot?variant=41066794418234&country=US

I’m seriously tempted to try that or the TR105 that someone else mentioned. I like barefoot overall, but in the woods I think I would like the higher ankle protection that these have. Not for support, but more so random sticks or thorns aren’t scraping my ankles up.

 

[WyldGoose]

This must be the e Lems boot you mentioned?

https://www.lemsshoes.com/products/mens-tactical-pro-tall-boot?variant=41066794418234&country=US

I’m seriously tempted to try that or the TR105 that someone else mentioned. I like barefoot overall, but in the woods I think I would like the higher ankle protection that these have. Not for support, but more so random sticks or thorns aren’t scraping my ankles up.

Yep those are them…

 

[Maverick1]

Q: How can you tell if someone wears barefoot / minimalist shoes?

A: Don’t worry, they will tell you in every conversation.

 

[541hunter]

I ran a marathon this year in zero drop Altras. I’m glad I made the switch for running. I am a toe walker and the higher drop running shoes would often cause me pain. The transition for me was virtually painless as I already had built up a lot of muscle from always walking on my toes.

 

[Pig Punisher]

I know there are many other threads regarding barefoot/minimalist shoes, but I wanted to start this thread to hopefully help someone else. I know many of you also wear barefoot/minimalist shoes, so if you’re willing, please post with your transition into, and experiences with this type of footwear.

I’m not super far into my journey, so I don’t have a ton to post about yet, but maybe it will help someone else who has questions.

I had been a boots guy for several years. I preferred boots over athletic footwear. I didn’t like feeling gravel and stuff under my feet. I wanted a good boot that took all that feeling away. I wanted to be able to kick stuff if needing (trailer jacks, stubborn latches, demo in construction, etc). So I was pretty opposite of the minimalist style. My first pair of western hunting boots were Kenetrek Guide Ultras. If you don’t know, they’re a super stiff leather boot. Also, for the past 2 years or so, I’ve had plantar fasciitis. The Kenetreks were actually pretty comfortable for me, for a while anyway. I heard the Form Friday podcast about barefoot shoes, and read a bit of the Vivo Tracker ESCs on here. It was something I wanted to try out. So in May or June of this year, I ordered a pair of Altra Lone Peaks to experiment with. A lot of people would say that a zero drop, low stack shoe isn’t compatible with plantar fasciitis, that your foot needs the proper “support”. What I found is that the Lone Peaks were probably the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn, and I’ve bought quality shoes for quite awhile now. I pretty much cold turkey jumped into the Altras. I have been building my own house this year, in addition to my work, which is also in the construction repair industry. So I was in them 6 days a week. My house is on the side of a hill, so for the exterior work, I was sidehilling, going up and down the hill, on a ladder, etc. I had some foot muscle pain due to that muscle not being used with other shoe types. However, that went away as I consistently wore the Altras. I know Altras aren’t barefoot, but they are minimalist. I believe they are an excellent shoe to transition with. Only downside is durability isn’t great. This summer, I ordered a pair of true barefoot shoes. I’ve worn them a fair amount, but not near as much as the Altras. However, they are surprisingly comfortable for almost zero cushion, and no foot support. It may seem counterintuitive to some, but as I’ve stayed consistent with the minimalist and barefoot shoes, my plantar fasciitis has been less and less of an issue. It’s going away. When I was hunting in Montana just a few weeks ago, I hunted a day in my Altras. We did 6+ miles of plains and coulees, with a 2+ mile pack out with a 70-ish lb pack on. My feet were tired, but no other issues.

So, I’m extremely happy with what this type of footwear has offered me. Stronger feet/ankles than when wearing boots, and plantar fasciitis that it going away. Also, you have less knee strain than when wearing stiff boots. I’m going to stick with it. It’s helped my feet a lot. I plan to get a pair of the Vivo Tracker ESCs. I no longer need a stiff mountain boot. I did the rest of my Montana hunting in a pair of Danner hiking boots, and they were plenty adequate. I would have done it in Vivos, but I knew my feet weren’t quite ready for that yet. However, I’ll be ready for that by next season. Hopefully this will help answer some questions for others. Thanks for reading!

I have been hunting my whole life. I’ve had the ability to hunt all over the country and boots are crucial. I moved from Illinois (bow) to texas (bow, and gun). I spot and stalk only. East Texas has lots of leaves and I have 3 pairs of waders and 6 or more pairs of boots. I found Jim Green barefoot rangers at the recommendation of a friend. They are uninsulated ( I no longer need my pack boots). They are like a silencer for my feet. There is still noise, but much less. Dry fluffy leaves are impossible so similar to shooting a supersonic round suppressed, it’s less noise but still noise. Not good in wet conditions and not ideal in mud. I love them for over 35 degrees and not swampy conditions.

 

[dgfavor]

Q: How can you tell if someone wears barefoot / minimalist shoes?

A: Don’t worry, they will tell you in every conversation.

Well that's just silly! You can tell just by looking someone is wearing minimal footwear...that's why I prefer to work into every conversation that I'm wearing toe socks! If the situation allows I might even slip a shoe off and show people, giving my little piggies a good spread and wiggle. Gives me goosebumps now typing this...

 

[philcox]

I was on this path, but go detoured. I am now in Crispi Nevada's for any heavy >40lbs mountain stuff. I have Vivo's and LOVE them, but have the following, so I just wear those when I am light hiking. My current issues that are detouring me from the barefoot world are:

• Right Foot (8.4, 2E): Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (Status: Sore after exercise, especially big vert gain running or heavy rucking)
• Left Foot (8.9 E):
  • Peroneal Tendonitis. (Status: Dissipating, improving.)
  • Mild Hallux Valgus (Bunion). (Status: Actively painful, 4/10 throbbing pain with pressure.)
  • Mild Degenerative Disease of the 1st MTP Joint (Arthritis). (Status: Intermittent, only on very long/steep hikes.)
• I have a 100th percentile arch/instep and a Narrow Heel on both feet

I ended up with a lot of achiles pain from the zero-drop (on the right foot) and the MTP joint on the left from the flexibility of the shoe.

If anyone had similar issues and has a suggested protocol to maybe get me back into the Vivo's full time. I'd be really interested. The guy at the running store and my podiatrist both told me to throw the Vivo's away, as I will likely never use them again. Point of note, I am 61.

 

[Gripen]

Switched completely over to zero-drop shoes and boots a couple years ago - not necessarily minimalist footwear because mine are mostly Jim Greens. I can hike all day without foot pain now, no way I'll ever go back. Only issue is my feet are stupid wide (6E) and even my barefoot African Rangers aren't quite wide enough in the toebox, I preordered their new AnatomX version and if those work out I'll probably get a few pairs to replace my old ones. Probably too late to fix the bunions I developed over a lifetime of painfully narrow shoes, but at least my feet don't hurt any more.

I hear a lot of negative opinions about JG's barefoot soles, but so far I haven't had any traction issues in terrain like this:

 

[guitarpreston]

Started wearing some vivos a couple months ago. Started hunting the mountains in 24, and the last two seasons got weird bruises on the bottoms of my big toes, I suspect because the terrain where I live in Texas is mostly sand. Got the vivos to try and toughen up my feet before 26, just with the repeated strikes from walking with basically zero cushion.

 

[Gstew1930]

Switched completely over to zero-drop shoes and boots a couple years ago - not necessarily minimalist footwear because mine are mostly Jim Greens. I can hike all day without foot pain now, no way I'll ever go back. Only issue is my feet are stupid wide (6E) and even my barefoot African Rangers aren't quite wide enough in the toebox, I preordered their new AnatomX version and if those work out I'll probably get a few pairs to replace my old ones. Probably too late to fix the bunions I developed over a lifetime of painfully narrow shoes, but at least my feet don't hurt any more.

I hear a lot of negative opinions about JG's barefoot soles, but so far I haven't had any traction issues in terrain like this:

Do you know the difference in AnatomX vs the African rangers? They look the same to me. I'm in love with my Jim Greens

edit: nevermind i see the difference

 

[Wprinkle]

Great thread!! So like the typical dumb @ss I am I completely bought into the stiff boot with custom insoles and wore them for YEARS. Scarpa with sheeps feet. Then went to a Crispi Colorado with sheeps feet. The fact that it hurt didn't faze me. I thought I HAD TO HAVE a stiff boot even though I had hunted 25 years without em.

So I have always wore flipflops or crocks or hey dudes 50% of the time and the rest was in cowboy boots. So when I started down the barefoot path two years ago I cut to only wearing cowboy boots when I had to and kept up with the flipflop, crock, hey dudes, would lift either barefoot or with a flat shoe, was still running in a trail runner and doing rucks in Inov-8 Roklights. Have been consistent with that up until September of this year. On the first hunt I was worried I want ready for Barefoot boots in the mountains so I took the Crispis. Horrible idea. My feet hurt consistency after about the first 3 miles the first day. My feet have changed shape and size over the last two years. (longer and wider, mostly wider from the ball of the foot to the toe box). As soon as I got back I ordered a pair of everyday shoes, running shoes and the trackers all from vivo and have not put a regular shoe or boot on since.

RESULTS: my stride is longer, I had a hip issue that completely went away, zero back pain, this all lead to a deeper heavier squat. And most importantly my balance is great. This is very evident when I train Jiu Jitsu. It has been a long journey but man is it worth it.

DELTAS: Once you are fully converted to barefoot, going back to a cowboy boot or work boot is painful. It physically hurts your body. I had to be in boots an entire day a couple weeks ago and my feet hurt, my legs and back were ouchy it sucked...

 

[Winterlover]

I ditched my old shoes after an injury caused by those shoes, severe Plantar Fasciitis. I couldn’t walk at all for a few months, and then gradually built my feet back up from the ground up so to speak. Now I only wear very wide zero drop footwear. All my foot pain including the PF has disappeared. It took time but the results are worth it. I’m realizing that my old foot problems were really footwear problems.

 

[Dave0317]

Switched completely over to zero-drop shoes and boots a couple years ago - not necessarily minimalist footwear because mine are mostly Jim Greens. I can hike all day without foot pain now, no way I'll ever go back. Only issue is my feet are stupid wide (6E) and even my barefoot African Rangers aren't quite wide enough in the toebox, I preordered their new AnatomX version and if those work out I'll probably get a few pairs to replace my old ones. Probably too late to fix the bunions I developed over a lifetime of painfully narrow shoes, but at least my feet don't hurt any more.

I hear a lot of negative opinions about JG's barefoot soles, but so far I haven't had any traction issues in terrain like this:
View attachment 989183

I think that is ideal barefoot shoe terrain.

I hunt a lot of Deep South areas which has made it more difficult to want to switch.

Anyone found a good barefoot shoe for Louisiana/Mississippi mud type terrain?

Those Jim greens may actually be one of the better options I suspect. Rugged sole and leather uppers probably help.

 

[Lawnboi]

I think that is ideal barefoot shoe terrain.

I hunt a lot of Deep South areas which has made it more difficult to want to switch.

Anyone found a good barefoot shoe for Louisiana/Mississippi mud type terrain?

Those Jim greens may actually be one of the better options I suspect. Rugged sole and leather uppers probably help.

The tall Jim greens are very good, but need a resole if you plan to use them in mud.

 

[BertDaKat]

The tall Jim greens are very good, but need a resole if you plan to use them in mud.
View attachment 990820

Is that the 1276 Sierra sole? If so how do you like it, and what made you pick that over different options (also looking at the 148 Kletterlift as a resoling option). Thanks.

 

[Lawnboi]

Is that the 1276 Sierra sole? If so how do you like it, and what made you pick that over different options (also looking at the 148 Kletterlift as a resoling option). Thanks.

That’s the Sierra sole. It’s awesome, very happy with it, seems to be holding up well. The keterlift was another option the cobbler had and in hand the Sierra seemed like a much more aggressive sole. I also was waffling on going with the 360 force sole, but just went with the Sierra.

On Jim greens, the Sierra is more pliable and lighter than the stock outsole, really changes the feel of the whole boot to feel more like a real barefoot boot. I think it’s the perfect in between boot.

My only complaint with barefoot boots is on slick side hills, not having a rigid edge means I need micro spikes. I don’t know how to better explain it but all these soles have left me wanting more on snowy side hills.

 

[BertDaKat]

That’s the Sierra sole. It’s awesome, very happy with it, seems to be holding up well. The keterlift was another option the cobbler had and in hand the Sierra seemed like a much more aggressive sole. I also was waffling on going with the 360 force sole, but just went with the Sierra.

On Jim greens, the Sierra is more pliable and lighter than the stock outsole, really changes the feel of the whole boot to feel more like a real barefoot boot. I think it’s the perfect in between boot.

My only complaint with barefoot boots is on slick side hills, not having a rigid edge means I need micro spikes. I don’t know how to better explain it but all these soles have left me wanting more on snowy side hills.

I feel you there on the snowy hillsides issue, I've traditional kicked steps into the snow with my boots, so it'll be a learning experience for me. I haven't done much off trail hiking in barefoot or minimalist footwear. Do you find the micro spikes slipping around on the boot?

I'll probably pick up the JG barefoot African Troopers here shortly.

 

[Lawnboi]

I feel you there on the snowy hillsides issue, I've traditional kicked steps into the snow with my boots, so it'll be a learning experience for me. I haven't done much off trail hiking in barefoot or minimalist footwear. Do you find the micro spikes slipping around on the boot?

I'll probably pick up the JG barefoot African Troopers here shortly.

Nicks are another option, that would come with either of the soles you’re looking for. I don’t have a pair but I do plan to try them. The JG is still cheaper even if I bought them to immediately resole.

On the side hills, without snow I had zero issue with the JG. The sole is enough to kick in, and bites. My issue was with snow, just having that rigid edge on a traditional mountain boot is enough to grab where my JG didn’t want to. I’d reccomend carrying micro spikes. I didn’t this year and was in a few dangerous spots where a fall would have been bad. Ended up using a trekking pole to keep my feet from sliding every step. I did use microspikes on the stock sole doing some mountaineering, they worked well and didn’t slip around. The stitch down construction really makes for a boot that holds spikes more like a traditional boot.

I’d also get a pair of waterproof socks and some thin liners for them.

The factory Jim green outsole is okay on dry terrain but I couldn’t stand it on any mud, snow or longer grass.

 

[brca005]

I started the barefoot journey around 6 years ago, started with toe socks and then I went down the rabbit hole on how bad the normal shoe is today and I wanted to return my foot working like it was designed to do. I jumped right into them, I didn't do the whole "phase in" period. I never had any issues with it and haven't looked back since.

I've had five fingers, Vivo's, Bearfoot, Xero and Flux (even though I don't consider them barefoot due to the size of the sole, but they have a wide toe box). My favorite is the Vivo Primus Trail shoe for hiking and everyday use. I bought Flux since I had a job I was walking around on concrete all day but wasn't willing to give up the zero drop and wide toe box but wanted a little more cushion for my ankles, knees and hips, they fit the bill.

My ankles, knees, hips and back have felt great since the switch, not that I ever really had anything other than the normal aches and pains from working out/lifting, but I also believe due to the switch has made my body more resilient to those types of injuries.

Jim Green boots have been on my radar for awhile and I'd like to get a pair but I haven't pulled the trigger on them yet.