The best barefoot shoes for sports and training: the star guide

Long before padded sports shoes with complex damping systems conquered the market, people moved barefoot or in minimalist shoes for thousands of years. It was only in recent decades that it has been recognized that modern shoes with their stronger damping and stability often do more harm than benefit. Barefoot shoes were developed to counteract this trend and to enable a more natural period.

The influence on the sports area is enormous: more and more athletes swear by minimal shoes because they strengthen the foot muscles, improve balance and promote a more conscious running style. Like the Canadian ultra -arathon runner Melissa Gosse, who, among other things, is one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world in barefoot shoes. Especially in crossfit, trail running or functional training, barefoot shoes have established themselves as an insider tip. However, recreational athletes also benefit from the positive effects.

If you switch to barefoot shoes, you have to get used to a new feeling of running and movement at first. But in the long term there are numerous advantages:

Anyone who ventures on barefoot shoes for the first time should step up the change. At the beginning, it is advisable to only wear the shoes in short training sessions and slowly increase the stress. In terms of running training in particular, sore muscles can initially occur in the lower legs, since the foot muscles that have so far been less used is activated more.

1. The perfect outdoor training shoe

The Vibram FiveFingers V-Alpha is one of the best-known options for athletes who rely on a maximum barefoot experience. With its individual toe pockets, it enables natural toe spread, which improves the balance and stability. Despite its low thickness, the vibram sole offers excellent grip so that the shoe is suitable for a wide variety of sports. Many athletes report that they can move in these shoes as naturally as barefoot, but are protected from dirt and bumps. That is why the shoe is often used by runners and hikers. The longevity of the material and the low weight are the largest purchase criteria.

Hiking shoes are used on slopes with pointed stones and rocky promotions and therefore have to be chunky and material for material, right? Longly not: the Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion is a particularly robust barefoot shoe that was specially developed for outdoor sports. Thanks to its waterproof membrane, it is ideal for hikes and trekking tours in sophisticated terrain. The shoe offers a flexible sole with good grip, which enables a natural running feeling without without protection. Experienced hikers always emphasize the pleasant seat and resistance in this shoe in different weather. Another advantage: Despite its stability, the XCursion Fusion remains pleasantly light.

In the gym, shoes should offer optimal hold and slip resistance with quick changes of direction. Not everyone dares to do this with barefoot shoes in this much -eyed sporty biotope, but if you have succeeded, you can benefit from the special concept for intensive strength training and functional training for shoes such as the Vivobarefoot Motus Strength. Thanks to its stabilizing side reinforcements, it offers optimal hold for quick change of direction and jumps. The sole is extremely flexible, so that the foot muscles are actively challenged. The natural freedom of movement is particularly noticeable in squats and jumping exercises. Breathing activity is also a plus point, since the shoe offers a pleasant wearing comfort even with intensive workouts.

4. For yoga, travel and Co.

If all of this is too much shoe, you should take a look at the Skinners 2.0 minimalist shoes. They are an innovative mix of sock and shoe and are therefore very light and flexible – and also cheaper due to the lower material use. They offer the greatest flexibility and are ideal for fitness, travel or as a second shoe when hiking. Due to their abrasion -resistant sole, they are more resistant than normal socks, but still remain extremely light and compact. A great advantage for athletes is the compact pack size. As a result, the Skinners 2.0 can be rolled up in the mat during yoga sessions or taken away while traveling.