This season, it’s all about the winter boots. Boots are a staple in any cold-weather wardrobe, and this season is no different. However, if you’re looking for more than just warmth for your feet, then it might be time to try barefoot winter boots.
Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the feeling of running barefoot. They are usually made with thin soles and flexible materials that allow for more natural movement.
There are a lot of benefits to wearing barefoot shoes. One of them is that they can help you improve your balance, as well as strengthen your feet and ankles. Another benefit is that they can make it easier to recover from injuries because they allow for more natural movement.
So this winter, let’s invest in some perfect minimalist barefoot winter boots that have warm, waterproofing, zero drop, and wide toe box. Here are the warmest barefoot winter boots to keep your feet warm and healthy in this winter.
Top 8 Minimalist Barefoot Winter Boots
Denver Boots
We are enlisting the names of the best minimalist winter shoes and Denver will not be there, how could it be possible. With a wide range of sizes, natural barefoot feel, and a comfortable and stylish look Denver is one of the most preferred winter shoes created by Xeroshoes. This Vegan-friendly, ankle-length minimalist footwear is gonna fulfill every criterion of a perfect winter boot.
Denver has waterproofing canvas, soft-woven lining, and heat-reflecting heated-up insole. The perfect combination of this trio makes it an undefeatable opponent of winter.
Also, Denver is a very lightweight footwear with 12 ounces each for men’s 9. After all, Who doesn’t want to put on some shoes that will make them forget that they have them on?
This minimalist winter boot has an extensive toe box and low to the ground design to make you feel utmost comfortable with proper balancing and it will also let you spread your toes.
Denver comes up with a flexible sole and “zero drops” heel that will help you to keep your natural posture and along with your spontaneous movement.
In winter it’s very important to wear boots with good traction and that’s why Denver is here with its High-traction FeelTrue® rubber sole with dual-chevron pace for perfect grip over all kinds of terrain.
This is also a perfect durable shoe for winter with a 5000-mile sole warranty. So enjoy the chilly air with the real comfort of Denver.
Get the look: Denver Boots
Tadeevo Winter Shoes
Tadeevo is a Polish company that produces shoes with the goal of promoting barefoot running. They want to get people back to their natural state of running without any footwear.
The founder, Konstantin Tadeev, was inspired by the Kenyan barefoot runners. He wanted to promote natural running and get people back to their roots.
Tadeevo Winter shoes are one of the best barefoot shoes for winter. Tadeevo recommends the shoes for 0F (-18C). I use sheepskin insoles and 2 sets of socks (one injinji + wool) and I am comfortable wearing them on the coldest days of winter, temps down to -10F (-23C).
Tadeevo Winter shoes have wide toe boxes. They have great traction, but like most barefoot boots, they are not good on ice. Barefoot shoes are usually made with thin soles and flexible materials that allow for more natural movement, therefore, they don’t usually provide good traction.
It’s worth to note that these are winter shoes, not winter boots so the ankle height is only 10cm, so you may get some snow inside the shoe when walking in deep snow.
Get the look: Tadeevo Winter minimalist shoes
Tracker II FG
TRACKER II FG is a perfect combination of flexibility and toughness and this Minimalist winter shoe is specially crafted for men. This lightweight, waterproof shoe is gonna help you to feel nature like barefoot with perfect grip.
The sole of the shoe is thin and foot-shaped and also it has a wide toe box which makes this boot flexible and allows you to feel nature and stay comfortable when you put them on. Also, the removable thermal insole of this foot keeps your feet warm in the cold.
TRACKER II has water-repellent plastic lining and membrane produced with recycled plastic to make it waterproof and perfect for all weather.
Furthermore, it has a hard sole with a 2.5mm base and 4mm lug height that is constructed to give maximum ground feel and grip on every type of terrain.
This lightweight shoe is primarily made with Wild hide leather and other renewable material.
So, if you are searching for a stylish but tough and barefoot winter shoe then nothing can be a better option than TRACKER II.
Get the look: Men’s Tracker II FG || Women’s Tracker II FG
Vivobarefoot Scott Men’s Casual Lace Up Thermal Winter Boot
It is not every day that you will find shoes that are made from leather. Sometimes, It’s possible that the leather isn’t even synthetic. But the Vivobarefoot Scott Men’s Winter Boot is made of synthetic leather and synthetic sole. How amazing!
The sole of this shoe is a real wonder. The inside of the sole is designed to regulate temperature and protect from electric shock. It also comes with a reflective foil. It gets better on the outside. The sole is shaped like a hexagon – wide enough to provide space for you to stretch your toes and small enough to give you a good drip.
With the thin sole, you do not have to worry about any sharp object piercing through the shoe and hurting you. The sole is five times thicker than an ordinary sole of equal thickness.
The top of the shoe is made of synthetic leather and organic waxed canvas. It also protects your feet from external temperature with its weatherproof and thermal insulation features. No matter how hot or cold the weather is, your feet will remain warm with the Vivobarefoot Scott Men’s Winter Boot.
Get the look: Vivobarefoot Scott Men’s Casual Lace Up Thermal Winter Boot
XeroShoes Mika Boots
Mika is one of the best winter-friendly boots by XeroShoes. This shoe will indeed keep your feet warm and provide you with the benefits of barefoot-inspired, natural activity. This Winter friendly minimalist shoe comes up with three cold-weather adversaries: waterproofing canvas to keep your feet dry for a long time, comfy soft woven fabric for lining along with dapper 70/30 poly or wool integrated belt to give you a fashionable outlook, Mika also includes a heat-reflecting warming insole to keep your feet warm.
Despite these, this minimalist winter boot also has some amazing details that will prompt you to choose this as your winter backer. It’s very easy to carry this lightweight footwear, as it’s only 12 ounces each for a women’s size 7. Also, Mika’s adjustable sole gives you the comfort to move the way you want to. Its Low-to-the-ground design and Non-elevated, “zero-drop” heel help you to balance properly while retaining the perfect body posture. Mike came up with a High- grip FeelTrue® rubber sole that will prevent you from slipping.
It is also one of the most durable boots substantiated with a 5,000-mile sole warranty. So, spend this winter stylishly and comfortably with Mika and feel free to enjoy the beauty of icy nature.
Get the look: Womens Mika Boots
Xcursion Fusion
Are you keen on adventure and planning to go on a hiking trip this winter? Xeroshoes is here with a new and improved version of their best-selling original, the Xcursion Fusion. This is an excellent minimalist boot for all of your wintry adventures. Xcursion Fusion is a fully water-repellent hiking boot that is perfect for all types of extreme adventure. Now let’s have a glance over some of the other jaw-dropping key features of this amazing boot.
Protecting your feet should be the most important function of minimalist winter shoes and that’s why Xcursion Fusion has come up with a unique 5.5mm FeelTrue® sole and uneven double chevron notch with 3.5mm lugs to deliver good grip and comfort as well. Also for additional solace, it has an embedded TrailFoam™ layer. Altogether this hiking boot will give you ground feel, satisfactory traction, and comfort as well without restricting your normal movement.
Xcursion Fusion is also a lightweight boot with only 13.2 ounces for each men’s 9.
Some advanced emphasis like wide and protecting toe cap, seam-sealed inward bootie, water-repellent canvas behind the outer layer makes this Minimalist winter shoe more durable and satisfactory.
Xcursion Fusion is available in both dark black and brown colors. Its rough and tough look has won thousands of hearts. You can pair this Minimalist winter shoe with jeans or khakis and effortlessly look cool this winter.
Get the look: Men’s Xcursion Fusion || Women’s Xcursion Fusion
Lemsshoes Waterproof Boulder Boot
These boots are one of the most popular shoes from Lems for their durability and aesthetics. They have expanded their line up to include different models: leather, nylon, waterproof, or vegan.
The Boulder boot by Lem has a lot of great features: lightweight, durable, and comfortable. There is plenty of room in the toe box to ensure there is enough room for your toes to move around. While these boots (nylon model) are not waterproof, they do fine with some rain. Be sure to use warm socks or thick wool if you wear them during the extremely cold winter months. The boots do not have a lot of traction, therefore, not great on slippery surfaces (ice, mud), but great on snow.
The interior lining is made of 100% cotton, which provides a warm and comfortable wearing experience. You can remove the insoles for a more barefoot experience. The design is sleek and simple with a classic look that will never go out of style.
Vegan options available for people who want to walk around comfortably and stylishly while maintaining the benefits of wearing animal-friendly materials.
Lems has different sizing charts for different styles, so make sure to see the sizing chart that is featured on each specific product page for the specific style you want before ordering. If you are unsure on what size that fits, you can contact them.
Get the look: Men’s Boulder Boot || Women’s Boulder Boot
Alpine – Men’s Snow Boot
As a barefoot winter boot, Alpine is also the finest creation of Xeroshoes. This fully waterproof, lightweight, minimalist snow boot will let you enjoy the messy and snowy beauty of winter without sacrificing comfort. There are various attractive features of these Alpine snow boots that will make them a perfect choice for you to buy in this chilly winter.
This shoe is 100 percent vegan-friendly. On the outside of the Alpine boots, it has a water-resistant membrane and on the inner side, there is a seamed sealed booty to keep your feet dry.
Packed with plenty of insulation around the foot, the boots are capable of withstanding temperatures up to -32 degrees Celsius. They also have a removable insole that you can replace with a warmer insole. Alpine boots are completely waterproof, which ensures keep your feet warm and dry in wet environments.
The Alpine boots are only 14.9 ounces each, for men’s size 9, that’s why this lightweight footwear will make you feel like you have not worn anything extra.
Also, a luggy tread and “zero drops” heel make these boots more flexible, comfortable, grippy, and natural for your feet.
These shoes are great on snow but are slippery on ice. Stay tuned for an update in the future if I end up trying the ice grips!
Get the look: Men’s Alpine Snow Boot || Women’s Alpine Snow Boot
For a complete list, check out our List of Minimalist Barefoot Shoes.
What to consider when choosing barefoot winter boots
While choosing a perfect Minimalist Winter shoe for yourself or your loved one you need to focus on a few essential key features of the boots along with the fancy design and visual appearance. The Winter season is full of challenges like snow, ice, rainwater, slippery paths, and stiffening cold and to fight this back and keep your feet healthy you need to be precise about the shoe you are wearing and its functional aspects. First of all, your Minimalist Winter shoe needs to be flexible enough so that you can walk comfortably with your natural feet movement and enjoy the winter or play with the snow without any unpleasant disturbance. Along with that your footwear also should have some of the essential features to make you feel comfortable. Here we comprehend some most important features of Minimalist Winter shoes that you need to prioritize while choosing the perfect footwear for the winter season.
Proper WaterProofing
You will not want your foot to be wet while enjoying the outdoor activity during winter. That is why a perfect minimalist winter shoe needs to be waterproof or at least it should offer water-resistant features so that by putting them on you can keep your feet dry.
Good Traction
Not only for hiking or other adventurous activity but also in this icy, watery winter season you need to wear shoes with good traction, otherwise, you can slip and fall over easily. That’s why while choosing a boot for winter try to find one that has deep and rigid tread patterns on its outsole so that it can provide a nice grip over all types of terrain.
Warm Lining
During an icy cold winter, it’s very important to keep your feet warm for the ultimate comfort. So, be a little conscious about the lining of the shoe while purchasing them. Always try to buy one with high-quality sheepskin or equivalent synthetic lining. Sheepskin can be a little expensive but it will also provide the benefit of moisture-wicking features.
Durability
Sometimes shoes with water-resistant and waterproof features can also be damaged soon due to excessive exposure to snow. So, while choosing a minimalist winter shoe consider what kind of protection it’s offering. Generally for winter, shoes with higher quality leather are preferable, also for some extra protection oiled finish or some other leather care, water-resistant treatment will be an add-on feature for the product.
“Zero drop” heel
The main concept of minimalist or barefoot shoes is to give a barefoot feeling with the protection of the shoe. So, to meet that criteria a Minimalist winter shoe needs to have a non-elevated “zero-drop” heel so that your foot can land on the mid-hill and your heel and the front toe can feel the ground.
Lightweight
Whether it’s about winter or summer, lightweight shoes should always be your priority while choosing a boot. Why would you carry a heavyweight boot when several lightweight shoes will make you feel like you have not put on any shoes? Furthermore, a lightweight Minimalist winter shoe will make you feel comfortable without restricting your foot’s movement. However, while checking this fundamental aspect don’t forget about fashion. So select a Minimalist winter boot that will complement your look and also provide you with all the essential features you need to fight back this winter.
