The Best Barefoot Shoes for the Gym

Barefoot shoes provide superior stability for weightlifting, CrossFit, and HIIT, helping you maximize performance in every workout.

After extensive testing, we’ve selected the top-rated barefoot gym shoes—durable enough for intense training while giving your feet the freedom to move naturally.

Your feet are the foundation of every movement – especially during workouts. Proper gym form begins with how your feet interact with the ground.

Yet most training shoes actively hinder performance. Narrow toe boxes cramp your feet, while thick cushioning and raised heels disrupt natural alignment. It’s hard to move efficiently when your footwear fights against your biomechanics.

Barefoot shoes preserve your natural connection to the ground while offering essential protection. While we love the strength and sensory benefits of training completely barefoot, some workouts demand footwear—and barefoot shoes deliver the next-best thing.

Barefoot trainers promote proper biomechanics and natural alignment during workouts.

When selecting gym footwear, we prioritize these key features:

• Wide toe box – Allows natural toe splay for better balance and force distribution
• Thin sole – Enhances ground feel and stability during lifts
• Zero-drop design – Maintains proper posture and alignment

Barefoot gym trainers feature a wide toe box, zero-drop design, and thin, flexible soles.

These design elements create footwear that unlocks your feet’s full potential during workouts.

I’ve joined forces with my friend Sarah, who is a physical therapist and gym enthusiast. Together we tested all the barefoot gym shoes on the market to determine which ones have the best grip, functionality, durability, and of course a good fit for healthy feet.

These are our favorite options that are as close to the barefoot experience as possible while giving your foot the protection it needs, whatever your preferred form of exercise is.

This article focuses on barefoot gym trainers designed for general training, not specialized weightlifting shoes (like Olympic lifters with raised heels).

Now, let’s dive into the top barefoot training shoes!

Sizes US Women’s 5 – Men’s 15 | Available from:

Best for: All gym & court workouts

This pair became our unanimous favorite thanks to its unmatched versatility—equally adept at heavy lifts and high-intensity cardio, all while delivering exceptional comfort and a locked-in fit. They strike the ideal balance: pliable enough for natural movement yet grippy and protective where it counts.

The dual-adjustment system (laces + Velcro strap) lets you dial in the perfect fit, accommodating both my low-volume feet and Sarah’s higher-volume feet with ease. That full-length stability strap ensures security without compromising flexibility—a rare combo that makes these a standout.

Cons: The Forza’s uppers lack reinforcement, making them less durable for tough activities like rope climbs compared to other models we tested. But we think the trade-off is worth it—their exceptional softness delivers unmatched comfort, even if they won’t last quite as long.

We also wish the toe box were roomier. While the stretchy upper adapts somewhat, those with very wide toe splay may find them restrictive. The secure fit does allow sizing up for extra space, though, which helps compensate.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size
• Medium to wide
• Fits all foot types (remove insole for low volume)

Men’s versions run wider than women’s – choose based on your foot width (all other features are identical).

For basketball players, Xero offers specialized barefoot basketball shoes in their dedicated line.

Sizes Women’s EU 35-43 & Men’s EU 40-49 | Vegan | Available from:

Best for: All gym workouts

The Vivobarefoot Motus Strength features a grippy, flat outsole specifically designed for gym floor stability. While slightly more cushioned than other Vivobarefoot models, this provides welcome protection during high-impact workouts without sacrificing ground feel. Built with Vivo’s typical quality, they’re designed to withstand heavy, repeated gym use while maintaining their structure.

Versatile enough for all gym exercises, the Motus Strength does feel slightly stiffer than the Xero Forza in certain areas initially. However, like all Vivo footwear, they mold to your feet over time for improved comfort. For those wanting a more minimal version, the Motus Flex offers similar grip with a softer knit upper.

A standout advantage of the Motus Strength is its conventional sneaker appearance, making it easy to transition from workouts to everyday wear without changing shoes. This dual-purpose design is ideal for minimizing footwear while maintaining performance.

Cons: The interior stitching caused minor irritation during barefoot wear, though this disappeared completely with socks.

We also noticed they could benefit from slightly more flexibility for explosive movements and rapid transitions—but this appears to be a deliberate trade-off. The higher rubber sidewalls and sturdier construction (more robust than the Xero Forza) clearly prioritize equipment protection and longevity over absolute pliability.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Fit runs slightly long
• Medium to wide width
• Fits all foot volumes (remove insole for low volume feet)

Like Xero Shoes, Vivobarefoot’s men’s models are wider than women’s—otherwise identical. Choose based on your foot width rather than gender.

They fit Sarah’s high-volume feet perfectly but had slight excess material on my low-volume feet (more a visual quirk than a functional problem).

Sizes US M4.5/W6 – M16/W175 | Available from:

TYR DropZero

Best for: Lifting & static exercise

The TYR DropZero Trainer stands out as the premier choice for dedicated lifters. Built with premium materials, these shoes feature reinforced high-wear areas, a grippy outsole for solid footing, and a breathable knit upper that keeps your feet cool during intense sessions.

What really sets them apart is the dual Velcro adjustment system—it delivers a locked-in fit without hot spots or irritation. The roomy toe box (wider than both Vivo and Xero models) completes the package.

After testing all options, we crown these the best-constructed lifting shoes on our list—the top pick for serious athletes who want durability and performance that lasts.

Cons: The sole could use slightly more multidirectional flexibility to truly excel at explosive, dynamic workouts like HIIT or CrossFit. While the outsole does break in over time (and becomes serviceable for full-body cardio), it doesn’t move quite as naturally with your foot during rapid transitions as we’d prefer.

That said, they’re still capable as an all-around gym shoe—just not our first recommendation for high-intensity metabolic conditioning. For pure strength work, they remain unmatched.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size
• Wide to extra-wide fit
• Fits all foot volumes (remove insole for low-volume feet)

Sizes US M4/W3.5 – M16 | Available from:

Bearfoot Shoes

Best For: Lifting & Casual use

The Bearfoot Ursus delivers exceptional comfort with its plush, irritation-free design—so light and unobtrusive, you’ll forget you’re wearing shoes (the holy grail of barefoot footwear!). They’re ideal for wide, high-volume feet like Sarah’s, offering generous toe space without compromise.

Don’t let the softness fool you: these are built to last, with abrasion-resistant materials that withstand heavy use. Opt for the high-top version if you want added ankle proprioception during training.

Cons: The canvas upper shows dirt quickly and requires regular washing—these shine more for lifting sessions and casual wear than high-intensity sports, as they lack the snap needed for rapid direction changes.

Fit-wise, the toe box has slightly shallow vertical space, which may bother those with elevated toenails or taller toe profiles.

As a bonus, Bearfoot offers their grippy toe socks for gym use. While they don’t shield against equipment, they’re a clever workaround when barefoot lifting isn’t permitted.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Runs slightly short (due to limited vertical toe clearance at the front)
• Wide to extra-wide fit
• Medium to high volume in the arch (insole is non-removable)
• Low volume over the toes

Sizes EU 35-47 | Available from:

Notorious Lift Radix

Best for: All gym exercise

The Notorious Lift shoes reinvent the classic gym trainer with upgraded grip for lifting stability—while still delivering the essentials (wide toe box, zero-drop sole). Their surprising flexibility and softness make them equally capable for dynamic workouts, moving naturally with your foot during explosive movements.

In testing, they proved themselves as versatile all-purpose trainers, with comfort that stands out even during long sessions.

Cons: We wish there was a stability strap for better security on the whole length of the foot. This will be especially noticeable in people with lower volume feet. BUT the Notorious Sumo Sole lifters were updated with a wide toe box sometime after I first wrote this review, and they have stability straps that likely will make for a more secure fit on lower volume feet.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Runs small (consider sizing up)
• Wide fit (accommodates broad feet)
• Medium to high volume (remove insole for lower volume feet)

These proved too spacious for my low-volume feet—I had to add an extra insole for a secure fit. While this works for high-impact activities where I want added cushioning, it’s less ideal for weightlifting, where the extra padding compromises foot stability. If you have narrow feet and plan to use these primarily for lifting, I’d recommend choosing a different model from our list.

Sizes EU 34-50 | Available from:

Vibram Five Fingers

Best for: Crossfit & all gym exercise

Vibram FiveFingers deliver unmatched toe freedom and ground feedback—they were Sarah’s original minimalist footwear choice years ago! While we tested the gym-specific V-Train model, other VFF styles also work well for training.

The V-Train features strategic forefoot cushioning (ideal for pavement runs or plyometrics) while maintaining flexibility for natural movement. Its reinforced arch lugs excel at rope climbs but do reduce midfoot flexibility—a trade-off for durability.

Cons: The firm arch reinforcement and rope lugs made this model too tight through the midfoot for Sarah’s wide, high-volume feet.

For those who want the toe freedom of FiveFingers without the rigid arch support, consider the KMD Sport LS or KSO EVO—both designed for gym use with full ground feel and essential traction, just minus the stiff lugs.

Sizing & Fit Type:

This is for the V-Train model.

• True to size
• Medium-wide fit
• Low to medium volume

Fit Note: Other models in the line accommodate wider, higher-volume feet better. Since men’s versions run wider than women’s, select based on your actual foot shape rather than gender.

Sizes US M5/W6.5 – M14/W15.5 | Available from:

Tolos

Best for: Weightlifting

The Tolos sneakers deliver ultra-minimalist performance—featherlight and streamlined for focused weightlifting sessions where stability matters more than mobility. Their scant cushioning makes them less ideal for high-impact activities, but this simplicity allows seamless transitions from gym to everyday wear.

What they lack in tech features, they make up for in versatile purity. The clean design accommodates added insoles when you need temporary impact protection for running or jumping.

Cons: If you have low-volume feet, you might struggle to tighten the laces enough for a truly secure fit. They also don’t lock down the entire foot as firmly as we’d like for dynamic, fast-paced workouts that require quick cuts or rapid direction changes.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size
• Wide fit
• Medium to high volume (no removable insole)

Here are my top budget-friendly barefoot gym shoes for beginners wanting to try minimalist footwear:

Lono Flow

The Lono Flow stands out as an exceptional barefoot shoe, hitting all the right notes: stretchy, soft uppers for all-day comfort paired with an ultra-thin, flexible outsole—exactly what a minimalist shoe should deliver. Plus, they’re crafted with sustainability in mind, clocking in at 90% biodegradable materials.

Whitin Shoes

Whitin offers a range of affordable sneakers and trainers featuring wide toe boxes and flexible soles. While basic in design, they get the job done—plus, they come in mainstream styles for those wanting a traditional gym shoe look.

For the best barefoot fit, stick to either their “Wide Barefoot” collection or opt for the toe-segmented style shown above. Note: they run small, so sizing up is recommended.

A major plus? They ship via Amazon, making returns hassle-free if the fit isn’t quite right.

Saguaro Smart

The Saguaro Smart features a soft, breathable mesh upper with a generously wide fit—though they run slightly small, so consider sizing up a half or full size. While not as durable as higher-end models (expected given the price point), they deliver impressive comfort and function as a solid barefoot option.

Of Saguaro’s lineup, this model remains my top pick for gym use.

Heads up: These ship from Asia, so delivery times may vary depending on your location.