And that’s the big selling point: these shoes will let your feet move naturally and, by extension (literally), your ankle, knee, and hips, too. The Merrell Vapor Glove 4 is a fun running shoe that combines the benefits of moving in barefeet with a decent amount of shoe – something akin to a more traditional option. Incorporate a variety of movements into your routine, such as jumping, biking, lunging, and squatting. Running is repetitive, and it's important to have well-rounded strength to avoid injury – especially when switching to this type of footwear. The VFF KSO and Fila Skeletoes look almost identical. You will not notice the 4 toes versus the 5 toes unless you really focus on the uppers. I didn’t notice much toe spring and it did not feel like it standing on them. That said, these shoes do carry a little extra weight. At 16.8 ounces, this is the heaviest pair on the list and about twice as heavy as the most minimalist running shoes out there.

Long time wonderer, first time buyer of toe shoes. I walked around penny’s for about a half hour, at first i thought they were the most uncomfortable things ever, but after 10 minutes either my feet got used to them or they got used to my feet. Thus it was only a matter of time before Fila jumped on the bandwagon; they just decided to go the distance and articulate the toes.

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While it’s the most expensive option on our list, I’d still say they’re a good investment if you’re serious about barefoot running on rugged trails or any other surface where you need protection. These soles also come with a unique bump texture that give extra grip – quite the advantage if you need extra ground feel, like when moving over slippery surfaces. Take that in for a minute. Are you horrified? All your worst nightmares in shoe design made reality?

I’ve been wearing them around the house for 3 hours now and my feet feel really comfy in them. I bought them because I live a mile from the beach and I pull my kids in a wagon for that mile, which meant going to the beach in sneakers instead of sandals. Update 3: Wonder what Nike Frees with toes would look like? Wonder no further: meet the Skele-toes Voltage. Apart from that, these shoes are really nice. I’m loving the skeletal footprint it leaves behind, and am looking forward to trying these out in the water. In July, Vibram filed suit against Fila because it said Fila's Skele-Toes shoes violated a patent Vibram has for its FiveFingers shoes.

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I’m not trying to dog the Skele-toes’ look— they are clearly (to the eye) a fairly quality shoe for the price that is well-made of beefy materials. Just that given they are a lifestyle shoe, I’d have expected them to look more casual and less sporty. Of course, most VFFs are also very sporty, Speeds and KSO Treks perhaps excepted (Indeed, the Trek LS and Bormio are downright “dressy” as toe shoes go), so this is more or less par for the course in the toe shoe world. That said, at 15 oz, this is still a heavier for a running shoe when compared to most on this list, but that’s why I said I wouldn’t recommend it if all you’re looking for is a barefoot shoe for jogging. Above the foot, you’ll enjoy a Cordura-mesh upper that’s as breathable as it is durable. It has an ultra-light build that weighs slightly below 11 ounces per pair. So, even though this is a heavy-duty shoe, they’re still plenty comfortable. And, like the Merrell options we just covered, a lot of runners also appreciate that these are some of the only minimalist running shoes that you could actually wear out with your normal clothes. While you might pay a bit more and have to put up with a little extra weight, you’ll be buying shoes you can wear on the trail, around town, and even on a night out.

In the event you’re angling for a pair of marshmallow shoes, well, you’ve got some options. I’m going to keep my comparisons of the Skele-toes Voltage to the Nike Free Run+, Nike Free 3.0, and Reebok Realflex, as I have these shoes (and maybe will review them one day — any interest?). The reason I emphasize trail running is that these are REALLY heavy-duty shoes for “barefoot” options. They come with a serious amount of grip that’s great for going over rough terrain and a significant amount of rubber armor to keep your skin safe. Here are shots of the Skele-Toes with toes flexed upward.” title=”Here are shots of the Skele-Toes with toes flexed upward. This makes it MUCH easier to slip these on at a moment’s notice. If you’ve ever tried the five-finger versions before, you know what a pain it is – sometimes, literally – to get your smallest toe in. So final verdict for me is this, for the casual wearer or the first timer who is wanting to get into a pair of toe shoes and don’t want to spend the money OR doesn’t have a Vibram dealer near them to try on the shoes for themselves this is a good start.

They’re called this because there is zero difference in height between the heel and the front of these shoes (also known as your " heel-toe drop"). Your foot doesn’t “drop” like it normally would with traditional running shoes where the heel tends to be a bit higher than the toe. Like the Fila Skele-Toes, the Body Glove 3T Barefoot Cinch Water Shoe has won a lot of fans simply for having a unique toe feature. On these minimalist shoes, WHITIN designed them with just three slots. Only having to worry about fitting your toes into three slots makes it that much easier to take these shoes on and off.

Fortunately, those of us with five toes can still wear them. It’s just that your two smallest toes will go in one slot – instead of two. That’s because this particular pair is made with Vibram XS Trek soles that provide great protection to your feet while still having enough flexibility that they can flex with each step. This material also offers amazing traction over wet surfaces, making this yet another pair of running shoes that you can wear in and out of the water.By spending just slightly more, you could also go with the Fila Skele-Toes EZ Slide Drainage Shoes .