One of the best things about hiking is the connection you have with nature. Shouldn’t your feet also be a part of that connection?
If you use Wide toe box zero drop hiking boots, you’ll feel the ground beneath you more easily. This can improve your hiking and reaction to the environment. It will also improve your posture, and keep you on your toes while running.
That last part is only a slight exaggeration. Running or hiking in minimalist shoes encourages you to use your midfoot more than your heel. This improves your foot health and gives your joints a break.
If you want to improve your hiking experience, then check out our great list of Wide toe box zero drop hiking boots.
Wide toe box zero drop hiking boots
Merrell Vapor Glove 3
Merrell is another company with great barefoot shoes made for outdoor adventures. Their Merrell Vapor Glove 3 is one of many great minimalist shoes but made for hiking.
Like New Balance MT10V1, Merrell has a toe guard at the front of their shoe, although it covers more space. Some people could think that the toe guard makes it harder to find your grip on rocky trails, but that’s not the case. It’s there to add a layer of protection but doesn’t sacrifice foot feel.
Speaking of foot feel, the Merrell Vapor Glove also boasts a design with a Vibram TC5 outsole. This outsole gives you the protection you need on the trail while minimizing the distance between the ground and foot.
It also has a Trail project pad to protect the underfoot.
The Vapor Glove fits your foot like a glove. This way you can wear your shoes without socks and still feel the shoe is snug on your feet.
Merrell Vapor Glove is good for your hiking adventures if you’re looking for a wide toe box with a large toe guard.
Xero Shoes Prio Womens
This is another minimalist hiking shoe that has a men’s version. Xero Shoes create great minimalist shoes for women as well as men, and the Prio is no exception.
The point of a barefoot shoe is to minimize the support a shoe gives so your feet can do your thing. But if you’re used to normal shoes and have a lot of foot pain, you need a little help.
This shoe has the same adjustable V-Straps on the midfoot area. This means that if you have high arches, you can adjust the tightness of the shoe to support you.
It also comes with a removable insole that will help you transition to your new minimalist shoes.
The rubber sole is great for hiking, walking, or trail running. The arrow grips help with traction on slippery surfaces. But the sole itself is only a few millimeters thick.
It’s not as breathable as the Merrell Vapor Glove, but that’s not always a bad thing. If you live in a cold climate, you want to keep your feet insulated. The Prio does just that while using anti-bacterial technology to fight off foot odor.
PRIMUS TRAIL FG MENS
This Vivobarefoot minimalist shoe is for long distance running, but it’s good for hiking.
The Vivobarefoot Primus Trail FG Shoe is great for hiking near rivers or in wet weather.
They’re not waterproof, although the Neoprene ankle keeps debris out of your shoe. Instead, the tops are water-repellant mesh and synthetic materials.
The sides have Quick-Drain mesh panels. They’re semi-transparent panels that will expel water with each step you take. Your feet will be able to breathe on the trail, your shoes will dry quickly, and you’ll avoid gross pruny toes on your hike.
Beyond this, the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail FG is another example of great minimalist hiking shoes. The toe box is wide, so you’ll have lots of splay room. The ultra-thin sole is also puncture resistant. It has special 3-point star grips for better traction on the trails.
There’s a 3mm padded removable insole, so you can work your way up to the full minimalist shoe experience.
This shoe should be worn without socks. You can slip them on and tighten them with the locking bungee laces.
If you’re someone who lives next to water or hikes in the rain, the Primus Trail FG shoes are a great addition to your minimalist shoe collection.
Merrell Vapor Glove 3- Women
The Merrell Vapor Glove 3 for women is like the men’s model. You’re still getting the great benefits of Vibram soles, with petal shaped grips. The grips compliment the shape of your foot, giving you a fully supported barefoot experience.
It also has the wide toe box you’d expect in a barefoot shoe. If you’re new to minimalist shoes, you might think the toe box is too wide. If that’s the case, tighten the shoe around your midfoot, and walk around in your shoes. You’ll find that the toe box is fine, you’re only used to having your feet confined by shoes.
Merrell Vapor Glove 3 have a mesh top lining, so it’s quick drying. If you get your feet wet, the water gets pushed out the side with every step, like the men’s SWIMRUN shoe.
The Merrell Vapor Glove 3 is a great hiking option for women. Get the same benefits of Merrell shoes as the men!
Vibram Five Fingers Men’s V-Alpha Hiking Shoe
Is it really a wide toe box zero drop hiking boots list without at least one FiveFinger shoe? We didn’t think so either.
The Vibram Five Fingers Men’s V-Alpha Hiking Shoe is the rugged cool version of the classic Vibram FiveFinger shoe. It has a lightly padded tongue with an easy lacing system. This gives you more control over the fit of the shoe, an important feature when take it hiking.
While you might think the FiveFinger model is uncomfortable, it supports the natural separation of your toes. It’s a welcome reprieve from the way your toes are shoved into work and dress shoes during the week.
The rubber sole of the Vibram Five Fingers Men’s V-Alpha Hiking Shoe is a textured Vibram sole. The texture gives you a better grip on the road, and the Vibram sole gives you a full barefoot experience.
As nice as these shoes are, they’re for minimalist shoe pros. The Vibram Five Fingers Men’s V-Alpha Hiking Shoe is the next best thing to being barefoot. The transition from normal hiking shoes to these might be rough.
Take these out for small, short adventures around your home. Train your feet so that you can attack the hiking trial without any hesitation.
Xero Prio Running Shoes
Xero is a company that got their start on Shark Tank. They pitched a DIY Sandal Kit that molded to your feet and gave you a true minimalist experience.
Since then they’ve grown as a company, offering minimalist shoes for men and women. Their shoes are great for on, and off, the trails. But only a few are best for the rigors of hiking.
If you’re a casual hiker and a gym rat, then Xero’s Prio Running Shoes are the best for you. You can transition between indoor and outdoor adventures with this lightweight shoe.
The Prio has a zero-drop sole that keeps your heels and the balls of your feet on the same level. This helps correct your posture, but won’t offer any arch support.
If you’re concerned about arch support, you can tighten the laces on your shoes or use the 2mm removable insole.
The rubber sole protects your feet from any natural debris but keeps you connected to nature. The sole of the shoe is only 5mm thick. This is thicker than some minimalist shoes but thin enough that you can still feel the road under your feet.
You can wear the Prius shoes with or without socks. For the best barefoot experience, wear these without socks on the trail. You’ll feel the ground, and the toe box is wide enough for your toes to do their thing.
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail FG
Hiking can be fun, but it can also be wet. In fact, that’s part of the experience! If you’re a hiker who loves rock hopping in rivers or streams, you need a shoe that works well in water.
Vivobarefoot makes the Primus Trail FG with wet surfaces in mind.
Besides the thin sole of the shoe, measuring at about 3mm, there are also arrow shaped lugs for better traction. The bio-based Bloom EVA performance insole is also puncture resistant, so you don’t need to worry about getting any stray fishhooks in your foot.
The tops are water-resistant mesh they make with recycled plastic bottles. This gives you both breathability as well as quick-draining shoes. If you wade around in the water, each step will push out extra water like the Merrell Vapor Glove.
You put on these shoes by slipping them on and then using the toggle to tighten the ankle. This will keep debris out of your shoe, and you can slip them on and off with ease.
The neoprene ankle is also quick drying. Leave these shoes out to dry overnight, and you’ll be ready to go the next day.
Vivobarefoot also makes a hiking shoe for dry, rocky surfaces, but this is the best for loose or muddy trails.
Lems MEN’S TRAILHEAD V2
Lemsshoes has taken their shoe making skills and produced a minimalist hiking shoe. Lems wanted a wide toe box zero drop hiking boots that works well both on the trails and on the roads – so they took their design inspiration from 90’s sneakers.
The shoe top has the same materials as other Lemsshoes sneakers. It is crafted of durable materials that are tough enough to withstand daily wear and tear. Also, It’s a mix of microfiber and air mesh to keep your feet fresh during long hikes.
The sole is 4.5mm thick, thinner than the Xero Prio. It uses patented Vibram sole designs to give your shoe the grip you need on the trail. EVA midsole cushioning delivers flexible support.
The inside is as well constructed as the outside. It features a natural-shaped toe box paired with a slaim heel fit to give your toes lots of room to spread out and get their grip.
The Mens TrailHead V2 features a cool aesthetic and a robust performance. These lightweight, vegan-friendly trail shoes are a great option for hitting the woodland trails.
Xero Terra Flex
If you want a heavy duty hiking shoe, but still want a minimalist shoe, the Xero Terra Flex is your best bet.
Xero Terra Flex is a hiking shoe with extra trail-gripping features that help on any surface. If you’re worried about going uphill or downhill in bad weather, the Terra Flex gives you that traction.
Despite these extra grips, you still have the same thin sole other Xero shoes have. The FeelTrue rubber sole is 6mm thick, so you’ll still feel sharp rocks or pebbles under your feet. You won’t get jabbed in the foot with them, which is the whole point of a good minimalist hiking shoe.
There’s also a layer of BareFoam, which adds comfort without adding too much material.
The one thing the Terra Flex won’t protect you against is water. The top parts of the shoes are breathable fabrics and mesh. You’ll get some ventilation on your feet, but if it rains you’re soaked.
Xero minimalist shoes, like the Terra Flex, have adjustable instep straps. If you’re worried about keeping your shoes snug or arch support, the Terra Flex is great for you.
Mesa Trail – Lightweight Trail Runner
The manufacturer of Mesa Trail designed this unit with the user in mind. This pair is a lightweight men’s shoe suitable for off-trail hiking.
The minimalist and barefoot-friendly design will allow you to practically fly over your next trail without feeling any extra weight on your feet.
Pair these shoes with your favorite jeans, and you’ll be ready for hiking! The breathable mesh upper eliminates every extra weight and keeps your feet cool. What’s more, the moisture-wicking lining of the shoes will keep your feet dry, giving you all-day comfort wear.
The adjustable midfoot comes with welded covering and adds to the shoes’ durability. With the instep straps, you can enjoy a snug fit. The wide toe box also lets your toes relax, spread, splay, and function perfectly, giving you a snug fit.
The lugged, dual-chevron tread gives you sure-footed traction. And the “hidden” 3mm TrailFoam™ layer adds the right amount of protection and comfort.
Its non-elevated heel “XERO-drop” design allows for proper posture and is built low to the ground for balance and agility.
DayLite Hiker Fusion
These hiking shoes for women feature a 3.5mm dual chevron tread and a 5.5mm FeelTrue® sole. These features offer more ground grip without compromising on the ground feel.
The pair is available in purple and black color. You can pair the shoes with jeans, khakis, or leggings and hit the road for a stylish off or on-road trail.
Are you worried about comfort? Worry no more! DayLite Hiker Fusion comes with superior performance and offers a game-changing comfort. You can now feel the World® in ultimate comfort!
Customers have praised the wider, foot-shaped toe box. Therefore, you can rest assured that your feet will fit snugly but naturally in the toe box. And the flexible sole will give you just the right protection, so you can walk safely with the flexibility of flexing, moving, and bending your feet.
The non-elevated “zero-drop” heel gives you proper posture even when standing on an uneven ground surface. Furthermore, the low-to-the-ground design ensures you get the perfect agility and balance when hiking.
Mesa
The men’s Mesa hiking shoes are a new edition to the current shoe market.
The pair comes with a mesh feature that keeps the feet fresh and comfortable. With a natural foot shape, you will hike all day long, feeling all light and good.
The 4mm drop platform keeps you balanced even as you walk on unstable surfaces. And if you’re hiking on wet ground, the shoes are built with lightweight and quick-drying materials to ensure they dry quickly.
Are you looking for something more flexible for your hiking experience? Look no further! The men’s Mesa shoes utilize a minimal upper and puzzle-like tread pattern for a snug fit. It is also durable and sturdy and will withstand all that the wild throws at them.
The shoes are easy to slip into when you’re in a hurry to head into the wild. The tight-knit also make the shoes incredibly comfortable and fit for all-day wear.
Check our complete list of minimalist shoes.