The 4 Best Barefoot Running Sandals for Trails and Beyond!
We love barefoot sandals for all kinds of outdoor adventures here at Terradrift. We wear them hiking, take them backpacking, pack them when we travel, use them for water sport, and yes, even trail run in them. But while we’ve tested plenty of barefoot hiking sandals over the years, we’ve never made a dedicated list of which ones are best for faster paced movement. So here are the best barefoot running sandals for trail running and beyond (yup, that includes road running).
Looking for more trail running recs? These are our fave barefoot trail running shoes and the best sustainable trail running vests.
What Are Barefoot Running Sandals?
What are barefoot running sandals and what makes a good trail running sandal? Excellent question. The most common running sandals tend to be a style of barefoot huarache sandals. Basically, that means they have a minimalist sole that’s flexible, a footbed that is foot-shaped and doesn’t have arch support, and a strap system that keeps your foot securely in place.
Usually that involves a toe plug to keep your feet from sliding forward, an ankle strap that keeps your feet secured to the footbed, and a heel strap that keeps feet from sliding back or sideways. Many barefoot trail running sandals have one continuous strap that goes through the footbed so you can really dial in the perfect fit no matter your foot shape or how tight or loose you want your sandals.
But if you’re new to barefoot shoes or sandals, remember: it’s extremely important to transition to this type of footwear slowly. Your feet were designed to walk, run and hike as is without all the cushioning of “conventional” footwear, but if you’ve been wearing cushy shoes, you’re feet need time to adjust to functional movement and hard surfaces. So read this article about how to transition to barefoot shoes before you set out on your next 15 mile trail run.
The Best Barefoot Trail Running Sandals
Deliberate Life Designs Enigma
Stack Height: 10mm
We’ve tested several styles of Deliberate Life Designs sandals and we’re BIG fans. This Vermont-based cottage brand’s specialty is making sandals that fit YOUR foot perfectly. You can choose your sole type and laces–including up-cycled Black Diamond webbing laces–but you can also choose the shape of your footbed! Options range from a narrow-slope shape to wide-mountain shape depending on the outline of your foot and even the length of your second toe. As a result, you’re guaranteed to end up with sandals that fit your unique feet and are perfect for whatever activities you need them. You can even send a tracing of your feet to DLD and they can custom cut soles for you!
The Alchemy that we tested last year is Josh’s preferred pair of barefoot trail running sandals from the brand, but my newest favorite DLD sandals for trail running are the Enigma (pictured) with Bluewater laces. These may be the one barefoot sandal to rule them all. The sole is flexible but plenty dense to protect your soles from rocks on downhill trail runs, the straps are super soft and pliable for out-of-the-box comfort, and the tread is super aggressive and durable for ultimate grip on rock and dusty trails.
Even when it was warm out my feet stayed put on the textured Vibram footbed, and because the webbing is just one length laced through the sole of the sandals they’re highly adjustable. Bonus: the toe-post is made of flexible cord, so it’s more comfortable than some other options.
Get 10% off when you use code TERRADRIFT10.
How it’s sustainable: Made by hand in the USA, durable, small batch/made to order, some up-cycled materials.
Earth Runners Primal Sandals
Stack Height: 7.5mm
Of all the barefoot hiking sandals I’ve tested over the years, I often come back to Earth Runners, particularly the Primal, though the Circadian with its fabric footbed is the most popular model. The sole thickness of the Primal is just right in our opinion–flexible but dense enough to offer protection from small rocks–they look good on and off trail, and they function just as well for trail running as for travel. Plus, they’re grounding sandals. There’s a copper plug connected to the webbing, which is stitched with metal wire, so no matter what you’re doing outdoors, you can stay grounded even with your shoes on (watch our video about the science of grounding here).
The webbing is a bit less flexible than some other options, so may take some getting used to, but once you do, you’ll likely find them some of the most robust and durable sandals you own. And since there’s little to no stretch to the webbing, they feel ultra secure even after miles on trail. The tread seems minimal but because your feet are conformed to the shape of the ground it’s not an issue. Bonus: They come in a slew of colors and there are several types of laces depending on whether comfort or performance is more important to you. Get 10% off when you use our link (below) at checkout!
How it’s sustainable: Made in the USA by a small brand, durable, 1% of your purchase is donated to True Messages, a non-profit supporting the running heritage of the Tarahumara people, cotton footbeds made of organic cotton.
ZuZu Sandals Flex
Stack Height: 10.5 mm
We tested a few different models from ZuZu Sandals, a small brand based in Stockholm and Tel Aviv. The Flow instantly became one of our new favorite barefoot hiking sandals, but we found the Flex preferable for running due to its denser and more protective sole. They’re still ultra durable and stupendously flexible, though. And the rubber is soft, so the ground feel is solid, but it still keeps every Little Rock from digging into your soles.
The footbed is covered in canvas, which kept them from feeling slippery when feet got sweaty. All in all, they’re well suited for those who want a more even balance of groundfeel and protection.
The fabric lacing in all styles is softer and more flexible than similarly-designed sandals, so it required no breaking in and felt more comfortable between our toes but still plenty secure when hiking or trail running.
How it’s sustainable: Made of natural rubber and rice husks (sole) and 100% recycled PET straps. Replaceable laces.
Luna Sandals Oso Flaco
Stack Height: 11.5mm
Luna was actually founded by a trail runner some of you may have heard of: Barefoot Ted, who featured prominently in the book Born to Run, which if you haven’t read yet and you’re interested in barefoot sandals, uh, what have you been doing with your life? The aggressive tread on this model in particular (there are several available with different levels of thickness and tread) is super grippy, they’re light, the base feels much thinner than it is because it’s so flexible–which is a good thing–and the straps are highly adjustable.
This style comes in three colors, including classic black, and they are super comfy for a barefoot sandal. I don’t know if it’s the stupendously flexible sole, that the thin footbed feels like it’s got hidden padding, or if it’s the smooth, soft straps, but these feel great on our feet and offer the perfect amount of flexibility and protection.
The toe plug is made of a thinner, softer material than other brands, so it doesn’t irritate as much as some sandals with toe plugs, and the padding on the heel strap makes them feel like you’re wearing clouds on your feet. They are a bit wide for narrow feet, though. My feet are narrow, so they tended to slide side to side just a little, but those with wider feet, including Josh, didn’t have a problem. Get 15% off by using our link below and using code TERRADRIFT15.
How it’s sustainable: Made in the U.S.A.
Bottom Line
I love trail running most when I do it in barefoot sandals. It makes me feel like I’m truly experiencing the activity and my feet feel free and natural. When it starts getting cool, I’ll even stretch sandal running season by throwing on a pair of performance toe socks! But whether you’re new to trail running in barefoot sandals or it’s all you’ve run in for years, one of these pairs will keep you happily trekking along for miles and miles. So get out there (in barefoot sandals) and wander on.
