My Guide to Barefoot Hiking Shoes [Time to Switch?]

Barefoot shoes are an absolute game changer. I had back pain/hip pain while hiking, thought I was going to have to quit hiking. I started doing your hiking warm up routine, yogaish stretching for the hips(a combo of yours and another one), as well as core strengthening, as you suggested, and now I'm wearing barefoot trail runners. I started using a walking technique taught by "Grown Healthy" YouTuber, and now am able to hike without any back pain. You have made a huge impact on my life. I am forever indebted to you. Thank You!!

Fully agree on not needing ankle support. I remember being confused by that going into highschool basketball, everyone else was complaining about ankle pain. I had been playing daily since I was 5 on the most minimal low top shoes I could get in the 80s and 90s, so I never had that issue. Have always hated wearing shoes, so the barefoot shoe fad has been a lifesaver. However having tall boots on the trail is nice for the waterproof factor and SOME snake protection. Here in TX, I have come across western, and eastern diamondbacks, timber rattlers, desert Massasaugas, copperheads and a lot of cotton mouths.

Excellent video. I really like your approach, how you connect the pieces together. Its not only a video about shoes, you integrate all the possible weaknesses that could occur when we distance ourself from nature. Really like your videos man. Keep doing the great work! ❤️

This is by far and away the best review of all these shoes I've seen. Especially the way you show how they look on your feet and in action. Have been busy following your exercises. Cheers!

Really helpful video thanks Chase. I transitioned to Altra’s a year ago and love the wide toe box and natural foot strike. I’ve been looking into the Vivo’s as an everyday shoe so you’ve definitely given me a nudge to sort that out. Having a desk job, the struggle with tight hips is most definitely real and daily stretching and strength building has become part of my routine now.

Thanks for the video 🙌 I’m currently using the high ankle Tracker shoe. I agree with you 100% about the ankle support as you explained. The beauty of high boots is still that they keep pine needles and blueberry bushes out of your shoe when hiking in the forests here in the northern parts of Scandinavia and Finland 🤌

Wow, I feel like you read my mind making this video! I also wear primus trails for day hikes and everyday shoes (including 8+ hour shifts walking on pavement), but as cold, wet winter approaches, I was wondering if I needed cushioned soles both for insulation from the ground and shock absorption on longer hikes/heavier pack days. Super helpful to hear how the leather magnas perform in cold and wet conditions, and the specific pack weight at which you start to miss the cushion. All answers to questions I was just asking myself haha. Thank you!

Chase this is great info. I've been wearing Xero's for about 4 years now. A couple years ago I apparently did a partial planter plate tear and just found out what it was just recently. I've been recently re evaluationg the minimalist shoe wearing. I was glad to see that you still mix Altra in there for certain occasions. I've kind of been an all or nothing Xero user and it might have been my downfall for this injury. Thanks for the approval to switch up shoes depending on the job needed. Thank you!

I've been wearing the primus lites for a year now and been hiking in altras. And I love it, it makes so much sense for me to walk in minimal shoes. I just bought the magna trail vegan version for the winter and am really curious how waterproof and warm they wil be (also revivo is a great place if you don't have the money to pay full price) Great video as always, thank you for teaching people about this 😊

I agree on ankle support. As soon as you go minimal and cut down on arch support and worn out foam compressing along the outside of your foot, the tendency to roll outwards disappears.

From a military background, I want "ankle protection" more than support. My preferred boots were soft all the way up about 8 inches, so not big on support, but they provided some minimal protection. I'd love to see some MOSTLY minimalist military boots (sorry, can't go soft and squishy on the soles, they have to serve some protection from puncture).

Thanks, I was on vivo for new hiking boots/shoes and was struggling to decide between the three you discussed. Your video really helped!

Always love to see what your into, you’ve turned me on to a lot of good products. Thank you!

I knew you'd come around with a full-on video at some point down the trail. You were clearly going that direction. 😄🦶Love to see this.

Thank you for the video and the feedback. Moved to barefoot walking and then hiking on Lunas sandals maybe 3 years ago and definitively not going back to the standard hiking boots or shoes, the sandals actually turn into my daily walk, run, hike shoe. While practicing as well cold exposure the cold is not a big issue as we think. Still considering barefoot shoe or boot for a very cold snowy weather. Lunas last very long, they mould to your foot and yes ankle support is a myth in my opinion; had an ankle surgery and walking barefoot and on Lunas my ankles are very strong.

Honestly high ankles on boots are useful, not for the support (I always go through my ankle in them, whilst I don't in my Altras), but for the simple fact of protection. Especially when being off the path and in high grass, you can just stomp through whilst everything scratches against the boot opposed to your ankles. So I think when going off trail they can still have a place (but you can also use gaiters). But on trail it is simply worse.

I moved from trail runners to Vibram Fivefingers around 2010, then on to Luna Sandals after I slowly wore thru two pairs of the vibrams. On my second pair of Lunas now, but I'm starting to get more conscious of exposing the tops of my feet so I'm starting to look at Vivos more seriously. So that is to say, great timing with this video. And yeah, ditto to what you're saying about ankle strength and the paradox of "support" in shoes. I get using heavy, supportive footwear when doing particularly dangerous things (I work around horses and won't wear any barefoot style shoes around), but if the purpose of your activity is to exercise or train or improve fitness then I think people should try to use footwear that is as minimal as possible, all the way down to exercising barefoot if possible (like running on a beach for example).

Thanks for the video! Footwear that covers the ankle will protect you from abrasions from scree, rocks and small boulders, help reduce burs / water from grass or small creeks from soaking your sock,, etc. Maybe not for 'support' but still worthwhile for some trails.

Such a great video Chase & so informative. You seem a top bloke too. I’m a converted Vivo wearer even with two knee replacements after a lifetime of running & climbing mountains. I look forward to seeing more . Many thanks fella 👍

Really enjoyed the information and your "rant" definitely inspired me that the natural strengthening is the way. Might look into the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG. Thanks mate