About Riley Park
Minimalist running coach. Former podiatry student. 10,000+ miles in barefoot shoes.
I am Riley Park. In 2016, I was deep into my podiatry studies when I started questioning everything I had been taught about footwear. The research kept pointing in the same direction: the most natural foot position is the most functional one. Modern cushioned shoes were doing more harm than good.
So I made a bet. I transitioned completely to barefoot and minimalist footwear. What followed was 18 months of adjustment, some discomfort, and ultimately the best running of my life.
Today I coach runners and everyday people through the barefoot transition. I have tested over 60 pairs of minimalist shoes across road running, trail running, everyday wear, and work environments. I have coached more than 200 clients through the process.
Why I Built This Site
Most barefoot shoe reviews are written by people who have worn a shoe for two weeks. That is not enough time to understand how it holds up, how it affects your gait, or whether it is actually worth the investment.
BarefootRanked exists to give you honest, experience-based rankings from someone who has lived in these shoes. No affiliate bias. No brand relationships. Just what I have found works.
“The best barefoot shoe is the one that fits your foot — not the one with the biggest marketing budget.”
— Riley Park
My Credentials
- 3 years of podiatry studies (University of Oregon, 2013-2016)
- Certified Running Coach (RRCA, 2017)
- 10,000+ miles logged in barefoot and minimalist footwear
- 60+ shoe models tested and ranked
- 200+ clients coached through barefoot transition