Best Barefoot Trail Running Shoes in 2026: Off-Road Picks Tested
Best Barefoot Trail Running Shoes in 2026: Off-Road Picks Tested After six years of running exclusively barefoot-style and coaching hundreds of runners through the transition, I’ve tested every major barefoot trail runner on rocky Austin trails. The Xero Shoes Trail Running line consistently delivers the best combination of ground feel and protection for most […]
Can You Wear Orthotics in Barefoot Shoes? What Podiatrists Say
Can You Wear Orthotics in Barefoot Shoes? What Podiatrists Say Yes, you can physically wear orthotics in barefoot shoes, but you’re working against the entire point of going barefoot. I’ve spent six years coaching runners through the barefoot transition, and the orthotic question comes up almost weekly—usually from someone who’s been told they “need” […]
Barefoot Running Technique: How to Fix Your Form and Avoid Injury
Barefoot Running Technique: How to Fix Your Form and Avoid Injury After six years of running exclusively barefoot, I can tell you the single biggest mistake new barefoot runners make: they try to run barefoot the same way they ran in cushioned shoes. Your form needs to change, and if it doesn’t, you’re going […]
Best Barefoot Trail Running Shoes of 2026: Zero Drop for Off-Road
Best Barefoot Trail Running Shoes of 2026: Zero Drop for Off-Road After six years of running exclusively in barefoot shoes—including countless miles on rocky, technical trails—I can tell you the best barefoot trail running shoes deliver protection without sacrificing ground feel. The top picks for 2026 are the Xero Shoes TerraFlex II for all-around […]
Do Barefoot Shoes Really Strengthen Your Feet? The Science Explained
Yes, barefoot shoes strengthen your feet — and I’ve got six years of barefoot-only running and a stack of research studies to prove it. The science is clear: when you ditch the cushioning and let your feet move naturally, your intrinsic foot muscles, arches, and tendons adapt by getting stronger. I switched to barefoot […]
Barefoot Shoe Expo 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Barefoot Shoe Expo 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go The Barefoot Shoe Expo 2026 is happening May 16-17 at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Chicago, and if you’re serious about barefoot footwear, this is the event you don’t want to miss. I’ve been to three of these expos, and each time […]
Best Barefoot Water Shoes and Minimalist Sandals for Summer 2026
Best Barefoot Water Shoes and Minimalist Sandals for Summer 2026 After six years of coaching runners through barefoot transitions, I get asked about water shoes every summer—and for good reason. Most “water shoes” on the market are just regular shoes that dry fast, with thick soles that kill ground feel and make you more […]
Can You Wear Barefoot Shoes with Orthotics? What Podiatrists Say
Can You Wear Barefoot Shoes with Orthotics? What Podiatrists Say I get asked this question at least twice a week: “Riley, can I wear my orthotics in barefoot shoes?” Here’s the short answer: you technically can, but you’re defeating the entire purpose of barefoot shoes, and most podiatrists who understand foot biomechanics will tell […]
Barefoot Running Form: The Complete Technique and Gait Guide
Barefoot Running Form: The Complete Technique and Gait Guide Your barefoot running form technique is everything. After coaching runners through hundreds of barefoot transitions, I can tell you this: most people overthink the mechanics and underthink the feedback their feet are giving them. The biggest shift from shod to barefoot running isn’t just removing […]
Do Barefoot Shoes Strengthen Your Feet? What the Research Shows
Do Barefoot Shoes Strengthen Your Feet? What the Research Shows Yes, barefoot shoes do strengthen your feet—but not in the way most people think. After six years of running exclusively in minimal footwear and coaching dozens of runners through the transition, I’ve seen the research play out in real feet. The strengthening happens through […]