The field journal
Fit, feel, and function. A considered look at footwear, with attention to the conditions and tradeoffs.
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 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 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 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 […]
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 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 […]
Saguaro vs Vivobarefoot: Which Barefoot Brand Is Worth Your Money? I’ve coached dozens of runners through their barefoot transition, and the Saguaro vs Vivobarefoot question comes up weekly. Here’s what six years of barefoot-only running has taught me: Saguaro wins on budget and getting started, while Vivobarefoot dominates on durability and advanced models—but the […]
After coaching hundreds of runners through the barefoot transition over the past six years, I can tell you that the best minimalist running shoes in 2026 share three non-negotiables: zero drop, a wide toe box, and a thin, flexible sole. These aren’t just preferences—they’re the features that let your feet actually work the way […]
Best Barefoot Shoe Brands in 2026: The Complete Market Overview After six years of running exclusively in barefoot shoes, I’ve tested dozens of brands—and the landscape has changed dramatically since I started. The best barefoot shoe brands in 2026 are Vivobarefoot for versatility, Xero Shoes for value, Altra for wide toe boxes with minimal […]
Are Barefoot Shoes Actually Good for Your Feet? The Evidence After six years of running exclusively in barefoot shoes, I can tell you the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no”—it depends entirely on how you use them. The evidence shows barefoot shoes can strengthen your feet, improve balance, and reduce certain injuries, […]