The field journal
Fit, feel, and function. A considered look at footwear, with attention to the conditions and tradeoffs.
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail vs Xero Prio Trail: Which Trail Shoe Wins? I’ve logged over 300 trail miles in both the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail and the Xero Prio Trail, and here’s the deal: the Primus Trail gives you a roomier toe box and better ground feel, while the Prio Trail offers superior grip and a […]
Best Barefoot Shoes for CrossFit and Weightlifting in 2026 After six years of coaching athletes through barefoot transitions, I can tell you this: the gym is where barefoot shoes shine brightest. The stable platform, ground feedback, and natural toe splay give you a lifting advantage that cushioned trainers simply can’t match. I switched to […]
Barefoot Shoes and Bunions: Real Outcomes from Real Users If you’re dealing with bunions, you’ve probably heard conflicting advice about barefoot shoes. Some people swear they helped reverse their bunions; others warn they’ll make things worse. After six years coaching runners through barefoot transitions—many of them dealing with bunions—I can tell you the truth: […]
Best Barefoot Casual Everyday Shoes for 2026: Stylish and Foot-Friendly After six years of wearing nothing but barefoot shoes, I can tell you this: finding casual everyday barefoot shoes that actually look good is harder than finding running models. Most people assume barefoot shoes are just for athletes or hardcore minimalists, but the reality […]
Naboso Insoles Review: Do Sensory-Stimulating Insoles Actually Work? I’ve spent six years running completely barefoot, so the idea of putting anything between my feet and the ground feels wrong. But Naboso insoles aren’t about cushioning—they’re about sensory stimulation, using textured surfaces to wake up proprioception even when you’re stuck in shoes. After testing them […]
Freet Shoes Review: The UK Barefoot Brand That’s Worth Crossing the Pond For I’ve been running exclusively barefoot-style for six years, and Freet shoes are one of the few UK brands that actually deliver on the “barefoot” promise without compromise. After testing four different Freet models over the past 18 months—from trail runs in […]
Feelgrounds Review: The Stylish Everyday Barefoot Sneaker I’ve tested over 40 barefoot shoe brands in the past six years, and Feelgrounds consistently surprises me—not because they reinvent ground feel or toe splay, but because they actually look like normal sneakers. If you’ve been avoiding barefoot shoes because you don’t want to look like you’re […]
Barefoot Shoes vs Minimalist Shoes: What’s the Difference? I get asked this question almost weekly: “Riley, what’s the difference between barefoot shoes and minimalist shoes?” Here’s the truth—the terms get used interchangeably, but there is a difference, and it matters when you’re choosing what to put on your feet. After six years running exclusively […]