I’ve been asked quite a few times about good barefoot outdoor shoes that are:

  • waterproof

  • coldproof

  • grounded

  • barefoot

  • zero drop

  • work in mud, snow and dry gravel

Here are a few options:
The below shoes are for mud and gravel trail, rocks/roads will be slippery with these:

This one has 5mm heel at the back, which you may need if you have any tightness in your calf muscles or hamstrings:

https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/trailventure

If you’d prefer a trail shoe (rather than a boot), this is a similar option:

https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/ultraventure-pro-1https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/ultraventure-2-mens

If there isn't tightness in your calf muscles/hamstring muscles, then these are also options:

https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/mens-trail-terraventure-3https://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/m-lone-peak-all-wthr-mid.htmlhttps://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/m-lone-peak-all-wthr-low-2546.html

All of these shoes are for mud/gravel trails, but unfortunately are not waterproof. I've got the altras and I've tried both the Lone Peak Mid and Low versions, unfortunately I found both weren't waterproof. That was the previous versions, so the updated ones might be better (keep reading, as I’ve included some shoes which are supposed to be waterproof and are barefoot shoes).

The below are good for dry trails/gravel/road/rocks:

Note with any barefoot shoe you need to be careful as you could be removing 2.5cm+ of height from the back of the body (calves, hamstrings, spine), which needs to be done slowly! Read this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRBvWC9Beur/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Options here are:

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/tracker-ii-fg-menshttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/tracker-forest-esc-mens

A client has the tracker II, he has very wide feet and said they're really comfortable, however, they don't perform well in mud. Since then vivobarefoot have brought out the Tracker Forest Esc, which have 'lugs' in them. I suspect they perform slightly better in mud, but not as good as the Topo or Altra shoes in mud (better in rain). Also, the downside of lugs is they don't grip rock well.Another possible waterproof boot is:

https://www.belenka.com/barefoot-winter-boots-be-lenka-ranger-dark-brown/ - I think this would require a waterproof spray

Or the below (I have these and they are amazing at keeping my feet warm and dry up to -10 degrees in snow) and aer waterproof. The grip is pretty good for snow/ice (I would get grips for ice walking):

https://www.belenka.com/winter-barefoot-boots-be-lenka-winter-dark-brown/

I wear the below for cycling (women's version) and have been ok in the wet over the winter. My feet do get wet, if I cycle for longer than 30 minutes when it's really pelting down.

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/gobi-ii-mens

I really like Anya on instagram, she is not a foot specialist, however she does review a lot of shoes. I don't 100% agree with what she says, but we're 90% on the same lines. This post is about foot shape, which should be considered:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXB_5-0JbDa/

This one is about various different makes (most have to be imported into the UK) and shows an image of narrow to wide. If you have wide feet, I'd recommend looking at groundies, altra, topo and belenka:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUNv63SJWoK/

This one is about hiking shoes:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUYTZV6JZy7/

A couple of options that might be good to consider are:

Finally, a couple of thoughts:

  • some brands give you a free trial for a period of time e.g. vivobarefoot 100 day free trial- vivobarefoot have a stores throughout europe, as do groundies and belenka

  • happylittlesoles charge for delivery, but have free returns, so you can try out lots of different brands - these tend to be more fashion based shoes, although she does have a few non-fashion brand here: https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/adults/boots.html

  • topo have european stores and you can sometimes find altras at running stores e.g. runnersneed

  • lems shoes may also work:  https://www.footworksrunning.co.uk/collections/lems/products/lems-boulder-boot-waterproof-weathered-umber - I've heard the fella that owns Footworks is very helpful with sizing and returns. Another dry trail, gravel, road, not mud option.Lots of options

Ultimately, it’s all about getting the sensation from your feet to your brain.