Barefoot shoes have thin soles, so it stands to reason that they would wear out more quickly than other shoes. I have found this to be sometimes true (if you’re comparing a Doc Marten or Timberlands sole to a 5mm layer of rubber, there’s no question which will last longer), but in general barefoot shoes last as long as other shoes.
Many barefoot shoe brands are using high quality outsoles that have been developed specifically to be thin AND durable (e.g., Vibram soles do an excellent job at that). And besides, many “regular” shoes are cheaply made and fall apart quickly.
How you use your shoes will have the greatest impact on how quickly they wear out, so if you’re concerned about this, choose an option with a thicker more durable sole. I include this information in all my barefoot shoe reviews to help you decide!
