Traditional work boots are extremely stiff, heavy, and heeled. While this may protect you in the short term, it can cause real damage to your feet over time. But if you need protection what choice do you have? A few, it turns out. Let’s examine how zero drop barefoot/minimalist work boots offer a better alternative for your feet than the traditional work boot.
Welcome to Episode 2 of Wear This, Not That!
Barefoot Vs. Traditional
But first, what do you even look for in a shoe and how do zero drop work boots compare with traditional ones? Below on the right you’ll see an example of an industry standard work boot. Keen is a brand Justin and I wore for years before switching to barefoot shoes. They are extremely durable and very well made (we still have a pair of these Keen watershoes that are 12 years old and completely intact). But we’ve had to ditch almost all of their models because the thick, stiff soles and huge heels are just not working for our bodies.
Vivobarefoot Tracker Vs. Keen Utility
On the left is a “barefoot” or minimalist shoe that lets your feet move the way nature intended. Completely flat, flexible, and spacious in the toes, this shoe contains all the vital features that keep your feet healthy and strong.
A barefoot shoe like the one on the left is the goal. But depending on your work requirements, you many need to make some compromises. Shoe brands have yet to step up to the challenge of truly healthy minimalist work boots that are also safety rated (Want to change that? Vote with your dollars for minimalist footwear and share this message!). In the meantime, I’ve scoured the web for the best alternatives.
Here we examine 9 different options that come as close to the ideal as possible, so you can choose what’s best for you. Let’s dig in.
Minimalist Work Boots Comparison Table
| Birkenstock QS 700 | Vivobarefoot Tracker | Gaucho Ninja Carpenter | Caterpillar Brode | Fugu Sa Me | Lem's Waterproof Boulder | Marugo Magic Safety | Belleville Mini Mil | Reebok Soyay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Zero Drop | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Wide | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Flexible | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Reinforced Toe | ✅ *Steel | ❌ | ✅ *Fiber | ✅ *Steel | ✅ *Steel | ❌ | ✅ *Composite | ❌ | ✅ *Steel |
| Over the ankle | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Waterproof | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | *Water resistant | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Vegan | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Safety Rated | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | *Military approved | ✅ |
| Shop | $1501 | $240 | $465 | $90 | $95 | $165 | $45 | $145 | $90 |
*scroll right for more comparisons
1Price varies by location
1. Birkenstock QS 700
Zero Drop | Wide | Flexible | Steel Toe | Water Resistant | Over the Ankle | Vegan | Safety Rated
The Birkenstock QS 700 work boots are hands down the best barefoot work boots on the market. They have a steel toe, are slip & electrical hazard resistant, and come up over the ankle. And that’s not even to mention the fact that they are zero drop, have a spacious toe box, and can bend and flex. Oh, and vegan options too. The Birk QS 700 is a unicorn in the world of natural footwear! And if you don’t need over the ankle, the QS 500 has all the same specs.
Note – these work boots come with a supportive footbed that needs to be removed or replaced to meet barefoot shoe requirements – see a list of barefoot friendly insoles here. Justin swapped them out for NorthSole insoles and is now good to go in his Birkenstock QS 700s.
Safety Specs: steel toe (200 joules) with scratch-resistant toe cap; penetration-resistant, metal-free, nonslip, and oil- and petrol-resistant outsole (P, SRC, FO); energy absorption around heel (E); antistatic protection (A). Safety shoe certified in accordance with EN ISO 20345:2011
Sizing: We ordered Justin one size up for toe space and then he swapped out the arch support for a NorthSole insole. This turned out to be a good idea for him. They feel spacious enough and he has some room to spread out, but they still aren’t as wide as his favorite barefoot shoes. Unless you have narrow feet, I would also recommend sizing up for width. But keep in mind that if you remove the insole and have nothing to replace it with they’ll be quite roomy.
The trickiest thing about these barefoot work boots is that they are not available in all countries. See below a few of the places where they are found. If you are unable to find them on your local Birkenstock website, Zami (located in Spain) does ship worldwide. They also carry the low top version with and without the safety toe. Zami is currently the only shop I know of currently that ships worldwide, and the only way to get them in the US!
2. Vivobarefoot Tracker
Zero Drop | Wide | Flexible | Waterproof | Over the Ankle
The Vivobarefoot Tracker FG is a sturdy boot with padding around the ankle and a tough leather exterior. It goes up over the ankle, has a puncture resistant outsole, and lugs for traction. This boot also meets all my requirements for healthy footwear and is an excellent choice if you only need a light work boot. It does not have a steel toe and isn’t safety rated, so if that’s a requirement for you consider other options. Here you can find my full review of the Tracker.
Sizing advice: Runs Small, size up 1 size
3. Gaucho Ninja Carpenter
Zero Drop | Wide | Flexible | Steel Toe | Over the Ankle | Safety Rated
When it comes to quality, Gaucho Ninja are some of the best barefoot shoes around. Lisandro hand makes a fully ISO approved, steel toe safety boot with an antipuncture outsole that is also FULLY BAREFOOT. They are zero drop, wide for toe space, and have a thin sole – and they’re highly functional. But the high cost might be a deterrent for some – let’s be honest, it’s a deterrent for me.
However, it must be said that these are the only boots on this list that can be resoled and repaired at your local cobbler, and they are the most foot friendly option that is safety rated. If you are in work boots all day every day and want healthy feet, investing in something that will not damage you AND can last forever might be worth it. *Note – The images above are of the Gaucho Ninja work boots, used with permission from Lisandro. The boots I tried and reviewed are not reinforced in the toe.*
Sizing advice: True to size
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% your Gaucho Ninja order!
Levi, a reader here, got some of the custom Gaucho Ninja Carpenter boots for work. Here is Levi’s feedback on them:
“Well first off they are beautiful boots. Craftsmanship is superb. I never owned custom boots before. They’re expensive. Which makes it hard working in them. I’m glad to have them! I wish I would have tried the Birkenstock QS 700 first. I might get them for back up. [Lisandro’s] boots work great, they are functional and meet all my work requirements. The fact that the boots can be repaired makes the price easier to digest. I’ll get the soles replaced when they wear out. They are the heavy duty tyre 8m. I seem to wear out the soles on most minimal shoes before the rest of the shoe has gone bad.”
4. Caterpillar Brode
Zero Drop | Steel Toe | Water Resistant | Safety Rated
The Caterpillar Brode is the first safety-rated shoe we’re looking at. It has a steel toe, anti-slip outsole, and electrical hazard protection. It is completely zero drop (with and without the insole), but the sole is thick and stiffer than is ideal for natural foot function. The toe box is also narrow and feels somewhat restrictive, but if steel toe is what you require it is a good compromise. Unfortunately this model isn’t made in the over-the-ankle style anymore.
Sizing Advice: Get Wide and size up for extra toe space
5. Fugu Sa Me
Zero Drop | Flexible | Steel Toe | Over the Ankle | Water Resistant
The Fugu Sa-Me has a steel toe, is zero drop, and comes up over the ankle. It is lightweight, flexible, and foot-friendly, but the material is thin around the ankles and not very protective. I wish the toe box was wider, but you could easily size up for more space because the velcro can get you a secure fit. This is one of my top picks for a compromise shoe, but isn’t safety rated. Note that sizing is from EU 37-47, so won’t fit all men and women.
Sizing Advice: True to Size, but could size up for toe space
Power Ace Safety – $35-85 depending on size These Power Ace boots look almost exactly the same and have the same specs, but they are half the price and look to be about half the quality as well. I think the Fugu boots are much nicer, but for the price the Power Ace might work great for you.
6. Lem’s Waterproof Boulder
Zero Drop | Wide | Flexible | Over the Ankle | Waterproof
The Lem’s Boulder boot is zero drop, spacious in the toes, and flexible. It has a thick sole to protect you from sharp objects and is padded around the ankle. The toe box is not reinforced, and overall the upper is thinner than in the Vivobarefoot Tracker mentioned above. This is a protective shoe, but not super heavy duty. The best part about it is that it is a true minimalist shoe and will be good for your feet. Watch my video review of them on YouTube here. European readers can purchase Lems from Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.
Sizing Advice: Runs Small, size up 1/2 size
7. Marugo Magic Safety
Zero Drop | Wide | Flexible | Composite Toe | Over the Ankle | Vegan
This shoe might look very different from what you’re used to seeing in a work zone, but it checks the boxes. Zero drop, thin, flexible, space for your toes AND a composite toe (Note that the Amazon listing states steel toe, but after research I am fairly certain it is a composite and not steel). Not to mention that it is less than $50. The biggest drawback is that the sizing is limited and won’t fit all men and women, and that the material is thin and not protective around the ankles. Oh, and you’ll need to wear toe or tabi socks.
Sizing Advice: True to Size
8. Belleville Mini Mil
Wide | Flexible | Over the Ankle | Military Approved
The Mini-Mil is a military approved tactical boot that also has a nice wide toe box, flexible sole, and is aaaalmost flat. A 2 mm heel rise makes these not zero drop, but if a tactical boot is what you need these are the best option. They are high above the ankle so would also work for hunting/farming/swampy conditions. Downside: Does not come in women’s.
Sizing Advice: True to size, choose Wide for more space.
9. Reebok Soyay
Steel Toe | Safety Rated | Zero Drop
This is my least favorite of the ones I tested. The toe box is very tapered and pointy and the sole is super thick. It does have a safety toe and is zero drop with the insole removed, so might meet the requirements of some people. Sure looks cool for a safety shoe! We tried my husband’s normal size in a wide width and he was pretty uncomfortable in them.
Sizing Advice: Choose Wide and size up for toe space
A Few More Options
Since first writing this article I have revisited the barefoot work boot market several times to see if there have been any changes. Here is a list of more potential good options you might want to check out:
- Sievi
- Nautilus N1430
- Rocky SV2
- Altama OTB Operators
- DeWalt Plasma Boot
- DeWalt Plasma Slip On
- Broadwinger
- Reebok Sublite Tactical
- Impactoe Overshoe
- Gaston Mille Overshoe
Conclusion
While my searches yielded some viable options (unexpected good finds from Japan) we need more. Shoe brands, it’s time to step up and make work shoes with long-term foot health in mind. Safety-rated work boots for the foot-conscious individual are the next step in the barefoot movement. Let’s raise our voices and let shoe brands know that we are here, and we are ready to buy better shoes from whomever can deliver!
54 thoughts on “Zero Drop Work Boots – The Best Barefoot and Minimalist Safety Shoes on the Market”
What about food service workers?
They need nonslip soles.
Thank you for this suggestion! I have been getting asked about this often and have not had any idea what to look for. But I did some research and I think this shoe from Keen might be a good option? You’ll have to let me know if it’s way off-base for what a food service worker needs in a shoe.
https://anyasreviews.com/go/keen-redding-non-slip-sole/
It would be very helpful if this article included whether or not the shoes are ASTM rated. In the U.S. OSHA requires certain types of workers to wear ASTM rated shoes, so anyone needing a steel toed shoe for a professional environment would have to know whether the shoes are ASTM rated first and foremost. Home Depot has a very good, brief article explaining ASTM ratings, here: https://www.homedepot.com/c/osha_approved_shoes
Unfortunately few of these are.
The Brode has these, as pulled from one eBay seller:
ASTM F2413-11 I/75 C/75 F2413-05 1/75 EH
Anything custom can’t have a ASTM rating, since they would have to make a bunch of extras to test.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment! I will look into this and work on improving the post. Thanks again!
Thanks for this awesome article, am a safety professional and also a barefoot enthusiast and I support the movement 100% and hope that it will generalized to all sports and activities.
But I agree with jerome, barefoot shoes would need to comply with some standards in order to protect the worker from hazards like slips, trips, falling or rolling objects, walking on sharp objects … etc
the EN ISO 20345 summarize most of the requirements, and unfortunately rarely the barefoot companies or the safety shoes companies offer a solution that combines safety requirement and ergonomics.
I’ve been in contact with xero shoe in boulder, CO. They are working on developing a shoe that would meet the needs of the service industry. In the mean time I’ve been using this shoes for crews without their foot bed. Which seems to make them zero rise. Go with the wide option as well. They don’t really hold up for more than 6mo. They are cheap though. Compared to most shoes. Shoes for crews have the best non slip tread. At least that’s what I have concluded. I’ve tried a bunch of non slip shoes. Their shoes won’t slip even on greasy floors in the kitchen.
https://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/index.cfm?changeWebsite=US_en&route=c_store.viewDetailsOfProduct&partnumber=34257
Do you have any tips on the Power Ace Safety sizing?
They were true to size! I got a women’s 7 and they fit just like I expected a women’s 7 to fit.
I would love to transition my husband from his incredibly heavy, stiff, heeled work boots. I’m sure they contribute to his aching back and general body malaise. Hard to find barefoot combat boots with a safety toe though! I’ll keep looking and hoping!
It sure is hard! I just reached out to Keen and Birkenstock imploring them to bring back some of their older models that were completely flat but over the ankle and safety rated. For people who need to wear them all day it would make a big difference.
Anya, thanks for a great post! I’ve been wearing Lem’s for awhile (off and on) and have beat a pair of Birkenstock Arran sneakers to death…but they’re one of the most comfortable things I can find. I recently learned that an Amazon seller is now shipping the (your not reviewed) QO and QS Birkenstock shoes to the states. Not cheap, but I’m VERY happy with the purchase of the QO 700 shoes I received from Germany (3 days after I ordered!). They are stiffer than the Arran sneakers as one would expect, but otherwise fit the same and appear to be the same quality Birks are known for.
That is great news! Can you send me the link? I just did a quick search and couldn’t find it.
Anya, I’m very sorry that I hadn’t seen this until now. After going through my previous orders it looks like the shop has changed its name to European Brands-US and they still show the shoes as available.
I’ve been wearing them and the only complaint I have is that the toe box is short in height, so not as much wiggle room as I’d like.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BLD3HQ8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
Oooh, thank you for the heads up!
I don’t understand why most safety shoes are so heavy, thick, and inflexible!? For some industries I understand why those features might be beneficial, for many they are not. I work in a plant, concrete floors, we need safety toe shoes that are leather or waterproof! Inflexible soles are not a plus and prevent the feet from flexing as they are supposed to on the hard concrete. Over the ankle boots are not an asset, I’m not worried about twisting an ankle while walking around on flat, dry concrete. Why does the safety shoe industry not recognize this huge segment of the market???? Everyone who works in a warehouse, plant, factory, etc. would benefit from zero drop, flexible safety shoes! The industry needs to wake up! There are so many people who probably have serious foot, leg, hip, back, neck issues from wearing heavy, inflexible work shoes and they’re all probably thinking that it is because they are on their feet all day. For many I’m certain that is not the problem! So frustrating! Is there an appropriate place/organization to write and express this frustration that will somehow reach the entire industry? ~ Thanks
The barefoot shoe brands definitely know the need and are working on finding solutions, but you can reach out to the big brands that are already making safety shoes(just not barefoot ones) – like Keen. Keen used to make a good zero drop boot with a wide toe box and stopped in both a high and low cut. Let them know we want them back again!
Jennifer, I agree with you so much! I work at an Amazon sorting center, and I used to love it back when I could wear my Xero sneakers. I was pretty devastated when they started to require steel/composite toe safety shoes.
Agree with everything you say, Jennifer. It is 2023, and nothing has changed in the market.
I have reached out to many manufacturers and get brushed off, often quite politely.
The minimalist shoe makers seem to be chasing the lucrative sports hobbyist market. The safety shoe manufacturers can coast the way they have been since they have a captive market that relies on enforcement due to liability issues, with the US OSHA and agencies in other countries of no help. Clearly this ‘one type of shoes for all’ overkill approach is causing long-term harm, yet there seems to be no interest in making a change.
Even though Xero has created the popular Prio All-Day SR shoe for restaurant workers, no composite toe seems to be on the horizon for us.
I would be happy to glue toe caps on my existing shoes, but they are all almond shaped, or pointed, or round. Maybe time to get a 3D printer?
My reality is that I can walk 40+ hours carrying or pulling heavy loads on concrete with my Splay or Xero, or other my older Feelmax minimalist shoes, and my feet and body feel fine (yes, I often can get away with them). There are only certain settings where I have to switch to my oversized men’s ‘Foot Coffins’, which are too tall for me as a woman. I also own four other traditional brands which are equally painful. I have tried all brands over the years. Within a few hours I am in pain for days. I bring three pairs of shoes to work with me so I can switch.
For the brands Anya has kindly listed, I own and use the Japanese Power Ace which are flat and flexible, but due to the narrow toe I had to size up a lot, and the extra length and weight leaves me in pain too by the next morning. Birkenstock are also a bit too stiff and thick soled, and oddly narrower in the toe than their regular shoes (which are too much shoe for me anyhow). So I passed on those. The Caterpillar feel as bad as the rest. The Belleville Mini-mil seemed okay at first, even though I don’t like to wear boots, but I had to return them when the heel cap cut into my achilles tendon.
When not at work, I am barefoot outdoors and only wear barefoot style shoes when I go out to places and shops.
Just thought I’d throw this out there. Some industries require a heel on a safety shoe sicne it acts as a safety feature. If a foot slips while climbing a ladder, the heel can help catch the foot, or keep it from slipping in the first place. I work in the chemical industry and occasionally have to climb up ladders on the sides of towers or tanks to get to a roof, having a slight heel really helps in those situations.
Very good point! Thank you for sharing this.
Wouldn’t a flexible shoe negate that benefit though? If I’m climbing anything I don’t want any encumbrances whatsoever, a heel on my shoe can’t do anything better than the heel on my foot.
Great point that illustrates how this one shoe for all approach is not appropriate in keeping workers safe. What is needed in one setting or situation is different from another.
It is easier for manufacturers to add as many requirements as possible into one shoe, instead of making shoes for specific settings.
I always bring three pairs of different shoes to work and change depending on what I am doing.
Are the Birkenstock QS 700 Micro Fiber fairly light weight? I’m eyeing the Birkenstock QS 500 Micro Fiber. They look to be the same except for low top. You can’t get the Birkenstock QS 700 on Amazon.de anymore, but they do have the QS. 500.
I’ve been wearing the Reebok Soyay since October and they are killing me. They are zero drop, but after months they remain stiff, heavy and squish your toes like a pair of Chuck Taylors. They are a cruel, cruel shoe.
Rory,
Thanks for the heads up on the Amazon seller. Bummer that they’ve stopped shipping to the US. I did some research and found another seller that ships to the US:
https://www.zapatillas-minimalistas.com/es/trabajo-y-seguridad/1461-botas-de-seguridad-birkenstock-qs700-microfibra.html#/52-talla-39/157-color-black
They also carry the QS 500, which has all the same specs but is just a low top model. So whether you get it from Amazon Germany or Zami in Spain, it should be a good option too.
I saw someplace that the DeWalt Plasma is zero drop work boot if you take out the insole. How do you check if shoe or boot is zero drop?
Good find! I will check those out. You can determine if they’re zero drop with a pair of calipers, or by contacting the manufacturer (sometimes they don’t know though).
Hola Anya… Love what you are doing! Been my ‘go to’ learning for my natural foot journey… Thank you for your guidance and sharing your knowledge.. love it! Quick question though, I am trying to buy the Birkenstock QO 700 through your Amazon link. But when it goes to Amazon website, it doesn’t allow to enter in a size for the shoe. Any help with this is much appreciated… Cheers!
Hey there! You are right, I tried it myself and wasn’t able to figure it out. My only advice is to reach out to the store (European Brands-US) and see if they can help. I might need to do some research and find a replacement link.
Love your article. I love wearing zero drop shoes. My employer, a railroad, requires shoes with a defined heel. A safety requirement for climbing on ladder rungs on and off trains. I wish could find a zero drop boot with a defined heel. I am forced to make a choice of wearing legal boots and being in pain, or be in comfort and risk being sent home by a supervisor.
Hi, about barefoot safety work shoes S1P or S3 i want write two brand. HKS made a barefoot feeling shoes (but not wide), and Rukapol, i think are not Barefoot but can make shoes in 5 or 6 different wide measurement… so i think are good for the feet!
I never try this shoes, i’m just ready for purchase because i have a problem with my very wide feet and i love barefoot felling i have with my Vivobarefoot, but that brand don’t make S1P or S3 shoes for the work. I hope with this message i can help people want try something different! sorry for my english 😀
Wondering if you have some advice on the Birkenstock QS 700 ankle support stiffness. The rest of the boot is fantastic but the ankle support is absolutely killing me, stiff when I walk and digging into my Achilles, don’t know if I could wear it consistently
Oh darn! My advice would be to take it and roll/twist it like in this video to try to soften up the leather. You could try some moleskin or extra socks to add some padding (if you have socks you don’t need you can cut the foot portion off so it just add padding around the ankle and not everywhere else). Good luck!
After reading your reviews I thought “Hooray, I can get some Birkenstock QS700 boots for my yard work. I’d prefer elastic sided boots, but hey, you take what you can get in the barefoot world.
I’ve been looking around for a good deal as the standard price for the QS700 in Australia is AU$301. A work mate uses The Iconic store and lo and behold, I can get these boots at the moment (March 2022) for 25% off – sounds like a good deal. So I go looking for a size guide and thankfully Birkenstock ask for length and width measurements for each foot.
Alas I got this message “Your size specifications exceed the allowable limit”. I laughed, I had to. I’ve realised recently, that I have both a very wide and a high volume foot. This just confirms it. Maybe they would still be better than what I’m currently using.
Oh darn! Might be a worth a try though.
Hey Anya, are there any updates or additions to this list? Thanks in advance!
Hi! I am looking into it now actually to see what updates need to be added. There might be a few more compromise options, but no major changes to what’s available.
Hi Anya,
I could use some thoughts/resource references from you about my recent experience and inquiries. Context: In my day to day casual lifestyle moments (walks, office work, day trips, light to medium gardening) I am 100% using minimalist shoes. My feet are happy with this!
However, I have some extremely rugged lifestyle moments too ( backpacking, professional trail work, farming). In addition, I am transitioning to a new job that will be 75% outside in the Midwest- using tools and bushwhacking in all weather types. I was trying to transition to 100% minimalist shoes in this department too. However, after a backpacking trip on the Olympic National Park Coast- I am thinking twice. I used my new Freet Ibex for the entire trip- carrying a 40lb pack for three days in muddy/watery/extreme rocky terrain.
My feet are very beat up after this trip. I am disappointed because I love how they feel to the ground/fit generally. But indications show me that for my rugged use- it really isn’t healthy for my foot. I still love the IBEX and plan to use them for day use hiking/recreation. However, I simply don’t think they cut it for true rugged use, the seams will bust, not enough support for long rugged use. Another example- using a shovel all day with minimalist footwear- hurts the foot- the bottom of your foot starts to bruise from contact with the metal. I’ve been transitioning to minimalist footwear for two to three years now so it is not new to my feet…
Anyways, any recommendations on brands that are half minimalist? Specifically, provide a lot more cushion underneath the foot, very high waterproof ratings, and super super rugged? Meanwhile, I would love to continue to have the open/large toe box and zero drop design. Any thoughts would help. I am open to consultation too, if you have some strong rugged wear hybrid suggestions for all weather types. Lastly, I hope this information helps advocate for what is needed in the minimalist footwear department too- true extreme rugged footwear for summer, rain, cold, snow, etc.
Thank you for your time!
Kind Regards,
Kirsten Boesen
Hey Kirsten! Have you ever tried Altra Lone Peak? They are much thicker, and come in several options. They are built for more extreme conditions and come in a high top and waterproof version. They are still zero drop and have a wide toe box. If that’s not enough, you can find some low heel options from Keen that have a good toe box, and Birkenstock has some good options as well (try to remove the insole if you can). But Altra’s are very well loved among long distance hikers and other situations when a thicker sole is needed. Also, Lems came out recently with a new rugged hiking boot that looks pretty promising. It would easily cross over into other outdoor situations besides hiking.
Anya, very interesting site, I’ve enjoyed reading it, as a guy who’s more concerned about function than fashion! I’m a 17 year and counting military reservist and veteran who owns a construction company, who’s been running, working, etc in minimalist shoes or as close as possible for over a decade (I switched within a few years of “the book’s” publishing, VFFs, Invisible Shoes huaraches kits – gotta love Xero – and DIY were about it then). Admittedly, it made me a bit of a shoe whore at times as the market (and me) grew and learned. I have to agree with your comment in the work/safety shoe/boot article that there aren’t any real work/safety options. If you’re doing heavy work in unforgiving terrain, like construction, most minimal shoes / boots don’t provide the underfoot protection needed to prevent injury – you can’t kick a shovel to scoop rock with a 2mm sole, forget stepping on something!
This comment could go both here and the work/safety section, but I felt it better here as it’s an approved combat boot by all services (and one of few mandated by the Navy). A VERY popular boot in the military is the Rocky S2V, runs about $200 at the military exchanges. I haven’t found it in your (quite exhaustive – I’d only heard of half the companies you mention) lists, so I thought I’d mention it. There are many configurations of the boot in varying colors (yes, only the military boot colors) and configurations – including composite toe. This boot has some serious street cred. I have a friend that did three combat tours (lots of “backpacking” in the desert and mountains) to Iraq and Afghanistan in the same pair! If you remove the provided insole and replace it with a flat one, it is zero drop, surprisingly minimal, while still providing lots of protection. It’s foot shape is pretty decent, but still relatively “normal” looking. The footbed / sole is pretty flexible, especially considering the protection offered. It has a fiberglass shank (it pretty much needs to have an insole to cover the shank) to increase protection while still maintaining light weight (relative) and flexibility (again, relative). As a barefootish combat / work solution at a doable price, it pretty much stands alone. Admittedly, I’ve never tried the Belleville mini mil. Thank you again for, and keep up, the great work!
https://www.rockyboots.com/s2v/
Opps, it was late and I posted in the work boot thread, not the combat boot thread. Oh well. As I said, it’s not designed to be a “barefoot” boot, but it’s toe box is wide even if it’s “normal” shaped, and it’s one of the few options out there for really heavy duty stuff, once you replace the insole.
Jordan,
Thanks so much for this! I’ll check it out. Another one I’ve found (that I haven’t yet added to the article) is the Reebok Nano tactical boot. It looks to be a little lighter and less sturdy than the Rocky boots you shared, but I believe they are accepted by some branches of the military.
I’ve been using the Belleville Mini-Mils for a couple years now. I like them a lot.
Only problem is I’m going back to a shop that requires a safety toe and it is straight up impossible to find minimalist boots with a safety toe. I’ve been searching for years and nothing I’ve found would work for the military. Very disappointing.
Thanks so much for all the great inputs. My family and I have been wearing barefoot shoes for quite a while now and your homepage is a great source of inspiration. Do you have any idea or recommendation for surgical shoes in barefoot style? I work in the operating room and haven’t been able to find any good barefoot type shoes for work.
I am not familiar with what would be required in a surgical shoe. Do they need to be non slip? The Xero Prio All Day SR might be a good one to check out.
Was wondering if there are any slip on style barefoot work boots that you know of, something more reminiscent of Blundstones Chelsea work boot look is what I’m after.
Hm, I think the Be Lenka Entice is the closest functionally to a Blundstone – they are more “built” and have a durable outsole. They’re not designed to be work boots, but more hefty than any other barefoot chelsea boot I’ve tried.
Hi! And: HELP! I got a few pairs of the Belleville Mini Mil for Jungle/tropical mountain work in South America. They worked well at first, but after a few days of heat and strain, the nylon webbing that joins the rear foxing/back stay with the pull loop COLLAPSED right over the insertion of the Achilles tendon/heel and is eating through my skin. Local cobblers are very capable but haven’t been able to come up with a solution. Local wide toe box selection is limited to two casual leather models, unsuitable.
Any idea on how to fix the issue reliably?
Much appreciated,
Dr. P.
Oh my! Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with this type of a flaw in shoes. Can that nylon be cut out? Or can you cover the area with moleskin so the webbing doesn’t go anywhere?
I know it’s quite late but I’d love to hear your opinion on the Danner Tachyon series as a work/tactical boot. I’ve been eyeballing both the Minimil and Tachyon but can’t commit to pull the trigger. It advertises itself as a sneaker like boot with a wider toe box and… I think(?) zero drop.
I don’t have any knowledge on the Danner Tachyon, but they look pretty similar to the MiniMil in terms of barefoot features. Let me know if it ends up being a good option!
Hi, I thought I’d give a little review of the Birkenstock boots since we’ve had 2 pairs in use in our household now. Both people need safty boots class 1-3 depending on their site of operation.
My daughter is a landscaping apprentice, outside all day, heavy work, medium amount of steps, all weather condition. The boots worked out fine until the 4 month mark when the leather on top of the metal cap started falling off.
The bigger issue was that they are not made for low volume feet / shallow ankles imo – not at all. She had blisters for almost 2 months and we tried everything from heel pads to taping the heels every morning. After the initial blister phase her skin continued to be aggravated the whole time she wore them even with 7 day intervals where she didn’t use them at all (and still taping her heels). At some point she just had to stop wearing them completely.
My husband works in security, so he walks 3 times as much as a regular active human I think, long shifts, partially outside but regular weather conditions no hard labour. He was happy with the fit and quality in the beginning, but after about 9 months the boots are falling apart in different places now. They’re ripping apart in the creaks on top, close to the metal cap and the soles are beginning to fall of, so the boots aren’t water or winter-proof anymore.
Which for the price is a little sad imo, his regular security boots are half the price & normally last about 1,5 years before they give in.
Needless to say, both won’t repurchase them.
Hi Anya,
Are there any companies that make zero drop/barefoot Cowboy boots. I would appreciate
any info you might have, thanks
The closest I’ve seen is from the UK company Conker shoes. You can get some cowboy-ish styles with buckles or fringe on a zero drop rubber sole. Decent toe box shape too.
Thank you very much!
I searched for a zero-drop barefoot shoe that offers toe protection for an hour.
Finally I have found your recommended shoes for hard work.