5 Amazing Barefoot Shoes with Arch Support

Are you looking for the best barefoot shoes with arch support? Over the years, more and more people are warming up to the idea of walking in barefoot shoes.

These shoes simply imitate being as close to the ground as possible and they mimic what it would be like to walk barefoot.

The reason why these shoes have been growing in popularity is because of the numerous benefit that walking barefoot has. 

In times past, people walked barefoot and this meant that they could grasp the ground beneath them more firmly. Babies are encouraged to walk without shoes when they are first finding their feet.

5 Amazing Barefoot Shoes with Arch Support

Image Name What we Like URL
Vivobarefoot Men's Tracker FG
Vivobarefoot Men's Tracker FG 100% leather Hydro -guard lining Off-road lug Regulates heat Strong lace hooks.
Vivobarefoot Gobi II
Vivobarefoot Gobi II Minimalist Removable thermal insoles Lightweight. Durable. 100% Leather.
Be Lenka Winter High quality Water-resistant Ultra-flexible Great insulation Thin sole.
Merrell Women's Vapor Glove 2
Merrell Women's Vapor Glove 2 Good grip Lugged sole Foot protection Comfortable TPU material.
Xero Shoes Denver
Xero Shoes Denver Lightweight Comfortable Weather-friendly Healthy Simple.

This is because our feet collect necessary information from our feet and send that up to the brain so that we can react accordingly. When you wear shoes, this feedback is hampered. 

One of the things that a lot of people miss on the barefoot and minimalist shoes is arch support.

Having a minimalist or barefoot-style means that you are going for shoes with the least amount of material between your foot and the ground. But sometimes, in some ranges, this also means that the shoe will have no arch support. 

For some, this is a deal-breaker. However, there are options for barefoot shoes with arch support. Taking the step to start wearing barefoot shoes, means you are allowing your feet to be natural and do what they need to do. 

A shoe with good arch support, helps you maintain balance, and also reduces muscle strain. In this article, we take a look at the best barefoot shoes with arch support.

In a Hurry

Do you need a quick guide to buying the best barefoot shoes with arch support? There are a few things you will need to consider.

Most barefoot shoes come with no arch support, but its not all of them you can get barefoot shoes with arch support.

However, if you need extra arch support you can get shoes or special insoles that can help you get the comfort you need.

One of the most important things you will need to ascertain is how your foot is shaped and if you need to have arch support at all. Once you have established this you can start looking around for the best insoles for your barefoot shoes. 

Our Top Pick

We have done our research and found our favorite pick to be the Be Lenka Winter. These shoes are stylish, high-tech shoes that are also great in cold weather. They are made of water-resistant leather, which prevents the formation of water splashes on the shoe. They are also lined with merino wool which insulates the shoe well.  They have a wide toebox design which allows for a barefoot-like movement. These shoes have zero toe spring, they are thin and flexible, and they have zero heel elevation.

Round Up of the Barefoot Shoes with Arch Support

Vivobarefoot Men’s Tracker FG

Vivobarefoot Men's Tracker FG

The Vivobarefoot Men’s Tracker FG is very comfortable to wear on any type of terrain. You will not feel the rocky surface when you have the shoes on. If you want to feel the difference, you may have to put on standard shoes on a rocky surface, change the shoes and compare the experiences. It is made up of 100% leather that is thick and of high quality. The thickness makes it impossible for sharp objects to pierce through the material. 

The lace hooks are also strong. There is a light waterproofing material that can get rid of minimal water. However, it will not survive heavy rains. There is glue that connects the soles on the boots, but it does not last long. The fact that they have a wide toe box makes them comfortable. However, the shape looks funny to some users. The quality construction of the boot cannot be doubted, but with time it starts wearing off. 

The thermal insoles are quite impressive when it comes to regulating heat. The boot is good for both summer and winter. Chances are very high that during summer, they become hot due to the padding that is around the ankle and on top of this shoe. When they are new, you feel the stiffness, but with time, that will disappear. I recommend tough socks so that they match the quality of the shoe. 

Pros

  • 100% leather
  • Hydro -guard lining
  • Off-road lug
  • Regulates heat
  • Strong lace hooks.

Cons

  • Not waterproof.

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Vivobarefoot Gobi II

Vivobarefoot Gobi II

What makes it highly durable is the fact that it is made up of 100% leather. The leather is soft, which makes them comfortable and flexible. You can even shrink them as you pack them for camping.  However, the quality of the leather tends to vary from one pair of shoes to the other. It is rich in style and comfort. 

What makes them great in style is the fact that they can even be worn for fashion. They are highly compatible with casual wear. You feel more relaxed when you are wearing them. You do not feel more weight the moment you put them on. They are lightweight. What also makes them comfortable is the fact that the toe box is big. There is enough room for your toes to move around. 

The build quality is impressive. The boot has rubber soles that are thin, solid, and hard. This makes them durable enough not to get worn and torn in a short space of time. They give you a perfect experience as you step on the ground. As you spend more time wearing the boots, they do not lose shape. The sole tends to make some noise as you move around. This comes with time.

Pros

  • Simple
  • Removable thermal insoles
  • Lightweight.
  • Durable.
  • 100% Leather.

Cons

  • The quality of leather varies from one pair of shoes to the other.

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Be Lenka Winter

The Be Lenka Winter Shoes are made up of leather. They are made with the cold weather in mind. When it comes to winter, leather material gives extra protection, comfort, breathability, and durability to the shoes. The leather material protects the shoes from water. It is water-resistant, quick to dry, and easy to clean. The winter shoe is quite flexible. You will not have your feet or leg strain. You can walk a long distance filled with comfort.

 A wool lining complements the leather material as it gives you extra warmth. The wool lining gives you enough padding that protects your feet from getting sore. It allows breathability and overheating as it keeps you warm. The protective membrane that comes with the wool lining ensures that you are comfortable, warm, and dry throughout the day. The sole is slim, which makes the winter shoe light. You can easily and smoothly move around in the snow without the thick sore getting stuck. 

Although the sore is not very thick, your fur is still under protection from water and snow. You can even add beeswax for extra waterproofing without any problems. I advise you to keep them dry not to have a negative impression of the shoe. When you are wearing the boots, you do not feel the heaviness you get from other standard shoes. As much as the sore protects the user from some unfavorable terrains, you still feel the texture of the surface you are walking over. The toe box gives your feet an allowance of free movement to the toes. The shoe has zero heel elevation, and this contributes to comfort.

Pros

  • High quality
  • Water-resistant
  • Ultra-flexible
  • Great insulation
  • Thin sole.

Cons

  • It can be uncomfortable on rocky surfaces. 

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Merrell Women’s Vapor Glove 2

Merrell Women's Vapor Glove 2

When it comes to a trail running shoe, there are numerous factors to consider that make it impressive. These include good grip, lugged soles, and foot protection. The shoe was made with the trail runner in mind as it comes with the bare-foot style in a mesh. The mesh material gives the shoe breathability. No matter the distance that you are going to cover, all the sweat is dealt away with. 

You will not experience wet shoes out of sweat. They will not become slippery, which causes discomfort, and you might even slip your feet out. The TPU material that comes on the Merrell trailing shoe makes sure that the outsole is very lightweight. This makes it last longer and easy to use since the shoe’s weight will not compromise your performance. Chances are very slim that your shoes will split quickly if they ever get in contact with any chemical or oil. 

The traditional lace closure gives you the allowance to make your shoes tight. You can adjust them until you feel both secure and comfortable. There is great cushioning that can hardly be noticed or felt. The fact that the shoe does not have a heel-to-toe drop makes it more comfortable. Your foot feels so comfortable that it will not have a high-heel that will strain the heel. I advise that you wash the shoe in cold water so that the mesh material will not be affected. It has to stay intact and in shape.

Pros

  • Good grip
  • Lugged sole
  • Foot protection
  • Comfortable
  • TPU material.

Cons

  • The mesh gets holes with time.

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Xero Shoes Denver 

Xero Shoes Denver

What makes the Xero Shoes Denver shoe unique is that it feels like your natural feet when you are walking. What makes this possible is the 5mm FeelTrue rubber sole that makes you safely feel the surface. It protects your feet from any harsh terrain. It is so flexible that it allows your feet to bend and flex in any way. 

The wide toe box allows your feet to move freely without being tightly closed inside the shoe. The heel is not elevated, which gives you the freedom for a great posture. Your stability is ensured as you maneuver smoothly. Your feet are given the freedom to be flexible and comfortable as you hit the road. The flannel lining also gives you sufficient comfort. The shoe is water-resistant. It has a lining that keeps you warm. 

What makes the shoe weather-friendly is that it keeps you warm in winter and keeps you dry on a rainy day. It is not only the lining that keeps you warm but also the heat-reflecting insole. However, the insole tends to move backward as you move around. This causes discomfort to the user. The fact that it is not made up of any animal skin makes it healthy. Some users react or have certain allergies associated with animals. In this case, you are safe.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Weather-friendly
  • Healthy
  • Simple.

Cons

  • The heat-reflecting insoles move backward in the shoe as you walk.

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Buyer’s Guide

Is arch support necessary in shoes?

foot pain is quite a common occurrence because we use our feet every day. Most foot conditions can be treated with arch support. It helps reduce foot pain and also makes walking and standing much more comfortable.

Arch supports in shoes help distribute pressure across your body and align your body. They give stability and balance.

Arch supports are a great source for balance and support and they can also improve your posture and balance which in turn can help lessen foot pain and problems that come with the imbalance and lack of proper support. 

Using artificial arch supports may be necessary if you have any foot ailment, and they can help relieve pain or prevent further damage to the foot. 

Another advantage that arch supports have, is that they lessen or prevent pain in the foot.

They also help protect your arches from collapsing. Once thy collapse, often the plantar fasciitis stretches out which could lead to painful foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis.

Is walking barefoot good for your feet?

Our feet have everything they need to balance and stabilize our bodies. Walking barefoot restores our natural walking pattern, which on its own is pretty perfect.

Mankind began wearing shoes to protect the feet. However, this did not negate the benefits of walking barefoot.

Walking barefoot gives you better control of your foot position when it strikes the ground. t improves balance, proprioception as well as body awareness. 

It also encourages better foot mechanics, which can lead to improved mechanics of the hips, knees, and core.

Walking barefoot will also help maintain an appropriate range of motion in your foot and ankle joints as well as adequate strength and stability in your muscles and ligaments.

You also get relief from shoes that don’t quite fit and cause bunions and hammertoes or other deformities. Walking barefoot also promotes stronger leg muscles that support the lower back region. 

Can orthotics hurt your feet?

Orthotics can be very useful and they are made to help your feet rather than hurt them. However, it is important to always make sure that you wear the right prescription.

Just like with spectacles, if you wear a wrong prescription you could do more harm than good to your eyes. If improperly prescribed, orthotics can cause pain and discomfort. 

Why are feet arched? 

The arches shape is designed similarly to a spring and it bears the weight of the body and absorbs the shock that is produced with locomotion.

The flexibility of the foot is what makes it possible to have everyday functions such as walking. 

How do you massage a foot arch?

To massage the arch of your foot, you will want to sit in a chair, cross the injured foot over your other leg. Put your fingers over the base of the toes of your injured foot and pull towards your shin until you feel the arch of your foot stretch.

Now massage the bottom of your foot, moving from the heel toward your toes. Keep this up for about 3 to 5 minutes. Start gently. Press harder on the bottom of your foot as you become able to tolerate more pressure.

Conclusion

Walking in barefoot shoes is great and has numerous advantages. However, if you are someone who needs arch support, then don’t just grab any minimalist or barefoot shoe.

Some shoes provide the arch support that you need. We have reviewed the top picks on the market, and we hope that this helps you find the best fit for you and your lifestyle. Happy shopping!

Hi there. This is Clare. Dave and I manage this site. We are outdoor enthusiasts. Most of the content is about products that we love using or have researched.
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