Kate Harrington

Starting a new fitness routine, we test and compare barefoot gym shoes from Merrell, Freet, Xero, and Vivobarefoot for strength training in 2026, exploring which styles offer the best stability, ground feel, and fit.

With school shoe season fast approaching yet again we thought it would be timely to do a roundup of all our school shoe options for you. The choice of a school shoe is such an important one as your child will likely wear their school shoes for longer than any other item of footwear, often upwards of 35 hours a week. Opting for a barefoot school shoe is therefore critical to ensure that you don't restrict and compromise growing feet, which are vulnerable to external influences and moulding by tight, ill-fitting shoes.

Looking for barefoot shoes that capture the classic Converse style without sacrificing foot health? In this guide, we share the best minimalist Converse alternatives — including top picks from Peerko, Bohempia, Be Lenka, and Realfoot. These barefoot sneakers offer wide toe boxes, zero-drop soles, and flexible comfort for natural movement, all while keeping your summer style on point.

Ready to ditch bulky shoes and move the way nature intended? This guide to Xero Barefoot Trainers breaks down everything you need to know about Xero’s minimalist shoes for running, walking, and workouts. We’ll cover why people love training in Xero Shoes, what sets their barefoot design apart, and how to pick the perfect pair for your movement style. Whether you're hitting the gym, the trail, or just living life foot-first — this guide has you covered.

If you've been wearing barefoot shoes for a while, you’ve probably tried convincing friends or family of their benefits. Many are put off by the cost, the look, or the transition process.

Now is the perfect time to make the switch with our adults sale, offering lower-cost options to try barefoot shoes without the full-price commitment.

Check out our latest blog post for tips on transitioning to barefoot shoes or helping others on their journey.

As we wrap up 2024 at Happy Little Soles, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the incredible new barefoot brands we introduced this year and to look forward to the exciting additions coming in 2025.