We are all familiar with hiking shoes. It's almost unimaginable to go on a hiking trail without one, well at least the ones where your feet don’t end up injured. But that’s the gripe with hiking shoes, they just typecast in a single role of hiking. There’s a very trendy alternative though. Enter the best minimalist hiking shoes!
Buying Guide- Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes
When it comes to hiking shoes, we are used to imagining something gargantuan and rugged looking. But there are hiking shoes that don’t look at all like regular hiking shoes but still get the job done. However, before you get on with your purchase of minimal shoes, you should consider the following:
Design
The design plays an important factor in minimalism. You want something that is not overt or rugged. One of the distinct characteristics of the best minimalist hiking shoes is that the design is not aggressive. You need to look for designs that are a bit toned down. Of course, this is completely dependent on personal choice, but it is better to take note of the aesthetics involved with minimalism.
Price
This is something that is not relevant with the minimalism aspect itself, rather something that you should take note of for personal convenience. You need to understand what your budget is. Depending on the budget, you can get different types of design as well as features in your hiking shoes. Some may be a bit gimmicky, but again, this is dependent on your personal preference and needs.
Outsole
Most minimal hiking shoes have very thin outsoles. For long hiking, having a thin outsole can create a problem for you. your feet might feel fatigued from long walks and uneven surfaces. The best thing to do is to get a hiking shoe that has sufficient insole support as well as arch support. That will ensure that your long hiking sessions won't be riddled with troubles.
Comfort
Even though we are talking about minimal designs, what matters more than anything is comfort. The shoes that you are purchasing, nothing else matters as long as they feel comfortable on your feet. So before you dive in and get a shoe, make sure the internal specs are something that you will be comfortable with.
Top 10 Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes of 2021
Image | Product | Features | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Whitin Minimalist hiking shoes | Simple design. Distinct rubber outsole Removable insole. | |
 | Xero Shoes HFS Hiking Shoes | Minimalistic design Thin insole and outsole Thin insole and outsole | |
 | vAstral TR1 Hiking Shoes | Think outsole. Anti-slippage High-quality TPU overlay. | |
 | Flarut Hiking Shoes | Fancy design. Toe box support Thick outsole. | |
 | Keen Voyageur Hiking shoes | Easy to put on. EVA foam on the midsole. Pod-like air mesh design. | |
 | Troadlop Hiking shoes | Perfect for long hikes Molds to your feet shape Molds to your feet shape | |
 | Merrell Hiking shoes | Vibram soles Ergonomic design Great footbed support. | |
 | Xidiso Hiking shoes | Trendy design Anti-slip outsole Large air mesh. | |
 | Weweya hiking shoes | Perfect for people with high arches. Easy to wear Ample heel support | |
 | Fandee Hiking Shoes | Easy to put on. Easy to put on. Soft insole. |
1. Whitin Minimalist hiking shoes
We will start the list with a pair from Whitin. This is a pair that caught our eyes simply because of its clean design. The top of this shoe is made of PU leather. If you are into environmental conservation, you’ll be glad to know that this is a completely animal-free product. The shoe has a lined air mesh on the top that keeps it well ventilated. The outsole has a distinct look to it which adds to its grip. The rubber insole is removable so you can easily clean it. Overall, this is a pair that gets the job done without standing out of the rest.
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2. Xero Shoes HFS Hiking Shoes
What's more minimalistic than naming a shoe company “zero shoes”? This is a pair that is perfect for road running. The outsole of the shoes is made to be thinner than most of the brands that you will see out there. This is done to assist with the running and mold to your natural foot curve. The top has an air mesh all around making them comfortable to ar. The heel of these shoes hasn’t elevated a well so you won't have any issue wearing them and running. The insole is as thin as 2mm so you can guess, zero shoes live up to its name of lightweight as if there isn’t anything in your feet.
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3. Astral TR1 Hiking Shoes- Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes
Here's another one that is simple in design but high on functionality. This pair from Astral falls in between the high cut and low cut range. The most obvious feature of these shoes is the outsole that is made of a 5mm lug with a traction design. If that wasn’t enough to secure your faith in them, you are also getting a G15 grade rubber which is known to be the best in class for anti-slippage. This shoe is partially waterproof with the air mesh working as a water strainer, so no matter the terrain, your feet won't feel the weather. The footbed is flat which is perfect for flat arch people. the TPU overlays look the part as faux leather and give the shoes their premium looks.
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4. Flarut Hiking Shoes
If you are into fancy design then this next one is for you. this shoe is made from a unique combination of fabric and synthetic. The top has a distinct design made of leather and rubber with a fabric mesh. The mesh however is pretty large ones so it's safe to say that ventilation on this pair would never be an issue. The rubber sole has a unique multidirectional design that gives it a unique look as well as strong support. The shoes are made to be convenient, lightweight as well as sturdy. There is also a reinforced toe box with this one which will ensure that your feet get the sufficient support it needs and doesn’t suffer from accidental shocks.
Overall this is a nice pair that certainly gets the job done in functionalities as well as the looks department.
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5. Keen Voyageur Hiking shoes- Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes
When it comes to hiking shoes, any line from Keen is an easy recommendation. They manage to find a unique balance between the looks as well as functionality like no other. The voyageur series for women is one of our favorite hiking shoes and this one for men simply lives up to that standard. You get a leather top with textile mesh made for airflow. The unique feature of this one, that we do not generally see on other shoes is the heel lock feature. So no matter what activity you are doing, your shoes have you covered. The insole of this shoe is lined with EVA foam so you will get a comfortable fit out of it.
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6. Troadlop Hiking shoes
Here’s another one that looks minimalistic and gets the job done. These hiking shoes are made with runners in mind. The outsole is just 4 mm thick making it a shape morphing shoe. the top of this shoe is made with elastic and fabric which feels soft to the touch. There is no dedicated toe box but the outsole somewhat wraps around your toes. The outsole is also slip-resistant and the company offers a unique 132% satisfaction for their products.
Overall, if you are looking for something that won't break your bank as well as look minimal, and can be used for different occasions, this pair can be a good choice for you.
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7. Merrell Hiking shoesll- Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes
If you are looking for something more upscale, then this is the one for you. Merrell is a very well-known n brand when it comes to hiking shoes. Their Moab edge series is a minimal take on the hiking spectrum of shoes. The top features a 3D printed mesh which not only looks perfect but also aids better in airflow through the shoe. The shoes are planted with Vibram soles which aids perfect walking or long hikes. The shoe sits between high cut and low cut and as a result, it comfortably matches with various use case scenarios. The contoured footbed also has organic odor control. This will help to keep your shoes from smelling even in long-term uses.
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8. Xidiso Hiking shoes
Xidiso is known for making quality sneakers. The company however makes minimalistic hiking shoes as well. Their shoes are made of synthetic mesh on top with 3D printed rubber. The design looks trendy and functional considering the amount of airflow. The breathability of these shoes is amazing and you shouldn’t have to worry about excess moisture or sweat. The outsole of the shoes is covered with anti slippage material. Another important aspect is the wide toe box shape. This somehow hinders the design element a bit but your toes remain protected.
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9. Weweya hiking shoes- Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes
Here is another low-cut minimalist shoe on our list. This one is from weweya, the brand known for making exclusive hiking shoes across boards. Their minimalist series comes with a thin outsole. The top of the shoe is covered with fabric which perfectly entails the air mesh to make the shoes breathable. One thing that stood out for us is the tongue-less design. Though this makes the shoes susceptible to pebble intrusions, that simply compliments the minimalistic looks of these shoes. The insole has arch support making it a perfect choice for people with high arches. Overall, this can be a good choice for people looking for a barefoot-style shoe that won't attract much attention.
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10. Fandee Hiking Shoes - Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes
The last one on our list is from Fandee. This is another well-known brand for hiking shoes as well as trail running shoes. The shoes have a synthetic top mesh that is highly breathable. This makes these one of the best minimalist hiking shoes for the summer. The shoes are also fitted with a soft insole that makes them comfortable to wear. The thin outsole makes the shoes highly flexible and you can wear them for various other activities, not just hiking. The rubber outsole has an excellent grip so you don’t have to worry at all about slipping and wet terrains. Overall, this can also be a good choice if you are looking for a shoe that will last you a long time as well as look trendy.
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Conclusion
We hope this article gave you a clear insight into what to consider before buying minimal hiking shoes. You can choose from our list of the best minimalist hiking shoes or find something more to your taste and preference. Either way here’s to happy hiking.You can also read- Top 10 Best Hiking Shoes for women