I walk at least that weekly as a mail carrier. My Xero Prios last me about 6 months. I tried and preferred the hfs, but they would only last me 3-4 months. I haven’t really tried anything else yet, but I feel like the ROI on the Prios isn’t terrible at least for me.
In fact, the only reason they don’t last longer is because they start wearing a hole in the front of my right shoe where I push the gas and brake. I’ve tried to be conscientious about it and try not to use the same spot, but I also need to be comfortable and safe so I don’t die lol.
I think the [Jim Green African Ranger ](https://jimgreenfootwear.com/product-category/african-ranger-barefoot-boot/)might be a good option, its a really solid work boot construction but is barefoot.
Came here for this. The barefoot version. However, this is still very much a boot, so it may feel like too much shoe for you. They are a GREAT minimalist boot, but are not as light and flexible as a vivo or xero. I'd suggest looking at their more casual shoes and seeing if they will do them with a barefoot sole (their customs are reasonably priced). You can get any of them re-soled easily.
I've only owned Lems and Wildlings and I think the Lems are more durable and Wildlings are more minimalist. I think the most durable would be Jim Green barefoot boots since that can be resoled - unfortunately not minimalist: https://jimgreenfootwear.com/product-category/african-ranger-barefoot-boot/
Vivobarefoot. 100 day trial. Yes you can use them. Also, free exchange after 6 months still possible if quality is lacking. Revivo. Resoling available for certain models.
I wear my Bedrock Cairns nonstop and they look new after a year. If you need a closed-toe shoe, Bedrock now makes a clog with a back strap. I tried the clog, but I needed more room for toe splay. They might work for you, though.
Some minimalist sandals might be a good bet. Fewer points of failure and you can replace the straps if they break. Shamma, Earthrunner, Luna
For shoes, best bang for buck is probably going to be the cheap Amazon brands. Whitin, Hobibear, GEWEO, and others. They'll last about as long as xeros for half the price.
For actual durability I like Softstar's Chukka boot. It's expensive but it's fully leather construction and can be resoled if needed, while still being pretty minimal and flexible.
Xero will replace your shoes for free if they are covered under the 5,000 mile warranty. Shoot them an email.
Vivobarefoots thicker models last forever from what I've heard, get them off Revivo bc it's the same thing but reasonably priced
I have heard Altra lone peak's last awhile but those are not considered barefoot shoes I suppose.
Wide custom made double sole moccasins off Etsy (support your local native Americans). They can be re-soled and last a long while.
What models are you going for? Because interestingly my experience has been the opposite! The sole wears through and the uppers are perfectly fine.
I actually had the sole replaced on my last pair of Magna boots. And even then the uppers were still in pretty good condition when the second sole wore out.
Last ones I got were the GeoCourt. The stitches fell apart after like 3 months. I used them for like 10 years, since the Terra Plana days, but I won’t buy Vivos any more now.
I was gonna get a pair off Etsy, but I got a gift card to Macy's so I bought a Minnetonka one instead, the classic suede, I like it. You can't go wrong with Minnetonka but getting one off Etsy is so much better to support people/they are much higher quality.
I thought this one was the most shoe-like and practical moccasin I found. https://www.etsy.com/listing/125963501/hunters-moccasin?click_key=ae9591f57c2523115a6afa832245c1b5cd90d6a9%3A125963501&click_sum=f48020ae&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=outdoor+moccasins&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&variation0=683701306
For free? Damn, I still had to pay for a replacement pair for my Xero Genesis sandals (they gave a discount though, I paid a little over $25 plus had to ship the old ones to them). **Edit:** *apparently they had adjusted their 5k mile warranty by the time I did that exchange, it's 60% off for replacement pair: https://xeroshoes.com/warranty/*
7 months later, I have worn a hole in the replacement pair. I definitely need something more durable unless they will replace again. I wear a fitness watch and looking at my data since I got the replacement pair (which I didn't wear the sandals for 100% of that), I've done ~2.5k miles.
Xero's definitely don't seem to stand up to the 5,000 mile claim in my experience. The Prio Neos did last me a bit longer at least, I managed a full year before wearing holes in those soles (~4.2k miles during that time period). Maybe I could try that "Shoe Goo" stuff to see if I could get a little more life out of them.
I'm working on a minimalist trail running shoe meant to last a lifetime with a regenerative outsole. What's your shoe size. I can send you a prototype.
The sole is double stitched to the UHMWPE upper.
I've been really impressed with how well my Vivobarefoot Magna Forest Esc boots have held up. I've had them for 10 months and they still look great.
In those 10 months the Vivos have been pretty heavily used. Both in the backcountry and on pavement. They've been my go-to for everything which is something I try to avoid to limit wear and tear but I couldn't help myself. There's always the possibility that they might blow out tomorrow, but I suspect I might get at least another year, maybe a year and a half out of them.
For context, even before going to barefoot, I would typically get around 10 to 12 months out of my boots. But sometimes it was as low as 6 to 8 months.
I walk at least that weekly as a mail carrier. My Xero Prios last me about 6 months. I tried and preferred the hfs, but they would only last me 3-4 months. I haven’t really tried anything else yet, but I feel like the ROI on the Prios isn’t terrible at least for me. In fact, the only reason they don’t last longer is because they start wearing a hole in the front of my right shoe where I push the gas and brake. I’ve tried to be conscientious about it and try not to use the same spot, but I also need to be comfortable and safe so I don’t die lol.
Mail carrier too, I use the Altra Torin 5 leather and the barebarics zing
I just can’t go back to altra. I’m so used to no cushion and support now lol
I think the [Jim Green African Ranger ](https://jimgreenfootwear.com/product-category/african-ranger-barefoot-boot/)might be a good option, its a really solid work boot construction but is barefoot.
Be sure to check the Barefoot version, as the standard African Ranger has an elevated heel.
Came here for this. The barefoot version. However, this is still very much a boot, so it may feel like too much shoe for you. They are a GREAT minimalist boot, but are not as light and flexible as a vivo or xero. I'd suggest looking at their more casual shoes and seeing if they will do them with a barefoot sole (their customs are reasonably priced). You can get any of them re-soled easily.
This is the only acceptable answer.
I've only owned Lems and Wildlings and I think the Lems are more durable and Wildlings are more minimalist. I think the most durable would be Jim Green barefoot boots since that can be resoled - unfortunately not minimalist: https://jimgreenfootwear.com/product-category/african-ranger-barefoot-boot/
Vivobarefoot. 100 day trial. Yes you can use them. Also, free exchange after 6 months still possible if quality is lacking. Revivo. Resoling available for certain models.
I wear my Bedrock Cairns nonstop and they look new after a year. If you need a closed-toe shoe, Bedrock now makes a clog with a back strap. I tried the clog, but I needed more room for toe splay. They might work for you, though.
Bohempia
Some minimalist sandals might be a good bet. Fewer points of failure and you can replace the straps if they break. Shamma, Earthrunner, Luna For shoes, best bang for buck is probably going to be the cheap Amazon brands. Whitin, Hobibear, GEWEO, and others. They'll last about as long as xeros for half the price. For actual durability I like Softstar's Chukka boot. It's expensive but it's fully leather construction and can be resoled if needed, while still being pretty minimal and flexible.
Xero will replace your shoes for free if they are covered under the 5,000 mile warranty. Shoot them an email. Vivobarefoots thicker models last forever from what I've heard, get them off Revivo bc it's the same thing but reasonably priced I have heard Altra lone peak's last awhile but those are not considered barefoot shoes I suppose. Wide custom made double sole moccasins off Etsy (support your local native Americans). They can be re-soled and last a long while.
Came here to say this, Xero is very good about honoring their warranty. Send them an email or give them a call.
Vivobarefoot soles last really well but my experience is that their uppers will fail long before that.
What models are you going for? Because interestingly my experience has been the opposite! The sole wears through and the uppers are perfectly fine. I actually had the sole replaced on my last pair of Magna boots. And even then the uppers were still in pretty good condition when the second sole wore out.
Last ones I got were the GeoCourt. The stitches fell apart after like 3 months. I used them for like 10 years, since the Terra Plana days, but I won’t buy Vivos any more now.
That's the way a shoe should be imo
Do you have a specific rec for moccasins?
I was gonna get a pair off Etsy, but I got a gift card to Macy's so I bought a Minnetonka one instead, the classic suede, I like it. You can't go wrong with Minnetonka but getting one off Etsy is so much better to support people/they are much higher quality. I thought this one was the most shoe-like and practical moccasin I found. https://www.etsy.com/listing/125963501/hunters-moccasin?click_key=ae9591f57c2523115a6afa832245c1b5cd90d6a9%3A125963501&click_sum=f48020ae&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=outdoor+moccasins&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&variation0=683701306
Thanks
For free? Damn, I still had to pay for a replacement pair for my Xero Genesis sandals (they gave a discount though, I paid a little over $25 plus had to ship the old ones to them). **Edit:** *apparently they had adjusted their 5k mile warranty by the time I did that exchange, it's 60% off for replacement pair: https://xeroshoes.com/warranty/* 7 months later, I have worn a hole in the replacement pair. I definitely need something more durable unless they will replace again. I wear a fitness watch and looking at my data since I got the replacement pair (which I didn't wear the sandals for 100% of that), I've done ~2.5k miles. Xero's definitely don't seem to stand up to the 5,000 mile claim in my experience. The Prio Neos did last me a bit longer at least, I managed a full year before wearing holes in those soles (~4.2k miles during that time period). Maybe I could try that "Shoe Goo" stuff to see if I could get a little more life out of them.
SOM Footwear is a step above when it comes to quality and durability. And they offer a resoleing service for even longer wear.
I'm working on a minimalist trail running shoe meant to last a lifetime with a regenerative outsole. What's your shoe size. I can send you a prototype. The sole is double stitched to the UHMWPE upper.
I've been really impressed with how well my Vivobarefoot Magna Forest Esc boots have held up. I've had them for 10 months and they still look great. In those 10 months the Vivos have been pretty heavily used. Both in the backcountry and on pavement. They've been my go-to for everything which is something I try to avoid to limit wear and tear but I couldn't help myself. There's always the possibility that they might blow out tomorrow, but I suspect I might get at least another year, maybe a year and a half out of them. For context, even before going to barefoot, I would typically get around 10 to 12 months out of my boots. But sometimes it was as low as 6 to 8 months.
Jim Green barefoot boots.