Ultimate Guide To Barefoot Hiking Boots: Vivobarefoot vs Xero Shoes Author: Teresa Attard Date Posted: 23 June 2026 Discover barefoot hiking shoes from Vivobarefoot and Xero Shoes online in Australia or at our Brisbane store. Experience natural movement and trail protection with these zero-drop, wide-toe-box designs. Barefoot hiking boots help get you closer to nature while facilitating natural movement. Designed to mirror the anatomy of your feet, they are at the extreme end of minimalist hiking boots - offering ultralight designs, thin outsoles and flexibility to bend in harmony with your feet. For bushwalkers and adventure seekers, this means feeling more of the trail - providing an invigorating sensory experience whether it’s densely packed dirt, gravel paths or sandy stretches beneath your feet. The best barefoot hiking shoes offer a balance between protection and staying honest to the barefoot philosophy - allowing you to engage your feet fully, adapt to changing terrain and become stronger as a result. The benefits of zero drop hiking shoes apply not only to your off-road adventures, but can be felt in your everyday life as stronger feet and calves are often less susceptible to injury and can help you move more confidently. You’ll also notice mentally you’re more aware of your body, conscious in your movement and may experience the world around you in a totally different way - by feel. Today, you’ll learn why barefoot shoes are becoming increasingly popular in the world of hiking, how to transition to them safely and whether Vivobarefoot or Xero Shoes offer the right fit for you. What Are Barefoot Hiking Shoes Good For? Barefoot hiking shoes are ideal if you prefer increased ground feedback, a closer, more controlled connection to the environment and absolute freedom of movement. Without additional cushioning and stability features like arch support, they encourage the natural strengthening of your feet over time. Every time you lace up, they allow you to move more instinctively – increasing your balance and proprioception (awareness of the position and movement of your body) to navigate gnarled roots and other trail debris confidently. Barefoot hiking shoes are designed to mirror the morphology of your feet with: Lightweight designs: Shedding non-essential weight, prioritising lightness and mobility. Wide, foot-shaped toe boxes: Allowing your toes to splay unrestricted for natural stability while accommodating the swelling of your feet during longer adventures. Zero Drop: Your forefoot and rearfoot are level for the entire length of the shoe for a balanced stride, with no elevated heel. Zero drop shoes reduce stress to your knees and hips, and increase the load acting on your calf muscles and Achilles tendons while encouraging a more natural posture. Thin, puncture-resistant outsoles: Offering full flexibility from heel to toe, working in harmony with your movement and supporting improved coordination while providing protection. (e.g. FeelTrue outsole of Xero Shoes) How To Transition To Barefoot Shoes To transition to barefoot shoes safely and reduce your risk of overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, there are some key steps to consider: Introduce barefoot shoes to your shoe rotation gradually: Don’t retire your traditional shoes just yet. Alternate between them and your new barefoot shoes - wearing your barefoot shoes for short periods at home or doing light activity - to give your body the opportunity to adapt. Wear transitional shoes: If you’re used to wearing running shoes with a high heel drop (12mm - 10mm), consider firstly transitioning to an 8mm - 6mm drop, then a 5mm - 4mm drop before investing in zero drop shoes. Low drop or zero drop shoes with cushioning like Altra help your body to become accustomed to a more balanced alignment before going fully barefoot. Walk before you run: Vivobarefoot recommends “a minimum of six weeks walking and working on mobility first, even if you can run long distances in cushioned shoes”. It can take up to 2 - 4 months to transition to barefoot shoes entirely. Start on soft surfaces: Wear your new barefoot shoes on soft grounds like grass before taking on harder surfaces to decrease the impact forces acting on your body. Aim For A Shorter Stride: As there is no elevated, cushioned heel, barefoot shoe wearers benefit from a softer, shorter stride that encourages a midfoot strike over a heel strike. Talk to your podiatrist: Barefoot shoes aren’t a one-size-fits-all scenario and may not be appropriate for every walker, hiker or runner. Your podiatrist can help provide personalised guidance based on your individual needs and injury risk, especially if you’ve been heavily reliant on stability running shoes or cushioned running shoes in the past. Check out Wildfire Sports & Trek’s full transitioning to zero drop guide for more information. Vivobarefoot vs Xero Shoes Alongside Vibram FiveFingers and Merrell, Vivobarefoot and Xero Shoes are two of the top footwear brands offering barefoot shoes - prioritising minimalism and mobility with a focus on foot health. Both brands have a strong philosophy of sustainability and natural movement - creating lightweight footwear including eco-friendly shoes to move as nature intended. However, there are some key factors that set them apart that can help you decide whether Vivobarefoot hiking shoes or Xero hiking shoes are best for your next trail adventure. What’s The Difference Between Vivobarefoot and Xero Shoes? Vivobarefoot Xero Shoes Best For True barefoot enthusiasts Barefoot beginners and longer distances Fit More secure, glove-like fit - snugger at midfoot More forgiving, slipper-like fit - spacious from heel to toe Sole Thickness Ultra-thin for maximum ground feedback Slightly thicker with more impact protection Vivobarefoot Shoes Are Best For: Above: Vivobarefoot Tracker II FG A ‘true’ barefoot experience: If you want to be free of structure to move totally unrestricted, Vivobarefoot should be on your radar. A locked-in, foot-shaped fit: With a snugger midfoot and fan-shaped toe box, Vivobarefoot shoes provide a balance of security and freedom of movement at the forefoot. They offer a dialled-in fit for most foot types with narrower heels and low arches - but may cause pressure points for broader or voluminous foot types. This non-slip fit is ideal for technical trails. Stylish designs for your active lifestyle: Many Vivobarefoot shoes are not only sustainability-focused, but style-focused, smoothly fitting into your shoe rotation. A more premium feel: On first step-in, you can feel the quality of the textiles with thoughtful stitching and reinforcements in high-wear areas. Thinner barefoot soles: To increase your sensory feedback and ground feel, allowing you to move more intuitively. Xero Shoes Are Best For: Above: Xero Scrambler Trail Low WP A More ‘Protective’ Barefoot Experience: Xero Shoes typically feel more protective while remaining minimal - ideal if you are taking on longer distances or are new to barefoot shoes. Roomier, More Accommodating Fit: From heel to toe box, the fit of Xero Shoes is forgiving for wider, high-arched, or voluminous foot types, and hug your feet with adaptive, stretchy uppers - reducing risk of blisters. If you prefer a roomier, deeper feel with lower risk of pressure points, Xero Shoes offer a fantastic fit - but may result in heel slip for narrower foot types. Affordability: Some Xero Shoes come at a slightly lower price point compared to competitors - making them ideal for those new to barefoot shoes to slip into this category. Thicker barefoot soles: Provide a worry-free formula of protection and proprioception, so harder surfaces are less impactful on your feet. Now, let’s take a closer look at two leading families of barefoot hiking boots - the Vivobarefoot Tracker and Xero Scrambler. Vivobarefoot Tracker Hiking Boots Overview The Vivobarefoot Tracker series offers a second-skin fit for hiking shoes that move in harmony with your feet, without compromising on protection. Alongside the Vivobarefoot Magna, they’re the flagship hiking boots of the brand. The Vivobarefoot Magna offers a more ‘hybrid’ design to transition easily between the concrete jungle of the city and natural environments, whereas the Vivobarefoot Tracker family excels on mountainous terrain, wet and cold weather and other wild conditions. Vivobarefoot Tracker Leather AT II Hiking Boot Best For: All-terrain, three-season hiking with adventure-ready ankle support. The Vivobarefoot Tracker Leather AT II hugs your feet in the protective, encompassing feel of a hiking boot without weighing you down or restricting your movement. Crafted from Wild Hide leather (from cattle that have had a life free-roaming under the sun), they are often considered the ‘do-it-all’ trail shoe in the Vivobarefoot lineup, with a robust build and reinforced in key zones. Why choose a leather hiking shoe? They provide a supple, protective barrier against wet weather, being naturally water-resistant without the need for GORE-TEX shoes or other waterproof membranes that can make conditions inside your hiking boots hot and humid. Vivobarefoot Tracker Leather AT Low II Hiking Shoes Best For: Ideal for hiking rugged trails with a low-cut profile for increased mobility. A sleeker, more minimalist version of the Tracker Leather AT II, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Leather AT Low II provides freedom of movement that seamlessly adapts to natural terrain. Crafted from ethically sourced Wild Hide leather with naturally water-resistant properties, they’re a playful trail shoe with a connected feel and all-terrain outsole. Like their high-cut cousin, they feature a removable thermal insole to help keep the temperature inside your hiking shoes just right - cool when the heat rises, and warm when the chill closes in. Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT II Waterproof Hiking Boots Best For: All-terrain hiking in wet weather, featuring a fully waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry without compromise to flexibility. The Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT II Waterproof are your go-to barefoot hiking boots when you’re expecting storm clouds or trekking through streams or muddy terrain. The non-absorbent materials of this hiking boot feature hydrophobic treatments and sealed seams to make it primed for wet weather adventures. It’s intended to be vegan-friendly; however, Vivobarefoot are transparent in the fact that the dyes and adhesives can’t be 100% confirmed to be animal-free. “I enjoyed the roomy toe box and natural placement of my feet, but I wouldn’t take these boots on a high-alpine trek while carrying a heavy pack… For shorter hikes, trail runs, strength-building days, and shoulder-season wanderings, the Tracker Textile AT II is a boot I'll happily reach for. They're lightweight… and make me more aware of how my feet move across the trail and, in turn, more intentional about my presence in outdoor environments.” - Karthika Gupta, Field Mag Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC Hiking Boots Best For: Technical hiking with ultimate traction on mud and rocks, on wet or dry terrain. The Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC (Extreme Survival Collection) is the leader of the pack when it comes to ultimate grip beneath your feet. Vivobarefoot have collaborated with Michelin for an outsole that provides trustworthy traction in most conditions. When the terrain gets tough, this is the Vivobarefoot hiking boot you’ll want on your feet - and thanks to the water-resistant materials, they offer breathability for long hikes and just-right weather protection without making your feet feel stuffy inside the boot. “For the first time in my 81 years, I have a boot that is flexible and foot-shaped. The boots were expensive, but well made and facilitating my ongoing ability to go on treks is priceless.” - Karin, Wildfire Sports customer. Vivobarefoot Tracker Winter ||| SG Hiking Boots Best For: Winter hiking, complete with waterproof treatment and a removable thermal insole for warmth and weather protection. The ultimate barefoot hiking boot for goosebump weather, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Winter ||| SG keeps your feet warm and cosy on your next trekking adventure with interior insulation and a waterproof leather upper. It’s impressively hydrophobic - keeping water out even when taking a shallow dip in a stream - while allowing your feet to breathe. The SG (soft ground) outsole easily bites into mud, slush and snow with a rugged, non-slip traction pattern - helping you move safely on natural terrain even in wild weather, without compromising agility. The aggressive tread means there is some sacrifice to ground feedback - however, it’s well worth it when the conditions call for a more aggressive outsole to prevent a hazardous slip. Xero Scrambler Hiking Boots Overview The Xero Scrambler series is a top trail shoe family for barefoot hikers with their easy-to-wear feel. Some hikers find they offer a softer, more flexible experience for a worry-free break-in period compared to the Xero Ridgeway line, like the mid-cut Ridgeway, which more closely resembles a traditional, rugged hiking boot. The Xero Scrambler family is typically better equipped at handling fast hikes on technical terrain, whereas the Ridgeway are sturdy for all-day exploration. Xero Scrambler - Michelin series The Michelin series is a selection of Xero Scrambler hiking shoes made in partnership with Michelin for mountain bike tyre-inspired traction. Technical terrain is where these hiking shoes shine. Xero Scrambler Mid II Hiking Boot Best For: Technical hikes where you need increased ankle stability and trail-worthy protection in a lightweight package. If you’re overwhelmed by choice in the Scrambler family, the Xero Scrambler Mid II is a versatile recommendation for the trail. With a feather-light feel, a hard-wearing and breathable upper to handle rising temperatures and to keep debris out, they help you breeze through technical hikes. Robust yet nimble, the mid-cut provides increased ankle stability, while the Michelin Fiberlite outsole delivers confidence on uneven terrain. Xero Scrambler Mid II WP Hiking Boot Best For: Technical hikes where staying weather-ready and sure-footed on challenging trails is critical. Wrapping a popular hiking boot in eVent BIO technology - a waterproof, bio-based membrane - the Xero Scrambler Mid II WP offers a snugger fit than the standard model and means you don’t have to hesitate when rain clouds close in. The Xero Scrambler Mid II WP hiking boot has made its mark on numerous best barefoot hiking boots lists, including on HiConsumption, which is committed to real-world product testing. “Surprisingly comfortable despite the thinner sole, the Xero Scrambler Mid II is a grippy, lightweight hiking boot that recently got improvements in terms of style and performance. The flat-footed design may take some time to get used to, but the natural build will do wonders on your gait and posture in the long run.” - Ethan Brehm, HiConsumption Xero Scrambler Low EV Hiking Shoes Best For: Hiking and trail running with a flexible yet tough ride and multi-terrain traction - think high-performance and greater mobility with a low-cut design. Low cut for unrestricted mobility, the Xero Scrambler Low EV (Evolution) offers just-right protection and structure in the lightest profile of the Scrambler family. The agile design allows you to shift the pace up a gear, while sharing the Michelin Fiberlite outsole of its mid-cut family members for confidence-inspiring traction. From soft trails to mild mud and dry terrain, it’s a worry-free option. “The Xero Shoes Scrambler Low EV is a minimalist shoe that doesn’t compromise on comfort, durability, or technical performance. It’s an ideal first barefoot trail runner, thanks to its removable insole and protective-yet-flexible outsole, and it continues to impress as your form improves and your feet adapt.” - Milo Wilson, Live For The Outdoors Xero Scrambler - Trail Series The Xero Scrambler Trail series is for the everyday hiker and backpacker - providing lightweight, long-distance comfort that feels natural on your feet. They don’t have the advanced traction of the Michelin series, however, they typically come in at a more budget-friendly price point. Xero Scrambler Trail Mid Hiking Boots Best For: Long-distance hiking in dry environments, with the breathability to conquer warm days outdoors. The Xero Scrambler Trail Mid is lightweight yet tough, with a mid-cut design for ankle stability and a durable upper with tightly woven mesh that can tackle bumps and bruises on uneven terrain. This lightweight hiking shoe keeps trail debris outside of your boot where you can enjoy it, thanks to a gusseted tongue for extra protection. The prominent lugs bite into rough ground effortlessly. Xero Scrambler Trail Waterproof Low Hiking Shoes Best For: Keeping your hike light, fast and primed for rain and creek crossings, with a design that blends waterproofing and agility. The Xero Scrambler Trail Waterproof Low allows you to naturally shift the pace up a gear on your hike with a low-cut design for pure freedom. Hugging your feet in a waterproof XeroTex membrane and gusseted tongue, you don’t have to hesitate when rock hopping streams, and you get just-right grip from the large lugs. Wrap Up When you're ready to take your barefoot shoe journey to the wild, it's important to select your hiking shoes with your environment, weather and trail conditions in mind. Both Vivobarefoot and Xero hiking boots have a following among nature and barefoot enthusiasts, but choosing the best trail shoes for you depends on your foot shape, personal preference and potentially the stage you're at in transitioning to barefoot footwear. Want to take the next step? If you're shopping online in Australia, take advantage of Wildfire Sports & Trek's Try 2 Anything upgrade, allowing you to try 2 or more brands, models or sizes with worry-free returns. Brisbane local? Get personalised fitting advice at Wildfire Sports & Trek in Brisbane, or contact our hiking experts - we’re passionate about teaming you up with the best outdoor gear and shoes for you. Happy hiking! About The Author Teresa Attard - Trail Explorer and Nature Enthusiast Teresa is passionate about lacing up and rejuvenating in nature. Located on the sunny Central Coast of Australia, on the weekends you’ll find her walking the golden beaches, hiking challenging terrain or baking trail treats for her next adventure. Teresa has been in the running shoe industry since 2012, believing in the power of running and walking to nurture positivity, creativity, and self-confidence that can be applied to everyday life.
