The Best Men’s Hiking Boot for Minimalists
Phil has always been a big fan of the minimalist shoe trend and quickly fell in love with the Vivobarefoot brand. So you can imagine he was extra excited when they announced a Men's hiking boot for minimalists.
For years Phil owned bulky hiking boots that were hard to pack and made traveling as a minimalist difficult. They were so heavy and took up so much space that a lot of times, Phil wouldn't even bring them on trips.
What's the point of owning a shoe if you don't even want to wear them? Yea they provided support and were waterproof but none of this is helpful sitting in a closet.
That's why the Vivobarefoot hiking boot is a minimalist's dream. It does the job of a hiking boot but it is easy to tow around. Phil loves them so much he wears them all the time.
And that's why they really are the perfect hiking boot for minimalist adventures. They are great for hiking but also great for every day.
Disclosure: Links throughout the Mindful Nomadics site may make us a small commission at no additional cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for more information.
Contents
About the Brand
As the name might suggest, Vivobarefoot makes a shoe that mimics being barefoot as much as possible. They are thin and flexible but give durable protection on the bottom.
There has been a movement in the fitness world leaning towards embracing the body's natural design without relying on too much support. Some athletes will train without any shoes in order to strengthen their ankles and arches in a more natural way.
Vivobarefoot takes the idea of barefoot training but with the benefit of a shoe. It lets you work on your natural stability without worrying about rock piercing the bottom of your foot.
Another cool thing about the brand is their mission to be eco friendly and sustainable. Some of their options are made from recycled materials and are even vegan.
About the Hiking Boot
Phil owns the Magna Trail Men's Hiking Shoe in black. They are water-resistant, vegan, and can roll up into a little ball to make packing even easier.
On their website, they are described as a "hiking boot designed to give you the most with the least" and we couldn't agree more.
The bottom sole grips well, especially for a minimalist shoe. Even though you can feel the rocks below you they aren't piercing or uncomfortable.
Why Phil Loves Them
Versatile
Back when Phil owned his old hiking shoes we had a weekend in the city after a hiking trip. Because his shoes were so heavy, it ended up being the only pair he brought.
This was fine until we made a fancy dinner reservation for our 5-year wedding anniversary. We ended up having to make a quick target run since his boots only looked okay when hiking and only hiking.
His Vivobarefoot hiking boots on the other hand look good for any occasion (okay..maybe not weddings). They don't look like bulky hiking boots but slim, black stylish boots.
He wears them to work dressed in business casual, with sweat pants during a day of relaxing and when exploring a new city. The boots work for just about everything.
Since we have a minimalist wardrobe, it helps to have a shoe that works for more than just hiking. We can own less and have more room in our closet.
Lightweight
What every minimalist traveler needs are lightweight hiking boots that take up little space, and folds up easily. Vivobarefoot hiking boots deliver on all of this.
We have yet to find another hiking boot that even comes close to Vivobarefoot. To find a hiking boot this slim that also offers protection and stability is a miracle.
Different Hiking Boot Options
The Magna Trail hiking shoe is probably the best option when it comes to minimalist wear but Vivobarefoot does sell a slightly more durable hiking boot called the Tracker FG Men's. It has a thicker sole and is completely waterproof.
There is also a waterproof boot option called Scott II Leather that doesn't have much grip on the bottom so this option might not be great for steep hikes. If you are wanting something mostly for city life with the occasional light hike this might be the best option for you.
Honorable Mention
We did want to give a quick honorable mention to one more option. Technically it's not a hiking boot but a trail running gym shoe.
After Phil had worn out the old hiking boots he had sworn off the hiking boot life. At the time all the options were just too bulky.
What he ended up doing was buying trail running shoes from Amazon. Obviously, they did not provide ankle support and were far from waterproof but the grip did help with hiking.
If you are not ready to go all-in with a hiking boot, a trail running shoe might be a good place to start. It is also a good option for someone who's not planning on doing many hikes but does the occasional paved trail in a park.
If you want a hiking boot that does the job without being bulky, Vivobarefoot is the way to go. Trust us, it's perfect for the minimalist lifestyle.
Phil wears his hiking boots to work, when exploring a new city, and when going on crazy eight hour hikes through the wilderness. Heck, what more could a minimalist want?!
Check Out the Boots from Vivobarefoot
* Vivobarefoot also sells a minimalist hiking boot for Women. We haven't tried them yet as Kelsey currently owns a different type of minimalist hiking boot but it's the next one on our list.
· Mindful Nomadics on Social Media ·
