Footwear

Premium barefoot shoe with foot-shaped toe box, zero-drop sole, thin flexible construction. Recycled PET plastic, plant-based foam. 100-day trial period.

Exceptional value barefoot shoe with 5,000-mile sole warranty. FeelTrue outsole proven durable over 1,000+ miles. Industry-leading warranty.

Handcrafted in the USA (Oregon), these shoes feature one of the widest toe boxes on the market. They use high-quality responsibly sourced leather and Vibram soles, which are rare in the barefoot world for their durability and resoleability.

Wildling offers the most 'radical' minimalist experience with a unique split-sole design. The Tanuki model uses Washi paper (75% paper, 25% polyester), making it incredibly light, breathable, and naturally antibacterial.

The Xero Prio is the best entry-level barefoot shoe due to its 5,000-mile sole warranty and versatile design. It hits the 'sweet spot' of price and performance for those new to minimalist footwear.

Best premium neutral daily trainer. DNA Tuned nitrogen-infused midsole. HPR Plus outsole more durable than Ghost. Plush yet stable ride.

Industry-leading cloud-like cushion. Widened toe box from v13. Named 'best in test' by multiple outlets. Best true daily trainer of 2024.

The Superblast 2 utilizes FF TURBO+, the same high-performance PEBA foam found in elite marathon racers, but without a restrictive carbon plate. This creates a high-longevity trainer that maintains its energy return significantly longer than standard EVA-based shoes.

The Ghost 16 is the industry benchmark for reliability and transparency, featuring nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam for a more consistent ride. It is one of the few high-performance shoes with a certified Carbon Neutral footprint.

The Endorphin Speed 4 is the most versatile shoe on the market, combining a winged nylon plate for stability with PWRRUN PB (PEBA) foam for elite-level energy return. It bridges the gap between a daily trainer and a racing flat.

Tracksmith focuses on material 'purity' by using a thick Pebax footbed on top of a Pebax midsole. This 'step-in' quality is superior to shoes that use cheap foam sockliners, offering a more resilient feel over time.

Iconic American boot since 1908. Full-grain oil-tanned leather. Triple-stitch Goodyear welt. Factory resoling program. Boots from 1972 still being resoled.

Best value American-made Goodyear welt boot. MAXWear wedge sole outperforms competitors. Storm welt for water resistance. Many prefer over Red Wing.

The BuilderPro is the gold standard for heavy-duty work boots, utilizing 8-9oz work leather which is nearly double the thickness of standard commercial boots. It features a fully rebuildable and resoleable stitch-down construction, ensuring the boot lasts decades rather than years.

A legendary union-made boot that offers the best balance of out-of-the-box comfort and industrial safety. The MAXWear Wedge sole provides superior shock absorption for workers on concrete all day.

The BuilderPro is widely considered the 'gold standard' for heavy-duty work, utilizing 7-8oz work leather (double the thickness of standard boots) and a traditional stitchdown construction that is fully rebuildable. It offers unparalleled arch support through a hand-shanked leather construction rather than cheap plastic or steel shanks.

The ultimate 'daily driver' for tradespeople, featuring a Goodyear Storm Welt construction and the proprietary MAXWear Wedge outsole that reduces strain on concrete surfaces. It balances high-quality domestic leather with an immediate out-of-the-box comfort that many heritage boots lack.

The 2408 is a ubiquitous industrial workhorse known for its dual-density urethane sole that provides both durability and comfort. It is specifically designed for oil and gas or heavy industrial environments where chemical resistance is paramount.

A purpose-built industrial boot that combines a dual-density urethane sole with a Goodyear welt. This provides the durability of a welted boot with the oil/gas resistance and cushioning required for heavy industrial environments like oil rigs or machine shops.

Best overall hiking boot 2025. Vastly improved durability over X Ultra 4. Gore-Tex passed 10-minute submersion test. Only ~2 lbs for waterproof mid boot.

The 996 Vioz GTX is the gold standard for full-grain leather boots, handcrafted in Italy with superior Hydrobloc leather and a resoleable Vibram 3D outsole. It offers unmatched durability and water protection for heavy backpacking, outlasting synthetic competitors by years.

The Quest 4 GTX utilizes a unique 4D Advanced Chassis to provide the stability of a heavy mountaineering boot with the flexibility and weight of a trail runner. It is the definitive choice for technical terrain where ankle support and weight-to-performance ratio are critical.

The Mountain Light is the gold standard for stitchdown construction, offering a one-piece leather upper that minimizes seams and failure points. Handcrafted in Portland, Oregon, it is fully resoleable and utilizes top-tier Vibram Kletterlift outsoles and Gore-Tex waterproofing.

The African Ranger offers unparalleled value, featuring a double-layer leather construction and a genuine stitchdown build at a price point usually reserved for disposable boots. It is designed for extreme duty in South African conservation, prioritizing breathability and repairability.

The Renegade is a legendary 'all-rounder' that requires almost zero break-in time due to its Monowrap frame construction. It balances lightweight comfort with the structural integrity needed for moderate backpacking trips.

Best value in quality dress shoes. Goodyear welt with Horween leather, veg-tan welt. Quality matches $500+ competitors at $280. Founded by Alden family.

The Alden 975 is an American icon utilizing Horween's Color 8 Shell Cordovan, a leather that takes six months to tan and is virtually indestructible. Its 360-degree Goodyear welt and tempered steel shank provide unparalleled structural integrity and support.

Carmina offers bespoke-level finishing at a mid-range price point, using high-grade French calfskin and a closed-channel Goodyear welt. The 'Forest' last is widely considered one of the most anatomically correct and aesthetically balanced shapes in classic menswear.

The Park Avenue is the quintessential American dress shoe, featuring a 360-degree Goodyear welt and an extensive size range (AAA to EEE). It remains a top recommendation due to its massive retail footprint for sizing and its robust recrafting service.

The Park Avenue is the gold standard for American-made dress shoes, featuring a 360-degree Goodyear welt that allows for multiple resoles over decades. It uses premium fine-grain calfskin leather and a cork-infused midsole that molds to the wearer's foot for a custom fit.

The Alden 990 is an iconic American dress shoe made from Genuine Horween Shell Cordovan, a rare leather that doesn't crease and lasts a lifetime. It features a heavy double-oak leather out-sole and a tempered steel shank for maximum arch support.

Meermin offers the best entry-level Goodyear welted shoe on the market, utilizing high-end French calfskin from Tanneries d'Annonay at a price point usually reserved for glued construction. Their direct-to-consumer model eliminates retail markup.

Crockett & Jones is a legendary Northamptonshire maker providing a significant step up in finishing and leather selection over entry-level GYW shoes. The Hallam is their most popular straight cap oxford, built on the elegant 348 last.

Meermin is the undisputed leader in 'entry-level' high-quality footwear, offering a true Goodyear welt and French calfskin for nearly half the price of competitors. While the break-in period is notoriously difficult due to the stiff vegetable-tanned insoles, the durability is unmatched at this price.

Iconic cork footbed molds to foot over time. Deep heel cup + arch support. Podiatrist approved. Made in Germany versions last 30+ years with resoling.

The gold standard for orthopedic support, utilizing a four-layer cork and latex footbed that molds to the user's foot over time. It is one of the few sandals with consistent podiatric backing and a decades-long track record of durability and repairability.

Combines the legendary durability of the original Z-strap system with a top layer of ultra-soft PU cushioning. It is the premier choice for amphibious activities and heavy hiking where foot security is paramount.

The ultimate minimalist performance sandal, featuring a Vibram XS Trek Regolith outsole and a unique three-point adjustment system. It offers the best ground feel and foot security for trail running and technical terrain.

The gold standard for ergonomic support and material longevity. Its cork-latex footbed mimics the shape of a healthy foot, and the entire unit is fully repairable by authorized cobblers, ensuring a decade-plus lifespan.

The ultimate technical adventure sandal featuring a minimalist design with maximalist durability. It uses a proprietary Vibram sole and a unique three-point adjustment system that eliminates the 'flop' of traditional sandals.

Built like a tank with a focus on foot alignment. The Z/1 is famous for its 'ReChaco' program, where the brand will replace the straps and the sole, essentially giving the user a new sandal for a fraction of the price.

Specifically engineered for post-exercise recovery, using proprietary OOfoam technology that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam. It is highly effective for individuals with plantar fasciitis or joint pain.

Best overall shearling slipper. Impressive cushioning without sweat buildup. Malleable sheepskin molds to foot. Indoor/outdoor sole.

Glerups sets the industry standard for felted wool slippers, using a proprietary blend of 100% pure natural wool from New Zealand that is felted into a single, seamless piece. The inclusion of a natural rubber sole significantly extends the product life and utility compared to leather-soled alternatives.

The Grizzly is the gold standard for orthopedic support in a slipper, featuring a thick, anatomically correct cork and latex footbed. Its 100% boiled wool upper provides superior temperature regulation and structural integrity compared to soft-sided slippers.

Baabuk combines traditional Russian valenki felting techniques with modern B Corp ethical standards. Their slippers are handmade using just wool, water, and soap, resulting in a dense, seamless finish that is exceptionally warm and eco-friendly.

The gold standard for longevity, these are hand-sewn in Maine using genuine twin-face sheepskin and a Horween leather collar. Unlike almost any other slipper on the market, these are fully resoleable by the manufacturer, moving them from a disposable item to a lifetime investment.

Stegmann combines orthopedic support with exceptional material purity. Their EcoWool line uses wool sourced from small European heritage farms that is never bleached or dyed, paired with a sustainable cork and latex footbed that molds to the wearer's foot.

Glerups are renowned for their unique felted wool blend (Gotland and merino) which is processed without harsh chemicals. The double-felted construction creates a seamless, durable slipper that naturally wicks moisture and resists odors better than any synthetic alternative.