Some time ago, I took a chance on these budget barefoot shoes. The big question is: After an entire year of backcountry adventures in them, do I still think these are the BEST shoes for backpacking? In short, YES! Today we're taking an in depth look at the ALEADER Barefoot Shoes from Amazon. Everything from basic features to wear n' tear from time on spent on the trail. Out of appreciation for the podcast that introduced me to the world of barefoot shoes, we'll be using the "SUMMIT Gear Review" format from The First 40 Miles.
Afterwards, be sure to check out the barefoot shoes episode (#144) of The First 40 Miles: BAREFOOT BACKPACKING
You can find the shoes being reviewed here on Amazon in both a men's and women's version. For reference, I wear a size 8 in most styles of women's shoes. With the women's version of these barefoot shoes, I can wear a 7 - 7.5 without and insert and an 8 with an insert.
Friendly Disclaimer: Everybody is different! Barefoot shoes meet my hiking needs and work for me, but that does not necessarily mean they will work for you too. Everything shared here is my own opinion from my personal experience with this product. I am not sponsored by ALEADER! I'm simply providing general info and anecdotes from wearing these shoes for backpacking.
Follow-Up Review Video
Original Review Video
Structure
These shoes are mostly comprised of a breathable mesh fabric. The textured rubber soles are intended to be slip resistant. These shoes do not have traditional laces. Instead there's an elastic shock cord. You can tighten and loosen the cord laces using a spring closure clasp. These shoes come with removable foam inserts / supports. The tongue is very thin and can be freely moved into a comfortable position. My favorite feature is the wide toe box. No more cramped toes! Unlike most footwear, which is narrow and tapered at the end, these are shaped like an actual foot!
Utility
ALEADER Barefoot / Minimalist shoes provide low support and a flexible fit. This allows for more natural foot movement. The shoes bend with your foot as you navigate over a variety of terrain. Due to the simple design and reduced support of these shoes, the feeling of walking in them is very different from heavily padded and cushioned footwear most people are used. Over time though, feet should toughen and strengthen. They are not waterproof. However, they are fast drying. The ventilation on these shoes is also very good, making them resistant to sweat and odor build up.
Mass
Both shoes together weigh 12 ounces. That's less than half a pound on each foot!
Maintenance
When it's time to clean up these shoes, I wash them using a small amount of free and clear dish soap. I rinse them until the water runs clear either in the bath tub or in a storage bin in the backyard. In my experience, they are machine washable as well. I recommend setting it to a gentle cycle. They are not dryer safe. Leave them outside in a sunny spot to air dry. Depending on the trail conditions and length of the trip, I typically wash them every 3 or 4 outings.
In an attempt to extend my use period with this pair, I put seam sealer around the sole-fabric contention. This is intended to delay splitting and separating along that contact point. I also replaced the original molded inserts with a flat $0.99 pair to protect the inner most layer from tearing. The "laces" can be replaced with any other elastic shoe cord (i.e. Kiwi brand)
*One viewer shared an excellent piece of advice: Use contact cement for for attaching new insoles rathe than super glue. They were so right! The superglue I used with this pair became brittle shortly after drying. The insoles I added tore off in pieces after just a few weeks. It also left a crusty residue inside the shoes along with chunks of leftover insole.
Investment
The price varies depending on the deals and promotions Amazon or the seller may be running at the time, but generally these shoes cost between $30 - $40.
Trial
I've worn these shoes on dozens of trails across a variety of terrain. Literally from cliffs of Grandfather Mountain to the dunes of Jockey's Ridge. I've worn them through both dry and wet weather conditions. After all of which I have to say, I still think these are the BEST barefoot shoes for backpackers on a budget.
While I highly recommend these shoes, they do have some minor faults. Here are a few shortcomings I noticed while wearing them. A recurring problem I had with them was the soles separating from the fabric. I found myself having to replace these shoes every 6 months or so because of it. The grips on the soles also wore down sooner than I expected. As this happened, I found myself slipping on wet and rocky terrain more easily. This is not a legitimate complaint, but these shoes are not German Shepherd proof. Both my dogs went through a shoes chewing phase when they were younger. One day, Barrett and got a hold of this budget barefoot pair and there was no salvaging them after. He ripped the tongue clean off the shoe, laces and all!
With backpacking comes heavy amounts of use and abuse on your footwear. The ALEADER Barefoot Minimalist shoes are still a great option, but they will need to be replaced more often than a traditional or higher end hiking shoe. A pair reserved for shorter day hikes only would have a much longer lifespan than ones taken into the backcountry for days at a time.
Thanks so much for stopping by! If you're wondering how these budget shoes compare to a higher end brand, then please check out my long-term review of the Primus Trail FG II from VivoBarefoot.