Can you Bear(foot) the Cold? Barefoot Shoes for Chilly Weather.
In the past, barefooters have sulked at the end of the warm season, burying their no-cushion-needed shoes deep in the back of their closet so as not to remind them of better barefooting conditions during the snow, ice, and bitter cold of the winter months. This season, minimalist shoes include warm, insulated uppers (no mesh!), making barefoot shoes wearable year round.
Vibram FiveFingers has showcased the men’s KSO Trek in previous years, but this year introduced two new shoes with leather uppers for casual or active use. The Trek LS is a lace-up leather shoe that features retro sneaker style with enough warmth to keep those toes happy. The Bormio offers a five-fingered leather boot, allowing you to barefoot even the coldest of days while making your way to the office, lunch meeting, or coffee shop. No leather Vibrams for women just yet, but your best cold-weather option might be the Komodo Sport with some cozy Injinji socks for added protection.
Merrell launched a line of barefoot shoes sans separated toes last season and is continuing their minimalist revolution with more insulated styles to keep you protected and on your bare feet this fall and winter. The Lithe Glove for women and Sonic Glove for men features a softshell upper for the active barefooter, warding off the chill yet allowing your feet to breathe simultaneously.
While none of these shoes may be ideal for the 5 inches of fresh powder that might accompany your day, during the dryer, colder months a barefoot shoe with more insulative materials other than mesh will do wonders. Autumn and winter barefooting at its best is brought to you by Vibram FiveFingers and Merrell Barefoot. Stay warm and stay barefoot!