We stay on top of the latest footwear trends in outdoor sports and activities for our readers, and a recurring topic lately is toe shoes for hiking.
Specifically, there’s a lot of debate in the hiking community about whether toe shoes are good for hiking, and if so, what are the best toe shoes for hiking?
That’s exactly why we decided to put this guide together for you – we’ll walk through the best hiking toe shoe options, along with the pros, cons, and what specific things to look for when making your selection.
A head’s up here for those not in the know: Vibram has patented the five-toe shoe design, so understand that all toe shoes are made by Vibram.
The Best Toe Shoes For Hiking – Our Top Picks
| Best Overall Toe Shoes For Hiking | Vibram V-Trail 2.0 Toe Shoes |
| Best Toe Shoes For Hiking In Cold Weather | Vibram V-Trek Insulated Toe Shoes |
| Best Women’s Toe Shoes For Hiking | Vibram Spyridon MR Elite Women’s Toe Shoes |
Vibram V-Trail 2.0 Toe Shoes For Hiking
The Vibram V-Trail 2.0 toe shoes are our top pick for hiking toe shoes because they combine many of the key features you’re going to need out on the trail.
These toe shoes for hiking have a very grippy outsole, which is critical for stability on uneven terrain, and features lamination around the toes to prevent seam splitting, along with a durable upper material.
There’s also a mesh woven into the outsole to provide extra protection against sharper objects on the trail like rocks and roots.
Overall, these are a great combination of comfort, grip, and durability all while promoting stability and flexibility in varying trail conditions.
Vibram V-Trek Insulated Hiking Toe Shoes
The Vibram V-Trek Insulated Toe Shoes for Hiking are great for nearly all weather, as they’re lined with fleece all the way around on the inner.
The outer features a non-absorbent water shedding shell that wicks away light moisture, and they’re also more flexible and comfortable than previous insulated Vibram FiveFingers models.
These hiking toe shoes even have a protective film on top of and in-between the toes for extra protection.
Vibram Spyridon MR Elite Womens Five Toe Hiking Shoes
The Vibram Spyridon MR Elite Women’s Toe Hiking Shoes earned high marks in our reviews due to the MegaGrip outsole, which allows them to perform extremely well on wet and dry terrain while maintaining a high level of durability.
There’s a hook-and-loop cuff at the top which helps provide extra ankle stability while keeping mud and debris out, which is a nice touch.
These are water-resistant and completely washable, making them easy to maintain for years to come.
Benefits Of Using Toe Shoes For Hiking
Increased Proprioception
Proprioception is the ability to sense the ground beneath your feet while hiking, which also decreases the force with which your feet impact the ground.
Less impact force decreases the strain on your joints which helps to prevent injury and reduce soreness – two big benefits in our book!
Reduced Impact And Strain On Joints
As we covered above, the sensitivity factor of toe shoes on the trail will reduce your impact level, which will decrease the amount of strain placed on your joints.
Better Water Performance
Vibram FiveFingers dry quickly, and this is a big benefit when you’re hiking on terrain with water features such as rivers or creeks, and even puddles or on beaches.
Potential Issues With Using Toe Shoes For Hiking
Lack Of Ankle Support
Ankle support is a key feature of any good hiking boot, and unfortunately this is something that toe shoes lack.
If you are keeping your load light, this shouldn’t be an issue – just don’t go hauling a 50 pound backpack while wearing toe shoes for hiking!
Reduced Traction
Although the hiking toe shoes we reviewed in this guide all feature great gripping soles, they simply won’t perform as well as the larger lugs featured on hiking boots when it comes to muddy or slippery conditions.
If you’re planning on hiking a mostly dry trail, go ahead with toe shoes.
Adaptation Period When Transitioning To Hiking In Toe Shoes
If you haven’t work toe shoes or FiveFingers before while hiking, there can be an adjustment period.
Toe shoes simply feel different than pretty much any other shoe out there, and toe shoes don’t offer nearly as much support or protection.
Be sure to wear your toe shoes around the house and while running errands to get the proper feel for them before wearing your toe shoes while hiking.
What To Look For When Selecting Toe Shoes For Hiking
Waterproof Versus Breathable Materials
There’s a tradeoff for waterproof hiking toe shoes – the more waterproof the shoes, the less breathable they’re going to be.
Decide based on your expected trail conditions and season(s) you like to hike in if waterproof toe shoes are worth sacrificing breathability.
Fit And Sizing
Choosing the right fit for a hiking shoe is critical to your overall experience and the enjoyment you’ll get while hiking.
Choose a hiking shoe that’s too small, and you’ll end up with toe pain, while hiking shoes that are too big can cause friction and blisters.
Our advice is to always try on hiking shoes when possible, and walk around in them and pay attention to how they feel before you hit the trail.
Check out our in-depth guide on how hiking boots should fit for more info.
Lacing Options – Knots Versus Sliding Locks
The majority of trail running and hiking shoes have criss-cross lacing that you fasten using a bow knot, allowing you to modify the lacing and knot for different needs and comfort levels.
The downside with traditional laces is that they can become untied, which at best is inconvenient, and at worst can snag on debris or can present a tripping hazard.
Some shoes feature a sliding lock and quick-lacing system that you simply pull until you achieve your desired tightness.
They’re easy to adjust and require less fussing with than standard laces.
Sole Focus – Traction And Lug Pattern
The lugs on the sole of your shoes are essentially teeth that help you grip the trail.
Deeper lugs are better for loose dirt and mud, and shallow lugs will work better for dry and hard-packed trail conditions.
Intended Use (Keep It Light)
Simply put, you do not want to go hiking with a heavy backpack using toe shoes.
Hiking with toe shoes is best when trail conditions are compact and dry, and in mild weather.
Mobility Issues And Your Personal Needs
If you have issues that require extra ankle support, our suggestion is to stick with traditional hiking boots, as toe shoes simply don’t offer the same level of support.
Alternatively, some folks find the extra hearty ankle support in boots to be too much, so the flexibility and freedom of toe shoes can be a great alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toe Shoes For Hiking
Toe shoes are great for hiking in mostly compact, dry trail conditions.
If you’re hiking with a heavy backpack or hitting trails with muddy or other slippery surfaces, we suggest wearing hiking boots.
The best toe shoes for hiking are the Vibram FiveFingers V-Trail 2.0 Toe Shoes due to their great combination of comfort, grip, and durability, all while promoting stability and flexibility in varying trail conditions.
Wrapping Up The Best Toe Shoes For Hiking
Wearing toe shoes for hiking can be a great way to reduce joint impact and strain, and can increase your sensitivity to the ground around you, providing additional excitement and new fun challenges to your hike.
If you’re eventually aiming to go full barefoot while hiking, toe shoes are an excellent middle step.
Just be sure to choose the best toe shoes available, hike in the right conditions, and give your feet ample time to adapt, and you’ll be enjoying hiking in toe shoes in no time.