Top 15 Best Minimalist Boots Reviews 2020

Looking for the best minimalist boots out there? Here is my rundown list of the most comfortable and barefoot boots for 2020. I included a guide showing the essential factors you need to consider.

Minimalist boots let you feel like walking or running on foot with a cushion foam or pad at level with the ground. Oftentimes, these boots are also called zero-drop boots or barefoot-like boots. It provides less cushion compared to rubber shoes but there is less stress compared when you are completely running on barefoot.

For trekkers and lovers of outdoors, choosing the best minimalist boots is a challenging task, thus, I have researched for you. In the next section, you will be reading through my list of the best minimalist boots in 2020. Likewise, I have also made a brief buying guide outlining the important factors you need to consider before buying your zero drop boots.

Check it out and enjoy reading.

The Best Minimalist Boots Comparision Chart

Since there are many options for us to choose, different minimalist boots will have different quality of materials and features. In this section, you will find it’s easier to look for the right choice of minimalist boot.

Top 15 Best Minimalist Boots Reviews in 2020

Finally, you are in my top 15 best minimalist boots for running, walking, and trekking. I hope you find the right one that suits your need and budget.

Best Overall: Sorel Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	13.7 x 11.2 x 4.8 inches
Material	Nubuck leather
Insole/Outsole	Removable insole, rubber outsole
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Padded cuff
• Cushioned insole, removable
• Large lugs on the rubber outsole
• Fine quality leather

Among the hundreds of drop-down boots I have searched, this one from Sorel has an astounding feature and comfort. For those who love a rustic and historical look in their boots, this one fits the price. Its cuff has slight padding for a comfortable drop down the action.

Aside from that, its insole can be removed and has a good cushion to ease your foot on rough terrains. It has rugged lugs on its rubber outsole which can efficiently tract on any terrain. Moreover, its leather material is durable and can wick moisture and water splashes. Overall, this is one great minimalist boots for the price.

Runner Up: Tactical Research TR102 Minimalist Boots 

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimension	14.1 x 12 x 4.9 inches
Item weight	16 oz
Material	Cattle hide leather/Nylon fabric
Insole/Outsole	Slight cushion insole, rubberized outsole
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Cattle hide leather and Cordura Nylon material
• 2-mm midsole, and rubberized outsole
• Lace style locking mechanism

Here is my second best bet for your minimalist boots for 2020. This barefoot boots from Tactical Research have an impressive sleek black appeal which portrays a military-like design. The shiny coating over its shoe material highly contributes to its waterproofing abilities. It uses cattle hide leather and Cordura nylon for its main shoe body.

Its midsole can efficiently cut down shocks which provide excellent arch support to avoid injuries. Meanwhile, its rubber outsole exudes a reliable grip on wet and oily surfaces. The interior design of this boot snugly fits on your foot without compromising breathability and comfort. Its shoelace system looks scary but tying it would come easy.

Best for Rubber Outsole: Vivobarefoot Tracker Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	13 x 10.5 x 5.1 inches
Material	Leather
Insole/Outsole	Thermal insole, rubberized outsole
Waterproof	Good

Key features

• Soft paddings on the cuff and tongue
• Cushion insole
• Rubberized outsole
• 100% Genuine leather material

The rugged tread designs of the rubber outsole of Vivobarefoot boots provide its exemplary biting grip on smooth and tough road surfaces. It can effectively grip over muddy and wet surfaces without any fear of slipping. Overall features of this minimalist boot can sustainably support your daily walks, hikes, and trekking.

Its tongue and cuff have minimal cushion which makes it comfortable when placing your foot inside. Its toe box has enough wideness which can accommodate those with a wider toe area. The leather material of this boot provides a comfortable hug around your foot without being warm.

Best for Breathability: Altama OTB Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	11.5 x 7.91 x 4.61 inches
Material	Cordura fabric/Mesh
Insole/Outsole	Textured PU insole, aggressive rubberized outsole
Shaft	Varies depending on foot size
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Textured polyurethane insole for better water wicking
• Aggressive tread blocks on its rubberized outsole
• Fast lacing system
• Breathable mesh lining

The breathability feature of this Altama minimalist boots is surprisingly good for outdoor activities like trekking, cycling, fishing, and more. You can link its great airflow with its Cordura panels and mesh linings. No worries about corrosion since this boot has a protective coating on the metal part of its lace system.

If you will be often working and walking on wet, muddy, or icy surfaces, there are fewer worries about slipping since it has large tread blocks in its rubber outsole. The military design of its shoe fabric is a seamless fit for its aggressiveness on the outdoor condition.

Best for Trekking: New Balance MT10V1 Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	10 x 15 x 6 inches
Material	50% Synthetic, 50% Mesh
Insole/Outsole	Anti-microbial insole, rugged rubberized outsole
Shaft	4-mm
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Antimicrobial Acteva midsole
• Rugged rubber outsole
• Breathable nylon and synthetic leather
• Fast lace system

If you have been using a highly cushioned rubber or running shoes, then moving to a minimalist boot can take some time until you get used to it. This minimalist boot from New Balance has a low-cut design so that you can easily drop your foot inside. There is a padding on the cuff, thus, comfortable wearing.

The insole and midsole of this trailing shoe are good for supporting your heels and arch. Its insole and rubberized outsole provide seamless performance for your trekking experience.

When ordering this one, you have to choose a wider size if you have a wider foot. Moreover, the fabric material of this shoe comfortably hugs your foot without compromising breathability. 

Best for Women: UGG Reid Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Women
Dimensions	13 x 8.75 x 5 inches
Material	Sheep leather
Insole/Outsole	Leather insole, flexible rubber outsole
Shaft	4.5 inches
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Genuine sheep hide fabric
• Flexible and solid rubber outsole
• Supportive insole
• Smooth collar

This minimalist boot for women from UGG has a classic and sexy appeal, despite its outdoor features. Its boot fabric is made from dried sheep hide which has a built-in water-wicking feature. Moreover, it provides reliable protection from weather changes, especially during the colder seasons.

Its outsole is made from tough and flexible rubber which can reliably bite on smooth and rough surfaces. The insole is highly supportive of your arch and heels, despite its lesser cushion. Its leather material wraps your foot without making you feel warm. Likewise, its lacing system seems rare but it is easy to use.

Best for Water Resistance: Sorel Women’s Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Women
Dimensions	12 x 8 x 3.5 inches
Material	Leather and canvas
Insole/Outsole	EVA insole and midsole, rubber outsole
Shaft	8 inches
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Waterproof leather and canvas material
• 1-inch heel elevation
• Large lugs on the rubber outsole
• Rustproof hardware on its lace mechanism

For women, the best features to love from this minimalist boots from Sorel are its waterproofing abilities, good traction, and stylish design. The overall outdoor features of this boot can seamlessly protect your foot from the muddy and harsh outdoor

Considering its leather material and protective coating, it can fairly serve as your winter boots as well. It has a side zipper and lace system which you can unlock during the warmer season. The coating applied to its outer fabric increases its water resistance from splashes and muddy terrains.

The large lugs on its rubber outsole enable you to securely walk and hike on virtually all types of surfaces.

Best for Traction: Astral Hiyak Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Dimensions	13 x 9 x 5 inches
Item weight	9.632 oz
Material	Nylon/Canvas/Air mesh fabric
Insole/Outsole	Cushion footbed, rubber outsole with multiple sipes
Shaft	12-mm heel, 11-mm balls of the foot
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Comfortable footbed for greater balance and agility
• Flexible rubber outsole
• Nylon fabric and mesh lining
• Velcro strap and lace system

If you are looking for a good boot or shoe for kayaking or riding your boats, then this one from Astral Hiyak is an excellent choice. When riding on boats, the surface is expectedly slippery, yet the soft and flexible rubber outsole of this boot can effectively hold on.

There are multiple siping on its tread design which increases contact surface, thus, very little chance of slipping on the slippery surface of boats. The Velcro straps put on better assurance for the locking mechanism of its lace.

The material used for its fabric has good waterproofing abilities. There are also small holes on the toes and heel section to have a water drain path. Likewise, its synthetic nylon material still allows air to freely flow in and out from the boots.

Best for Colder Seasons: Columbia Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Women
Dimensions	11.85 x 11.55 x 4.59 inches
Material	Suede/PU/Furry collar
Insole/Outsole	Textured PU footbed, Rubberized outsole
Shaft	Ankle to arch distance
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• PU footbed, removable
• Omni-grip outsole traction
• Breathable and warm textile

The textile used for this minimalist boot provides sufficient warmth and snug hug for your foot on colder climates. Because they have taken out the sheep-skin insole from the previous model, it now has a zero drop-down function. With the warmth it provides, there is no need to wear your thick socks for winter.

The tread designs in its rubber outsole provide excellent biting grip for icy and light snow surfaces. Extremely safe to wear for winter. If you are to use this for the warmer season, you can just wear a light sock. Nevertheless, its fabric allows air to freely flow into the boots. 

Best for All-Around: Dr. Martens Tobias Minimalist Boots 

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	12 x 4 x 8 inches
Material	Leather
Insole/Outsole	Soft waffle footbed, rubber outsole
Shaft	6.5 inches
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Solid sole construction
• 6.5” shaft
• Soft cushion waffle insole
• Genuine leather material
• Rustproof eyelet on laces

For an affordable price, these minimalist boots can be your all-around boots for all outdoor and chores. It has a shiny black appearance which is pretty stylish and functional. Its genuine coated leather can sustainably resist water from the outside.

It has a wide toe box for those with a wide foot. You can easily work and tighten its lace to snugly fit on your foot. Meanwhile, there is slight cushion and support on its heel and arch.

Its rubber outsole is tough but with lesser large lugs. More or less, it has a balanced performance for paved and off-road walking, trekking, and hiking.

Best for Arch Support: Vibram Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	11 x 5 x 4 inches
Material	Leather Man-made
Insole/Outsole	PU midsole and insole, rubberized foot-like outsole
Shaft	Arch-high length
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Vibram patented insole
• Mid-high arch shaft
• Traditional lace system

This minimalist boots from Vibram provide a great feature for hiking and doing all kinds of chores. You can expect substantial arch support because its midsole has just thickness of polyurethane material.

There is enough height in the ankle which prevents rocks and other debris from falling inside your boot, the fabric material used is thinner which makes it more breathable and comfy.

Overall, it has great features that can suitable match your need for trekking, hiking, climbing, fishing, and more. 

Best Boot for Combat: Belleville Tactical Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	12 x 11 x 6 inches
Material	Nylon fabric
Insole/Outsole	Vibram insole, tough rubber outsole
Shaft	3.5 inches
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Vibram sole
• Nylon fabric material
• 2-mm drop heel to toe
• Cushioned heel area

The tough looks of this high-cut minimalist boots from Belleville have good features for hiking, trekking, climbing, or even running on low to medium speed. You can count on its waterproofing mechanism since its material is made from nylon fabric. For those with bigger foot and toes, fret no more as this one has a wide toe box area.

No worries about stitches falling off in just a few months, because this one has triple stitches on its seams. Short or high jumps can be inevitable when trekking, but with the padded heel drop, there will be less pain for it.

Overall, you can greatly rely on these minimalist boots. It has a sufficient balance on comfort and functionality.

Best Shoe for Working: Skechers Enron Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	13.2 x 7.7 x 4.5 inches
Material	Synthetic and Trubuck leather
Insole/Outsole	Memory foam, rubber outsole
Shaft	Arch-high
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Synthetic Trubuck leather
• Memory foam insole
• Rubber outsole
• Toe box made of alloy

When it comes to running and hiking, these boots or shoe from Skechers is truly awesome, that is, both comfortable and functional. The toe box of this shoe is wide enough for those with larger toes or feet. In terms of comfort, the memory foam insole provides sufficient cushion.

It is lightweight, great for lesser stress and strain on your foot and ankle. The padded collar and tongue provide a smooth and cozy feel when dropping your foot inside.

Meanwhile, you can also expect strong traction on both dry and wet surfaces because of its large lugs and deep grooves on the outsole. Overall, I find this as good working footwear for your daily works.

Best for Military Boot: Pany Summer Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Men
Dimensions	9.45 x 3.94 x 8.66 inches
Material	Leather/Breathable mesh fabric
Insole/Outsole	EVA midsole, rubber outsole, tough lugs and deep grooves
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Breathable mesh lining
• Leather
• Rubber outsole
• Basic lace system
• EVA midsole

The features admirable from this minimalist boots from Pany Summer include a padded collar, basic lace, wide toe area, padded heel drop, and breathable mesh fabric. The shaft of this boot is sturdy and flexible enough to provide excellent support on your ankle and heel.

The EVA midsole and insole of this boot exude just comfort for a barefoot experience. You can find it supporting your arch, preventing any foot injury on rough terrains. In terms of grip, the rubber outsole has large lugs and grooves which can fully take on muddy and rocky surfaces.

Best for Women’s Military Boot: Under Armour Stellar Minimalist Boots

Product specs

Genders	Women
Dimensions	11.2 x 9.3 x 4.3 inches
Item weight	13.9 oz
Material	Leather and Textile/Breathable mesh fabric
Insole/Outsole	EVA midsole, tough rubber outsole
Shaft	8 inches
Waterproof	Yes

Key features

• Natural Leather
• Nylon mesh lining
• Rugged rubber outsole with tough sidewall/EVA midsole

The best-selling point of this minimalist boots from Under Armour is that it is lightweight and comfortable. That being said, it does not mean functionality has been undermined. The natural leather of this boot can effectively resist water from the outside. Meanwhile, its EVA midsole can sufficiently wick off sweat and moisture, thus, keeping a cozy and clean environment for your foot.

Perhaps, the setback of this boot would be its removable insole because it is thinner than the usual. However, it is also the sole purpose for minimalist boots, since it allows you to have a barefoot feel when walking or hiking. Nonetheless, this Under Armour boots is truly a huge help for your casual and outdoor activities.

Buying Guide

After exploring the 15 best popcorn kernels, I would like to introduce to you some elements you need to consider to select the most appropriate product.

The number of kernels in one pack

Choosing the right amount of kernels per pack is essential when you want to make tasty popcorn for you and your big family. It is so sad if you run out of popcorn while you are watching your favorite program with popcorn on your hand.

Having excess popcorn left is also a poor idea. So you should carefully evaluate the number of kernels you need and read thoroughly the number written on the packaging of the product.

Packaging

There is no need to say that popcorn kernels are quite challenging to store. That’s why you will need a nice packaging to make sure you store the kernels safely. The kernel’s container with an airtight cover helps maintain the popcorn kernels’ freshness, so you should choose this one.

Moreover, you should choose the packaging with nutritional facts written clearly. Through that information, you can know the ingredients of the product and select the one that is suitable for your health.

Just Kernels Or Kernels With Spice?

There are various ways to make your popcorns and customize them to fit your taste. You can choose popcorn kernels without any oil or spice and freely make popcorn with your style. You can add olive oil, caramel, cheese,… You can also try some new recipes on the Internet to make diversified and tasty popcorn.

On the condition that you do not have much time or you are too tired to carry many tasks. You should buy popcorn kernels with spice and salt added. Everything will become more accessible and more convenient for you. 

Moreover, the producer pre-measures the amount of spice, salt, and kernels for you already. You don’t need to be confused about how much salt or seasoning to add-in anymore.

Types Of Popcorn Kernels

Popcorn kernels have two main types: mushroom and butterfly kernels. These two types are based on the shape and figure of the popcorn after popping the kernels.

Butterfly kernels will give you popcorn with many wings, and they look like the butterfly. You usually see butterfly kernels in the movie theaters or stadiums.

The shape of popcorn made from mushroom kernels is more significant, ball-molded, and less delicate. If you like to enjoy popcorn with caramel, cheddar, or chocolate on it, the mushroom kernel is a perfect choice.

We can also divide popcorn kernels by color and size. There are many different colors of popcorn kernels such as: yellow, white, red, blue,…With size, there are small and large popcorn kernels that give you plenty of choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Besides the buying guides, I also include the FAQ part. I answer some frequently asked questions in this part. Go through all of these questions, and there will be no problem in finding the best popcorn kernels anymore.

What is the best home popping recipe? 

Put oil and three unpopped kernels into the popper with medium heat. When these three kernels pop, put the rest of unpopped kernels in as quick as you can and go on popping. This process helps you pop kernels faster and better.

Why sometimes you make mushrooms popcorn, but it looks like butterfly popcorn?

It is quite tricky to make popcorn with mushroom kernels as you have to meet the exact heat requirements. You can have the best result with the oil of 450 F degrees. If the oil is not heated enough, you can not make popcorn with the ball shape but end up with the standard butterfly shape.

How can you store popcorn kernels?

You should store your kernels in a dry, dark, cool place, and you should choose the container with an airtight cover.

1 lb of popcorn kernels give you how many cups of popcorn?

You can get about 68 cups of popcorn when you pop 1lb of popcorn kernels.

How can you color popcorn kernels?

You can use food coloring, the one that you usually use when you make cakes.

My Top Pick

Minimalist boots for this article would be the SOREL Minimalist Boots. There are four main reasons why I am choosing this boot, that is, classic design, effective traction, water resistance, and comfortable insole. Nonetheless, the final decision still rests on you.

If you think your friends, relatives, or colleague would find this article useful, please refer this to them. Should you like to make a comment or suggestion, please feel free to write that down on the comment section.

Thank you!