r/BarefootRunning

Community Overview
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About r/BarefootRunning

A community of barefoot and minimalist runners.

The community at a glance

r/BarefootRunning is a Subreddit for Fitness Enthusiasts and Runners with roughly 81K members. It uses a forum format for communication.

Roughly 12K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Barefoot, Shoes, and Running. Common discussion themes are Advice Requests and Solution Requests. Product recommendations often mention barefoot shoes, running shoes, and sandals.

On Reddit
81K Members

Community Topics

Community Features

Forum

This community has a forum

Subreddit Analysis

via GummySearch
Yearly: +12K members
Growth: +17.2% / year

Member growth over time

All time (yearly)

  • 2013: 2K members
  • 2014: 1K members
  • 2015: 232 members
  • 2016: 968 members
  • 2017: 2K members
  • 2018: 2K members
  • 2019: 4K members
  • 2020: 6K members
  • 2023: 24K members
  • 2024: 13K members
  • 2025: 13K members
  • 2026: 6K members

Past year (monthly)

  • Aug: 1K members
  • Sep: 957 members
  • Oct: 871 members
  • Nov: 895 members
  • Dec: 1K members
  • Jan: 834 members
  • Feb: 841 members
  • Mar: 983 members
  • Apr: 955 members
  • May: 933 members
  • Jun: 805 members
  • Jul: 339 members

Themes

  • Advice Requests
    5 posts in the past month
    1. Need advice!! Developed foot problems after transitioning to minimalist footwear too quickly. Like, way too quickly. What did you do?
    2. Started actual barefoot running after years of injuries — looking for advice from experienced barefooters
    3. How to toughen up my feet
    #1
    Advice Requests
    Need advice!! Developed foot problems after transitioning to minimalist footwear too quickly. Like, way too quickly. What did you do? · Started actual barefoot running after years of injuries — looking for advice from experienced barefooters · How to toughen up my feet
    5
  • Solution Requests
    4 posts in the past month
    1. After 13 years living barefoot, I got plantar fasciitis... what do I do now?
    2. Help me find my dream shoes: waterproof minimal shoes with cushion but no arch support
    3. Do custom barefoot runners exist?
    #2
    Solution Requests
    After 13 years living barefoot, I got plantar fasciitis... what do I do now? · Help me find my dream shoes: waterproof minimal shoes with cushion but no arch support · Do custom barefoot runners exist?
    4
  • Pain & Anger
    1 post in the past month
    1. 1st day wearing barefoot shoes, leg pain
    #3
    Pain & Anger
    1st day wearing barefoot shoes, leg pain
    1

Topics

  • Barefoot
    100 posts in the past month
    1. Barefoot Running inquiry
    2. After 13 years living barefoot, I got plantar fasciitis... what do I do now?
    3. The term "barefoot shoes" helps sell shoes. That marketing term doesn't help you run better.
    #1
    Barefoot
    Barefoot Running inquiry · After 13 years living barefoot, I got plantar fasciitis... what do I do now? · The term "barefoot shoes" helps sell shoes. That marketing term doesn't help you run better.
    100
  • Shoes
    98 posts in the past month
    1. Another run showing shoes vs barefoot, with garmin charts
    2. Difference between "barefoot" shoes and running unshod
    3. Shoes, socks, shoes, barefoot
    #2
    Shoes
    Another run showing shoes vs barefoot, with garmin charts · Difference between "barefoot" shoes and running unshod · Shoes, socks, shoes, barefoot
    98
  • Running
    79 posts in the past month
    1. Barefoot Running inquiry
    2. Difference between "barefoot" shoes and running unshod
    3. Barefoot/Zero-drop for walking, traditional shoes for running: Any downsides?
    #3
    Running
    Barefoot Running inquiry · Difference between "barefoot" shoes and running unshod · Barefoot/Zero-drop for walking, traditional shoes for running: Any downsides?
    79
  • Shoe
    41 posts in the past month
    #4
    Shoe
    41
  • Barefoot Shoes
    35 posts in the past month
    1. 1st day wearing barefoot shoes, leg pain
    2. Will a vivo barefoot shoes fit my naturally flat feet?
    #5
    Barefoot Shoes
    1st day wearing barefoot shoes, leg pain · Will a vivo barefoot shoes fit my naturally flat feet?
    35

Flair

  • question
    40 posts in the past month
    1. Barefoot Running inquiry
    2. Joined the club (kinda)
    3. Bedrock Sandal Sizing?
    #1
    question
    Barefoot Running inquiry · Joined the club (kinda) · Bedrock Sandal Sizing?
    40
  • unshod
    17 posts in the past month
    1. Nothing hits like early morning runs when whole city is deserted. Anyone else enjoy doing this?
    2. Unbelievable how much your running form improves simply by taking off your shoes
    3. Doing things in your life without shoes is one thing. Running without shoes is a very different thing.
    #2
    unshod
    Nothing hits like early morning runs when whole city is deserted. Anyone else enjoy doing this? · Unbelievable how much your running form improves simply by taking off your shoes · Doing things in your life without shoes is one thing. Running without shoes is a very different thing.
    17
  • minimalist shoes
    9 posts in the past month
    1. Old vs new Xero
    2. XeroShoes Genesis sandals, closest to barefoot I’ve felt wearing anything
    3. 8 months of barefoot fitness, and walking/lifting/running so much better! Rewarding myself with some Tanuki’s for the summer
    #3
    minimalist shoes
    Old vs new Xero · XeroShoes Genesis sandals, closest to barefoot I’ve felt wearing anything · 8 months of barefoot fitness, and walking/lifting/running so much better! Rewarding myself with some Tanuki’s for the summer
    9
  • discussion
    9 posts in the past month
    1. I finally found the perfect shoes that are exactly like being barefoot!
    2. Zapatos de seguridad tipo barefoot
    3. Quality decline of Luna Sandals?
    #4
    discussion
    I finally found the perfect shoes that are exactly like being barefoot! · Zapatos de seguridad tipo barefoot · Quality decline of Luna Sandals?
    9
  • huaraches
    7 posts in the past month
    1. I ran 18:42 min 5K in sandals
    2. Anyone else building up their own sandals?
    3. Fans of Luna Sandals?
    #5
    huaraches
    I ran 18:42 min 5K in sandals · Anyone else building up their own sandals? · Fans of Luna Sandals?
    7

Product recommendations

  • barefoot shoes
    14 posts in the past month
    1. Best barefoot shoes for hiking?
    2. My dads (65) is suffering from knee joint pain in his old age, I suggested barefoot shoes as a possible 'remedy', but he has shown me his orthopaedic has explicitly stated barefoot shoes are bad for him. What's best for my dad?
    3. Best Minimalist Running Shoes – Which Ones Feel the Most Natural?
    #1
    barefoot shoes
    Best barefoot shoes for hiking? · My dads (65) is suffering from knee joint pain in his old age, I suggested barefoot shoes as a possible 'remedy', but he has shown me his orthopaedic has explicitly stated barefoot shoes are bad for him. What's best for my dad? · Best Minimalist Running Shoes – Which Ones Feel the Most Natural?
    14
  • running shoes
    8 posts in the past month
    1. best running shoe with zero arch support and enough room for toes to fully spread freely, but not 5 finger shoes as they dont fit my feet, and not sandals.
    2. Which Altra running shoes are best for daily use? I just bought the Olympus 2.
    3. Best shoes for running/weight lifting
    #2
    running shoes
    best running shoe with zero arch support and enough room for toes to fully spread freely, but not 5 finger shoes as they dont fit my feet, and not sandals. · Which Altra running shoes are best for daily use? I just bought the Olympus 2. · Best shoes for running/weight lifting
    8
  • sandals
    8 posts in the past month
    1. Best Sandal for Long Distance Train Running & Road Running?
    2. What’s the best barefoot sandals brand to you, based on performance and looks?
    3. I recommend @Earthrunners for sandals
    #3
    sandals
    Best Sandal for Long Distance Train Running & Road Running? · What’s the best barefoot sandals brand to you, based on performance and looks? · I recommend @Earthrunners for sandals
    8
  • toe socks
    5 posts in the past month
    1. Best size 15 (uk 48) toe socks?
    2. Best socks for five finger shoes for more cushion and more of an hermetic grip of the shoe over the foot
    3. Best toe socks?
    #4
    toe socks
    Best size 15 (uk 48) toe socks? · Best socks for five finger shoes for more cushion and more of an hermetic grip of the shoe over the foot · Best toe socks?
    5
  • minimalist shoes
    4 posts in the past month
    1. Can anyone recommend me a pair of minimalist shoes for OCR/trail running/muddy conditions in general?
    2. Looking to get Some recs for different occasions (uk)
    3. Looking for recs on minimalist shoes
    #5
    minimalist shoes
    Can anyone recommend me a pair of minimalist shoes for OCR/trail running/muddy conditions in general? · Looking to get Some recs for different occasions (uk) · Looking for recs on minimalist shoes
    4
View full analysis on GummySearchSynced 7/12/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who is r/BarefootRunning for?
Best for Fitness Enthusiasts and Runners enthusiasts looking for a Reddit-based community with forum discussion.
Is r/BarefootRunning free to join?
This listing is not marked as paid-only. Access rules and any fees are decided by the community.
How many members does r/BarefootRunning have?
Roughly 81K members, based on figures reported by the community or its host. Member counts are approximate and change over time.
What platform is r/BarefootRunning on?
r/BarefootRunning runs on Reddit. Reddit communities (or "subreddits") are forum-based groups on the popular social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website Reddit. Reddit is commonly known as "the front page of the internet". Users submit content to the site such as links, text posts, and images, which are then voted up or down and discussed by other members. From investing Reddit communities, to professional ones, to ones just for laughs, you're likely to find a community for you on Reddit.
What topics does r/BarefootRunning cover?
On the Hive Index, r/BarefootRunning is organized under Fitness Enthusiasts, Runners.
How do I join r/BarefootRunning?
You can join r/BarefootRunning by clicking this link, or pressing the "Go to community" button above.
What are the Fitness communities like?
One of the larger topic areas on the site, covering lifting, running, yoga, calisthenics, and pretty much every other form of exercise. Reddit has massive communities for general fitness and specific disciplines, with Discord servers for accountability and program sharing. Good for program recommendations, form checks, and finding training partners.
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Added 4/23/2026

Monthly Stats

8
Views /mo
(+167%)
8
Visitors /mo
(+167%)
0
Referrals /mo

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