My Honest Barefoot Shoes Review: Urbanroot

I’ve always believed that the biggest health changes don’t come from dramatic overhauls. They come from the small things we do every single day. How we sit. How we breathe. And, more importantly than most people realise, what we put on our feet.

Barefoot shoes have been on my radar for years. I think the idea makes complete sense. Our feet are designed to move, spread, sense the ground and stabilise the entire body. Yet for most of modern life, we lock them into stiff, narrow shoes and hope that an hour at the gym somehow cancels out ten hours of compromised movement. I’ve wanted to experiment with barefoot footwear not just for workouts or hikes, but for daily walking, commuting and gym sessions-  the moments that actually make up most of life.

That’s why trying I want to review my new barefoot shoes from Urbanroot today. 

Why Did I Choose Barefoot Shoes

Research consistently shows that barefoot or minimalist footwear can improve foot strength, balance, proprioception and posture. Studies have linked wider toe boxes to improved stability, while zero-drop soles encourage a more natural gait and reduce abnormal loading through the knees and hips. I think this is especially important for people who walk a lot or train regularly but don’t consider what their footwear is doing to their biomechanics in between.

I feel that the biggest benefit of barefoot shoes are that if your feet are allowed to function naturally for most of the day, your body doesn’t have to “recover” from bad movement patterns later. 

About the brand

Urbanroot was built around a simple but powerful observation: you can’t offset a week of poor movement with one good workout. While many brands treat barefoot shoes as niche equipment for trails or training sessions, Urbanroot saw a bigger problem... what they call the “health disconnect” of modern life. People spend 90% of their day in conventional footwear that restricts natural movement, then try to undo that damage in the remaining 10%.

One co-founder is a physiotherapist who sees, every day, how conventional shoes affect posture and alignment. The other is a former elite athlete who understands foot strength but also understands something equally important: if shoes don’t look good, people won’t wear them.

Let’s be honest. One of the biggest reasons people avoid barefoot shoes is how they look. I feel this is rarely discussed openly, but it matters. Many barefoot designs are functionally excellent but visually loud or overly “foot-shaped” in a way that makes people self-conscious wearing them to work, the gym or streets.

Urbanroot directly addresses this. Their designs are clearly inspired by modern urban life, with a subtle retro aesthetic that feels intentional rather than medical or extreme. I think this is one of their strongest advantages.

The Review: EZ01 Barefoot Shoes

I was sent the EZ01 Barefoot Shoes, and they immediately struck me as great shoes that I would actually wear. These are unisex, city-ready barefoot shoes designed for people who are active and walk a lot- just like most Hong Kongers are. 

Some of their key features include:

• Wide toe box for natural toe splay

• Flexible, zero-drop sole for natural posture

• Removable OrthoLite® drop-in insole

• 3 mm cushioning with a subtle 2 mm heel lift (optional)

• Ultra-flexible sole that moves with the foot

• Breathable mesh upper

• Vegan-friendly materials

• Designed for city wear, gym use, travel and daily walking

One thing I really like is that Urbanroot doesn’t assume everyone is ready to go “full barefoot” overnight. The EZ01 comes with a removable OrthoLite® insole that adds a small amount of cushioning and a gentle heel-to-toe drop. I think this is a smart decision.

For beginners, sudden exposure to a fully flat, ultra-thin sole can feel intimidating or even uncomfortable. This insole allows your feet to adapt gradually. You can wear the shoes with the insole at first, then remove it later when you feel ready for a purer barefoot experience.

Feeling of Wearing Them

The first thing I noticed was the freedom in the toe box. My toes could actually spread. That sounds simple, but once you experience it, it’s hard to go back. I feel more stable standing, lifting and walking.

The sole is extremely flexible. It doesn’t fight your foot. Instead, it responds to it. During gym sessions, I felt more grounded during strength training. With the insole in, the shoe feels forgiving and friendly. Without it, the ground feedback increases noticeably, but never feels harsh. I think Urbanroot has struck a very good balance here.

Breathability and Comfort

The mesh upper deserves special mention. Urbanroot has clearly prioritised airflow. Even during longer walks or gym sessions, my feet stayed cool and dry. I feel this is especially important for daily wear, where overheating can quickly become annoying.

The shoes are extremely lightweight at 270g, flexible and easy to forget you’re wearing, which, in my opinion, is exactly what good footwear should be.

Style and Design

This is where Urbanroot really surprised me. The EZ01 doesn’t show that it's a “barefoot shoe.” It looks like a well-designed, retro-inspired sneaker that happens to be good for your feet. The design is similar to Adidas or Nike and their retro collection, which is super in trend at the moment. I’ve worn them for walking, gym sessions, errands and travel, and they never felt out of place.

These shoes are great for:

• People curious about barefoot shoes but unsure where to start

• Anyone who walks a lot during the day

• Gym-goers who want better foot engagement

• Travellers who want one versatile, comfortable shoe

• People who value both health and aesthetics

Overall Impression

I feel that Urbanroot has done something genuinely important here. The EZ01 makes walking and exercise more enjoyable for me. My feet feel more awake, more engaged and, over time, genuinely stronger. My toes feel like they’re doing the job they were designed to do.

I think if more people wore shoes like this for their daily routines, we’d see fewer foot problems, better posture and more comfortable movement overall.

I would absolutely recommend Urbanroot to anyone looking to explore barefoot footwear without sacrificing style or comfort. For me, they’ve turned barefoot shoes from a “health experiment” into something I actually want to wear every day.