When traveling in summer, many people have a common worry: How many pairs of shoes should take?
Sandals are essential, sports shoes are also necessary, and perhaps a pair of lightweight casual shoes should be brought along as well. As a result, the backpack was filled with all kinds of shoes, which not only took up space but also added weight. Especially for backpackers, shoes are often the heaviest and most difficult part of their luggage to compress.
But do you know? A pair of barefoot shoes can almost meet 90% of the outdoor needs in summer. It not only enables your feet to breathe freely, but also greatly reduces the load pressure during travel, allowing you to go further and more easily.
Why Do Shoes Become a Burden on the Journey in Summer
The division of functions is too detailed
Sports shoes: To wear when running, hiking or walking for a long time.
Sandals: Wear when you are afraid of heat and sweating and need to be breathable and cool
Slippers: Needed in homestays, by the seaside or when taking a bath.
Casual shoes: They look good when you go shopping on a daily basis or when matching clothes.
So, for a short trip, you might bring along 3 to 4 pairs of shoes. Even if you only use one or two pairs, the rest will become a burden.
The design issues of summer footwear itself
Many summer shoes, in pursuit of breathability, often adopt mesh fabric and porous designs. Although this is cool, it also leads to a lack of support and protection for the shoes.
However, some shoes with good protective properties are often too thick and heavy, making them neither comfortable nor practical to wear in high-temperature environments.
The dual pressure of volume and weight
Shoes, due to their three-dimensional structure and the necessary material density, are often one of the largest and heaviest items in luggage. Bringing an extra pair of shoes might mean bringing fewer pieces of clothing or other necessities.
For backpackers who pursue lightweight, this is undoubtedly a difficult problem that needs to be solved.
Why Can Barefoot Shoes Be Used for Multiple Purposes
The design concept of barefoot shoes is minimalism and closeness to nature. It is precisely this minimalist attribute that makes it the most practical pair of shoes for summer trips.
Lightweight: 30-50% lighter than ordinary shoes
Barefoot shoes do not have thick midsoles or fillers. The soles are thin and tough, and the upper materials are mostly lightweight and breathable fabrics. The weight of a pair of barefoot shoes is often only half that of ordinary sports shoes.
Ordinary sports shoes: 400-600g each
Barefoot shoes: 150-300g each
This means that if you put a pair of barefoot shoes in your backpack, they will weigh even less than a bottle of water.
Breathable and cool, alternative to sandals
The upper of barefoot shoes is usually made of mesh or knitted fabric, which has excellent breathability. Even if you wear them barefoot, you won’t feel stuffy.
Many barefoot shoes can be directly put into the water and dry very quickly, which is equivalent to a combination of sandals and water shoes.
Free foot feel, suitable for long-term walking
Traditional sports shoes rely on thick soles for cushioning, but wearing them for a long time can “bind” the feet and make them prone to fatigue.
Barefoot shoes allow the soles of the feet to directly sense the ground, activating the arches of the feet and small muscle groups, making walking actually more effortless.
Simple appearance, can be daily match
Many barefoot shoes have a minimalist appearance similar to sports or casual shoes, which can not only meet outdoor needs, but also be worn daily in the city. Going out shopping, taking a plane, or going to a caf é doesn’t seem abrupt.
Substitutable slippers
When taking a bath or walking around a homestay during a trip, many people need a pair of slippers. Barefoot shoes, being soft and lightweight, can be worn directly as “light slippers” without taking up any extra space at all.
Backpacking Lighter with Barefoot Shoes
For backpackers and frequent travelers, every gram matters. Barefoot shoes reduce weight and bulk in three important ways:
Space-Saving
Foldable and flexible, barefoot shoes compress easily into a side pocket or mesh pouch. They take up half the space of sneakers.
Weight Reduction
Bringing one pair of barefoot shoes instead of sneakers + sandals + flip-flops can cut 1–2 kg from your pack. That’s a huge difference when walking miles with a backpack.
Multi-Purpose Use
City exploring: stylish and casual.
Beach trips: water-friendly, quick dry.
Light hiking: thin sole, strong grip.
Hostels or hotels: comfortable like slippers.
👉 For lightweight and minimalist travel, barefoot shoes are a perfect fit.
A Real Travel Story
Jacky, a travel photographer from Europe, used to bring three pairs of shoes on every trip: running shoes, sandals, and flip-flops. His bag was always heavy and inconvenient.
After switching to barefoot shoes, he noticed:
At airports and in cities, he could walk all day without pain.
At the beach, he stepped into the water without worry—his shoes dried in hours.
On light hiking trails, the thin sole gave him better grip and balance.
In hostels, he simply wore them like indoor shoes.
The result? His luggage was 1 kg lighter and traveling felt easier and more flexible.
Types of Barefoot Shoes Suitable for Summer Travel
If you plan to travel in summer, you can choose suitable barefoot shoes according to your needs:
Lightweight mesh fabric
The best breathability, suitable for city travel and daily travel.
Quick drying amphibious model
Suitable for seaside, drifting, and rainy season areas, it can be used as sandals.
Wear resistant outdoor style
The sole has strong grip, suitable for light hiking and mountain travel.
Minimalist casual style
The appearance is simple, suitable for daily matching, and it does not stand out when entering and exiting cafes and shopping malls.
How to use barefoot shoes correctly?
Although barefoot shoes have many benefits, when trying them for the first time, one should pay attention to：
👟Step by step
At the beginning, don’t wear it for a long time immediately. Start with short walks to allow your feet to gradually adapt.
🧦Match with suitable socks
In summer, you can choose thin quick-drying socks to prevent sweaty feet from slipping.
⛰Applicable scenarios
Barefoot shoes are suitable for urban activities, travel and light hiking, but it is not recommended to directly replace thick-soled hiking shoes for rock climbing or heavy hiking.
Conclusion: Summer Travel, Made Lighter
Summer travel should be about freedom and lightness, not dragging around multiple pairs of shoes.
With barefoot shoes, you can:
Reduce weight and bulk.
Cover 90% of your travel needs.
Enjoy breathable comfort in hot weather.
Move with more freedom and less stress.
👉 Next time you pack for a trip, leave the heavy shoes behind. Take one pair of barefoot shoes, and experience how lightweight travel truly starts at your feet.
🌿 If you’re curious about barefoot shoes or would like to explore which style suits you best, feel free to reach out:
📧 Email: barefoot@jinchenshoes.com
📱 Phone/WhatsApp: +86 199 3076 5088
🌍 Website: https://www.jinchenshoes.com/
We’d love to share more tips on lightweight travel and barefoot living. And if you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to share it with fellow travelers who value freedom and simplicity.
