Why your feet hurt

Your shoes have been working against your feet

Tap a spot to see why it hurts.

A woman standing in the Meridian shoes, side view showing her hips, knees, ankles and the ball of her foot
  1. When your feet are tilted all day, everything above them adjusts to compensate.

    In MeridianYour weight spreads across the whole foot instead of the ball.

Nothing pressing. Nothing tilting.

What you get with Meridian

Trail grip and genuine width in one all terrain pair

1

Extra width for a genuinely wide foot

A segmented five toe front with a loose fit across the ball.

2

Level underfoot with an easy roll forward

Heel and toe sit level, with a gentle fifteen degree curve at the toe.

3

Grip that copes with trail and tarmac

A segmented lugged outsole with deep split treads.

4

A pair that survives the miles

One piece moulded rubber that holds its shape under heavy use.

5

Less fatigue on a long day out

A sweat wicking cotton footbed that cushions and supports the arch.

6

Cool and smooth against your skin

A flyknit upper that breathes while it holds your foot.

The details, if you want them

Style
Barefoot hiking and cross training sneaker
Shoe type
Trail and all terrain sneaker
Best for
Hiking, light trekking, gym, cycling, commuting, everyday wear
Upper material
High elastic flyknit with synthetic overlays
Lining
Breathable mesh
Insole
Cotton, arch supporting three dimensional footbed
Outsole
Wear resistant lugged rubber, one piece moulded
Sole profile
Zero drop with a 15 degree curved toe
Toe box
Extra wide, segmented five toe
Closure
Lace up with heel pull tab
Season
All season
Care
Spot clean, air dry

What to expect

The first two weeks

Your feet need a few weeks.

  1. Day one, wearing the Meridian indoors on a wooden floor

    Day 1 to 3

    A couple of hours

    Around the house.

  2. Stepping out of the front door in the Meridian for a short errand

    Day 4 to 7

    Half a day

    Short walks outside.

  3. Sitting outside in the Meridian after a longer walk

    Day 8 to 14

    Most of the day

    Take them on a trail one afternoon.

  4. Walking easily along a path in the Meridian

    Day 15 on

    All day, every day

    Wear them anywhere.

Why it works

What Meridian actually does for your feet

Overhead view of the Meridian showing its extra wide five toe box

Genuinely extra wide at the front

Five toe shape, so toes splay, no squeeze.

Side view of the Meridian showing its level zero drop sole

Level underfoot, with an easy roll forward

Heel and toe sit on one plane.

Three quarter view of the Meridian showing its lugged rubber sole

Grip that copes with trail and tarmac

Deep split treads bite into dirt and rock.

The weight

You do not wear your shoes. You lift them, about 7,000 times a day.

A normal sneaker adds a few ounces. Multiply that by 7,000.

11.5 oz per shoe

Weight you stop lifting, every day

0 lb

One shoe per step, at 7,000 steps a day.

Why this pair

Meridian against a conventional hiking shoe

In real use
Meridian
A conventional hiking shoe
Downhill
MeridianExtra wide front
A conventional hiking shoeNarrow, toes jam
Dirt and rock
MeridianDeep lugs, flexes
A conventional hiking shoeStiff shank skates
Through a step
MeridianA 15 degree curve
A conventional hiking shoeLands and stops
A long day walking
MeridianCotton wicks sweat
A conventional hiking shoePacks down by noon
Lifting your feet
MeridianAbout 9.6 oz
A conventional hiking shoeCloser to 11.5 oz
Warm climbs
MeridianElastic flyknit
A conventional hiking shoeLayers hold heat
A second season
MeridianKeeps its shape
A conventional hiking shoeAlready deformed
Off the trail
MeridianGym or commute
A conventional hiking shoeObvious boot style

Fit and anatomy

Shaped like a foot, not a wedge

Your toes should sit inside the outline, with room to spread.

Overhead view of Meridian showing its wide barefoot toe box

Put your foot on the insole. Your toes should sit inside the outline with room to spread.

It gives where your foot needs it to.

Room across the front, so nothing squeezes your toes together.

  • Extra widetoe box, room to splay
  • Zero dropheel and toe sit level
  • True to sizelace up, adjustable fit

No seam across the top, so nothing digs in.

Questions

Meridian questions, answered

What size should I order in the Meridian?

Most people fit true to size. Barefoot shoes can run a touch short, so if you are between sizes or have wider feet, size up half a size. Women use US Women's sizing and men use US Men's sizing, switched with the buttons at the top of the page.

What are the Meridian made of and what are they best for?

A breathable mesh upper sits over an ultra thin 4mm sole. They are made for warm season everyday wear, with a cushioned ergonomic feel that stays comfortable from morning to evening.

How thin is the 4mm sole and what will I feel?

Thin enough to feel the ground and let your foot move naturally, with just enough underfoot for daily pavement and floors. Combined with zero drop, you stand in a natural, level posture.

Do they need breaking in?

Very little. The mesh and flexible sole feel easy right away. If you are new to barefoot shoes, wear them for shorter stretches the first week so your feet adjust to the flatter, roomier fit.

How do I keep the mesh upper clean?

Wipe the mesh with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let them air dry away from heat. Do not machine dry them, since heat can warp the breathable upper.

How is the women's version different from the men's?

They share the same build and 4mm sole. Only the sizing scale differs. Pick Women or Men at the top of the page to see the right sizes for you.

What if they do not work out?

You are covered by a 30 day money back guarantee. Contact us within 30 days for a full refund. We ship to the US and CA.