Hello, my name’s Andrew, and these are the Shamma Warriors, the best elite barefoot sandals for hardcore trail running.

Features

This summer I started trail running in huaraches for the first time with the Xero Genesis, and I loved the minimalist cord lacing, but it was a bit loose for steep rocky hills.

So I bought a pair of Shamma Warriors, and with the extra Power Strap, they’re easily the most locked-down barefoot sandals I’ve ever owned.

Upper

Because the Warriors have a wide, foot-shaped toebox with a slip-resistant footbed that’s textured for breathability, plus posts on either side to keep your heel in place.

Up top you’ve got a front cord strap and two velcro straps, along with the optional Power Strap, which are highly adjustable and lined with synthetic suede for padding.

Sole/Tread

Underneath the Shamma Warriors have an ultra flexible 5–6mm sole with a hybrid Vibram tread that’s grippy for trails but still flat enough for road running…

…and while the strap plugs are thick enough to take a serious beating, they’re also inset, so you don’t notice them.

Style wise i went with the rubber footbed, but Shamma also has a leather version and a bunch of different sole thicknesses and strap configurations.

Testing

When I first bought the Warriors last year, I loved them, but they had one major flaw, which was that the heel post felt a bit rigid and rubbed badly on my ankle.

So honestly I didn’t use them much until this summer when I fixed the problem by cutting the fingers off an old glove and putting them around the angle strap for padding. Genius!

Trail Running

Out on my first post-hack run the Shamma Warriors felt very similar to my Monk Ruivo’s and Xero Genesis, because they had the a great balance of ground feel and protection.

But sprinting up and down rocky hills the Power Straps and non-slip footbed were a big advantage in terms of stability.

Hiking

For hiking I tended not to use the Power Straps, since they were kind of overkill, although i could see them being helpful if you were backpacking through really technical terrain.

Casual & Roads

Also, while the Warriors can handle a bit of road running, I still preferred my thinner 4mm Vibram V-Trek’s, and for casual use I mostly stuck to my Monk Ruivo’s, although the leather Warriors would be a great option too.

Conclusion

Overall the Shamma Warriors are the toughest and most secure barefoot sandals I own for hardcore trail running.

Pros/Cons

Because the thin 5–6mm Vibram sole is extremely durable, the non-slip footbed is great for breathability, and the optional Power Straps create a solid lockdown.

However, the straps do require some DIY hacking, the heel posts a bit narrow, and the all-rubber versions can look a bit too sporty for casual use.

Alternatives

In terms of similar barefoot sandals…

Resources

If you’d like to support the channel, you can shop with the referral links above/below, or watch my Zero-Drop Transition video to learn more about barefooting.

If you have questions about the Shamma Warriors, or about barefoot shoes in general, let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading. Catch ya next time. Peace!