6 Top Split-Toe Shoes (Tabi Shoes) 2022
Want extra comfortable strides with the desire to feel the unique textures of different landforms? Separate toe shoes not only look fabulous in design but also fulfill their primary purpose. Companies design them especially in a way that the person feels he is walking barefoot. You can imagine how awesome it would be if you could sense the soft grass or sand without hurting your feet.
At first, brands manufactured them for hikers and camping activities. Gradually, popular footwear brands also began releasing split-toe shoes for athletes, runners, and parkour players. They help prevent ankle and knee discomfort. It might be challenging to select from hundreds of these shoes available in the market. Thus, I have tested and reviewed one of the best slipt toe shoes to help you choose according to your preference.
Split-Toe Shoes

1. Fila Men’s Skele-Toes EZ Slide Shoes – Best Design Slide Shoes
Fila is a well-known company for different items, including footwear. Men’s Skele-Toes EZ Slide shoes by Fila give a responsive and natural feel. With its simple yet excellent design, hundreds of people have loved this product. Let us see whether you are going to choose them.

The fabric has completely synthetic material, which leads to a strong, durable, and flexible upper. The sole is also of synthetic rubber to facilitate movement on rough or uneven land. Moreover, this product features a mesh with fabric to make shoes breathable and regulate air circulation. This feature keeps the feet fresh while running, exercising, or hiking.
The hook and loop closure type allows fast and simple adjustment according to the requirement, rather than lace systems in which one has to meddle. The inner is extraordinarily comfortable, and the footbed has sufficient cushioning to insulate the feet and keep them secure.
These shoes also have incredible resistance to water as well as shocks. It means you can quickly run on wet surfaces on rainy days or unsmooth areas without any risk of fall or slip. Skele-Toes EZ Slide shoes come in multiple color combinations. These include combinations of the black upper with contrasting midsole (such as orange, blue, etc.). The pull tabs over heels and midsole appear of the same shade.
Pros
- Lesser tread
- Easy fitting due to strap
- Lightweight
- High-quality synthetic outsole
- Suitable for the warm period
- Moderate price
Cons
- Not wide range of size
- Take time to adjust
I will highly recommend these shoes to those males who want to experience natural mechanics with split-toe shoes. These Fila shoes are ideal for running, hiking, training, and parkour, which involves intense acrobats. They are famous for supporting foot muscles and preventing pain.
2. Vibram Five Fingers Men’s V Alpha Hiking Shoe
Another fantastic pair of shoes I consider worth mentioning here is Five Fingers Men’s V Alpha Hiking Shoes by Vibram. These separate-toe shoes have minimal design and primarily function to protect the feet while on your outdoor trips and provide comfort.

These shoes have pure textile fabric and comfortable polyester material on the upper. The wool in the fabric increases air circulation and minimizes odor. The polyester is lightweight, has better elasticity, has a soft feel, and has high stress and temperature resistance.
In addition, the Vibram Megagrip element in the rubber outsole provides an exceptional grip on uneven surfaces and wet terrains. It also keeps the outsole intact and prevents wear out. High stability is another great advantage of Megagrip. For a snugly feel, 2mm foam cushioning is present in the insole.

Pros
- Lightweight body
- Various sizes
- Moderate price tag
- Highly elastic upper
- Adequate cushioning
- Washable in machine
Cons
- Not suitable for intense acrobatics
- Comparatively thinner upper material
If your job requires you to stand several hours every day or you love hiking or running or trails, these shoes might be a perfect option for you. Moreover, these shoes compensate for flat feet, so your feet won’t hurt horribly after performing certain activities. However, one must take care of them to ensure their long-term use.
3. Vibram Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoe – Best Lightweight Shoes
Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoes by Vibram give the most close-to-ground feel out of all the footwear on the list. Like other split-toe products by Vibram, they also have a combination of flexible textile upper and polyester material with mesh. Both of these materials contribute to the extremely lightweight body of the male shoes. PU offers excellent resistance to oxidation, weather conditions, and temperature.

Another significant addition is the XS Trek sole material, which offers outstanding traction, stability, and balance, thus resulting in enjoyable performances in sports. This compound also ensures smooth strides while hiking. The 2mm insole comprises EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) and Drilex.
Manufacturers commonly use EVA for providing comfort while running, and it does not tend to pull the feet down due to its less weight. Drilex keeps the moisture away, and its films allow breathability. So, one can choose to wear them on rainy days without saying: “Rain, rain go away”. The closure type involves laces that include a closure at the end for convenient fitting. They are available in different colors, including black, blue as well as in military themes.

Pros
- Suitable for foot conditions
- Secure fit
- Airy
- Easy adjustment
- Ideal for parkour
- Weatherproof and shock-resistant
Cons
- Not suitable for wide feet
- Insole requires care
In conclusion, Vibram’s Cross Training Shoes provide exceptional support in toe conditions. There is a high chance that you will be satisfied with them since they fulfill your needs while guaranteeing premium quality. I suggest hiking, jogging, exercising, and playing parkour with them.
4. 3T BAREFOOT MAX Water Shoe – High-Quality Durable Shoes
3T Barefoot Max Water Shoes by Body Glove are among the perfect and ideal minimalist tabi shoes. As their name indicates, Barefoot Max Water shoes are best for water activities and provide the barefoot feel with a simple yet stylish appearance.

The upper is made from 100 percent breathable synthetic fabric that provides better security to the feet. The outsole is synthetic rubber to allow excellent traction, minimum damage due to the environment, and better grip. The three-toe construction, which means lesser separation among the last three toes, offers the barefoot sensation. This design makes it convenient to experience the ground and results in easy adjustment.
The heel lift is zero, while the shaft height is low to give you better traction while hiking or walking near the beach. Furthermore, the upper features a broad strap with the loop and hook and customizable shock laces. It will allow you to put them on in no time.
The materials in shoe composition do not retain water. In addition, Integrated Drainage contributes to the free passage of water and air without keeping the water in shoes. These properties make this footwear highly suitable for water games and sports. Fortunately, they are available in multiple combinations with black color and have an attractive price tag.

Pros
- Do not burden the feet
- Perfect for wet surfaces
- Extraordinary traction on land
- Affordable
- Feature two adjustment ways
- Keep feet cool and dry
Cons
Unavailability of size 14
Require effort to remove sand
These shoes guarantee a minimalist design with high durability, suitable closure type, and resistivity to water and shock. They are perfect for hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, and other water activities. You can also select them for regular day use. So, if you are into these fun hobbies, you might want to consider these shoes for purchase.
5. Marugo Tabi Action Shoes Sports Jog II – Best For Women
Marugo is a famous Japanese footwear company. It manufactures various tabi shoes for women. One of the prominent products is Marugo Sports Jog II. Their availability in different colors, including classic black, white, and red, makes them more lovable. With their lightweight construction, they are preferable for routine use, sports as well as training.

The upper has soft cotton material in combination with mesh covering. They both contribute to breathable and comfy shoes. The rubber in the outsole provides a better grip on the ground, preventing slips or falls. This material also resists UV radiation. Thus these split-toe shoes are perfect for women needing a durable pair for jogging, running, and playing outdoors in summer.
The closure type is lace-up for better adjustment and a secure feel. The design of the shoes is simple yet attractive and modern. Women can conveniently choose them for work due to the minimalist formulation and black pair of shoes which makes them a perfect choice.

Pros
- Visual appeal
- Reasonable price
- Flexible and breathable material
- Support conditions, e.g., bunions
- Perfect for workout
- Suitable for workplace
Cons
- Less arch support
- Internal stitching causes discomfort
They give the best sensation on different surfaces while activating the muscles. These breathable shoes can completely replace the sneakers that you use daily. Due to their qualities, I will highly recommend them for exercising, routine day errands, and sports.
6. Rikio Fighter Ninja Shoes
Revive your memories of watching Ninja anime in childhood with Fighter Ninja Shoes by Rikio. The manufacturer is a Japanese company that fully understands the requirements of these shoes to ensure extra comfort. One significant advantage is that these separate toe shoes are unisex. It is incredible, isn’t it?

The outer material is cotton knit material that allows a warm feel with no irritation. The sole is made of rubber to allow excellent traction on uneven or slippery surfaces. It also results in long-term use of these boots. Thus, you can spend an ideal time without worrying about injuries.
The shaft height from the arch is 30 cm. Customers can adjust the circumference at the top of these boots easily with metal clasps or tabs known as Kohaze. These tabs are not visible on the outside, so the shoes appear perfectly minimalist. Their low cost is another advantage for the public. They come in pitch-black shade and run 0.5 cm smaller. It means one should add this length after taking foot measurements for purchase.
Pros
- High arch support
- Simple design
- budget-friendly choice
- Insulate feet and prevent sweating
- Allow free movement
- Ideal for long-hour jobs
Cons
- Fabric might detach
- Require maintenance
Rikio Fighter Ninja Shoes are suitable for exercising, outdoor activities, training classes for Martial arts and Bujinkan, and regular use. In a nuts shell, If you are searching for high-quality tabi shoes with a Ninja touch at less price, these fighter shoes are the best option for you.
FAQ’s
What is the point of split-toe shoes?
Split toe shoes or tabi shoes have their roots in Japanese footwear Jikatabi. This term means footbag. As the name suggests, these shoes fit the feet like gloves. Companies specifically construct them for feeling the texture of the ground and movement, similar to natural mechanics.
What are tabi shoes good for?
They offer several benefits. These include comfortable fit, fresh feel, high sensory feeling to different surfaces, and prevention of fungal diseases. The manufacturers solely design separate toe shoes for athletes, hikers, and parkour game players.
Are tabi comfortable?
Yes, generally, tabi shoes allow great comfort and prevent cuts while experiencing the ground texture. However, some might offer less comfort than the other tabi footwear. This quality primarily depends on the material used in the outsole.
Are Fila Skele-toes waterproof?
Yes, Fila Skele-toes shoes for men are highly water-resistant. Additionally, their soles are stiff to keep the feet warm during cooler periods of the year.
Conclusion
Since their first design, tabi shoes have been receiving thousands of positive reviews by people worldwide for the unique benefits they offer. Hikers, parkour game players, sports lovers, and martial arts trainers especially are into these shoes.
This article includes one of the best and top-quality split-toe shoes for you. Since I have provided a critical review in detail, I would like to mention my picks for you:
- Fila Men’s Skele-Toes EZ Slide Shoes: for suitability for intense acrobatics, standard rate, good hook and loop closure, and reliability
- 3T BAREFOOT MAX Water Shoes: as they are ideal for both in and outside water activities and two closure types
- Marugo Tabi Action Shoes Sports Jog II: for their lightweight upper, reasonable cost, robust outsole, and suitability for certain foot conditions