If you've ever wondered how Japanese people seem to stay effortlessly thin - the huge amount of walking might have something to do with it.
I go to Japan for a few weeks each year and I typically end up with 15k+ steps each day.
The last few years I've worn a pair of primal Zen barefoot shoes from Lems. They're not as thin as my daily wear pairs in the US but with the extreme amount of walking I'm doing I wanted something with just a little more cushion while still being zero drop and flexible.
The pros: I love the cork insole for moisture control and the shoes are very comfortable for long-term wear. The mesh upper over the toes is great for ventilation and keeping my feet cool. The zero-drop and wide toe-box mean no back pain and comfortable feet.
The only downsides I've found are that the mesh vent over the toes lets in rain and they're not super easy to put on and off (which you do a lot in Japan). Next year I might try to find something slip-on.
Anyway - just sharing my experience. Has anyone else tried these? Do you like them?
These have a much thicker sole than most barefoot shoes which unfortunately reduces the ground feel but makes them a lot more durable long term. They're kind of a middle ground between the more minimal shoes I regularly wear and typical sneaker.