Last year I got a pair of Leguano. A barefoot shoe made in Germany (a nice detail) that looks like what we call sockeplast in Sweden. Truly minimalistic and has a really snug fit. For those who say of course it's snug since it's a sock, making a sock fit well is not entirely easy. The shape of the rubber sole has a lot to do with this, flowing along the shape of the foot as well as poking up just enough to give traction in every part of the step. From a construction point of view I am glad Leguano glued an entire sock on a sole instead of making some-kind of upper that would just come loose. In combination with the mix of textiles in the weave, it has proven to be a durable barefoot experience for softer trails and branchless paths.
Interestingly enough as promised, the grip on snow was good although the sock design does not protect from wind making it a bit chilly in the long term. The fabric contains Merino wool which gave some comfort. Looking at traditional mukluks, Allowing the foot to work through a flexible sole is a strong solution, circulating blood and helping it to stay warm. Modern stiff hiking soles need to isolate more since the foot is essentially passive.
While the box and information needs some graphic attention, the product is really well done and if you are curious to try, have a look at -> http://www.leguano.eu/
