Testing Our Barefoot Shoes at Hybrd Academy in Barcelona: Preparing for HYROX

At The Nude Foot, we believe in building barefoot shoes that don’t just perform in the gym — they adapt to your lifestyle, from high-intensity training to everyday wear. To prove this, we took our shoes to the Hybrd Academy in Barcelona, one of the city’s top performance training facilities, and put them through a series of HYROX-specific workouts designed to test durability, comfort, and style.

The results? Shoes that passed every test with flying colors — and left athletes asking if they could wear them to work the next day.

Why Hybrd Academy Was the Perfect Test Ground

Hybrd Academy is home to some of Barcelona’s most committed athletes preparing for HYROX competitions. Known for its combination of functional strength training and endurance workouts, HYROX is the ultimate test of both body and equipment. Weighted sled pushes, wall balls, rowing, running — every movement places unique demands on footwear.

That’s why we chose Hybrd Academy. If our barefoot shoes could perform here, they could perform anywhere. More than that, we wanted to see if they lived up to the promise of versatility — being not just for training, but for everyday comfort and style.

Putting the Shoes Through Their Paces

We structured the testing around a full HYROX simulation:

• 1 km run repeats to evaluate ground feel and foot strike pattern.

• Sled push and pull to test grip and stability.

• Burpee broad jumps for flexibility and natural movement.

• Wall balls and lunges to assess balance and ankle mobility.

• Rowing and skiing to check comfort under repetitive, endurance-based motions.

Throughout the session, athletes pushed themselves hard. The shoes needed to stay comfortable, breathable, and supportive — while still offering the barefoot experience of natural movement.

First Impressions: Style Meets Performance

Many athletes who saw the shoes for the first time at Hybrd Academy couldn’t believe they were barefoot shoes. The sleek lines, minimalist design, and premium materials set them apart from the clunky, “orthopedic-looking” options that dominate the barefoot market.

One athlete, Marcos, immediately commented:

“I expected performance, but I didn’t expect style. These shoes don’t look like the typical barefoot models. Honestly, I’d wear these to the office with jeans as easily as I’d wear them here for training. That’s a game changer.”

This reaction was exactly what we hoped for. At The Nude Foot, we’ve always believed barefoot shoes can be functional and stylish, bridging the gap between sports performance and daily life.

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Real Feedback from Athletes

We asked two athletes — one male and one female — to share their honest feedback after the HYROX session.

Marcos’ Experience

Marcos is a 32-year-old strength and conditioning coach who trains six days a week. He spends his mornings coaching, afternoons training, and evenings working with clients in corporate wellness programs. Comfort and versatility in footwear are non-negotiable for him.

“The grip during sled push was solid — no slipping at all, which surprised me. But what I really noticed was during the runs. The ground feel was amazing. I felt lighter, more connected to each stride. After training, I didn’t want to change shoes. I wore them straight to a meeting, and nobody realized they were barefoot shoes. For me, that’s huge — one shoe that does it all.”

Laura’s Experience

Laura is a 28-year-old graphic designer and competitive HYROX athlete. She spends her mornings at the office and her evenings training, so finding shoes that transition seamlessly is a challenge.

“I’ve tried barefoot shoes before, but they always felt too sporty or out of place with my work outfits. These are different. The style is clean, minimal, and versatile. During training, I noticed how stable I felt in lunges and wall balls — my ankle mobility was better, and I didn’t feel restricted. Afterward, I literally just kept them on for dinner with friends. That’s what I’ve been missing: one pair of shoes I can trust for training and lifestyle.”

The Benefits That Stood Out

From the feedback at Hybrd Academy, three major benefits came up repeatedly:

1. Natural Movement & Ground Feel
   The wide toe box and zero-drop design allowed athletes to move naturally, improving stability and balance during dynamic HYROX movements.

2. Grip & Stability Under Pressure
   The outsole provided excellent traction on gym surfaces — whether for sled pushes, burpees, or lunges — without compromising flexibility.

3. Everyday Style & Comfort
   Unlike most barefoot shoes, the design fit seamlessly into daily life. Athletes loved not needing to switch shoes between training, work, and social activities.

Why Barefoot Shoes Are Perfect for HYROX Training

HYROX demands versatility. Athletes switch rapidly between strength and endurance tasks, requiring footwear that doesn’t get in the way. Traditional cushioned shoes often mask natural movement, reduce stability, and even contribute to imbalances over time.

Barefoot shoes encourage proper biomechanics — letting athletes run, lunge, and lift with a more natural foot strike. For HYROX, this means better energy transfer, stronger stabilizing muscles, and reduced injury risk.

And when those same shoes double as stylish everyday wear? That’s efficiency every athlete — and every professional — can appreciate.

The Takeaway: More Than Just a Gym Shoe

Our testing at Hybrd Academy confirmed what we already believed: barefoot shoes can be the ultimate hybrid footwear. They deliver the performance athletes need for HYROX and the style professionals need for everyday life.

As Laura summed it up perfectly:

“These aren’t just gym shoes. They’re everyday shoes that just happen to crush it in training.”

 

Recovery Matters: Hydrating with GoPrimal

After an intense HYROX-style training session, one thing became clear: performance doesn’t end when the workout does — recovery is just as important. That’s why we teamed up with GoPrimal 🦍, our trusted partner in clean, functional hydration.

At Hybrd Academy, athletes replenished with GoPrimal’s electrolyte blends, designed to restore minerals lost through sweat and speed up recovery. The feedback was immediate — fresher legs, faster bounce-back, and energy to keep going long after the workout was over.

As Marcos put it:

“Shoes got me through the training. Hydration got me ready for the next one.”

And Laura agreed:

“I felt the difference instantly. It’s the perfect combo — barefoot shoes for performance, GoPrimal for recovery.”

Together, The Nude Foot and GoPrimal prove that true performance is a full-circle approach: move naturally, fuel smart, and recover strong.

Final Thoughts

At The Nude Foot, we set out to create the first barefoot shoe that’s as stylish as it is functional. Training at Hybrd Academy in Barcelona proved we’re on the right track. Whether you’re a HYROX competitor, a weekend warrior, or simply someone who values natural movement without sacrificing style, our shoes are built for you.

The barefoot revolution is here — and it looks better than ever.