Tolos Archetype 3 Review | An Instant Barefoot Hit?

If you’ve followed my channel for any length of time, then you know that I’ve reviewed so many barefoot shoes. From small brands to big brands, to barefoot shoes built for training to shoes made to casual wear, I’ve tested a majority of them.

As with anything you spend a lot of time with, things start to lose their initial gusto, this is normal in time. The Tolos Arhetype 3.0 has been a nice exception, though, I’ve been genuinely pumped to test these.

The 1.0 has a special place in my heart. It achieved GOAT status for my barefoot shoes asks. The Archetype 2.0 was good, but just didn’t recapture the magic of the 1.0

Right out of the box, the 3.0 has most of the best elements of the 1.0 and the 2.0. It has more of a 1.0 construction and feeling on the foot. And it has the performance improvements of the 2.0. I can already tell that these are going to become one of my favorite barefoot shoes.

Who Should Buy the Archetype 3?

• Current Tolos fans. If you’re a fan of the Archetype 1.0 or 2.0, and preferred the 1 a bit more, then you’re going to love these.
• You need versatility. If you want a pair of barefoot shoes that can kind of do it all, daily wear, lifting, travel, these belong in your bag. They can be one of those good “no brainer” barefoot shoes.
• You want premium “feel” but on a budget. Shoes are getting expensive, there’s no denying that. If you’re looking for a premium-feeling barefoot shoe and don’t want to spend premium dollars (think $150+), the price point on these is easily affordable.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the Archetype 3?

• High insteps tread lightly. If you have a thicker or blockier foot, the bootie-style construction can make these a bit problematic to slip on and off. If the 1 and 2 were a no-go for you, then the 3 will likely follow suit. Still worth trying if you like their look, in my opinion, but tread lightly.
• Barefoot running focused folks. If you’re looking for a barefoot shoe for running specifically, there are better, more dialed options out there. Look into something like the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Flow or Xero Shoes HFS 2 for this.
• Hot footed friends. If you have excessively hot feet, the synthetic upper on these isn’t the most breathable. I’d recommend trying to find something with a full mesh or knit upper like the AIRHAS Knit Barefoot Shoe for max breathability.

Fit and Sizing Suggestions

About My Feet: I have a normal arch/instep and my feet come in at an E/EE width. The length of my left and right foot are consistent with one another, and I size as a true US 10 for most companies’ sizing charts.

Fit Breakdown:

• Narrow (<D) feet: True to size
• Medium (D) width: True to size
• E-3E: True to size
• 4E+: Size up a half size

These should fit true to size for most individuals. Width-wise they run very similarly to offerings from WHITIN and Vivobarefoot. They’re a bit wider than other Tolos models as well, such as the Soleil.

The only exception to the true to size recommendation is for my friends in the extreme upper end of foot widths, 4E and up. If that’s you, I’d suggest sizing up a half size to be safe, but you’re probably already used to doing so for most shoes.

The forefoot and toe box is wide enough to accommodate most foot anatomies, and the taper through the midfoot is the opposite of aggressive. Again, this is a bootie-style shoe, so for those with super thick feet and high insteps, you’ll want to consider this. They have a decent stretch to them, so most should be fine. However, it’s always a point I try to make known.

Performance Assessment

Lifting: 9/10

These have been really solid for lifting just like their predecessors. The rubber outsole and tread grips everything incredibly well. Rubber gym floors, wooden platforms, even turf haven’t been an issue for the 3.0.

Another perk that others might relate to is that I like to wear my shoes a bit looser on certain training days, and didn’t have any issues with security during anything involving strength or hypertrophy. If you’re a lazy lacer like myself, then these can be a good, “set it and forget it” option.

The ground feel is great in these during things like deadlifts and RDL’s. Even for something like hip thrusts, where I can find myself pushing forward with my feet, I felt stable and planted. For your general strength and hypertrophy training, barbell work, dumbbell and kettlebell accessories, or machine circuits, these are going to be a great option for you.

For my powerlifting-focused folks, these can get the job done. Now, there are more dedicated models worth exploring like the AVANCUS Apex Power and Notorious Lift Radix, which perform awesome for the big three, too. The Archetype can be the move when you’re wanting something that can also be casual.

Cross-Training & Crossfit: 8.7/10

This is where I’ll tighten the laces a bit for more security, and this is where the shorter laces on these can start to a bit of an issue. They’re just not quite long enough to get a solid double-bunny ear knot. The booty style construction does a good job of keeping my foot secure though so it wasn’t all that bad. However, if you like cranking your laces then you’ll have to finesse these a little bit.

Despite the soft and form fitting upper, lateral moves, dynamic cuts and jumps were all solid and stable. The outsole did a great job of gaining purchase on boxes during box jumps and staying connected to the turf during sled work.

Short Runs: 7/10

I’m not the biggest fan of running in barefoot shoes, even ones I do love. I’m definitely not taking these out for a 5K anytime soon. But if you like to mix in the occasional 200-400 meter treadmill run as part of a circuit, these can get the job done.

If you’ve never run in barefoot shoes, I do recommend taking it slow to start with and getting used to it before jumping head first into all-out sprints. The one hang up some might have with these for running is that they do run fairly warm, which I noted above.

Daily Wear: 9/10

This is where the 3.0 really shines. The upper construction has all the comfort and feel of the 1.0, one of my favorite shoes of all time. I love that I can slip these on and wear them a bit looser. 

The silhouette is super clean and sporty looking with minimal branding. They can dress up for a more business casual outing just as easily as they can support you under a 405 lb deadlift. I’ve personally been wearing these non-stop for the past few weeks for all my training, daily wear, and I even took them camping. Be prepared for these to be your new go-to for everything shoes.

Construction Details

These are a barefoot shoe, so they have a 0 mm heel-to-toe drop. And, bringing back a feature from the 1.0, they come with a thin removable insole. The stack height on these, without the removable insole, is 5.5 mm.

The upper is a polymath material that runs from the forefoot through to the boot. There is a TPU wrap that runs around the entirety of the shoe. It’s wider over the toebox and comes up higher on the heel.

The boot is a padded mesh with an external heel tab to help pull them on. The midfoot and tongue is a booty style construction that has a good amount of stretch to it, more than the 1.0 had.

There are 5 core eyelets with a 6th for lace lock. The laces themselves can run a bit short if you like to wear your shoes loose.

The outsole is a full rubber tread with a circular lug pattern. The lugs themselves are just aggressive enough to provide solid grip on most every surface.

Final Thoughts: Would I Buy Again?

After a couple of weeks in these, I can already tell they are going to become some of my favorite shoes. Even surpassing the 1.0.

Whether you’re looking for an entry level barefoot shoe, or you’re a barefoot shoe expert, don’t pass these up.

They 1.0’s were some of the most versatile shoes I’ve ever worn and the 3.0 are proving to build on that legacy in all the right ways.

These will be in my rotation for a long time.