While primal footwear can be very minimal, in many cases it isn't due to its design, how much material is used to manufacture it or how much of the feet and legs it covers. We feel that it is more accurate to ask whether it allows feet to be feet first, no matter how it is made. If footwear allows feet to flex and be strong without imprudent support or cushioning, it can be called "primal," even if it's not technically "minimal."

Without nitpicking, calling any footwear "barefoot" is just inaccurate. A significant part of going barefoot is the sensory feedback from ground to bare sole. Any footwear that puts a barrier between the feet and the ground removes that sensation and, therefore, eliminates a major aspect of the barefoot experience.