Pretty barefoot sandals will have you forgetting all about the uncomfortable sandals you used to wear. Forget the heels, forget the pointy toe boxes – you can lose all of that without losing any of the style.

Here my all time favorite cute barefoot sandals for women, with the important fit and sizing info you need to find your perfect pair.

Happy Feet Doesn’t Mean Ugly Shoes!

I always had a love hate relationship with sandals. When I finally decided to stop wearing ones that hurt my feet I thought I would also have to stop wearing cute sandals. But fortunately, there are tons of stylish barefoot sandals out there so you can look and feel your best during spring and summer – you’ll even find some fancy barefoot sandals for weddings here!

This post covers stylish women’s barefoot sandals. If you’d like more information on barefoot sandals for men, kids or athletic use, see below additional resources for you.

• The Best Barefoot Sandals for Walking, Running & Hiking
• The Complete List of Barefoot Sandals
• The Best Kids Barefoot Sandals

What About Slides & Flip Flops?

Before we get to my picks for the best stylish barefoot sandals, I want to talk for a quick sec about slides and flip flops. Those shoes are aptly named, because they SLIDE and they FLOP. There’s nothing to keep them secure to your foot, causing you to grip your toes or walk funny to keep the shoe on. That is why everything on this list has a back strap.

Still want barefoot-friendly slides for quick jaunts outside, beach trips, public showers, etc? I cover these styles as well in my Complete Barefoot Sandals List, even though I don’t recommend them for everyday wear.

The Best Stylish Barefoot Sandals

I look to barefoot sandals to feel cute and stylish while treating my feet right. After trying out hundreds of different barefoot sandals from brands all over the world, below are my picks for the 10 best cute barefoot sandals of all time!

If you want to add a little cushion to your barefoot sandals, check out insoles that work well with sandals here.

Everything on this list I personally own and wear, so you are getting firsthand experience to guide you!

Laboo Leather

Leather | 6mm Thick | Sizes EU 35-45 | Ships from USA or EU

If you are in the EU or want more color options, you can order these from the Laboo Etsy shop.

What I Love About Them: My favorite and most worn stylish barefoot sandals are from Laboo Leather. I take these with me every time I travel because they are so reliably cute, comfortable, and lightweight. The shape of this sandal was created by your truly, years ago when I asked Botond (the shoemaker) to create a custom sole for me. You all clamored over them so much he standardized it and now sells only this shape!

We carry two versions of this sandal at Anya’s Shop, one with a long ankle wrap tie and one with a buckle. The ankle wrap version can be customized to a length you prefer or even trim to be a slip on (see the video in this post to show how to tie).

They’re seriously the best, our top selling sandal year after year. Don’t worry though if your size is sold out, you can sign up for restock notifications because we continually add more!

Fit Type/Sizing:

• Wide fitting
• Highly adjustable to both low and high volume feet
• Runs slightly small, but accurate to the size chart. I wear a size 37.

Laboo Leather barefoot sandals have a wide shape, but because the laces are fully adjustable at any point they can easily fit most foot types. Some people with narrow heels have had trouble getting the ankle straps secure enough, but most people get a good fit after tweaking the straps. And once the leather breaks in they conform to your feet even more.

Laboo sandals do run a little bit short in my experience, and I wear one size bigger in Laboo than I normally do in sandals (an EU 37, instead of 36). There is a size chart available at the links above with exact measurements.

Crupon Sandals – Extra Wide Friendly

Leather | 6mm Thick | Sizes EU 36-42 | Ships from EU

Code ANYA gets you 10% off!

What I Love About Them: Crupon sandals are timelessly beautiful and you can immediately feel the quality of the leather on your skin. The barefoot line from Crupon has a flexible sole, but the stitching and leather are sturdy so you don’t feel like you’re going to wear through them in one summer. That does mean the leather takes some breaking in, but it’s worth it for the quality.

I love the color options they have, but truthfully end up wearing the neutral most often. They have two sole thickness options, but truthfully there isn’t a hugely noticeable difference between them. I prefer the slightly thicker version, and it is also a little softer. You can also make custom requests for shoes with different color combinations, and different strap lengths – but note they custom orders are not returnable

I’ve been wearing Crupon sandals for years, and in 2023 got to visit their workshop in person. I even got to make a pair!

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Barefoot Line = medium wide fit, Extra Wide Barefoot Line = extra wide fit.
• Medium to high volume – can be too high volume for me, depending on model. Read my full review for details.
• Mostly true to size, but slightly long. I recommend referencing their printable size template.

Read my Crupon Barefoot Sandals review here for more details.

Shapen Barefoot – Extra Wide Friendly

Leather | 5mm Thick | Sizes EU 36-43 | Ships from EU or US

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off Shapen, but note that they don’t accept returns outside the EU. We are also carrying the Shapen Petal sandals at Anya’s Shop in the US this year!

What I Love About Them: Shapen barefoot has some really dressy feminine styles that also fit wide and extra feet – wonderful if you’ve had trouble finding pretty shoes that fit. They are perfect for fancy occasions too. I think they make an excellent ultra-dressy high heel replacement for weddings and black tie events.

The sizing can be tricky with Shapen, but in general they run pretty wide and high volume. If you have a lower volume foot, I recommend the Lily model or choosing another brand. If you want something pretty but need all the room, then the Petal is where it’s at. I sized down to a 35 regular in the Petal and they are still plenty roomy.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Wide to extra wide fit (with the exception of Lily Regular width)
• High volume feet fit (with the exception of Lily, which has a low volume fit).
• They run large and roomy, and many people size down unless you have an overall thick wide foot. Always check the size chart.

Lang S Sandals – Extra Wide Friendly

Leather & Vegan Options | 6mm Thick | Sizes EU 36-43 | Ships from EU or US

Use code ANYALANG for 10% off directly from Lang S in the EU

What I Love About Them: Lang S Sandals (formerly known as Tikki), are extremely light and flexible with a nice wide forefoot. They’re great if you want classic sandal styling, but have extra wide feet. But they also fit my medium width feet like a dream! Particularly the Soul model – I almost forget I’m wearing them sometimes!

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Wide to extra wide fit
• Adjustable for low to high volume
• True to size

Huaraches by Anya – Extra Wide Friendly

Vegetable Tanned Leather | 8mm Thick |US women’s 6-11.5 | 2 Widths | Ships from US

Code ANYA for 10% off

What I Love About Them: In 2023 Origo Shoes and I launched a foot-shaped take on an old tradition. Our huarache sandals are made in the traditional way in Michoacán, Mexico – but with a wide toe box upgrade! All the leather is vegetable tanned and chrome free too, so you can safely wear them on bare feet.

The Huarache sandals come in two widths, and we’ve found them to be incredibly versatile and well-fitting. Both Samantha and I wear them all the time (her in wide, me in regular). At this point I have taken mine on numerous trips around the globe, logging tons of miles without a single complaint.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Regular width fits average to slightly wide feet with low to medium volume
• Wide width is good for extra wide feet and fits medium to high volume.
• True to size.

Read the full Huarache review here!

Mukishoes – Extra Wide Friendly

Leather or Canvas | 6mm Thick | Sizes EU 36-45 | Ships from US & EU

Sandals will be arriving in the next 1-2 weeks! Use code ANYAMUKI for 10% off the EU store.

What I Love About Them: Mukishoes sandals are very soft and have a generous toe box. The Ibiza model (above left) is an edgy, chunky sandal that fits very securely on different foot types – something I love because barefoot sandals can be very loose on my heels.

The Nazare (above right) is sooo soft and a barefoot replacement for classic Birkenstock sandals. This model tends to fit a little looser, so if you have low volume feet expect to need to wear the straps tight for security. Both were very popular last year, selling out fast. So I am pretty excited to have them come back in stock shortly!

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Wide to extra wide fit
• Adjustable volume, should work for most
• True to size but slightly big for me. I did not size down

High Feels

Faux Leather | 4.5mm Thick | Sizes EU 35-43 | Ships from EU & US

Use code ANYA for 5% off the EU store.

What I Love About Them: High Feels are gorgeous and sexy. They just opened back up at the end of the 2025 season after being closed for a couple of years, and I am pretty happy about it! They are the ultimate sexy strappy high heels replacement.

The thing I love most about them is that the ankle Y strap closure is a hook, so there is no doing of buckles! You simply hook the strap onto the buckle. These are also quite thin, which I think fits the sleek style. But just be aware that there isn’t really any cushion to these.

In regular width they have a slimmer fit in the heel and midfoot, so may not work for people with high volume feet. But new this year is a wide version. These are on preorder now for May delivery, and I don’t have firsthand knowledge of how these fit. But I have explored the size templates for wide and they definitely have a wide forefoot!

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Medium/slim fit in Regular. Wide/extra wide fit in Wide.
• Medium to low volume fit
• True to size

Be Lenka Barefoot

Leather | 6mm Thick | Sizes EU 36-43 | Ships from EU & US

You can use ANYASREVIEWS code to get 5% off your Be Lenka store purchase. Currently there is limited selection in the Be Lenka US store.

What I Love About Them: Be Lenka barefoot sandals are classic and versatile. They’ve got a clean silhouette that is easy to dress up or down and wear all season long. This year they are transitioning from their original leather sandals faux leather, so currently not all leather versions are available. The 2.0 faux leather sandals are already available in the EU and will be coming to the US next month.

Besides the material, the key difference between the original and 2.0 is that the 2.0 has more cushion in the footbed – something that many barefoot sandal wearers have requested.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Medium to slim width (except the Iris and Claire models, which are even narrower and I don’t recommend them)
• Medium volume
• Mostly true to size, but slightly longer than other brands

Be Lenka sandals have a pretty middle of the road fit type. The Grace and Summer have adjustable velcro straps, which can be trimmed to the length you need.

Feelgrounds – Extra Wide Friendly

Vegan | 6mm Thick | Sizes EU 35-48 | Ships from EU

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order

What I Love About Them: Feelgrounds Seaside sandals are made of a cotton upper and a cork insole, so they feel breathable and soft on foot. The back closure is velcro, so they go on easily, and they have a really clean look to them that can be both casual and dressed up.

They also come in a faux leather version called Luxe that I’m personally not a huge fan of. But they have a higher volume fit than the Twill version.

The cork can get dirty easily, but the nice thing is you can scrub it clean just as easily! You can also wash the fabric strap if it gets stained. They’re just classic and easy to wear.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Extra wide foot shape
• Medium volume fit – the Twill version works well enough on my low volume feet, and they have a bit of stretch for higher volume feet. The Bamboo version works great on Samantha’s extra wide, high volume feet.
• True to size – I wear the size 36.

Affordable Barefoot Sandals

Saguaro Sandals – Extra Wide Friendly

Faux-Leather | 3.5mm Thick | Sizes EU 36-44 | Ships from China

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off.

These shiny barefoot sandals from Saguaro have an extra wide fit and an adjustable front strap. Samantha is modeling them for us above. They are definitely the cheapest barefoot-friendly sandal out there! And the metallic lends itself to dressier wear, even though the materials are cheaper.

We found they run on the bigger side. Samantha and I both sized down in them.

Rutsu Sandals

Faux Leather | Sizes EU 37-42 | Ships from US

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off.

These sandals have classic styling, but are made of cheaper materials for a lower price point. I feel like they look pretty mainstream and should be quite versatile for all kinds of different outfits. They are also quite flexible.

More of My Favorites

I like barefoot sandals!! Here are a few more excellent stylish options you might want to consider, depending on your location and preferences.

Grecian Sandals

Grecian Sandals is a prolific Etsy shop with tons of designs, all of which can be made on a zero drop Vibram outsole. You have to be careful about selecting a style that doesn’t pinch the toes and is on a plain natural leather outsole – the outsoles that are either black or have stitching around the perimeter have a narrower, more tapered shape. I find these fabulous for weddings because they are beautiful but still affordable.

Zeazoo Siren

Zeazoo Siren is an ultra soft non-pinchy sandal that works well for people with high volume or who are prone to blisters/skin irritation. Zeazoo sandals come in a narrow, regular and wide, but all are built on the same sole. So that really refers to the volume you need. True to size for length.

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off the EU shop. Or you can find a selection of Zeazoo sandals in the US at Anya’s Shop.

Groundies

Groundies Kos Sandals are well made and stylish – perfect for fashion forward barefooters who want to stretch their style. There are running low in inventory in the US, but if you’re outside the US you can shop Groundies EU here (there are more options there too).

Juuri

Juuri sandals are a unique alternative to the more classic-looking barefoot sandals available. They have a ribbon tie that can be swapped out for different colors and tied in different ways. This brand also offers two sole widths, catering to both regular and extra wide feet.

Vivobarefoot Sensus Yin

Vivobarefoot doesn’t often have stylish sandals, but the Sensus Yin is cute. It is light and soft, with a medium wide fit. The cupped sole won’t work for extra wide feet, but for average feet they are a nice option.

Code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off.

Softstar Camino

The Softstar Camino is a barefoot sandal with plenty of space for your toes, a soft cushioned insole and a flexible but grippy outsole. Like the Birkenstock Arizona, but without the rigid arch support! Read our full Camino Review here.

The Camino Lite from Softstar is the same, but on a thinner outsole. These are a bit of work to break in, hence not included in the main article.

Butterfly Your World

Butterfly Your World has a couple great sandal options in 3 different widths! You can also have them made in many different colors. The 6mm rubber outsole is topped with suede and offers moderate ground feel and great flexibility.

Use code ANYA10 for 10% off.

Jenon Leather

Jenon Leather has lots of sandal options in standard choices, with an option to have them custom made (sole thickness, leather colors, or shape/size). They’re pretty, and well made, and we love them! Everything is handmade to order, so expect to wait 4-5 weeks for production.

Use code JENON11 for 10% off. Read the full Jenon Leather Review here.

Drifter Leather Cut Here

I adore my Drifter Leather Cut Here sandals. In fact, the only reason they are a runner up and not in the #1 spot is because they’re custom and ordering only opens every 6 weeks or so. They were my very first stylish barefoot sandals years ago and continue to be my all time favorite. If you are considering ordering from The Drifter Leather, read my detailed How To Order Guide.

Let Your Feet Be Free This Summer!

You really have so many cute barefoot sandals to choose from! I hope this guide has helped you narrow down your search for the perfect stylish barefoot sandal for summer, so you can look great and feel great too.

I’d love to hear your thoughts – what stylish barefoot sandals do you love to wear?

The post The Best Stylish Barefoot Sandals for Women appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

I can’t do squished toes anymore. But I also spend time outside everyday, no matter the weather. So for the last decade I’ve made it my mission to find and test the most practical, but also truly comfortable, naturally fitting barefoot and wide toe box boots.

I present to you the best of the best barefoot winter boots that have a wide toe box and natural feel. No foot pain this winter please!

Staying Warm in Barefoot Winter Boots

But before we get to the actual shoes, here are a few of my best tips for getting the most versatility out of your comfy, wide, snow boots this winter.

• Learn how to waterproof your shoes.
• Add a warm insole.
• Find warm (but foot friendly) socks to wear inside your boots. I recommend those with a high wool content.
• Get yourself a pair of ice cleats for very icy conditions – they fit over any of the boots here.
• Check my “Tips For Staying Warm” section for additional ideas.

And if you’re looking for boots for other other occasions, these may be of interest to you:

And finally, in this post I talk about what type of feet these boots are best for to help you avoid costly mistakes. Find Your Foot Type Here.

Alright, let’s dig in to the best barefoot winter boots. First we’ll cover the best warm boots for snow and traction, and then the best for comfort & ground feel.

Best for Snow

Good barefoot snow boots are warm, waterproof (or can be waterproofed), and have good traction. Here are what I consider to be the best options for wintry weather conditions!

Vivobarefoot

Use code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off

Vivobarefoot has quite the winter line up this year, with something for every kind of weather.

Canvas & Wool | Rated to -50F / -46C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Great

The showstopper for the most serious of winter weather is the Tundra ESC (find the men’s version here). It’s suitable even for arctic conditions, with a felted wool boot liner and insoles – the first of its kind in the natural footwear world and a real achievement! These fit pretty wide already, but I know from experience with Steger Mukluks that the felt will tamp down.

We get weather here as low as -50F, but I don’t spend much time out when it’s that cold. However I will go on pretty long walks when it’s -20F. I will for sure be using these Tundra boots when it’s that cold.

Textile | Rated to 15F / -10C | Traction: Snow – Good, Ice – Ok

If you don’t need something arctic-level intense, I am truly loving the Gobi Hiber. They pull on easily, are water resistant, and lined with soft fleece. In fact, they’ve been my preferred boots for morning walks this fall. Just so cozy and cute. Men’s version here.

These come with the Thermal Insole that I don’t love, so if you want really warm toes I suggest replacing it with a felted wool insole.

Textile | Rated to 15F / -10C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Good

An even comfier, warmer option is the Explorer Mid. They’re soooo nice and have better traction than the Gobi Hiber. But not water resistant (which is weird to me) and a lower cut. I have replaced the insole on these as well, and suggest using a waterproof spray for wet weather. Men’s version here.

Leather | Rated to 15F / -10C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Good

The Tracker Winter is a waterproof, insulated version of their hiking boot that I quite like as a snow shoe. They are kind of stiff when new, and I like to size up in them for space. But really functional. Men’s version here.

Sizing & Fit

• Wide width (Tundra, Gobi Hiber, Explorer) & Medium width (Tracker & Gobi Warmlined)
• Sloped, so not the best fit for square shaped feet
• Medium volume
• Runs slightly long – I normally size up in winter boots but didn’t need to in any of these except for the Tracker Winter. Those I got in a 38, the rest are size 37.

Lems Shoes

Lems is an in-between brand with a more traditional thicker outsole, but a wide toe box and natural fit. Great for people who want to take care of their feet but aren’t ready for full barefoot! Or if you just need something super practical for the winter, Lems has you covered. However if you want that flexibility and ground feel, I’d choose something else on this list.

And if you’re overseas, shop Lems EU here.

Leather | Rated to 5F / -15C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Good

The Breck boot is a taller cut, waterproof boot with a side zip and the same thicker outsole. This year they come in an insulated version, and I find them to be a stellar snow boot and all-purpose cold weather boot. The sole is definitely robust and not super flexible. They also are not fully zero drop, but have a 3mm heel rise. For me this is an acceptable compromise in a winter boot, but if you are sensitive you may notice it.

Leather | Rated to 0F / -18C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Good

The new Chelsea Tuff in brown has a fluffy collar and lining that is surprisingly warm. The sole is quite thick (makes me feel so tall!) but flexes at the toe. Really well-made shoes with a grippy practical outsole. Also waterproof. The black color has no fluff and not as warm, but is still insulated.

Leather | Rated to 5F / -15C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Good

The Boulder Boot Summit is the warmest Boulder boot option from Lems, with the same outsole as on the Breck boot. So it’s got good grip and is well insulated. I personally prefer the Boulder Boot Grip, because it’s lighter and more flexible (and also fully zero drop). But if you want the extra warmth the Summit is a good one!

Sizing & Fit

• Wide – not quite as wide as the Lems Primal Zen or Chelsea suede, but still quite generous.
• Plateau shaped – may not work for really square feet, but should for most others.
• Medium to high volume.
• Runs small. I consistently size up a half size larger than I do in most barefoot boot brands. Mine are all a women’s 8.

Zaqq Quintic

Leather | Wool Lined | Waterproof | Rated to -5F/-20C | Ships from US or EU

Traction Rating: Snow – Great | Ice – Great

The Zaqq Quintic is so soft, and yet warm and practical. They are definitely the most flexible option in this list that is also snow ready.The outsole is grippy so you’re not sliding everywhere, and the waterproof upper means your feet stay dry. Both Justin and I love these boots as a stylish barefoot winter boot that can be worn under dress pants, with jeans, or even leggings and skirts. They’re surprisingly warm and functional even without a heavy sole.

We carry them in the US as much as possible (linked above), but they usually sell out so you can also find them in Germany from Zaqq Barefoot directly where they carry additional colors and vegan versions.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Medium to wide width
• Mountain shaped
• Medium volume
• Runs Small

The fur lining is quite thick and so they feel pretty snug in my normal size. I went up one and they still are quite cozy!

Xero Alpine

Waterproof | Vegan | Rated to 5F / -15C | Ships from USA

Traction Rating: Snow – Great | Ice – Ok

Outside the US? Shop Xero EU here!

The Alpine Pull-On is new for 2025 and my favorite Xero winter boot. They are surprisingly warm for how lightweight they are, and so easy to pull on and off. You get some adjustability with the toggle, but they are quite roomy through the heel so I don’t recommend sizing up for socks. They’ll fit higher volume feet best, but my lazy bones will be pulling these on often this winter.

The Xero Alpine is not as warm or as flexible as the Alpine Pull-on, but it does cinch around your foot much better so is more secure. I think they’d be good for a slightly warmer climate than mine (I’m thinking Rocky Mountains), but not my top pick for frigid midwest winters. I did swap out the insole for a sheepskin one and that helped a lot (it always does!). The sole is on the stiff side, and I found them to be slippery on ice (but fine in snow).

Sizing & Fit

• Medium to wide width – Not recommended for extra wide feet.
• Mountain shape (rounded toe box)
• High volume
• The Alpine boot runs on the small side, but the Alpine Pull-On runs bigger! I wear an 8 in Alpine and a 7.5 in the Pull-On.

Be Lenka Winter Boots – Extra Wide Friendly

Code ANYASREVIEWS gives you 5% off when you shop with them (but they only accept returns from within the EU and USA). We also carry lots of Be Lenka models at Anya’s Shop!

Be Lenka Barefoot is also upping the winter boot game this year. They have 3 excellent options to choose from, and all have a generous wide toe box for real comfort. They may be a bit heavier and thicker than the Vivobarefoot options, but I like that I don’t have to add extra insoles to make them warmer.

Textile | Rated to -25F/-32C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Great

The new ArcticEdge is super warm, water resistant, and has great traction. I admit that my lazy bones prefer the pull-on Vivo boots for daily wear, but these are more practical for weather. A kind of heavy duty winter urban hybrid.

Textile | Rated to -25F/-32C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Great

Another practical option from Be Lenka is the PolarStride. It has the same Primaloft material as in the ArcticEdge, but a more flexible outsole and a taller shaft. I love the idea of them, and they are quite cozy, but I wish there was a way to tighten them. They fit loose on me.

Leather & Wool | Rated to -10F/-23C | Traction: Snow – Great, Ice – Good

The Winter 3.0 is also wool lined, highly water resistant, and on the same functional outsole, but has more of a dressy look. They aren’t as warm or soft and comfy as the others, but bonus points for style. Also, I love real wool. They’re a good hybrid everyday & snow boot.

If outside the US, shop here.

Besides these, Be Lenka has a variety of fleece-lined boots that are cozy and nice but not as winter-friendly.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Extra wide
• Square shaped
• Versatile volume (except PolarStride is high volume and Winter 3.o is medium volume)
• Runs small and I size up to a 38 consistently.

Saguaro Rise

Textile, Suede, & Faux Fur | Waterproof | Rated to 5F / -15C | Ships from Asia

Traction Rating: Snow – Great | Ice – OK

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off

The Saguaro Rise is the cheapest practical barefoot snow boot to date! They are waterproof, lightly insulated, and cinch up nicely to fit different foot types or different socks.

They do run small, especially if you have wide feet (and I would skip entirely if you have extra wide feet). And shipping can be a bit slow from Saguaro. But if you are in need of an affordable waterproof snow boot this is the best there is!

Sizing & Fit Type

• Medium wide fit
• Mountain shaped toe box
• Runs small – size up at least one. I need a size 39 in these and usually wear a size 38 in winter boots.

Jenon Leather Snowflake – Extra Wide Friendly

Leather | Sheepskin Lining | Rated to -5F/-20C | Ships from EU

Traction Rating: Snow – Great | Ice – Good

Use code JENON11 for 10% off

These Snowflake boots from Czech brand Jenon Leather were a surprise hit for me. They are very cozy warm with a wide toe box and slim heel (which means they don’t slide around my narrow heels). I so appreciate that in a winter boot, where it’s really common for me to need to add leg warmers to get that cinched in feel. They also don’t press over the tops of my toes, even with the thick lining.

The leather upper is smooth and quite water resistant so I didn’t bother treating it. I also appreciated that the sole is a bit thicker than many barefoot boots for more warmth while still being flexible.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Extra wide fit
• Plateau shaped toe box
• Medium to low volume
• Runs small – I recommend sizing up one.

The lining is very thick so I am glad I sized up. I found that the volume was on the lower side, but I know that many people with high volume feet enjoy these boots after sizing up. These can also be customized for shape/fit or just choosing whatever leather color you’d like! Read the full Jenon Leather review for more details.

Freet Arken – Extra Wide Friendly

Use code AnyaFreet for 10% off. If you live in the UK, shop Freet here. For EU residents, shop here.

The Freet Arken is an insulated waterproof boot with quite a cozy upper. Like in Vivobarefoot boots, I find the insole to be not warm enough for winter so I recommend replacing it for a wool alternative. Once swapped out these are very warm.

The outsole has lugs that works best for soft ground – snow, mud, grass. I recommend these for cold weather hiking where you don’t get deep snow (because they are a shorter height).

Sizing & Fit Type

• Wide fit – will work for some extra wide feet too
• Plateau shaped toe box
• Medium to low volume
• Runs small

I sized up to a 38 and they’re still a little snug, but I can wear medium weight wool socks with them.

Steger Mukluks – Extra Wide Friendly

Leather | Wool Lined | Rated to -50F / -46C | Ships from USA

Traction Rating: Snow – Great | Ice – Great

Steger Mukluks are supremely warm and also wide and flexible. The insole and body of the boots are lined with 9mm thick felted wool that is moisture wicking and built for extreme temps. The outsole is rubber and surprisingly grippy on ice and show. The exterior is high quality moose hide (both soft and super durable).

But a new update to the outsole makes them no longer zero drop (roughly 5mm heel lift) and not as flexible as before. To me, 3mm and below is acceptable in a snow boot but 5mm is pushing it a little. However, for some people in really cold climates, this small heel lift may be worth it, because of how warm they are (and because they are not as expensive as Vivobarefoot’s Tundra Esc boots).

None of the Steger models come waterproof, so I also bought their waterproof spray and treated my boots before wearing them. It has worked great for me, whenever my boots get wet the water beads up and rolls off the leather instead of soaking in. I reapply it each fall and they look almost brand new even after four winters! And I hear repeatedly from readers who have owned Stegers for 5, 10, even 20 years and they are still going strong.

To be as close to a barefoot winter boot (and as warm) as possible, use them with the felted wool insole instead of the supportive insole (boots ship with both). And if you have low volume feet like me you might even want to order an extra felt insole and layer both inside the shoe.

Sizing & Fit Type

• 3 widths fit average to extra wide feet
• Square toe box fits most foot shapes
• High volume
• True to size

Note that the felted lining tamps down with use! So they might feel pretty snug at first, but you will get more room as you wear them. I ordered a Women’s 7 Wide for my wide feet and they are very spacious after a few years. You can also call in to Steger’s shop and ask for internal measurements.

If you have low volume, narrow heels, and/or thin ankles, expect to need an extra insole, thick socks, or leg warmers to make these a secure fit. You also might want to order a model with ties so you can tighten them on your leg. If you have thicker ankles and calves and don’t need the ties, Steger also has models that are just pull-on.

Best for Comfort

The following warm barefoot winter boots are cozy and comfortable, but not as functional for lots of time outdoors in wintery conditions. They are your lifestyle boots, but made warmer than most other barefoot boots!

Shapen Cozy – Extra Wide Friendly

Leather | Wool Lining | Rated to 5F/-15C | Ships from EU or US

Traction Rating: Snow – Ok | Ice – Ok

Use code ANYA5 for 5% of Shapen in the EU. We also have this model at Anya’s Shop in the US.

The Shapen Cozy is so light and soft, they are perfect for someone who has sensitive feet that get irritated by stiff heel cups. I have reached for mine frequently the last three winters since they were released and thoroughly enjoy every time. They are an excellent cozy barefoot boot for cold winter days, especially if you are someone who wants a true barefoot feel.

The Cozy is my favorite comfy warm boot option from Shapen, but they also carry the Urbaneer (similar but without a side zip) and the Frosty (fine, but not my favorite). This is a good brand for people with extra wide feet that have a hard time fitting into other brands.

Sizing & Fit

• Extra wide fit
• Square shaped toe box
• Medium to high volume
• Runs slightly big

Unlike many lined boots, the Shapen Cozy does not run small. I am still wearing a size 38, but I have more room than I do in most of my other size 38 barefoot boots (they fit almost like a 39). I still don’t recommend sizing down in most cases because you’ll likely want to be able to wear socks.

Peerko Frost

Leather | Wool Lining | Rated to 5F/-15C | Ships from EU or US

Traction Rating: Snow – Ok | Ice – Ok

Code ANYASREVIEWS10 gives you 10% off your order. Peerko doesn’t accept returns outside the EU, but we carry the Frost in the US at Anya’s Shop.

The Peerko Frost is probably the most stylish barefoot winter boot in the bunch! The smooth leather is naturally water resistant, and you can waterproof them yourself for extra protection. The outsole isn’t the best for winter terrain, so I prefer to use them for warmth as I go around town as opposed to playing in the snow or hiking. But if you’re someone who needs to look nice in the winter AND spend time walking around outside they are phenomenal.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Wide toe box
• Medium volume
• Runs slightly small because of wool lining

Peerko boots have a pretty universal fit and are well loved across the board. They probably won’t suite someone with an extra wide toe splay, and you might want to size up one because of the thick lining. I wear mine in a 38.

Zeazoo Dingo

Leather | Sheepskin lined | Rated to -20F / -29C | Ships from EU

Traction Rating: Snow – Good | Ice – Good

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off your order at ZeazooKids.com. Or you can find them in the US at Anya’s Shop.

The Zeazoo Dingo is a personal favorite of mine. They are the perfect barefoot Uggs dupe and so easy to slip on for quick jaunts outside when it’s freezing. I wear mine often as school-run, coffee-run, and mail-run shoes. The sheepskin lining wicks sweat so they’re comfortable barefoot and they are just so warm but lighter than all the above options (and nice and wide). You can also roll the top down to get a furry cuff and a shorter height.

While they are a home run for warmth, they don’t have a robust outsole so the bottom edges of the boot can start wearing quickly if you use them roughly. And the upper is not water resistant. They’re more of a warm lifestyle boot than an active outdoor snow boot. Still, a total lifesaver if you live in a cold climate.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Wide width
• Plateau shaped
• High volume
• Runs big

I size down in the Dingo and still have plenty of space! The cozy fur lining also tamps down with use so it’s ok if they feel snug when brand new. Once worn in they can be a little loose on thin ankles and narrow heels, so leg warmers are a great way to make the Dingo work for low volume feet.

Softstar Phoenix

Leather | Sheepskin Lined | Rated to -25F/-32C | Ships from USA

Traction Rating: Snow – Good | Ice – Good

The Softstar Phoenix is a fully lined high quality sheepskin boot with a side zipper for easy on and off. The fur is super thick, warm, and close fitting so you don’t feel like you’re going to walk out of the boot. They can be worn with or without socks because of the breathable, moisture wicking sheepskin. They keep my legs and feet super cozy in cold temps, and they’re so easy to put on and off! I find myself wearing them a ton on snowy winter walks.

The only downside is that because the leather upper comes all the way down to the flat sole they can take scuffs sooner than if that part was covered with outsole material. I would also recommend waterproofing them if you plan to use them in wet conditions.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Wide to Extra Wide Width
• Low to Medium Volume (but can stretch to fit)
• Runs Small

The Phoenix is made entirely of leather and so can stretch to fit a variety of foot types, but they might feel too snug on extra wide/high volume feet. I also recommend sizing up because of the thick lining unless you have quite slim, low volume feet. Mine are a 7U, or Women’s 8.

Wildling Shoes

Textile & Wool | Water Resistant | Rated to 10F/-12C | Ships from Germany

Traction Rating: Snow – Good | Ice – Ok

Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer. If you are outside the US/Canada, use this Wildling Shoes link.

Wildling Shoes hold a special place in my heart. They literally feel like wearing nothing, combining innovation, quality materials, and a gorgeous aesthetic. Besides being adorable, Wildling has somehow managed to create an ultra thin outsole that bends in all directions effortlessly. The uppers of Wildling winter shoes have an integrated waterproof membrane and are topped with either wool or cotton. The models change annually, but for the best warmth I recommend the ones made of a wool upper with a wool lining.

I also wear a felt insole inside my Wildling winter boots, which I consider essential (my cold rating above includes the insoles). If I wear wool socks and leg warmers I can even get by in 15 F/ -10 C for short periods of time! Though I am most comfortable in Wildling boots in temps of about 25 F+. While these are not sufficient to keep me outside for long during the harsh Midwest winters, I wear mine frequently for short jaunts and feel like I’m in slippers the whole time.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Medium to wide width
• Plateau/Square shaped
• High volume
• True to size

While all Wildlings have the same squared off toe box, some models fit roomier than others so I always recommend checking the fit guide on the shoe listing. And if you have low volume feet I highly recommend adding one of Wilding’s wool insoles to your order. Wildlings do intentionally fit long so you have plenty of toe space!

Mukishoes Igneous

Leather | Wool Lined | Rated to 10F/-12C | Ships from EU

Traction Rating: Snow – Good | Ice – Good

Use code ANYAMUKI for 10% off.

The Mukishoes Igneous is a soft boot that looks stylish and on trend while still being delightfully light and flexible. They’re one of my faves! A similar feel to the Shapen Cozy, but with a slimmer toe box and a felted wool lining. I wear mine with an additional wool insole for warmth (and it helps them fit better on my low arches too).

Mukishoes has a few other really nice barefoot boots, but the Igneous is the warmest and best for wintry weather!

Sizing & Fit Type

• Medium width
• Mountain shaped
• Medium to high volume
• True to size, maybe slightly small

Because Mukishoes are not extra wide fitting many people size up for a little extra space. They do fit pretty high volume, so insoles are your friend if you’re low volume.

Honorable Mentions

Feelgrounds Patrol

Vegan Leather | Waterproof | Rated to 5F / -15C | Ships from EU

Traction Rating: Snow – Great | Ice – Good

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order

The Feelgrounds Patrol Winter boots have a robust outsole with good traction and a waterproof upper, while still retaining some flexibility. They are also vegan and insulated for warmth. I use them with their optional extra insole for a better fit on my low volume feet.

For me the heel cup is a little stiff (I have a sensitive achilles), but Justin wears his frequently in the winter and they are very practical. Great for someone who wants a durable waterproof barefoot winter boot with a bit more sole.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Wide to extra wide fit
• Mountain shaped
• Medium to high volume
• Slightly small

In this shoe I recommend sizing up because they run short in our experience.

Manitobah Mukluks

Leather | Faux Fur Lined | Rated to -25F/-32C | Ships from Canada

Traction Rating: Snow – Great | Ice – Good

Manitobah is an Aboriginal-owned Canadian brand that makes faux fur and sheepskin lined mukluks. The original mukluks are built on a super flexible Vibram outsole (but not all models are zero drop, so look for the flat ones!). They are thick and warm inside and yet you still feel grounded. One bonus to Manitobah is that they have waterproof options!

Manitobah tends to fit quite loose through the ankle so I chose this wrap tie version for adjustability. They are the softest, coziest boots! Since the Short Wrap is not waterproof, I used Nikwax spray on it, which seems to be working well.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Narrow to medium width toe box
• High volume
• Runs big/stretches a lot

Manitobah mukluks have a fairly tapered toe box when brand new, but there is a lot of vertical space and the leather stretches out a lot as you wear them. Still not best suited for really wide toes.

Magical Shoes Alaskan

Leather | Wool Lined | Rated to 25F/-4C | Ships from Poland

Traction Rating: Snow – Good | Ice – Great

Use code ANYA for 10% off

The Magical Shoes Alaskan is an ultra flexible, ultra lightweight wool-lined barefoot winter boot. The outsole is very grippy on snow and ice, and the side zipper makes them easy to put on and off. For being so light, they are surprisingly practical. But I do find the material on the thinner side so my feet got cold faster than in the other boots I tested. I put in an extra insole and warm socks, but still felt the cold through the top fairly quickly in my climate.

While the upper material is water resistant, the stitching, zipper and the tongue is not waterproof so water can come through pretty easily if soaked.

Sizing & Fit Type

• Medium to wide width
• Plateau shaped toe box
• Medium to high volume
• Runs small

I definitely recommend sizing up in these, especially if you have wide feet!

Xanthe Anna (UK)

Sheepskin & Veg Tanned Leather | Sizes EU 35-47 | Ships from UK

These sheepskin boots from Xanthe Anna are obviously high quality and really warm. They also have a wide, generous toe box. I like that they stand upright without flopping over. The sole is quite thick and not super flexible, but that may be what you need in the winter.

They’re made-to-order in the UK, repairable, and you can even customize a pair with your desired colors, shaft height, and outsole thickness.

The post The All Time Warmest Barefoot Winter Boots for Snow appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

These are what I call “adventure sandals.” You can wear them for your everyday life but also take them off-road, into water, for a little hike or jog – all the things life throws at you. Because to me, that’s what barefoot sandals are all about. Letting your feet take you on more ADVENTURES! I’m sharing here my top recommended barefoot sandal brands that can take you anywhere.

This is based off my personal experience reviewing hundreds of barefoot shoes and brands, alongside my team of testers. I hope it helps you find your perfect barefoot sandals!

Why I Wear Barefoot Sandals

I wear barefoot sandals to preserve my long term foot health and for immediate comfort. They are unique from typical sandals you find in the store because they are:

1. Totally flat (zero drop)
2. Flexible
3. Foot shaped
4. Securely attached to the foot

The adventure sandals I used to wear were often heavy with rigid arch support. But I’ve since learned that minimalist sandals promote strength and mobility more than those other sandals. And strong and mobile feet support a pain free body!

Learn more about barefoot shoes and how to transition to them here.

This list focuses on my favorite unisex barefoot sandals for walking, hiking, running, and water activities. And because you may not want a thin sole at all times, we also have several options with more cushion. This article is for everyone who wants to take better care of their feet this summer!

If you are looking for other options, I also have recommendations for stylish women’s sandals and healthy summer sandals for kids.

How To Pick A Size in Barefoot Sandals

Everyone has unique preferences for how they want their barefoot sandals to fit, but here are a few guidelines to make it easier.

• In general, sandals do not need as much extra length in front as close-toed shoes.
• Sandals about .5cm – 1cm longer than your foot is often a good range.
• Sandals that are too long can end up being a tripping hazard.

Learn more about how to measure your feet and use a size chart here!

The Best Barefoot Sandals

Below are my top picks for the all time best barefoot sandals you can do everything in. This is your one-stop-shop for everything you need for summer!

Shamma Sandals

Vegan or Leather | Sizes US W5 – M14 | 6 – 15mm Stack Height | Made in USA

Get 10% off your purchase with code ANYASREVIEWS2023

What I Love About Them: Hands down my favorite do-it-all barefoot sandal brand is Shamma Sandals. The materials are top notch – you can tell immediately by the way they feel on your skin and how well they last after lots of wear. Shamma Sandals come in a range of sole thicknesses from extremely minimal (6mm) to fairly thick (15mm) with deep tread. And yet they are all flexible and light no matter the thickness.

I’d say my top 3 favorites are

• Pacific Avenue – easy slip-on flip flop alternative!
• Elite Ibex (I use the power straps on these) – thicker, rugged sole for hiking or pounding the pavement
• Trailstar – Good for everything! And I think they’re cute.

I usually choose the leather topped soles because they feel so good on my feet and wick sweat. You also can request customizations for two-different sized feet, extra large or small sizes, different thicknesses, low volume etc.

My only Shamma complaint is that the straps on the Elite models tend to loosen over time, so I have to retighten them periodically.

You can learn more about Shamma Sandals in my previous reviews.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Mostly true to size, but on the slightly small side. Shamma uses unisex sizing. I am a Shamma 5.5, which converts to a US women’s 6.5
• Wide to extra wide fit – works for many foot shaped and widths, even extra wide feet.
• Fits all volumes

Shamma Sandal retailers around the world:

• Distance Runwear – Canada
• Bprimal – Australia
• Go Free Concepts – Germany
• Barefoot & More – Netherlands

That’s just a few, use Shamma’s Store Locator here to find more!

Earth Runners

Vegan | Sizes US W6 – M14 | 7.5mm – 15mm Stack Height | Ships from US and retailers around the world

Get 10% off your purchase with code ANYA

What I Love About Them: Earth Runners are a no fuss sandal that looks a little cleaner/less sport than Shamma sandals. Once you get the strap adjusted to your liking, they are really secure over the arch but completely unrestrictive on your toes. And you can slip them on and off your heel without doing the buckle each time.

I wear mine for just about everything – they’re perfect for hiking, camping, water activities, and they even look pretty cute with everyday outfits. They also come in different sole thickness options depending on how much cushion you want.

Earth Runners are well-loved among my readers, but the most common complaint I hear is that the strap can be irritating between the toes at first. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend choosing the ergonomic laces (labeled with an E on the product listing) because they are the softest.

You can also wet the strap and twist it back and forth to soften, or roll the strap into a burrito shape and stitch it (see my tutorial for this hack here). I have sensitive skin, so these tips make a big difference for me.

For more in-depth info about Earth Runners, read my review of them!

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Runs slightly small – I go up a half size for comfort between my toes, but they recommend a close fit for security.
• Moderately wide toe box shape – likely not suitable for those with extra wide feet.
• Fits all foot volumes.

Xero Shoes

Vegan | Sizes US W5 – M15 | 6 – 11mm Stack Height | Ships from US or EU

What I Love About Them: Xero Shoes makes a variety of practical barefoot sandals at decent prices in different strap styles and different cushioning levels. Also, I am really into the fun colorful options they have (don’t bright shoes make you want to go outside more?).

You can go for a very minimal sandal for maximum ground feel (Z Trek), or a more cushioned option (Z or D Trail) for tougher trails, longer milage, or comfort. The Z or D Trail feel softer and squishier than the other options here, which is nice sometimes. Xero is also one of the best places to get sandals that don’t go between the toes.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size – I wear a size 6
• Average width – not recommended for extra wide feet.
  The women’s are narrower than the men’s and come in different colors, otherwise they’re the same
• Medium to higher volume – These tend to fit a slightly higher volume foot best. I can tighten them on my low volume feet, but I’m pulling them about as tight as they will go.

Xero sandals around the world:

• Xero Shoes EU
• Xero Shoes UK
• Xero Shoes Australia

If you live in Europe, you can also find Xero shoes at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Vivobarefoot Tracker

Vegan | Sizes US W4.5 – M15 Ships US and retailers around the world.

Use code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off.

What I Love About Them: These launched last year (2024) and I ended up liking them more than I thought I would. They’re a great Keen sandal replacement, with breathability, security, and a protected toe. They’re really easy to slip on and have a nice fit that is easy to adjust and get just right.

The outsole is great for off-roading, so they make for excellent warm weather hiking shoes. And they have a removable insole so you can customize the fit.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size – I would choose your normal close-toed shoe size.
• Average width – these are not super wide, and are a touch narrow for me. Men’s are wider than women’s but otherwise identical, so you can order based on your foot type.
• Medium volume, but adjustable.

Luna Sandals

Vegan or Leather | Sizes US Women’s 6 – Men’s 13 | 9 – 19mm Stack Height | Ships from US and retailers around the world

You can have out-of-stock sandals made to order in their USA shop!

Use the link above for an automatic 15% off your purchase!

What I Love About Them: Luna Sandals have a classic huarache strapping and durable outsoles. If you are someone who puts a lot of mileage on your shoes, something like the Luna Mono can really take you places. They are on the thicker side, compared to some other options here, but it translates into a longer life. The straps also are very high quality and don’t fall apart. I recommend the winged versions, because they hold the strap in place better (other models tend to loosen). I also like using the Tech Strap for a more secure fit.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• Runs a little small – You can consult their size guide for measurements and printable templates.
• Medium wide – these have a narrower toe box than Shamma and Earth Runners.
• Fits all foot volumes, if you use the tech strap.

You can also purchase these at Luna Sandals UK

Bahe Respire

Vegan | Sizes 35 – 47 | 13mm Stack Height | Ships from UK

Use code ANYA for 10% off your order.

What I Love About Them: The Bahe Respire is new for me this year, but I’ve been enjoying them so much that I’ve already worn them on several hikes and all over town for days in a row. They are lightweight, have a textured foot bed, and a thicker insole than more barefoot sandals. They’re also really easy to adjust, don’t pinch anywhere, and are really flexible. And I like that they have a second ring that you can loop the strap through for lower volume feet. Oh, and they have grounding technology. All around win!

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size if you follow their EU sizing. The corresponding US sizes don’t quite match up for me. I have a size EU 37, which they translate to a women’s 6. They fit like an EU 37, but are big for a women’s 6 (I consider an EU 37 to be a women’s 6.5 or 7).
• Wide to extra wide fit – not as wide as the Feelgrounds below, but should be wide enough for a variety of feet.
• Fits most foot volumes

Feelgrounds Pathway

Vegan | Sizes US W5 – M15 | Ships from EU

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order

What I love about them: These adventure sandals have ample toe room and a soft secure strap. I often find that over the toe sandals feel restrictive, but these do not. And even though they’re kinda sporty, they’re also kinda cute too. Extra wide friends will be happy!

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size
• Extra wide fit
• Fits most foot volumes – I am able to get a good fit on my low volume foot by tightening the strap. And high volume feet should also be comfortable with it loosened.

Bedrock Sandals

Vegan & Leather | Sizes US women’s 6 – men’s 14 | 8 – 20mm Stack Height | Ships from US

What I Love About Them: Bedrock is a super rugged adventure sandal brand built for extreme activity. The lacing system is robust – it does not slip or loosen at all with wear.

My favorite is the Cairn, which is a thicker model compared to others here, but lightweight and very secure on your foot. They are flexible enough to bend, but there’s not a ton of ground feel (they’re also firm and not squishy).

All Bedrock sandals are zero drop. The “3D” models have a little bit of arch support, and the rest are totally flat. These are a great option for intense hiking/rafting, or if you just want a little more shoe between you and the ground.

You can find a really useful Comparison Guide to the different Bedrock models here.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size.
• Average width.
• Super adjustable lacing first low to high volume feet.

Bedrock Sandals around the world:

• Bedrock AU
• Outsiders Store – UK
• Dismount Bike Shop – Canada

These are just a few, you can find physical shops in the US that carry Bedrock, as well as more online retailers around the world using Bedrock’s Store Locator

Toetem Sandals

Leather | Sizes US women’s 6 – men’s 13 | 2 Widths | 4mm – 14mm Stack Height | Made & Shipped from US

You can use code ANYASREVIEWS for 7% off your order.

What I Love About Them: Toetem sandals have a wide forefoot – the widest if you choose EW – and the adjustments are all velcro and super easy to use. I also love that they are a small, family-run business with each pair handmade in their workshop!

I find the strapping not quite as robust as the others here – they feel more handmade and maybe not as durable for intense use. But they are loved by extra wide-footed friends and overall function well!

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size
• Average to extra wide width (Choose EW for Extra Wide)
• Fits low to high volume feet (thanks to the velcro straps and Metastrap option)

Lems Switchback

Leather & Nylon Option | Sizes US W6 – M15 | 17mm Stack Height | Ships from USA

What I Love About Them: The Lems Switchback sandal is a slightly different take on the barefoot sandal. They have fully free toes, no arch support, and a lightweight sole. But they are thick compared to most other models here. In fact, they are similar to Bedrock Sandals – except that the Switchback has an extra wide fit and a 3mm heel rise (is not zero drop). I would also say they are lighter and softer than Bedrock.

I am a proponent of zero drop as much as possible, but 3mm is within the range of normal heel height variation, so not going to have a huge biomechanical effect on you. And a very small heel rise might be something you’re looking for depending on your current body state, use case of the sandals (e.g. if wearing a heavy pack).

That aside – they are a rugged sandal with tons of toe room and sturdy adjustments (so the straps don’t loosen). My biggest complaint was that I found it difficult to move the strap through the side buckles. The top adjustment is easy, but on the sides it took some doing. Now that I’ve got it on the tension I want, I only adjust the top buckle to put the sandal on.

Sizing & Fit Type:

• True to size – I got a size 7 because I’m used to sizing up in Lems, but I didn’t need to.
• Extra wide fit – I’ve got lots of space all around my foot! But because they fit securely it’s not an issue.
• Adjustable volume – single piece of webbing that is fully adjustable.

Additional barefoot sandals around the world

Here are more favorites from different regions around the world!

Peracles (AU) – Custom sizes. Super minimalist all leather sandals that I love.

Peracles closes for a couple months in the spring (or fall for Southern Hemisphere) so plan accordingly.

Wildsole Sandals (UK) – Sizes UK Kids 10 to Adult 14 or custom option. Wildsole Sandals are lightweight, flexible, and really practical adventure sandals with several outsole options available.

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

ZuZu Sandals (Israel) – Vegan or leather, Sizes EU 34-47. The soles on ZuZu sandals are made from recycled tires, so they feel a little heavier than other brands but they are a solid option available in 2 different stack heights.

Use code ANYA10 for 10% off

Panta Sandals (EU) – Sizes EU 37-47+. These barefoot sandals are light, comfortable, and can be worn both as a lifestyle sandal or for athletic use. They also come in children’s sizes.

Chala Sandals (EU) – Vegan or Leather, Sizes EU 36-47+. For more details about this brand, read my full Chala review here.

Get 5% off your purchase with code 93D5B5E9

Nallu (EU) – Sizes EU 35-48

Laboo Leather (EU & US) – Sizes EU 35-45, but run slightly small. Fully adjustable leather sandals that are functional for just about any activity. Read more about these here.

We carry these at Anya’s Shop in the US!

Pyopp Fledge (Asia) – Sizes EU 36-46

La Mexa (Mexico) -Vegan, suitable for feet measuring 23-30cm.

Deliberate Life Designs (US) – Vegan, Sizes US Women’s 5 – Men’s 14. handmade to order using recycled climbing slings. They’re a great brand if you have an uncommon foot type, because they come in 5 different preset shapes and 5 different outsole options. And if none of those work, you can still choose the fully custom route. Read my in-depth review of Deliberate Life Design Sandals here.

Get 10% off your purchase with code ANYASREVIEWS

Unshoes Footwear (US) – Vegan, Sizes US Women’s 5 – Men’s 13 (some customizations available). These are really easy to take on and off because of the buckles and elastic, and they can be easily worn both for everyday and sport. The Wokova Feather shown here is my favorite model.

Get 10% off your purchase with code ANYA

Paisley Running Sandals (US) – Custom sizing with lots of different strap placement options. You can read my thoughts on these here!

The owner of this shop is a teacher and is only open in the summer months.

Covered-Toe Barefoot Sandals

Looking for a barefoot shoe/sandal hybrid? The following are similar to a Keen style sandal, but with a barefoot sole. They can be used for more protection while hiking or in water activities. *Some are more shoe than sandal, but I included them anyways because they are water friendly!!*

Vivobarefoot Tracker Sandal – This sandal is an excellent all-purpose shoe but with more breathability and lightness than other rugged options. The Ultra water shoe is another option from Vivo, but not as great for hiking and long days of walking.

Code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off

Bedrock Mountain Clogs – The mountain clogs are functional like a sandal, but with a covered front. These are built on Bedrock’s 3D outsole which is zero drop but has a small raised arch. Read the full review here for all the details.

Freet Zennor – Great barefoot adventure sandal from Freet. These have a wide, high volume fit. Code AnyaFreet gets you 10% off.

If you live outside the US, shop Freet EU here.

Sole Runner FX Trainer – These ship from Germany and are a high quality sandal built for outdoor adventuring.

Wildling Feder – These are extremely lightweight and don’t offer much toe protection, but they function well for walking and cover some toes (they still peek out on the sides)

If you live outside the US, shop Wildling EU here. Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer.

Hiitave Water Shoes – These are meshy and holey to drain water and really flexible!

Saguaro – These neoprene shoes can be used as a water shoe, but I have only ever used them as running shoes. Decent shoe for the price! Read my full review here

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off

Zaqq QERRY & QLEAR Sandals – These are leather and seem geared more for hiking instead of water use.

Astral Loyak – These are only zero drop and flexible after removing the insole. They are also a narrow option. But great quality shoe designed for boating/water use.

Barefoot Sandals Without A Toe Post

Many of the barefoot running and hiking sandals have a toe post or thong strap. If you’re someone who doesn’t tolerate that, check out these options of barefoot sandals that do not go between the toes!

These are a few of our favorites, but for even more options head to the Complete Sandals List.

Feelgrounds Pathways (EU) – Sizes EU 35-49. Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order

Monk Sandals (EU) – Sizes EU 37-46

Xero Shoes (US) – Sizes US Women’s 5 – Men’s 15

Click here for Xero Shoes EU

Saltic Trek (EU only) – Sizes EU 34-47

Unshoes Pah Tempe (US) – Sizes US 5-12. The Uinta can also be worn without the toe loop – review here. Use code ANYA for 10%

Wildling Feder (EU & US) – Sizes EU 36-48 . Read my Wilding review here!

If you live outside the US, shop Wildling EU here. Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer.

As you can see, there is a practical barefoot sandal for just about any activity. If you still have lingering questions (like barefoot sandals for kids), make sure you check out this Complete List of Barefoot Sandals, or you can make use of the quiz & filters on the Barefoot Shoe Finder for even more options!

The post The Best Barefoot Sandals for Hiking, Running, & Walking appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

Your typical work boots are often stiff, heavy, and narrow. While this may protect you in the short term, it can hurt and cause real damage to your feet over time. But if you need protection what choice do you have? A few, it turns out.

Let’s examine how the wide toe box and natural feel of a barefoot work boot offers a better alternative for your feet than the traditional work boot – without compromising on safety.

Why a Wide Toe Box?

Feet don’t like to be cramped. Not only can a wide toe box help you feel better in the short term, it can also help ease the discomfort of chronic foot issues like bunions and plantar fasciitis.

Especially when wearing work boots for long hours each day, you will likely start to feel that pointy narrow toe box that comes standard on most work boots. If you are tired of suffering through your day and coming home with stiff, achy feet, you are in the right place!

Check out this wide toe box boot compared to another steel toe safety shoe we ordered as part of our research. I gasped when I pulled the right shoe out of the box! How can that be comfortable??

You deserve better than that. Let’s explore wide toe box work boots that won’t squish your toes, but still protect you when you need it.

The Best Wide Toe Box Work Boots

We recruited the help of a firefighter & homesteader to put to the test all the safety shoes and work boots with a wide toe box and flat sole that we could find. Over many months he tested them in the following ways:

• On the job as a firefighter (Paramedic and station duties only – not worn for fire calls)
• Woodworking
• Operating power tools
• Chopping wood
• Farm/yard work
• Hunting
• Driving a tractor

After months of wear, here are the ones that passed the test. These are the best of the best wide barefoot work boots, so your feet don’t have to suffer on the job.

Wide Steel Toe Boots

If you need serious toe protection, here are the wide work boots with a steel toe and safety ratings.

Carets Determination Boot

Steel Toe | Water Resistant | 19mm Stack Height | Resolable | Sizes US men’s 6-12

The Determination boots from Carets was our top pick for all around versatility and comfort. They come with all the features and specs needed for most jobs that require work boots AND can be resoled and repaired so that they last many years. They even have a ladder groove, while still being level from heel to toe!

The materials are thick and durable, from the leather upper down to the outsole. The upper is lined for a bit of extra protection around the foot and ankle, but they aren’t bulky or clunky. Everything performed at the level expected of a true safety boot, from the anti-slip sole to the steel toe – all while being actually foot-shaped and more natural feeling than you can find from your typical work shoe.

The product description states that the Determination is a factory boot and not a farm boot, but our tester Nick used them extensively in homesteading situations without any issue. Even wading through creeks they stayed dry unless the water came up above the 3rd lace eyelet where the gusseting ends.

The one thing we would change? That they come in black too, because many jobs (including Nick’s job as a firefighter) require black boots.

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size
• Wide
• High volume initially, but the lacing goes nearly down to the toes so once the leather breaks in you get full adjustability.

Nick found that they needed a bit of breaking in because of the thickness and durability of both the leather upper and the outsole. But after just a couple of wears they were soft, flexible, and easy to put on and off.

Safety Ratings:

• ASTM 2413-18 Impact, Compression, and Electrical Hazard Resistant (view certification)
• ASTM 2413-18 Puncture Resistant (view certification)
• ASTM F3445-21 Slip Resistant (view certification)
• ASTM D471 Oil & Chemical Resistant (view results & discuss with your employer)

Gaucho Ninja Safety Shoes

Steel or Fiberglass Toe | Resolable Options | Sizes EU 37 – 48

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% your Gaucho Ninja order!

Next up are the Gaucho Ninja barefoot safety shoes, which were Nick’s top pick for comfort and have the widest toe box of any option we’ve tried. They carry a leather Carpenter boot, low top safety shoe, and their safety chelsea boots are on preorder now (delivery expected Sept.).

First, let’s talk about the Carpenter Boots as they are the highest quality and have a full steel toe. They had no break in time, and the soft but thick vegetable tanned leather has molded perfectly to his ankle and foot. These are the boots Nick has been wearing to work as a firefighter for most of this year – he wears them for training and ambulance calls when black steel toed shoes are required.

They function more like warehouse/factory boots than rugged farm boots, so Nick doesn’t wear them when doing construction or other outdoor work. The soft leather upper doesn’t provide a lot of ankle protection, which makes for a really nice light fit, but doesn’t lend itself as well to rougher wear.

One thing Nick noticed is that they are toe heavy, because of how soft and light the shoe is compared to the steel toe. But once he got used to that he fell in love with them and has been raving about them ever since (even though his coworkers tease him a bit). The comfort, fit, and the fact that they can be resoled and repaired over and over makes them well worth it.

The other in-stock option from Gaucho Ninja is the Sneaky Ninja Safety Trainers, which are non-leather. They have a spacious, anatomical toe box just like the Carpenter Boots, but with lightweight fiberglass toe caps and a more conventional aesthetic (no teasing from crew in these!). These trainers are the lightest weight option on this list, and come with a puncture resistant insole and anti-slip outsole. Nick loves these for how well they look and function. His only complaint is the upper vegan material is not as easy to clean as the smooth leather of the boots.

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size
• Extra wide toe box
• Good for most volumes because of moldable leather and laces.

Safety Ratings:

• Steel toe caps (200J) EN ISO 12568:2010 
• Fiberglass toe caps CSA F2413-24
• Anti-puncture insole material (1200N) ASTM F2413-2018
• Soles made in Germany EN ISO 20344/20345 with anti-slip, fuel and oil proof, and anti-static properties

Birkenstock QS 700

Steel Toe | Leather & Vegan Options | Water Resistant | Sizes EU 36 – 48

The Birkenstock QS line is a steel toe safety shoe that comes in different colors, materials (only vegan option on this list), and ankle heights. Like the Gaucho Ninja boot, they are more of a factory boot than a farm boot. But they have the important safety specs, a high quality construction, and they are comfortable and wide. I also think they have the most mainstream and polished look.

One more perk – they go down to the smallest size of any option here, for small-footed people who need wide safety shoes.

The cons for us are that they are not easily resolable and come with a thick, supportive insole. Some people may love that, but we like more of a barefoot feel so we replaced it with a NorthSole insole. With that modification they are quite light and flexible.

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size
• The toe box width is generous, but not extra wide (the Gaucho Ninja is the only one that is extra wide).
• Works for all foot volumes, but if you have medium or low volume feet plan to use an insole inside them (either the factory insole or your own).

There was a little break in time, but they were pretty comfortable out of the box.

Safety Ratings:

• Steel toe (200 joules) with scratch-resistant toe cap
• penetration-resistant, metal-free, nonslip, and oil- and petrol-resistant outsole (P, SRC, FO)
• energy absorption around heel (E)
• antistatic protection (A)
• Safety shoe certified in accordance with EN ISO 20345:2011

The trickiest thing about these barefoot work boots is that they are not available in all countries. See below a few of the places where they are found.

• Zami (ships worldwide)
• SLS Bartel Shop (ships worldwide)
• Amazon DE
• Birkenstock UK
• Birkenstock AU
• Birkenstock Spain
• Birkenstock Poland

If you are unable to find them on your local Birkenstock website, Zami (located in Spain) does ship worldwide. They also carry the low top version with and without the safety toe. Zami and Amazon DE are currently the only places I know of that ship worldwide, and the only way to get them in the US!

Wide Load Boots

Steel or Composite Toe | Side Zipper | Ladder Groove | Sizes US Men’s 7-17

Wide Load is an Australian brand, but we purchased them from the US retailer XL Feet. They are indeed very wide! But otherwise more like a traditional boot with a bulkier, clunkier sole and lots of padding around the ankle for support. Like the Birkenstock boot, they come with a thick supportive insole. But you can swap it out for the extra insole they send that is totally flat. This makes for a lower stack height and nearly flat boot.

When Nick first put these on he said, and I quote “This boot makes me feel like I’m getting into an F350!” You can take that how you will.

Wide Load boots felt a bit clompy compared to the others we tested, because they don’t have much flexibility. But they are lightweight and provide ample room for your toes and foot. And, they go all the way up to a men’s 17! You can also choose from a steel or composite toe.

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size
• Wide to extra wide fit
• Medium volume with thicker insole, high volume with thin insole

Safety Ratings:

• AS/NZS 2210.3:2009
• Class 1:SB-SRA
• EN: 20345:2004
• IS: BMP 670431

DeWalt Plasma

Steel Toe | Leather | Sizes US Men’s 7 – 14

The DeWalt Plasma doesn’t have as wide of a toe box as the other work boots reviewed here, but they are soft out of the box, wider than most work boots, and have a nice natural feel to them. Nick uses these for night ambulance calls, when he has to pull on his shoes fast . He keeps the top speed hooks undone and ties the laces lower so he can slip into them.

They have a nice look to them, and the leather feels great. They are a little easier to find in the US than the Birkenstock boots, and also a little lighter too. They’re a good in-between option for someone who wants to start being kinder to their feet in a more accessible way, being the cheapest option in this article.

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size
• Average toe box width, but wide through the ball and midfoot
• Medium volume

Safety Ratings:

• ASTM 2413-11 M I/75 C/75 EH

Wide Work Boots (No Steel Toe)

The following are rugged barefoot boots that can be used in work settings, but do not have safety ratings or a steel toe.

Bearfoot Bruin

Reinforced Toe | Leather | Water resistant | Resoleable | 15mm Stack Height | US Sizes Women’s 6.5 – Men’s 16

Use code ANYA10 for 10% off

The Bearfoot Bruin is a fully leather barefoot work boot, with a reinforced toe. Made with durable Crazyhorse leather and a gusseted tongue to keep debris out, these shoes can protect your feet for yard work, construction, and in a workshop. The hefty zero drop sole can be replaced by a cobbler if it wears out.

We used these for yard/farm work, home renovations, and DIY projects where a steel toe was not needed. They were excellent in that capacity! And they have lots of toe space for even extra wide feet. We also love that they have a Made in the USA version you can preorder

For all the details, read the full Bearfoot Bruins reviews here.

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size according to the US size chart
• Wide to Extra Wide
• High volume (our tester added a tongue pad to get a good fit)

We found them to be on the stiffer side when new, and they required break in time before they were easy to put on and off and tighten the laces. Once broken in, the durable materials were much appreciated.

Jim Green

Reinforced Toe | Leather | Water resistant | Resoleable | 15mm Stack Height | US Sizes Women’s 6.5 – Men’s 16

Jim Green makes a barefoot line that has a thick, rugged, and resolable outsole with a durable leather upper. They are similar to the Bearfoot Bruin, but softer leather out of the box, and less voluminous fit.

Both the short and tall cut boots have a fully gusseted tongue to keep out debris and provide natural water protection. But it also adds a bit of bulk around the ankle that needed breaking in for real freedom of movement.

Sizing & Fit:

• True to size
• Wide to Extra Wide
• Medium volume and easily adjustable.

Short break in time.

Vivobarefoot Tracker

Leather | Waterproof | Sizes EU 35-49

Use code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off

The Vivobarefoot Tracker FG is a sturdy boot with padding around the ankle and a tough leather exterior. It has a puncture resistant outsole and lugs for traction. These are marketed as a hiking boot, but they work well for all kinds of rugged outdoor use.

The sole on these is thinner than every other option here, so may not be comfortable for stepping on shovels. But functionally, they are really practical!

Sizing & Fit:

• Runs slightly small – we size up for socks and an insole
• Medium to wide width – men’s version is wider than women’s
• Medium volume – works well for low and some high volume because of the adjustability.

Lem’s Boulder Boot Grip

Leather | Waterproof | Sizes US Women’s 6 – Men’s 15

The Lem’s Boulder boot is really roomy and lightweight. It has a thick sole to protect you from sharp objects and is padded around the ankle. The toe box is not reinforced, but the upper has a lining for a bit of extra protection.

They are also fully waterproof and super comfortable!! They give clearance above the toes, so you’re not getting squished from above or from the sides. All arounds great boot that can double as a light work or farm boot.

Sizing & Fit:

• Runs small – I recommend sizing up
• Wide to extra wide fit
• Works for all foot volumes

Coming Soon Brands

The follow brands are in the process of developing a wide toe box barefoot work boot. We have not yet tried them, but will be sure to keep you updated in our Barefoot Shoe Digest.

• Texarado Boots
• Flatstep Work Boots

The post The Best Wide Work Boots That Won’t Kill Your Feet appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

Bohempia barefoot shoes are the perfect replacement for stylish but narrow sneakers. You can look just as cool but without the squished toes! In this article I test and review all Bohempia barefoot sneaker models, so read on for the full scoop.

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off your Bohempia purchase.

Getting to Know Bohempia

$110-$140 | 100% vegan | Sizes EU 36-48 | Ships from EU, AU, US, or JP

Bohempia is a Czech brand that makes unisex vegan shoes and accessories from hemp. They’ve built their brand on sustainability – hemp is a renewable resource that is naturally strong, breathable, and antimicrobial. So the shoes are not harmful to the environment, or to your body!

But there’s something else about Bohempia that has made them one of my favorite brands. They carry some of the coolest looking barefoot sneakers that perfectly replace cult classics like Converse, Vans, and Keds! I have long been searching for barefoot alternatives to those brand names and Bohempia does it like no other. I bought my first pair of Bohempia shoes 3 1/2 years ago, and the brand has only gotten better since then.

Bohempia Compared to Popular Sneaker Brands

Here are the main reasons I choose Bohempia barefoot shoes over other sneaker brands.

Bohempia is:

• Foot shaped, allowing your toes to spread out naturally instead of being pinched together
• Totally flat – yes, even Vans and Converse are not actually zero drop. They have some cushioning under the heel in the insole, which can be detrimental to your alignment.
• Thin & Flexible – the thick padding on other sneakers prevents your foot from sensing the ground and moving with its environment. While Bohempia shoes are not paper thin, the sole is much thinner than it looks and they allow for a more natural experience when walking and standing.

While Bohempia shoes are not paper thin, the sole is much thinner than it looks and they allow for a more natural experience when walking and standing.

Check out this article for more info on the benefits of barefoot shoes.

Ordering Bohempia Shoes

Bohempia.eu is the main hub for all Bohempia styles that can be shipped worldwide. There you can use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off at any time. Returns are accepted on unworn shoes within 14 days, at buyers’ expense.

But there are a few other places you can order from around the world, which might be more convenient for you:

• Anya’s Shop (US, also ships internationally)
• Barefoot Shoes Australia
• Bohempia Japan

Sizing & Fit Type

Another one of the most appealing things about Bohempia is that they offer two widths. That means that even people with extra wide feet can get in on the fun. Both widths are:

• True to size for length
• Medium to high volume (They fit extra high volume if you take out the removable insole)
• Straight/Fan hybrid
• Plateau toe box shape

Don’t know what any of that means? Read this article on foot shape, volume, and how to measure your feet to pick a size.

Regular Vs Wide

Regular Bohempia barefoot shoes fit an average to wide foot. I comfortably wear Regular width in my usual size 37 even with my wide forefoot. Wide Bohempia shoes are perfect for extra wide feet or for lots of splay room to wear toe spacers.

Same Shoe, Different Foot

On the left you can see me wearing Bohempia regular width. I have a wide fan-shaped foot with a low arch and skinny ankles. On the right is Samantha wearing Bohempia in Wide width. Samantha has an extra wide, high volume foot.

Bohempia Sneakers Review

All Bohempia barefoot shoes come with a removable insole and are 3.5mm thick without it and 6mm thick with it. Despite being thin, the rubber has yet to show any signs of wear for me. I’ve even heard from several readers who skateboard in Bohempia with good sucess!

They are also all made from the same type of hemp upper that is sturdy but not super soft when brand new. I have never had any trouble with it rubbing or giving me blisters, but it’s not a plush fabric. The outsoles are made of natural rubber that is slip resistant and has worn well for me.

You can find some fall/winter shoes with a microfiber lining from Bohempia too, but I personally am only drawn to the sneakers. However if you want to wear your hemp vegan barefoot shoes into the cold season they are a good option!

Now let’s dig into specifics for each sneaker model from Bohempia.

Velik – Slip On

My personal favorite is the Velik – a Vans slip-on alternative. They are just perfect, down to the outsole details and padded collar. I have a fan shaped foot that is wide at the toes and narrow at the heels, so they feel loose around my ankle, but I solved that by putting a tongue pad in the upper (it keeps my foot down).

Because I have low volume feet I wear mine with the insole that comes with, but they are still comfortable without it if you need more space. Of all my Bohempia shoes, I wear these the most. They style just like my old Vans but feel a million times more comfortable. J’adore.

Bohempia also sells the Vikla, which is the same sneaker but in different color combos and a smooth rubber outsole (no black strip or texture toe guard)

Herlik – Low Top

The Herlik is the ultimate Converse dupe, because Converse are very squishy on the toes! After the slip-ons reviewed above, I like Herlik the most of all Bohempia sneakers. The textured outsole and brass eyelets add just the right amount of pizazz, Bohempia really nailed it with the details.

The fit type is similar to the Velik, but because they have laces I can cinch them over my foot and don’t need to make any modifications. One other big difference between the two is that this model does not have padding around the ankle. I found that the heel area cut into my skin and I needed to add a heel grip for comfort.

Orik – High Top

The Orik is reminiscent of a high top Converse or the like. The high volume in these is a little more apparent than in the low cut shoes, and they bag around my skinny ankles a little bit if I’m wearing them without socks. I think they look better on me when I’m wearing them with socks. Otherwise they’re excellent! No break in time and no discomfort wearing them.

Kolda – Low Top

The Kolda is the first pair of Bohempia shoes I bought over 3 years ago because I wanted a Keds alternative. They are a simple sneaker that can be paired with a dress, skirt, or pretty blouse as well as jeans, sweats, cutoffs, you name it. They do exactly what I hoped they would – finish my outfit with a bit of neutral style while still leaving my toes free.

Hoska – Low Top

The Hoska is like the Kolda but has more lace eyelets for a sportier look. They are a good classic Vans replacement, which my husband used to wear and bust through regularly (his toes just wanted to be freeeeee). Simple, and they get the job done. 10/10 recommend if you want a better Vans alternative.

Conclusion

Bohempia is the place to look if you want a barefoot shoe that looks like a classic sneaker. You get to look good, feel good, and have a clean conscious thanks to their sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing.

You can explore more options in my 15 Stylish Barefoot Sneakers article!

The post Bohempia Review – Time To Throw Away Your Converse & Vans! appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

I have been searching for women’s barefoot dress shoes that are actually fashionable ever since a chronic foot injury derailed my cute shoe dreams. Sneakers and sandals are great, but I really wanted something stylish and fancy that didn’t hurt my feet. After years of curating, here are my ten best women’s barefoot dress shoe picks!

Why Women’s Barefoot Dress Shoes Matter

Considering the high rate of bunions among females, cute women’s barefoot dress shoes are a must-have for the foot conscious gal. They don’t press your toes painfully together and they have no alignment-wrecking heel whatsoever – unlike most stylish women’s shoes which are more like mini torture devices than foot holders. To keep those feet happy, women’s barefoot dress shoes should be:

• Flat
• Flexible
• Foot Shaped

Click here to learn more about the benefits of barefoot shoes!

But that doesn’t mean you have to wear frumpy shoes! This list of barefoot dress shoes for women meets my healthy shoe standards but are also stylish and can be worn with trendy outfits. These are the barefoot dress shoes I wear when I want to look and feel fabulous! Let’s dig in.

If you’re looking for men’s styles, check out this list of the Best Men’s Barefoot Dress Shoes.

The Best Women’s Barefoot Dress Shoes

Before we get going, you might find some terms you’re not used to here – because we do things differently here. Check out this article to learn more about how to measure your feet, pick a size, and understand what type of foot you have!

Shapen Poppy

Leather & Vegan Option | Sizes 36-43 | Available At:

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off any Shapen purchase! These are also available at Anya’s Shop.

What I Love About Them: Obviously, I love that they’re adorable! They are IMO the best-looking barefoot dress shoe in existence. Whenever I want to really dress up these are the shoes I reach for. The open space lengthens the legs and the detailing on the vamp keeps the wide toe box from looking like a blob. It’s hard to find a classy shoe that doesn’t squish your toes, but the Shapen Poppy is exactly that! The soles are also very thin and flexible.

Sizing & Fit Type: A shoe with this much open space is a bit fussy to get right. They run long and you don’t want much extra space or they flop, so most people size down one. They come in two widths, Regular & Wide. Regular is still wider than most dress shoes you find and fits my wide feet. I would only choose wide if you have extra wide feet.

Shapen Barefoot has quite a few other pretty barefoot dress shoes, my second favorite is the Calla sandal. These are one of the prettiest women’s barefoot sandals for an extra wide foot! The Tulip ballet flat is another great option from Shapen that comes in 2 widths and many colors.

Read my full Shapen Barefoot review for more info on this brand.

By Anya Boots & Loafers

Leather | Sizes EU 34-45 | Available At:

What I Love About Them: After years of hunting for the perfect ankle boot & loafer, I did a thing. In October of 2021 I launched a line of women’s barefoot dress shoes that perfectly captured the chic look I was craving in my shoes. It includes the Dalia & Yasemin loafers and the Rosa & Lila ankle boots. They are the perfect end caps to all my outfits and make me feel like I’m not missing out on any style fun.

These shoes are made of a high quality leather upper and a durable buffalo hide sole. This type of sole feels stiff when brand new but warms up and softens and molds to your foot as you wear them. The thin rubber outsole provides some traction and protection from water/mud, and because they are hand stitched they can be repaired and resoled repeatedly at a cobbler!

Sizing & Fit Type: These barefoot dress shoes have an average to wide toe box shape, and are high volume through the midfoot. Some people have wondered why I didn’t make lower volume shoes because I have low volume feet, but these designs don’t lend themselves well for a low volume fit (if they did you wouldn’t be able to get your foot inside). I wear mine with a tongue pad in the upper to get a good fit!

Groundies Ballet Flats

Leather | Sizes EU 36-43 | Available At:

Select Groundies styles available in the US at Anya’s Shop

What I Love About Them: Groundies makes beautiful barefoot ballet flats in different colors – it’s a great place to get closet staples as well as more exciting colors and styles. The quality is consistently top notch and they go with my professional outfits seamlessly. They even have an extra wide width called Barefoot+ in some styles!

The soles are very soft and flexible, making Groundies ballet flats some of my most comfortable barefoot dress shoes. And they really look just like your typical ballet flat minus the pinchy toe box. I replaced some old flats I had hung on to for too long with my Groundies and my toes are so much happier.

Sizing & Fit Type: Groundies ballet flats are true to size in Barefoot fit, but run slightly big in Barefoot+. I suggest choosing Barefoot width if you have average or moderately wide feet, and Barefoot+ for extra wide feet.

Because ballet flats have no straps or adjustments they can be a little trickier to fit, so I keep moleskin on hand for any heel slipping! But in general Groundies flats stay on my slim heels quite well.

Read my most recent Groundies review for more in-depth info on fit and picking a size

Softstar Ballerine

Leather | Grounding Option | Sizes 5U-12U | Available At:

What I Love About Them: For a little while I had a long-distance obsession with Tieks. I adored the bright colors and many options, but never kept any because they hurt my toes so badly! So when I saw that you can customize Softstar flats in 30+ different colors I did a happy dance – the look and quality of Tieks but no pinched toes!

They are all handmade with durable leather, and you can feel that they are sturdy. The sole is slightly cushioned, so if you are new to barefoot shoes or don’t want a thin sole these are a good option. You can also find a grounding option with a leather sole.

Sizing & Fit Type: Softstar Ballerines come in Regular and Wide. I wear a Regular size 6U (equivalent to a US women’s 7 or EU 37), and Samantha wears the Wide option. You can see in the photo below that the Wide is wider throughout the shoe, so can be tricky if you have narrow heels.

For in-depth sizing and fit info + a comparison of Regular and Wide, read my full Softstar Ballerine review.

Be Lenka Ballet Flats

Leather & Vegan option | Sizes EU 36-43 | Available at:

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off from Be Lenka, or you can find several styles at Anya’s Shop

What I Love About Them: Be Lenka ballet flats have a little bit more sole to them than other barefoot flats, so can be a good option for people on their feet all day. They are simple, but streamlined and classy and they work well just about any dressy or stylish outfit. You can also find classic oxford style shoes, loafers, a mesh vegan flat, and some dressy boots that work for both men’s and women’s fancier outfits!

Sizing & Fit Type: Because these flats have a little more structure to them I found them to be slightly stiff at the beginning and then they break in. The sizing is true, and the ballet flats are best for medium width feet. Their dressy boots and oxfords fit wider than their flats.

Crupon Sandals

Leather | Sizes EU 35-41 | Available At:

Use code ANYA for 10% off your purchase

What I Love About Them: Crupon Sandals didn’t use to make barefoot shoes, but I was so in love with their rustic handmade shoes I managed to convince them to try their hand at a wider, thinner version. It turned out to be such a hit among their customers that they now make barefoot versions of many of their beautiful flats and sandals.

I wouldn’t wear them to a professional workplace, but I find that they pair beautifully with dresses and skirts for church, weddings, brunch, etc.

Sizing & Fit Type: Crupon’s barefoot line fits wide feet well, but is probably not best for extra wide feet. They have a mountain shape to them and fit closely around the heel and ankle so they don’t flop around. The Febo & Febo Cross fit high volume over the ball of the foot, and the others fit medium volume.

Read my full Crupon Sandals review for all the sizing/ordering details.

The Huarache by Anya

Leather | Sizes US Women’s 6-11.5 | Available At:

Use code ANYA for 10% off your purchase

What I Love About Them: These woven sandals are a new addition to the world of foot-shaped shoes! After I had been pining for for this classic style in a non-pinchy design I collaborated with Origo Shoes to develop one. The Huarache by Anya is made the traditional way in Mexico and is the perfect elevated fashion statement.

They pair well with a variety of dressy outfits and add a bit of interest to boring outfits!

Sizing & Fit Type: These shoes should fit snug when new, because the leather straps stretch and mold to your foot. Sometimes people feel that they are too low volume, but I can assure you that the stretch a lot! They are still best suited for average to wide feet, and likely won’t fit extra wide feet well (at least until we get our wide version developed for spring 2024!).

Read my full Huaraches review for all the sizing/ordering details.

Lisbeth Joe

Leather | Sizes US Womens 5-12 | Available At:

Get 5% off with code ANYASREVIEWS

What I Love About Them: Lisbeth Joe is a US brand that focuses entirely on women’s stylish and dressy barefoot shoe options.

The Harare is another dressy women’s barefoot shoe that just can’t be beat. The scallop detail is perfect, and the color options are exactly what I want in a stylish shoe. I love it when a dressy barefoot ballet flat has an ankle strap, because they fit more securely while still looking classy. The taupe color is like nude for me, and they work for every day, date night, and even extra dressy occasions. They also offer a fashionable loafer and dress sandal option!

Sizing & Fit Type: Sizing depends on the model and it’s a good idea to consult the size chart before ordering. The close toes shoes fit a little narrow on my toes but I’ve had good success stretching them out by stuffing the toe box with socks or tissue overnight.

Lisbeth Joe shoes tend to work best for a thick high volume foot, so aren’t really optimal for my low volume feet (the Paris being an exception). But I love them and make them work. Some people with extra wide high volume feet are able to size up for even more toe space.

Read this review for more info on the Lisbeth Joe brand.

Grecian Sandals

Leather | Sizes US Womens 4-12 | Available At:

What I Love About Them: Grecian Sandals are the perfect replacement for strappy heels. They are the dressiest barefoot sandals at the cheapest price! You can choose from a few different styles made with a flexible Vibram outsole and lots of color options. They were perfect for my sister’s wedding last year and I just really enjoy wearing them. The metallic leather has help up well without scuffing and they continue to feel great and look beautiful.

If you go to the main Grecian Sandals Etsy page you’ll see many more styles that you can request to be made zero drop, but the soles on those are stiffer than the Vibram sandals linked above. I have both, and I really prefer the flexibility of the Vibram sole. If you see a style you really love you can always ask Natasa if she can special make it for you on a Vibram sole.

Sizing & Fit Type: Grecian sandals fit average to wide feet. I am wearing mine in a women’s 6 and I consider them to be true to size. The ankle portion tends to fit higher volume feet best, but Natasa can add more buckle holes and adjust the strap length according to your foot type (leave a note for her at checkout with your request). Because I have a wide forefoot I asked for a wider strap on this sandal model and it worked out perfectly for me.

Vivobarefoot

Leather | Sizes EU 35-43 | Available At:

Use code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off

What I Love About Them: In the past Vivobarefoot was hit or miss with women’s dress shoes, but lately they’ve been really hitting the mark. You can now find several classic staples that don’t detract from your killer outfit, regardless of what your style preference is.

My personal favorite is the Chelsea boot – It has a sleek, close fit that makes them one of the best dressy barefoot boots. I find they look great with most of my outfits and they’re really comfortable too! I also love the Opanka loafer, the Ryder boot, and the Gobi Hi lace up. You can find a range of sleek dress shoe options that work with dresses, slacks, skinny jeans, leggings, you name it.

The biggest downside to the Vivobarefoot boot line is that they aren’t available year round. So if you’re reading this in the spring or summer, be sure to check out my full list of barefoot chelsea boots for more options.

Sizing & Fit Type: Vivobarefoot generally fits true to size and medium width, but you can size up if you want a little more width. The Geo Chelsea, Ryder, and Opanka slip-on have a low volume fit, so aren’t ideal for high volume feet. The Gobi and Ra work much better for high volume feet because of the laces.

If you have extra wide, thick feet this might not be the best brand for you.

Runner Ups

Here are a few more lovely barefoot dress shoes that might be exactly what you are looking for!

Xero Shoes Phoenix

Knit Textile | Sizes US 5-11 | Available At:

What I Love About Them: These Little Black Flats look chic and go with everything. In fact, the only reason they are in the runner up is because they are out of stock most of the year.

I love a little toe box detail and the Phoenix has just the right amount of it to look classy while still allowing for a natural toe splay. The knit version is soft and stretchy, and the best part is they come in a bunch of different colors! Xero also has a leather version but I don’t love it. It feels too narrow on my toes and too wide on my heel, and not nearly soft enough. If you have straight feet that are on the narrower side it could work. Otherwise, I recommend the knit. The sole is a medium thickness, so work well for people who want a bit of cushion.

Sizing & Fit Type: These flats run true to size, and they come with a removable insole if you have high volume feet. I first tried a Women’s 6.5, but they weren’t staying on my foot well so I sized down to a 6 (EU 36) and they fit better. But like most flats on my narrow heels, if I really get moving they want to flop off. The material does stretch a little over time, so if they feel a bit snug at first you should be good.

Read my in-depth Xero Phoenix review for all the details!

Zaqq Barefoot

Leather | Sizes EU 37-48 | Available At:

We also carry the Riquet at Anya’s Shop whenever we can, but they don’t stay in stock for long.

What I Love About Them: Zaqq carries a dizzying amount of beautiful women’s dress shoes, but my two favorites are the Qerp Loafer and the Riquet boot. The fit and comfort on both is just perfection, and I find they are so versatile to wear. Plus they are styles you don’t find anywhere else.

But Zaqq can be a little harder to order from because the website is geared toward German customers and their customer service is slow to respond. But these two shoes have worked out so well for me I had to include them. And many others are loving their other beautiful styles as well.

The Qerp is the perfect classic loafer with a velvety suede and metallic braided strap. The Riquet is simple, but sleek and the buckle gives them a sexy edge. Both have lasted for years and still look beautiful.

Sizing & Fit Type: Zaqq Barefoot shoes are medium width – a little wider than brands like Vivobarefoot and Xero. They fit true to size and medium volume. That means I can fit an insole inside both shoes to get a more secure fit.

Zaqq sandals tend to fit rather high volume, so be aware of that if you have shallow feet.

Read this full Zaqq Barefoot brand review for more details.

FeelBarefoot Oxfords & Brogues

Leather | Sizes EU 34-50 | Available at:

Use code ANYA50 for a discount

What I Love About Them: These are one of the cheapest places you can find dressy barefoot oxfords and brogues, and you can order them in tons of different colors. They are beautiful and they wear well, and are repairable as needed. In particular the brogue style is beautifully done.

Sizing & Fit Type: These oxfords fit a little bit small in my opinion, and are high volume. They gape around my thin ankles and they fit me best with a tongue pad.

Read my FeelBarefoot review for the full details!

Zlatush T-Strap Flat

Leather | Grounding & Custom Option | Sizes EU 36-45 | Available At:

What I Love About Them: This vintage style of flat cannot be found anywhere else in a natural shape. They are buttery soft and very wide in the toe box. Plus, you can choose from a bajillion different color options! I have bought two pairs of shoes from Zlatica and can vouch for her as a shoemaker, but the process of ordering can feel intimidating. You communicate with her by e-mail and your order is placed in a queue. Once she gets to yours, you pay for it, she makes it, and then sends them on to you! I chose a ready made style, but you can also do a custom order.

Sizing & Fit Type: Zlatica is accustomed to adding plenty of space in her shoes and I find they run on the big side. I have one pair in a size 36 that is roomy, and another in a 35 that is glove-like. For this style of shoe I prefer the smaller size. I also gave her my instep measurement to make sure that she made the ankle strap small enough since I have shallow feet. The toe box has a lot of height as well.

The Best Barefoot Dress Shoes For Narrow Feet

Here are a few adorable barefoot dress shoe options I’ve found for narrow feet! If you have trouble with barefoot dress shoes being too wide for you, this is the list for you.

Ahinsa – You can find narrow and extra narrow widths from this vegan brand. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Angles Fashion (EU only) – Ballet flats marked as “slim” are suitable for narrow feet, but still have a foot shaped toe box. Use code ANYA for 5% off. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop in the USA

Read my Angles Fashion Review here

Crupon Sandals – Use code ANYA for 10% off! The Barefoot line has a wide toe box, but the rest fit a narrower foot. Make sure you select the no heel option.

Read my Crupon Review here

Storehouse Flats – Simple leather flats in a ton of colors and patterns

Ursanina – You can have these custom made to your measurements, but the seller tends to make them on the narrow side regardless.

The Best Barefoot Dress Shoes for Wide Feet

Got primal toes? Here you can find the widest women’s barefoot dress shoes that I’ve encountered.

Shapen Barefoot – Use code ANYA5 for 5% off directly from Shapen (returns are not accepted outside the EU), or find select styles at Anya’s Shop.

Softstar Primal Merry Jane – Read my full Primal Merry Jane review for all the details.

Softstar Ballerine – Check out the full review for tips on sizing and fit!

Everleigh Meadow – These handmade leather shoes come in 3 different widths with a very detailed size chart to help you choose the best fit for you. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read the review here.

Tadeevo Ballet Pumps – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Magical Shoes Ballerina – Use code ANYA for 10% off

Vegan Barefoot Dress Shoes

Ahinsa Ballerinas – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Be Lenka Delight – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Shapen Poppy – The popular Poppy model from Shapen is available in a black vegan option. Use code ANYA5 for 5% off directly from Shapen (returns are not accepted outside the EU)

Tadeevo Ballet Pumps – Velvet & Mesh are vegan. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Xero Phoenix Knit

More Options

In addition to the ones above, here are a few more resources you can use to find you perfect barefoot dress shoes in whatever style you are looking for.

Affordable Barefoot Dress Shoes

Here are the barefoot dress shoes for women I’ve tried that cost $100 or less

• Ursanina Flats – You can get these custom made to your foot shape!
• Xero Shoes Phoenix – Knit and Leather options. My review here.
• Oesh Dream flats – See my review here.
• PaperKrane (formally just a kid’s brand) is adding more options for adults up to size EU 42. They have a simple Mary Jane that is $89. Get 10% off with code ANYA10
• Tadeevo Ballet Pumps (recommended for EU only) – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

The Complete Dress Shoes List

For a regularly updated list of all the women’s barefoot dress shoes available by category, head here.

Sandals

My top 10 picks for stylish barefoot sandals for women.

Loafers

Here you can find 16 Stylish Barefoot Loafers That Don’t Pinch Your Toes

Wedding Shoes

And here is my guide to wearing Barefoot Shoes To A Wedding (Bride, Wedding Party, or Guest!)

Ballet Flats

Click here for A Guide To Barefoot Ballet Flats + a full list of options

And don’t forget that you can find a list of over 30 professional men’s style barefoot dress shoes here!

Conclusion

The beauty of barefoot dress shoes is that they look great, but they’re also practical for lots of walking and being on your feet. I am done torturing myself to look nice! If you are also tired of foot pain and/or want to prevent future bunions or foot deformities, barefoot dress shoes for women are the answer.

The post The 10 Best Stylish Barefoot Dress Shoes for Women appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

When I was experiencing severe foot pain, Birkenstocks saved me. The supportive foot bed and ample toe space was like a salve to my aching foot. In fact, they helped me become mobile again – no small thing when you have small children and a life to live. But a year passed and Birkenstocks were still the only shoe I could wear. Being barefoot, even in my house, was completely out of the question. So did my Birkenstocks really fix my foot pain, or did they just mask it?

In this article we talk about why strengthening your feet and wearing unsupportive shoes might be a better long term strategy for preventing foot issues than wearing Birkenstocks.

Arch Support Makes Your Feet Weak

Currently there is a big disconnect between the way we think about feet and the way we think about the rest of the body. If you came to a physical therapist with a hurt shoulder you might be prescribed a temporary brace, but you would also be advised to mobilize and strengthen the area because if you brace the shoulder forever it will stop working.

And yet if you present with foot pain at the podiatrist’s office you’re likely to be prescribed a pair of orthotics, stiff shoes and an annual appointment to replace them – over and over for the rest of your life. Our feet are made of the same stuff as the rest of our body – muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia. So why don’t we try to improve the function of our feet, instead of just bracing them in arch support forever?

The first paradigm shift we need to embrace is that human feet are designed to work without external support. And while it can have therapeutic benefits for people in the short term, using arch support can actually make your feet weaker! We CAN regain foot strength, mobility, and stability with time and practice.

If your feet are deconditioned to support themselves, the arch in Birkenstocks can feel really good. But relying on arch support gives you no chance to use the muscles and nerves in your feet – tissues that, if strong and active, are more than up to the job of supporting you without any assistance. Most feet aren’t flawed, just underused. And simply wearing barefoot shoes is one way to fix that. Studies have shown that walking around in minimalist shoes naturally strengthens feet. Hence, arch support might help you today, but it’s not preparing you for tomorrow.

Stiff Soles Limit Your Foot Mobility

Besides weakening your foot musculature, the intense arch support and thick sole in a Birkenstock also limits your foot mobility. The foot has 33 joints, which allows for endless movement possibilities, all of which connect the feet to the entire posterior chain – ankles, knees, hips, pelvic floor, glutes.

When you slip on a Birkenstock you are essentially putting your foot into a fixed position. You might get a little bending and flexing as you walk, but not nearly enough to keep your joints robust to meet the demands of a long and active life. Because if you don’t use your joint mobility you WILL lose it. Wearing shoes with flexible soles, i.e. not Birks, allows your toes to bend fully, your arch to flatten and stiffen as designed, and the natural balance system in the body to function. This stability from the ground up will come back to you in dividends throughout your life.

Slides Cause Toe Gripping

My final beef with Birks is that their most popular styles are essentially slides. Shoes that aren’t secure to your foot affect your gait, resulting in shuffling and toe gripping. For optimal mobility, sandals should have some sort of securing strap so they stay put while you move.

Birkenstock Got A Few Things Right

Despite the issues I have with Birkenstocks, they still hold a valuable place in the world of rehab and pain management – thanks to a few critical features.

Toe space

Birkenstock shoes have a natural foot shape that allows the toes to spread out. This is so important for foot function, and unfortunately so uncommon when you go shoe shopping. But that’s also what makes barefoot shoes so great – a natural toe box shape is a critical feature of them so if you transition to barefoot shoes you can say good bye to cramped feet!

Zero Drop

Birkenstock sandals are zero drop (heel is at the same elevation as the toe). This is another uncommon find in a supportive shoe (but an unequivocal feature of barefoot shoes), and is very beneficial to your spinal health and overall alignment. Any kind of heel, even the small heel lifts in sneakers and orthotic shoes, pushes your weight forward and stresses your body unevenly. If you need a supportive shoe right now, it goes a long way to get it in a completely flat one.

*Note that only Birkenstock sandals are zero drop. Their close toed shoes that come with a removable insole are not*

So if you are dealing with chronic or acute foot pain and need something to help get you by, you can do far worse than Birkenstock sandals. But relying on them in the long term will only serve to weaken your foot function over time. So what should we do instead?

The Better Long Term Solution to Foot Pain

If you’re living in Birkenstocks right now, no one is judging. After all, I spent more than a year wearing nothing but Birkenstocks – I know the vicious cycle of weak feet + supportive shoes all too well. But the good news is, you likely have more control than you realize. Foot health can be reduced to the following 4 aspects:

1. Mobility – The range of motion you have control over
2. Alignment – The natural positioning of your body’s joints
3. Strength – The power and endurance of your muscles
4. Stability – The ability to maintain alignment despite outside forces

So how do you achieve those things? Here are a few non-threatening ways to improve the health of your feet.

• Going barefoot
• Doing foot exercises
• Wearing minimalist shoes

I used a combination of all 3 of the above strategies to get myself out of foot pain and out of arch support – for good! It can take time to see results, but real change is like that. Slow, steady progression over years has left me with two feet that stand on their own two feet! I discovered the concept of minimalist shoes in Jan. 2017 and slowly transitioned until Jan 2018 when I started wearing them exclusively. So the above photo shows what my foot looked like a year into my barefoot shoe journey (Jan 2019). 2 1/2 years later to Aug 2021 and you can visibly see that my foot is stronger and more aligned. Like they’ve been working out or something!

Below you can see the progression of my natural arch over 4 years. July of 2017 is when I was fully reliant on my Birkenstocks to be comfortable.

I am not here to tout going barefoot as a panacea for all people with foot pain. But we can ALL, no matter our current situation, be better informed about how our shoes and lifestyle choices affect us. I am prone to joint issues myself, which has affected my path toward healthy feet and better overall movement. But I’d still like to be able to chase my grandchildren someday, so I take every opportunity to use my body naturally. As anyone close to me will report, I can often be found traipsing around barefoot! And when I’m not, I’m in barefoot shoes 100% of the time. That means Birkenstocks are gone from my life, and even though we had a good run, I have no plans to come back to them.

So the next question is, what am I wearing instead of Birkenstocks? Here is a list of barefoot sandals that can be worn daily just like a Birkenstock sandal.

Barefoot Sandal Alternatives

Here are some barefoot sandals that are zero drop, with thin flexible soles, and a natural foot shape to them – for optimal foot function. But you don’t need to be limited to sandals! To get started with minimalist shoes, simply head to my home page.

Feelgrounds Seaside Sandals (EU) – Sizes EU 35-49. The seaside sandal is vegan and available in tons of different colors! Read all my Feelgrounds reviews here.

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order

Earth Runners (US) – Sizes US 6-15. Love mine! Super comfortable. ANYA for 10% off. Full Earth Runners review here

Xero Shoes (US) – Sizes US Womens 5-12, Mens 6-14. Read my Z-Trek review!

In Europe? Shop Xero Shoes EU here!

Shamma Sandals (US) – Sizes US Womens 5- Mens 14. Use code ANYASREVIEWS2023 for 10% off. I love this brand! Check out my Shamma reviews here.

Crupon Sandals (Europe) – Sizes EU 35-41. The sandals linked here are barefoot friendly. The other models from Crupon are narrower in the toe box, but can still be made with a flat and flexible sole. There is also has an extra wide option! Use code ANYA for 10% off.

Read my Crupon Reviews here

Softstar Solstice (US) – Sizes US 5U-12U and 3 width options. These sandals run big, most people size down and choose wide.

Be Lenka Promenade (US/EU) – Sizes EU 36-43. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA). If you are outside the US, shop Be Lenka EU here.

You can find Be Lenka sandals at Anya’s Shop!

Zeazoo Sandals (EU) – Sizes EU 35-46. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. You can find Zeazoo Sandals at Anya’s Shop!

Lang. S by Tikki Shoes (EU) – Sizes EU 35-46. They are released each spring and have options for men, women, and big kids. Great choice for extra wide feet!

Use ANYALANG for 10% off

Vivobarefoot Opanka Sandal (Use this post to find your nearest Vivobarefoot e-shop) -Sizes US 5.5-11.5. Use code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off *This model is only available seasonally. If it’s out currently, they’ll be back next warm season*

Wildling Feather (EU) – Sizes EU 36-48. The Feather sandals from Wildling are super lightweight and have great ground feel!

Read my Wildling Reviews here

And these are just a handful of options! Click here to see a complete list of barefoot sandals with even more choices. And if you’re interested in natural foowear options for more than summertime, I have a multitude of barefoot shoe lists for different age groups, activities, and weather! You can find a barefoot shoe for almost any occasion!

Conclusion

If your feet are capable enough to not need supportive shoes like Birkenstocks you will be more comfortable in your daily life. While everyone’s unique bodies and experiences impact how feasible this is for them, most of us have a lot more control over it than we realize. But don’t take my word for it. Try it out and see if it’s right for you! It costs nothing to start going barefoot more often and exercising your feet. Your body will thank you for the attention.

Reference Material

• The Benefits of Barefoot Shoes
• Foundational Foot Exercises
• How To Strengthen Your Feet With Floor Texture
• The Best Barefoot Shoes for Your Foot Type
• Whole Body Barefoot, by Katy Bowman
• Foot Health 101 Course from Gait Happens – I am also in their Foot Function Membership which I love
• How Feet Are Connected to the Pelvic Floor by Petra Fisher
• 3 Steps to Pain Free Feet from The Healthy Feet Alliance

Supporting Research

• Flip Flops Effect on Gait
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Strategies
• Custom Foot Orthotic Intervention Caused Muscle Decrease
• How Over-Pronation May be a Dysfunctional Model
• Walking in Minimalist Shoes Strengthens Foot Muscles
• Shoes with A Narrow Toe Box Restrict Blood Flow to Heel
• The Biomechanics of Walking on Uneven Terrain
• Nerve Stimulation in Feet Affects Balance and Gait
• More on Nerve Stimulation in Feet and Locomotion

The post Why Birkenstocks Aren’t a Long Term Solution to Foot Pain appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

When you switch to healthy footwear, you’re deciding your feet are important. And that means no longer wearing shoes that don’t fit. But with so many variations in foot shape and size, it can be really hard to find a shoe that actually fits YOUR foot. In this post we’re discussing how to measure your feet, the basic foot types, and the barefoot shoes and brands that work well for your foot type.

Keep in mind that this is a general guide. There are tons of other barefoot shoe brands that fall somewhere in the middle and aren’t listed out here. To find barefoot shoes by category and lots more brands make sure you check out my other shoe lists, and the Barefoot Shoe Finder. But no matter what type of shoe you are looking for, getting to know your feet first will make shopping that much easier!

I have first hand experience with nearly every single brand on this list. Be sure to check out the barefoot shoe reviews section and make use of the search bar if you have any questions about a particular brand!

*If you have more specialized questions about whether barefoot shoes are right for you, please check out the Barefoot Shoes FAQ!*

Measuring Your Feet

First things first. Having a handle on your foot measurements is pretty important, BUT it is not foolproof. After helping many customers measure and use a size chart via Anya’s Shop we’ve learned that fit is highly personal and this advice should be taken with a grain of salt. You will need to get to know how YOU want your shoes to fit first and foremost. So take this measuring and size chart advice with a grain of salt. With that in mind, here are some measuring best practices.

Foot Measuring Best Practices

• I always measure my feet in centimeters to ensure an accurate number, and I measure before each purchase (in case my feet have changed).

• If you plan to wear socks you should have them on.

• Measure at the end of the day when your feet are biggest.

• If you are new to barefoot shoes, keep in mind that they may feel too big the first time you put them on. If they stay securely on your foot when you walk and don’t slosh around, that space around your toes is good and you probably picked the correct size!

• The general recommendation is to wear shoes that are 1 – 1.2cm longer than your foot, but it can vary significantly depending on your preference and the style of shoe. In slip on shoes I sometimes have only .5cm extra length so that they fit close and securely on my foot. In lace up boots that are highly adjustable, I am comfortable with as much as 2cm extra length. If the shoe matches your foot shape perfectly, less extra length is required (they’re foot gloves!). And all of this can be impacted by the design of the upper, the materials used, and your particular foot type and preferences.

Despite the inevitable variations, getting an accurate measurement and understanding a size chart can reduce the chance of sizing mistakes. There are two main ways to measure: A foot tracing and the wall method. For expensive/risky shoe purchases I always measure both ways TWICE in the evening. It’s ok if your measurements are slightly different every time, just use the average.

Foot Tracing

A foot tracing is the most common way to measure. You simply trace an outline of your foot and measure. But it’s important to know that it adds about .5 cm to your actual foot size.

So if you use a foot tracing to figure out what size shoe you need, take your measurement and add only .5 – 1cm (so the total shoe length you are looking for would then be 1 – 1.2cm longer than your actual foot size), and find the nearest corresponding size on the size chart. My feet measure 23.2 from a foot tracing, so I look for shoes with an internal length of 23.7-24.2.

Some people get confused about their foot width when they use a tracing, because they aren’t taking into account the extra mm the tracing added. My foot measures 9.2cm wide from a tracing but I can comfortably wear shoes that have an internal measurement of 8.8cm (without socks). This is because my actual foot width is .5cm less than the 9.2 I get from a tracing.

Watch the vid below for how to do a foot tracing. Make sure you keep your pencil straight up and down!

Wall Method

The wall method yields the most accurate length and width of your foot. You measure foot length by placing your heel lightly against the wall (don’t push it in) and putting a heavy book where your longest toe ends. Then mark where the book is and measure that distance. You get your foot width by lining up the outside edge of your foot against the wall and placing the book on the other side. Then mark with a pencil and measure.

If you are ordering custom barefoot shoes, you might have additional measurements to take! Follow each brand’s instructions carefully and don’t be afraid to measure multiple times!

Understanding A Size Chart

To understand a size chart you need to read the instructions listed on the brands’ web page, because different brands create their size charts differently. It might show the length/width of the insole, the dimensions of the “last” used to mold the shoe, or the length of the foot that fits in each size.

If there are no instructions for how to use the size chart, contact the brand for clarification. But in my experience, when it’s not stated, the size chart shows the internal dimensions of the shoe and not the foot that fits inside. In that case, you would use the above instructions to find your foot length and add 1cm to find your size.

For more a more detailed explanation of interpreting a size chart, including the width measurement, read this FAQ!

Understanding Foot Type

There are a dizzying amount of foot types and most people fall somewhere on a spectrum (metaphor for life). So let’s illustrate the main ones.

• Slope feet have a prominent big toe and all toes are shorter than the previous one.
• Mountain feet have their 2nd toe longest.
• Plateau feet have the first 3 toes all the same length and then it tapers (or for some it might be 2 or 4 that are the same length).
• Square feet are straight across.

Identifying the shape of your foot can make it a lot easier to select a shoe!

You can see above that barefoot shoe brands all have a different shape to them, while having in common that they are wide at the toe box where we need to the most space. So let’s discuss brands that work well for each foot type.

Barefoot Shoe Brands for Slope Feet

Not many brands cater to Slope only feet, but the good news is they don’t need to. When all your toes are shorter than your big toe you’re not likely to have issues with them running into the front of the shoe. So people with Slope feet can often fit into every shoe shape (provided they work for your width and volume – keep reading for more info). Here are a few barefoot shoe brands that follow an Slope foot shape.

• Be Lenka – Be Lenka is also a very wide brand, so they will fit a wider range of people than narrower Slope shaped shoes. Use code ANYASREVIEWS 5% off directly from Be Lenka (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA). If you are outside the US, shop Be Lenka EU here. They are also available at Anya’s Shop in the USA with worldwide shipping available.
• Vivobarefoot – ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off
• Groundz – Code ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off
• Aylla

Barefoot Shoe Brands for Mountain Feet

People with Mountain feet have to be careful about shoes that slope after the big toe. The following brands have a more rounded toe box shape, but also check out the brands for Plateau & Square feet, as many of them will work too.

• Crupon Barefoot Sandals – Code ANYA for 10% off. Read my Crupon Review here
• Feelgrounds – Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order. Read all my Feelgrounds Reviews here
• Groundies – Read all my Groundies Reviews here. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop. If you’re outside the US, shop Groundies EU here.
• Lisbeth Joe – Use ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. Read my Lisbeth Joe reviews here
• Mukishoes – Use ANYAMUKI for 10% off. Read all my Mukishoes reviews here
• PaperKrane – Also available at Anya’s Shop!
• Posh Panda – Read my Posh Panda reviews here
• Splay Shoes – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read my Splay reviews here
• Unshoes – ANYA for 10% off. Read my Unshoes reviews here
• Xero Shoes – Read all my Xero Shoes reviews here
• Xero Shoes EU

Barefoot Shoe Brands for Plateau & Square Feet

Plateau and Square feet also need to watch for sloping toe boxes. That doesn’t mean you can never try other options, but you might need to size up for enough space for your outside toes. People with this foot type may want to focus on brands that also have an extra wide fit.

Below are some of the brands that cater to feet that are more square.

• Ahinsa – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off.
• Bohempia – ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop. Read my Bohempia review here
• Freet – AnyaFreet gets you 10% off. Read my Freet review here
• Lems – These are a thicker than most barefoot brands, and not all models are zero drop and foot shaped – but they’re clearly labeled in the product descriptions. European residents can find Lems at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
• Origo Shoes – Code ANYA for 10% off. Ships to the USA & Canada only
• Softstar Shoes Primal Line – Read my Softstar reviews here
• Tadeevo – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. Read my Tadeevo reviews here
• Unshoes – ANYA for 10% off. Read my Unshoes reviews here
• Wildling – Read all my Wildling reviews here. Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer. If you are outside the US/Canada, use this Wildling Shoes link.
• Zeazoo Dingo – get 5% off Zeazoo direct with code ANYASREVIEWS, or get them from Anya’s Shop if you’re in the US (Save on shipping)

What is Foot Volume?

On to the next foot feature! Foot volume describes how much vertical space your foot takes up. This can be at any point along the foot, including at the arch or instep, the ball of the foot, or the toes. And it is independent of your length, width, and foot type.

• High volume feet are “tall” or “deep” and take up space in the top of the shoe. If you have this type of foot you may find that shoes feel extra snug over the arch of your foot and you have to keep your laces loose.
• Low volume feet are shallow, or in other words they don’t come very high up from the ground and don’t take up much vertical space. People with this type of foot may find that there is extra space in the top of their shoes. This can result in a lot of sloshing around and toe gripping, but don’t worry it’s an easy fix.

In my experience, foot volume has a very high impact on whether your shoes will fit. Recognizing what kind of foot volume you have can really help you make better shoe purchases.

Barefoot Shoes Brands for Low Volume Feet

There aren’t many barefoot shoe brands that cater specifically to low volume feet, BUT that shouldn’t prevent you from trying them all. It is very easy to fix a low volume problem either with barefoot insoles or my favorite felt inserts.

You can learn more ways to make shoes fit your feet better in this Fit Hacks for Low Volume Feet FAQ. But if you don’t want to have to make adjustments, these are brands that work best for lower volume feet.

• Vivobarefoot –ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off
• Splay Shoes – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read my Splay reviews here!
• Be Lenka Wool Lined Boots & Eazy Sneakers – All available at Anya’s Shop! If you are outside the US, shop Be Lenka EU here.
• Groundies – Read all my Groundies Reviews here. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop. If you’re outside the US, shop Groundies EU here.
• Bedrock Sandals
• Earth Runners – ANYA for 10% off
• Shamma Sandals

Barefoot Shoe Brands for High Volume Feet

If you have high volume feet it’s unlikely you’ll be able to make a low volume shoe fit. Your best bet is to choose a high volume shoe to begin with and get good at stretching techniques (Here you can see some more High Volume Fit Hacks). Below are a few high volume barefoot brands and shoes.

• Altra Running – Read my Altra review here
• Be Lenka Prime & Icon – The Prime can also be found at Anya’s Shop
• Bohempia – Get 10% off with code ANYASREVIEWS. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
• FeelBarefoot – Code ANYA50 for a discount. Read my FeelBarefoot review here
• Feelgrounds Droptops (Especially in knit) – Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order
• Lems – These are a thicker than most barefoot brands, and not all models are zero drop and foot shaped – but they’re clearly labeled in the product descriptions. European residents can find Lems at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
• Groundies – Read all my Groundies Reviews here. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop. If you’re outside the US, shop Groundies EU here.
• Groundz – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
• Lisbeth Joe – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
• PaperKrane – Also available at Anya’s Shop
• Raum Goods
• Shapen – Wide width model. Use codeANYA5 for 5% off. You can also find Shapen Barefoot at Anya’s Shop!
• Tadeevo – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
• Unshoes – ANYA for 10% off
• Xero Shoes
• Xero Shoes EU
• Zeazoo Dingo – get 5% off Zeazoo direct with code ANYASREVIEWS, or get them from Anya’s Shop if you’re in the US (Save on shipping)
• Bedrock Sandals
• Earth Runners – ANYA for 10% off
• Shamma Sandals

And if you are someone with a Medium Volume Foot, you are in luck. Because nearly everything else should work for your volume. And you can also make many high volume shoes work with the laces cinched a bit, and low volume shoes with the insoles removed.

Narrow Vs Wide

In the barefoot shoe world width usually refers to toebox width, not width the entire length of the shoe. Some people might have narrow heels but wide toes, while others are wide the entire length of the foot.

You can see that some of the above brands have narrow heels, and others tend to be wider through the shoe. For the purposes of this post, we will keep it focused on toe box width, but the better you know your feet the easier it will be to find the right shoe.

If you want to dig deeper into this, check out my post on the shoes best for extra wide feet!!

How Do I Know My Foot Width?

Narrow and wide are subjective terms, but most barefoot shoe brands fall into what we’ll call “average” width. Of course they are not average compared to conventional shoes, but conventional shoes are often too narrow for standard feet, so for our purposes “average” is appropriate.

So if you find that your feet are sloshing around in all your shoes (including barefoot shoes) then you may have narrow feet. If your foot is always rolling off the edges of the soles of your barefoot shoes, then you might have wide feet. If you have no idea, I recommend trying one of the average width brands listed below (maybe one with free shipping/returns to be safe!) and going from there – because if you’ve only worn conventional shoes thus far you likely have a distorted view of your foot width.

Now let’s list the best options in different toe box widths.

Barefoot Shoe Brands for Narrow Feet

• Vivobarefoot – While they fit most medium width people, Vivobarefoot also works for narrow feet because they have a close fit.
• PaperKrane – Also available at Anya’s Shop
• Crupon Sandals – Use code ANYA for 10% off
• The Storehouse Flats – ANYA for $5 off
• Xero Shoes
• Xero Shoes EU
• Shapen Ballet Flats – Use codeANYA5 for 5% off
• Bedrock Sandals
• Ahinsa – Select ballet flats for narrow feet. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
• Zapato Feroz – select styles available at Anya’s Shop
• Zeazoo Sandals – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
• Free Form Shoes – Men’s dress shoes

Barefoot Shoe Brands for Extra Wide Feet

All barefoot shoe brands should be wide compared to conventional shoes. But this is a list of extra wide options, for people who don’t fit into other barefoot shoe brands, starting with the widest. Keep in mind that custom may be a good option if you have trouble finding shoes that fit (see the next section).

And here is an article that goes into more detail on these shoes and separates them out into Fan Shaped and Straight – Where Do You Need Your Width?

• Softstar Shoes Primal Line – The absolute widest there is! I have written two Primal Softstar reviews.
• Bohempia Wide Width – Get 10% off with code ANYASREVIEWS.Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
• Be Lenka – International customers can get 5% off with code ANYASREVIEWS. You can order Be Lenka shoes from Anya’s Shop!
• Groundies – Barefoot+ models are extra wide! Read all my Groundies Reviews here. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop. If you’re outside the US, shop Groundies EU here.
• Groundz – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
• Ahinsa – Everything here is vegan! Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off.
• FeelBarefoot – Code ANYA50 for a discount. Read my FeelBarefoot review here
• Feelgrounds – Code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order
• Freet – AnyaFreet gets you 10% off
• Lems – Choose the Primal 2 for the widest toe box and thinnest sole! Lems Shoes are thicker than most barefoot brands, and not all models are zero drop and foot shaped – read the product descriptions. European residents can find Lems at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
• Magical Shoes – ANYA 10% off
• Realfoot – Super wide toe box, read this review for more information. Code ANYASREVIEWS10 gets you 10% off
• Tadeevo – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
• Zlatush
• Joe Nimble (International)
• Unshoes – ANYA gets you 10% off
• Lang S by Tikki Shoes – Available for US/Canadians at Anya’s Shop
• Shapen Barefoot – Ivy, Fleur, and other models in Wide width are extra wide. Use codeANYA5 for 5% off. US/Canadian customers can find Shapen at Anya’s Shop!

Major Barefoot Shoe Brands for Average Width Feet

If you don’t even know where to begin, the brands listed here are a good place to start. They have an anatomical shape and tend to fit an average width foot well. If you find they are too wide or narrow, that can help you determine where to go next.

38 Barefoot Shoe Brands from Narrow To Wide

In the photo below I ordered 38 different barefoot shoe brands that carry everyday barefoot sneakers and lifestyle shoes from narrowest to widest. This is looking specifically at width across the ball of the foot – you can see that there are variations in overall shape between them which may make some shoes feel narrow on your foot, even if they measure wide at the ball of the foot (that’s why the above information on foot shape is useful!). Also, keep in mind that some brands have different width options available, and variations between models. This is my best attempt at generalizing the information to help orient you!

A couple notes: Some of these brands that show up as a narrower option sometimes work for even extra wide feet. Most notably, Wildling Shoes and Mukishoes. Both of these barefoot shoe brands have extra flexible soles that flatten out and tend to accommodate a variety of shapes. Wildling also often has wide-fitting options even with the same sole shape (more material up top). While it’s true that the actual sole width on those two brands are in the correct order in this photo, you may find that they still fit wide. Ultimately we’ll all experience shoes differently, so take everything here with a grain of salt.

Custom Barefoot Shoe Brands

While custom shoes can be a scary investment, if you have tricky feet it can make all the difference. My custom shoes are some of my all time favorites because they fit like a glove. Check out this list of shoemakers that will customize your purchase to your personal foot measurements. For more info on the ones that I have worked with, read this article on Custom Barefoot Shoe Brands.

• Gaucho Ninja Leather – My review of two Gaucho Ninja boots here. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
• The Drifter Leather – My ordering guide here
• Zlatush
• Zkama shoes
• Conker Shoes
• Jenon Leather – Shipping to EU & USA only. Use code JENON11 for 10% off. Read my Jenon Leather Review here
• Green Shoes

Sandals

• Chala – Use code 93D5B5E9 for 5% off, and read my Chala Sandals review here
• Conker Shoes
• Deliberate Life Designs – ANYASREVIEWS
• The Drifter Leather
• Jenon Leather – Shipping to EU & USA only. Use code JENON11 for 10% off . Read my Jenon Leather Review here
• Laboo Leather – LOVE these. Also available at Anya’s Shop!
• Nallu
• Paisley Running Sandals
• Running Pads
• Tarasoles
• Zlatush
• Zkama

Looking for more categories of shoes? Here are a few more lists

• Barefoot Shoe Brands with Cushion
• Barefoot Dress Shoes
• Barefoot Boots
• Vegan Barefoot Shoes

Still have barefoot shoe questions? Check out the Ultimate Barefoot Shoes FAQ

The post The Best Barefoot Shoes & Brands for Your Foot Type appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

Barefoot shoes aren’t exactly known for being cheap. If you’re looking to save a little, look no further! All the coupon codes, sales, and discounts for every barefoot shoe brand are here in one place! This post is continuously updated so you’ll always have the latest deals. Bookmark it and check back before you make a purchase.

Current Sales

• Xero Shoes: Up to 40% off select styles
• Vivobarefoot: Buy more save more with codes SAVE25, SAVE50, and SAVE75
• Shamma Sandals: 15% off most Ultra Grip Sandals
• Merrell: 40% off select spring styles
• Zeazoo: 25% off with code EASTER2026 until April 11

Clearance/Outlet Sales

Below you’ll find the clearance/outlet sections where brands keep all their discounted shoes. You can return to these repeatedly because inventory changes!

Note that there are many scam websites out there claiming to sell discounted shoes – please only shop with brands’ official websites or authorized retailers. We only list vetted e-shops here.

Adults

• Anya’s Shop Discounted Seconds – Deals on out of season, slightly used or minor defect shoes. See also our final sale items for unbeatable prices.
• Ahinsa (vegan brand): – Up to 50% off select models
• Earthing Moccasins (DIY shoes): 50% off tutorials when ordering a starter kit
• Feelgrounds: 20-50% off discontinued styles/colors. Use code ANYA5 for an extra 5% off your first order
• Fleeters: Up to 50% off discontinued styles
• Groundies US: Up to 50% off end of season sale.
• Lang.S – Up to 40% off
• Luna Sandals – Seconds quality. Up to 35% off. Use my link for an extra 15% off
• Magical Shoes – Up to 30% off select styles. Code ANYA will get you 10% off everything else.
• Mugavik Barefoot Outlet (EU retailer with worldwide shipping) – Discounts on outlet models. Code ANYASREVIEWS get you 5% off non-sale items
• Navega Barefoot: Last Pairs clearance
• Origo Shoes Sale & Factory Seconds: Big discounts on final sale and factory seconds shoes
• Saltic: 25% off with code BLACKFRIDAY
• The Drifter Leather: 20-50% off Ready to Ship sale
• Tupsunupsu (EU Retailer with worldwide shipping) – Select styles on sale
• Zami (EU retailer): Select styles on sale
• Zaqq – Select styles on sale

Kids

• Anya’s Shop Discounted Seconds – Deals on out of season, slightly used or minor defect shoes. See also our final sale items for unbeatable prices.
• Lang.S – Up to 40% off
• Magical Shoes – Up to 30% off select styles. Code ANYA will get you 10% off everything else.
• Mugavik Barefoot Outlet (EU retailer with worldwide shipping) – Select styles on sale. Code ANYASREVIEWS get you 5% off non-sale items
• Tupsunupsu (EU Retailer with worldwide shipping) – Select styles on sale
• Zami (EU retailer): Select styles on sale

Coupon Codes That Don’t Expire

Here are all the barefoot shoe discount codes available that can be used at any time.

Barefoot Shoe Brands

Ahinsa Barefoot Shoes – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Angles Barefoot (EU only) – ANYA for 5% off

Bahe – ANYA for 10% off

Barebarics – ANYASREVIEWS 5% off

Bearfoot Shoes – ANYA10 for 10% off

Be Lenka US – ANYASREVIEWS 5% off

Be Lenka EU – ANYASREVIEWS 5% off

Blusun – AR10 for 10% off

Bohempia – ANYASREVIEWS 10% off.

Butterfly Your World – ANYA10 for 10% off

Chala – 93D5B5E9 for 5% off

Creepers Socks – Use this link for 10% off

Crupon Sandals – ANYA for 10% off

Curious Red – ANYASREVIEWS for $5 off

Deliberate Life Designs – ANYASREVIEWS 10% off

Dolfie Paradise – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Earth Runners – ANYA 10% off

Earthing Moccasins – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

FeelBarefoot – ANYA50 for an extra discount

Feelgrounds – ANYA5 for 5% off your first order

Foot Buddy – ANYAS15 for 15% off

Freet Barefoot (UK) – AnyaFreet for 10% off

Freet Barefoot USA – AnyaFreet for 10% off

Freet Barefoot EU – AnyaFreet for 10% off

Gaucho Ninja – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Geniale Sandals – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Groundz – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

High Feels – ANYA for 5% off

Icarus Footwear – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Jenon Leather – JENON11 for 10% off

Kingdom of Wow – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off (one use per customer)

Lang S. by Tikki Shoes – ANYALANG for 10% off

Lisbeth Joe – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Little Love Bug Company – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off first purchase

Lono Wear – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Luna Sandals – Use this link for 15% off automatically

Magical Shoes – ANYA 10% off

Minnemals – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Mukishoes – ANYAMUKI for 10% off

Notace – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Notorious Lift – Use this link to get 10% off automatically applied.

Oaka Studio – OAKAANYA for 15% off

Ohne Project – ANYAOP10 for 10% off

Origo Shoes – ANYA for 10% off

Origo Shoes Mexico – ANYA for 10% off

PaperKrane – ANYA10 10% off

Peerko – ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off

Peluva – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Reima – ANYA15 for 15% off your first purchase

Ruby Workshop – ANYASREVIEWS35 for 15% off

Rutsu Barefoot – ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off

Saguaro – ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off

Saguaro Chile – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Shamma Sandals – ANYASREVIEWS2023 for 10% off

Shapen Barefoot – ANYA5 for 5% off shoes and accessories

Splay Shoes – ANYASREVIEWS 10% off

Stonz – ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off

Tadeevo (Recommended for EU only) – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Tara Sandals – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Toetem Sandals – ANYASREVIEWS for 7% off

Tolos – ANYA10 for 10% off

Unshoes – ANYA for 10% off

Vivobarefoot – ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off

Wildling Shoes – AWN_ANYA_S for one-time free shipping

Use this Wildling link if you are outside the US/Canada

Wildsole Sandals – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Wyde Footwear – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Zeazoo – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. *This code is only for ordering directly from Zeazoo’s website.

Zuzu Sandals – ANYA10 for 10% off

Barefoot Shoe Retailers

Anya’s Shop (USA) – Subscribe to the shop e-mail list for 10% off code for your first purchase

Minimalist Shoes AU (Australia)- MSAanya20 for $20 off first order

Mugavik Barefoot (Europe) – Code ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off. They ship worldwide.

PedTerra (USA) – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off first order

Sole Freedom (Canada) – Use code 10OFFANYA for 10% off first purchase

Healthy Foot Gear

Barefoot Kids – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off Muffik Sensory Mats. They ship to the UK, US, and AU.

Naboso Technology – ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off

Knitido – ANYA10 for 10% off

Sole Freedom (Canada) – Use code 10OFFANYA for 10% off first purchase

The Toe Spacer – ANYA10 for 10% off

Toe Sox – ANYASREVIEWS for 20% off

Other Affiliate Links

If my barefoot shoe reviews have helped you, consider using my links for your purchases! I will receive a small commission, but it doesn’t cost you anything.

Altra

Bedrock Sandals

Birchbury

Carets Dress Shoes

Correct Toes

Etsy

Gait Happens

Groundies US

Injinji Socks

Jan & Jul – Lite Winter Boots and Toasty Dry Booties

Lems

Lems EU

Luks Barefoot

Posh Panda

Softstar Shoes

Ten Little

Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes EU

Zami (EU Retailer)

Zaqq

Do you know of more sales or discount codes that are missing from this list? Shoot me a comment and I’ll get it updated! And then be sure to subscribe below so you hear about all future posts on the blog.

The post Barefoot Shoe Discounts – All the Current Sales & Coupons in One Place! appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

Barefoot shoes have a reputation for being “weird.” I remember the first time I saw a pair of Vibram 5-Fingers. They were so bizarre looking that I couldn’t hear the benefits of them. Even when my best friend told me she ran in minimalist sandals my eyes glazed over, it was in one ear and out the other. The whole idea of flimsy, unsupportive shoes as GOOD for your feet flew in the face of everything I had been taught. It was just too different.

But the way we’ve been dealing with foot pain isn’t working. Stiff supportive shoes and corrective surgeries are not giving people the relief they need. So maybe different is exactly what we need.

In this post we’re going to break down the idea of barefoot shoes to show that 1. they’re actually not weird, 2. they’re a viable solution to common foot ailments, and 3. there are things you can do today to have healthier feet.

Why Don’t I Wear Normal Shoes?

You see, I’ve run the whole gamut of supportive shoes and orthotics. A nasty case of tendinitis at the age of 9 landed me in my first pair of orthotics and after that it was supportive shoes year round. I noticed I had discomfort if I ever strayed too far, so I didn’t question it.

When I saw my podiatrist as an adult after months of intense foot pain, she reaffirmed this to me and put me in even stiffer, MORE supportive shoes. In some ways I’m grateful to her and my injury, because when this advice turned out to be TERRIBLE for me I was finally ready to accept new knowledge into my life.

*Want to hear more about this saga? Read my full barefoot journey here.*

Fortunately, my sweet friend reminded me about minimalist shoes and sent me a copy of Whole Body Barefoot by Katy Bowman. The rest is history. Today I wear absolutely nothing but minimalist or no shoes and my entire body is stronger, more stable, and functioning better than it ever has in my life.

In fact this experience was so life-changing that I now spend my time breaking down barriers to healthy footwear. This website is all about showing you how awesome minimalist footwear can be and making it easy for you to find what you love. One choice (your shoes) can impact your life in countless ways.

So what do you think? Are you ready to think about feet and shoes in a new way?

What Is A Barefoot Shoe?

“Barefoot” shoes are so-called because they let your feet move as if barefoot. Most shoes inhibit our foot function, to our detriment. So in order to keep our feet strong and mobile our shoes must have the following characteristics:

Completely Flat

A completely flat shoe keeps the center of gravity over the heels, where we are most stable. Heeled shoes (even small heels like the ones found on tennis shoes or the flats shown above) push us forward and force compensations throughout the spine to stay balanced. This causes some parts to be over worked and others to be under worked, aka IMBALANCE. Being in shoes that are zero drop is critical for whole body alignment.

Foot-Shaped

We entered this world with beautiful fan-shaped feet and toes. Choosing shoes that follow the natural curves of the foot allow them to keep looking this way! But more importantly, it allows them to continue to function. Our feet take the shape of the shoes they are in. So if you spend most of your time in squished pointy shoes your feet are going to start looking the same way, which can eventually lead to bunions and other toe deformities.

Flexible

Feet are flexible; shoes should be too. Stiff shoes effectively bind the intricate muscles of the foot, muscles that will waste away if not used. Shoes that move with the foot allow those muscles to stay strong and supple, paving the way for a lifetime of stability. When the range of motion in your feet doesn’t get used regularly, the result is limited mobility followed by pain.

No Arch Support

Flat feet can cause a lot of problems in your body, but sticking a support under there completely takes away the opportunity for your muscles to work. It also locks the foot into a single position, when it actually should be flattening out a little bit with each step. Weaning off arch support can take time, but in the end it’s much better for your long-term foot health.

Secure to the Foot

In order for your feet to do their job they can’t be worrying about a shoe falling off. Flip flops and ill-fitting shoes cause you to grip your toes and slam your heel to prevent them from going flying. Feet simply can’t move effectively in a shoe that’s sliding around, which has ripple effects throughout your body.

Thin

The ability to balance is a hugely important skill for a human, and our feet are a key part of it. Thin soles allow you to maintain a connection with the ground, making it easier for you to move confidently and strongly. Thick soles prevent your nerves from sensing where you are in space, which leads to sloppy movement.

Why Should You Try Barefoot Shoes?

Many people will benefit from wearing barefoot or minimalist shoes*. And this is why.

1. It’s Natural

Feet have carried humans through life without additional support for thousands of years. The need for constant foot support in the form of orthotics and stiff shoes is a modern plague, and one that largely affects the developed world. But we know (‘cuz science) that feet aren’t fundamentally flawed. Rather our modern lifestyles are. Excessive sitting combined with restrictive shoes from an early age put a real damper on our ability to move freely. So if you think of “foot pain” as a symptom of a larger problem, then an orthotic starts to sound more like a Tylenol than an actual solution. Yes it’s easy and quick, but it does nothing to fix the reason for your pain. Free feet are natural feet, so let’s figure out a way to REGAIN that function, rather than mask our problems.

2. Feet Are The Foundation

Foot function has a HUGE impact on our bodies. There is a kinetic chain running from our big toes, through our arch, up our legs and into the hips and spine that affects everything we do as humans. If your feet can’t move well enough to engage the rest of the chain, you get a whole host of issues you probably didn’t realize were connected to your feet. Like knee pain, back pain, etc. Sometimes you get the reverse too: An issue with your pelvis could be the reason for your throbbing big toe. If you are here because you have foot pain, you’ve probably become acutely aware of how much it can impact your life. Feet are a seriously underestimated part of our bodies, and turning our attention to them will come back in dividends throughout our lives.

3. They’re Cool

Ok, some barefoot shoes look weird. But thanks to a change in the tides, there are so many that look great! I have watched the market increase rapidly over the last few years, and today there is a shoe for everyone and every occasion. We’re talking weddings, work, date night, even the military, for men, women, kids, and tweens. You DON’T have to stick out like a sore thumb to have happy feet. In fact, I am adamant about NOT looking weird in my shoes. If you stick around you’ll see that you don’t have to compromise on your style to wear healthy shoes.

4. Small Change, Big Results

The simple act of choosing better footwear is one choice, but it impacts your body over and over. For me, barefoot shoes are a one way street: once I experienced the freedom there was no going back. Being out of pain has made me a happier, better person and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. But especially now that there are so many barefoot shoe options to choose from, there is no need to accept foot pain as just a fact of life. You don’t even have to be an obsessive foot nerd (like I am) to enjoy better quality of life from your stronger feet. The small change of better shoes is a gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

But What About Foot Support?

Because I grew up with foot issues I have heard this refrain over and over. What about the support? Don’t our feet NEED to be supported? We’ve all heard it. And the truth is, some feet do need to be supported, at least for a time*. But currently we are binding and restricting perfectly healthy feet without even considering why they are hurting in the first place.

Unnecessary support leads to weakened tissues, because who needs muscles when you can just rely on your shoe! Carefully and mindfully learning to use your feet the way they were born to often eliminates the need for support. Take myself for example. Reliant on orthotics for 2 decades, I now go completely without support 100% of the time. It took me a couple years to build up the strength to get there, but flat feet are in my past. So it’s time to put away the notion that all feet need to be supported. There are things we all can do to have stronger, healthier feet, and it doesn’t take odd-looking shoes to get there. You can dig deeper into why arch support isn’t a long term solution here.

Now you know all the hype about barefoot shoes, watcha gonna do about it??

How Do I Get Started?

For detailed information on who should wear barefoot shoes, how to transition your body, and how to find your perfect pair refer to The Ultimate Barefoot Shoes FAQ.

Check out my Find Your Footing Workshop for everything you need to make the transition to barefoot shoes easier and more successful

Here are some more great resources to start with!

1. Wake Up Your Feet

Before grabbing yourself a pair barefoot shoes, here are some simple exercises to help regain foot function. Changing your footwear changes a lot of things about your body, so it’s a really good idea to pair it with restorative exercises.

5 Foot Exercises for Transitioning to Barefoot Shoes

2. Pick Out Your First Pair of Shoes

My general philosophy is to err on the side of caution and transition slowly. Beginning with exercises and being barefoot as much as possible is an excellent way to start, but if you want to take it to the next level you’ll need new shoes. Here are some recommendations to get you started. If you’re looking for shoes in a specific category, like work, be sure to check out my other shoe lists and subscribe to see all my new reviews. And if you want a taste but are nervous to invest, read my Affordable Barefoot Shoes post for options as cheap as a few dollars.

Barefoot Shoe Brands for Beginners

All Time Best Barefoot Shoe Brands

Best Affordable Barefoot Shoes

3. Dig Deeper

Meaningful change takes time, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach here. If you’re committed to feeling better in your body then consider this the first step of a lifelong journey. It’s worth it. Go slow. Be patient. And love your feet!

Want more? Here are some additional resources to sink your teeth into, then follow me on Instagram and subscribe below to stay in the loop!

Barefoot Shoes FAQ

Discount Codes

The Barefoot Shoe Finder

Glossary of Terms

Here are some terms you’re likely to hear in the world of barefoot shoes!

*This is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have persistent pain, chronic health issues, or a diagnosed musculoskeletal disorder please consult a professional. This information can still have an impact on how you approach footwear, but you may need to modify your approach to make it safe and effective for you.

The post Are Barefoot Shoes The Solution To Your Foot Pain? appeared first on Anya's Reviews.

We have been wearing and testing the best barefoot shoes from brands all over the world for years.

Below is a guide to what we consider to be the best tried-and-true barefoot shoe brands for every occasion and every member of the family – with all the info you need to determine if they’re a right fit for you.

The Best Barefoot Shoe Brands

Minimalist shoe brands are exploding worldwide as people are making a shift in their priorities. Instead of arch support and heel rise, people are reaching for flat, flexible, and spacious shoes that mimic the effects of being barefoot. But because barefoot shoes are still not readily available in stores, it can be hard to determine which are the best for your particular feet and lifestyle.

You’ll find here a synopsis of all the best barefoot shoe options with helpful sizing and ordering tips so you can easily pass on what won’t work for you and embrace your new sole mate

Are you new to barefoot shoes? Here are a few resources that might make shoe shopping easier:

• The Best Shoes For Your Foot Type
• All The Barefoot Shoe Reviews (filterable by age/gender/category)
• How To Pick Your First Pair

And if you’d like to see a more complete list of barefoot shoe brands, please refer to my Barefoot Shoe Finder, where you can find over 150 options that meet healthy shoe requirements.

Now on to the all time best barefoot shoe brands, in no particular order.

Best All-Arounder Brands

The brands listed here reliably serve a wide range of needs in the barefoot shoe market – they are easy to access and make great shoes! For barefoot shoe brands with more niche offerings, check out the table of contents or scroll to the end.

Vivobarefoot

Sizes EU 20-49| Vegan Options | Ships from Various Locations

Use the code ANYASREVIEWS15 for 15% off

Vivobarefoot is the original barefoot shoe brand for every occasion. They sell athletic, dressy, winter, and kid’s shoes, all of which are consistently durable and high quality. If you love to be outdoors, they make the most functional barefoot shoes for that hands down.

Vivobarefoot was one of the first ever barefoot shoe brands, and is still the most easily accessible around the world with generous shipping/return policies and many retailers. After testing several dozen different Vivobarefoot shoes in my family, they remain one of my all-time favorites. You can find retailers all around the world in our Barefoot Shoe Finder.

Sizing:

• True to size
• Average width
• Low to medium volume

Vivobarefoot fits an average width foot with a slim profile (low volume) best. That means if you have an extra thick foot, you’ll have better luck with some of the other brands in this list.

Read all my Vivobarefoot reviews here.

Be Lenka Barefoot

Sizes EU 25-47 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU or US

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Be Lenka Barefoot boasts some of the widest shoes out there in an impressive lineup of styles and tons of colors. They are one of the best places to find quality barefoot shoes for extra wide feet (if Vivobarefoot is too slim for your feet, this is where to check next).

We love that Be Lenka has consistently good quality and so many good options to choose from that work for a wide variety of occasions. We sell a lot of different Be Lenka shoes at Anya’s Shop in the US, which can help you save on shipping! And you can check our Discounted Seconds area for a deal.

Sizing:

• True to size
• Best for wide feet (sandals and ballet flats are a little slimmer). You can learn about the different Be Lenka sole types here.
• Volume depends on the model, but generally medium to higher volume.

Currently Be Lenka only accepts returns from within the EU and USA. You can also find many Be Lenka styles at the following official retailers:

• Anya’s Shop (USA)
• Happy Little Soles (UK)
• Barefootwear (AU)
• Mugavik Barefoot (EU) – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

Read all my previous Be Lenka reviews here.

Xero Shoes

Sizes US 12 Kid’s – 15 Men’s | Vegan Options | Ships from US or EU

Xero Shoes is one of the largest barefoot shoe brands in the US with some of the best barefoot gym and running shoes you’ll find. But they also have boots, dress shoes, and casual sneakers for all your other activities. One of the nice things about Xero is they have several affordable options and regular sales, making them a great first brand to try.

Sizing:

• True to size usually
• Wide straight fit
• High Volume

If you have a foot that stays thick through the middle and heel this is a brand to consider. However, this can be problematic for people who have more fan-shaped (wide at the toes, narrow at the heels)

Read all my reviews of Xero Shoes here.

Wildling Shoes

Sizes EU 18-48 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer.

Wildling Shoes are incredibly minimal and lightweight, they feel as close to being actually barefoot as it gets. But for how flexible and thin they are, they are surprisingly practical.

While it’s true that they are not as durable as other outdoor barefoot shoes, our Wildlings have held up really well as lifestyle shoes. They even have water resistant options, but we’ve found that water can come through if they get really soaked. So we don’t usually wear Wildlings in bad weather for long stretches of time.

Sizing:

• Sizing varies by model & season – use the fit guide for each product
• Generally fits average to wide feet (but some fit extra wide)
• Square shape
• High volume

Read my Wilding Shoes reviews for more info.

Feelgrounds

Sizes EU 24-49 | All Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off

Feelgrounds has done an excellent job of combining a universal shape with stylish designs. They fit wide feet without looking too clowny, but also can work on slimmer feet without being floppy. If you love Vans and classic sneakers, these are an excellent replacement.

I would love to see their sneakers made with a natural textile instead of synthetic for better comfort and breathability, but I still wear my Feelgrounds all the time.

Sizing:

• True to size
• Wide fit
• Medium to high volume (they sell additional insoles if you have low arches)

Read my Feelgrounds reviews for more info.

Mukishoes

Sizes EU 24-48 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYAMUKI for 10% off

Mukishoes makes fun and beautiful barefoot shoes with ethics and sustainability as a top priority. They are fully transparent about their sourcing and practices, so you can buy knowing you’re not hurting the earth. They are also very comfortable and soft, one of my favorites for a barefoot feel in a sneaker that looks more mainstream.

The biggest challenge is that they can sell out of popular styles quickly because they produce in small batches.

Sizing:

• Mukishoes run true to size
• Kids models – extra wide fit
• Adult models – average width
• High volume

We love the kids Mukishoes and they are one of our all time favorites for littles! But in the adult sizes some people with a wide toe splay find it’s not enough width there (they are similar in shape to Xero Shoes).

Read my Mukishoes reviews for more info.

Softstar Shoes

Sizes US 2C – 15U |Vegan Options | Multiple Widths | Ships from US

Softstar shoes are handmade in Oregon from raw materials, with a full range of styles for all ages and occasions. Because of the many color options that you can customize your shoes with, Softstar is a favorite for picky customers (both kids and adults). The baby moccasins are one of our top picks for baby/toddler shoes. If you have a significant foot length discrepancy, they also are able to make shoes in two different sizes/fits because they are made to order.

Softstar also has a variety of grounding options, and shoes with one of the widest toe boxes I’ve ever seen on the Softstar Primal line!

Sizing:

• In general true to size
• Width and shape varies significantly between models, which they make clear on the website (just take the time to read through it)
• Medium to high volume fit

Softstar uses unisex sizing, so you’ll want to make sure you use the sizing guide on each product listing.

Here you can read my Softstar reviews.

Peerko

Sizes EU 37-45 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off.

Peerko makes lifestyle barefoot shoes that are extremely well loved by foot enthusiasts. They are beautiful, well-made, and have a universal fit type that works for a wide variety of feet. Somehow they fit wide but look sleek! They are a must have in my closet, particularly in the fall because they have incredible barefoot boots.

The biggest drawback is that they don’t accept returns outside the EU if you order directly from them. We try to help with that by carrying popular models at Anya’s Shop, but we don’t carry all of them.

Sizing:

• True to size
• Medium to wide
• Medium to high volume

If you have shallow feet you might like to wear an insole with them as they have a lot of vertical space (good for people with upturned toe nails!).

Splay Shoes

Sizes US Kids 8 – Men’s 13 | Vegan Options | Ships from US

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Splay Shoes makes classic sneaker styles for adults and kids that we’ve been wearing since they first debuted as a company. We love that they are an affordable option with a good anatomical toe box shape and flexible sole. They also have a nice all leather sneaker.

When it comes to durability in the Splay kids’ shoes, we’ve found that the colors fade a bit with heavy use and overall don’t last as long as the more expensive kids shoes. But, for the price we love them! Kids are hard on shoes, we don’t expect them to look flawless.

Sizing:

• Runs a little bit small
• Wide toe box, but slim through the midfoot and heel
• Low to medium volume fit

Bohempia

Sizes US Kids 8 – Men’s 13 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Bohempia is loved for their classic sneaker styles but in a barefoot shape. And with their wide option, even people with extra wide feet get to enjoy them! I wear my Bohempia slip ons all the time to replace the Vans I used to wear (and that pinched my toes).

The upper is made of natural hemp and the outsole is vulcanized rubber – both long lasting materials. They are well loved by me and many barefoot enthusiasts! You can find select Bohempia styles at Anya’s Shop in the US for easier access too.

Sizing:

• True to size
• Two widths fit average to extra wide feet comfortably
• Medium to high volume fit (removable insoles)

Read my Bohempia review for more details!

Freet

Sizes EU 29-49 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code AnyaFreet for 10% off

Freet makes functional outdoor barefoot shoes at a low price point. If you aren’t able to fit into Vivobarefoot shoes, Freet is a good alternative because they have a much roomier fit for wide feet. We also love that they sell a 6mm insole to add to your Freet shoes to give them a little bit more cushion.

Sizing:

• Sizing can vary by model, but often runs a bit small
• Fit wide feet with plenty of toe space
• Fits medium to high volume best

Check out my Freet reviews here for more details!

Origo Shoes

Sizes US Kids 8 – Men’s 13 | Vegan Options | Ships from US

Use code ANYA for 10% off.

Origo Shoes makes a variety of classic styles for kids and adults at a more affordable price point than a lot of other brands. And they are high quality! We consider them to be a good brand to start out your barefoot journey in.

They are more stiff than a lot of barefoot shoes when brand new and the uppers takes some breaking in, but they soften up.

Sizing:

• True to size
• The sneakers are best for average width. The Derby fits a little bit wider.
• Medium volume

Zeazoo

Sizes EU 16-47 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off directly from Zeazoo, or find select models at Anya’s Shop!

Zeazoo shoes are buttery soft and light, with endless color and style options. Their strongest points are their sandals and sheepskin boots, both for kids and adults (boots only go up to an EU 42 though). I wear my Dingo boots all through the winter – they are possibly the comfiest shoes I own!

I also love their loafer styles, but the other shoe models with a top stitch fit less universally and work best for fairly slim feet (they are also shallow over the toes).

You can find a selection of Zeazoo shoes available in the US at Anya’s Shop!

Sizing:

• Tends to run long
• Best for average feet and some wide feet – the Dingo boots and velcro sandals fit the widest.
• Medium to high volume

Shapen Barefoot

Sizes EU 35-47 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off!

Shapen makes my favorite women’s barefoot dress shoes, they are one of the best brands for people with extra wide feet who still want to get fancy!

They’ve recently added sneakers and boots to their offerings, so you can find options for the whole family. They are a great combination of style with healthy, barefoot shoe features.You can find a selection of Shapen shoes available in the US at Anya’s Shop!

Sizing:

• Runs true to size mostly, but slightly big in the sandal & boot models
• Most models best for wide feet, regular width option is good for average feet
• Medium to high volume

Magical Shoes

Sizes EU 18 – 47 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYA for 10% off.

We like Magical Shoes because they have a wide variety of styles and they are all uber soft and flexible. I’m a big fan of their Lupino chelsea boots, they’re so comfortable and it’s hard to find a classic chelsea style that soft. In fact, I love almost everything they make!

The only complaint I have is that the lining on the sneaker styles (Promenade and Explorer) is rough and I don’t love the way it feels. Oh, and the fact that the closed toed shoes run much smaller than the sandals.

Sizing:

• Close toed shoes run quite small, but their adult sandals run big!
• Wide straight fit
• High volume

Magical Shoes works well for thick, chunky feet.

Groundies

Sizes EU 36-47 | Vegan Options | 2 Widths | Ships from US or EU

Groundies has some of the most flexible minimalist shoes, all with incredible style and quality design. Their extra wide options ensure that even extra wide feet can enjoy these beautiful shoes! They consistently make some of my all time favorite barefoot shoes. We like this brand so much we started carrying it at Anya’s Shop!

Sizing:

• True to size
• 2 width options for average to extra wide feet (+ a 3rd that is pointy, so I don’t recommend it)
• Volume varies by model, but in general is medium

You can read my in-depth Groundies reviews here.

PaperKrane

Sizes EU 16-45 | Leather or Textile | Ships from AU

Use code ANYA10 10% off

PaperKrane had to be mentioned for having the loudest, craziest barefoot shoes! And practical kids uniform shoes that aren’t exorbitantly expensive. They do small production runs, so sometimes it’s hard to find your size in the style you want, but if you’re on their email list you will be notified of when products launch. We love the color and pizazz they bring to the barefoot shoe world!

Sizing:

• True to size
• Fits slim, straight feet.
• High volume

Tadeevo

Sizes EU 18-53 | Vegan Options | Ships from EU

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off!

Tadeevo is a brand to consider if you have beefy feet that don’t work in slimmer barefoot shoes. They are extra wide all through the shoe and fit high volume, with plenty of space above your toes. They are also very flexible and comfortable.

Sizing:

• True to size
• Fits wide, straight feet.
• High volume

Best Barefoot Sandal Brands

If you’re looking specifically for sandals, here are my top barefoot sandal brand recommendations!

Shamma Sandals – ANYASREVIEWS2023 for 10% off.

Luna Sandals – Use this link for an automatic 15% discount

Earth Runners – Use ANYA for 10% off

For more options and details, click the link below where you will find the all time best barefoot sandal brands plus additional resources on dressy sandals, kids sandals, and anything else you need to know.

Best Kids’ Barefoot Shoes

Want this same barefoot shoe guide, but for kids’ shoes? You’re in luck, because we have an in-depth resource to help you navigate this world for your children.

Many of the “Best All-Arounder” brands are also some of the best kids barefoot shoe brands, but you’ll find kid-specific info and a few additional ones like:

• Zuna Shoes
• Lang. S by Tikki Shoes – ANYALANG for 10% off
• Saguaro Shoes

Best Transition Barefoot Shoes

If you are looking for wide toe box, zero drop shoes but with a little bit of cushion – here is a few of the best brands that meet that criteria.

Lems Shoes Main HomepageLems Shoes

Lems Shoes EU

Altra Running

Joe Nimble

For more details, check my guide to the best beginner barefoot shoe brands below!

Best Extra Wide Barefoot Shoes

If you are looking for the widest barefoot shoes out there because you got serious toe splay, check my guide to the best extra wide barefoot shoe brands below!

Best Vegan Barefoot Shoes

If you are looking for vegan barefoot shoes, fortunately there are quite a lot to choose from. You just have to know where to look! Here are a few of the best vegan barefoot shoe brands (in addition to the vegan options from the All-Arounders list):

Ahinsa – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

Sambas the Bambas

Find even more options listed by category below!

Best Custom Made-To-Order Brands

One of the nice things about barefoot shoemakers is they appreciate how impactful fit is. Here are the best custom barefoot shoe brands that will make shoes to order based on your unique foot measurements.

The artisan shoemakers below don’t make bespoke shoes based on your measurements, but they do offer customizations such as two different sized shoes, single shoes, and some fit modifications (strap length, shaft width).

Unshoes Footwear

Sizes EU 21 – US Men’s 13 | Custom Options | Vegan Options | Ships from US

Get 10% off with code ANYA

Unshoes is a small business that has my heart. They hand make shoes for men, women, and children all with a natural foot shape and thin sole. Unshoes carries some of the most affordable barefoot sandals out there.

Here you can read all my Unshoes Reviews.

Crupon Sandals

Sizes EU 36-42 | Leather & Vegan Options | 2 Widths | Ships from EU

Use code ANYA to get 10% off

Crupon Sandals is a small operation with each pair handmade to order. They are some of my favorite stylish barefoot options! You can order the Nomade sandal, shown above, in an extra wide width, and they have a water friendly version too!

Learn more in our Crupon Sandals Review.

No(n)s Barefoot

Sizes EU 35-48 | Leather | Ships from EU

No(n)s makes beautiful classic oxfords and boots with the options of brogue detailing and some customizations. They made me a pair of gorgeous tall lace up boots that I love – they are so comfortable and fit wide feet well.

Posh Panda

Sizes US Infant – Men’s 13 | Custom Options | Ships from CA

Posh Panda is a Canadian company that offers fun and comfy slip ons, lace ups, and my personal favorite – buckle sandals! You can customize them with all kinds of beautiful leather options, and they are incredibly soft.

Check out my Posh Panda reviews here.

Luks Shoes

Sizes EU 35-48 | Leather | Ships from EU

Luks shoes are soft and very wide. Their moccasins are some of my favorite barefoot slip on shoes because they are buttery soft and comfortable. There are two width options, and 2 outsole options to fit a variety of needs.

Still want more info about the best barefoot shoes?
Subscribe to the Barefoot Shoe Digest below! We have lots more for you.

Here are just a few of our many barefoot shoe resources:

• Barefoot Shoes In Your Region
• Affordable Barefoot Shoes
• Barefoot Dress Shoes (Women’s)
• Barefoot Dress Shoes (Men’s)
• The Ultimate Barefoot Shoe FAQ

What barefoot shoe brand is your favorite? Comment below with your top picks!

The post The All Time Best Barefoot and Minimalist Shoe Brands appeared first on Anya's Reviews.