Loafers have long been one of my favorite styles of shoes. They’re fashionable, practical, and can be worn as a dress or casual shoe. But typically they are really pinchy in the toes.
For years loafers and I never got along because of my foot issues. Until I discovered barefoot shoes that is. Now I don’t need those pointy loafers anymore! I’m in a long term relationship with wide toe box shoes and hurty shoes and I are never ever ever getting back together. 😉
If you’re interested in getting the loafer style without the bunions, check out this list of completely flat and wide foot-shaped barefoot loafers.
Why Most Loafers are Hurting Your Feet
I have some strong opinions on wearing shoes that hurt my feet (read this post for more on that). But the two biggest beefs I have with the loafers you’re most likely to see are they have a pointy toe box and a heel.
- Pointy Toe Box: Most shoes no longer look like feet at all. The pointed tips on your shoes prevent your toes from spreading out which can lead to foot pain AND prevent your body from moving well (did you know we use our big toe to balance?)
- Heel: No, they’re not stilettos, but even that small heel on traditional loafers can throw your center of gravity forward and force your body to compensate in awkward ways. Especially if you are susceptible back pain, you might want to consider the heels on your shoes.
And the wild thing is, you find these painful features even on brands considered to be”comfort” brands. So I now look for foot-shaped shoes, that actually mirror my anatomy.
Want to see more of my stylish but comfortable shoe picks?
Check out my Wear This, Not That series.
Alright, let’s dig into my favorite fashionable but comfortable barefoot loafers! This is a mix of women’s, unisex and men’s options. The women’s options are the front of the list!
My Favorite Barefoot Loafers
By Anya Loafers
Leather | Sizes EU 34-45 | Ships from US
I wanted a simple loafer that was sophisticated and elegant, without unnecessary doodads and that came in a variety of neutrals. So I just developed my own! 😀 The Dalia and Yasemin are fully leather shoes (upper, lining, insole, outsole) with a thin layer of rubber on the bottom.
While I love both, I have a favorite. The Dalia has just a few extra details that make them one of my personal favorite dress shoes. For one, I think the style is perfection and will always look chic no matter how trends change over time. And second, they come up a little higher on the foot and fit more securely on thinner feet than the Yasemin.
They do take a little bit of break in time to form to your foot, but they breathe well, are reparable, and really just get better with age. Both are best suited for average to wide feet, not ideal for narrow or extra wide. If you have low volume feet you might consider adding a tongue pad.
Be Lenka Loafers
Leather | Sizes EU 36-43 | Ships from EU or US
When shopping in the EU you can use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.
My personal favorite Be Lenka loafers are the Viva (above left) with a slimmer fit, and the Buena (above right) with a penny loafer strap and a wider fit. Both come with a removable insole, which makes them work well for both lower volume and higher volume feet. I love both!
The Viva loafers do have a sharper edge, particularly in the black, and they gave me some pretty good blisters. So I recommend using moleskin if you have sensitive skin. But they are so pretty that it’s well worth it in my opinion!
My favorite Be Lenka men’s loafer is the Portsider (EU 40-47, also available in the US at Anya’s Shop). It strike a good balance between casual and dressy (business casual I’d say) that feels breezy but put together. They run a little bigger than we are used to from Be Lenka, and Justin actually sized down in them.
Shapen Loafers
Leather | Sizes EU 35-44 | Ships from EU or US
When shopping in the EU you can use code ANYA5 for 5% off. But Shapen doesn’t accept returns outside the EU, so you may want to try Anya’s Shop in the US. We will be getting our loafer order in April 2025!
Shapen has two loafer styles – one is the Sheen (above left) that has an extra wide fit and a shiny patent leather. They feel stiffer because of the patent leather, but the toe space is lovely. They fit me best with an extra insole.
The other is Versa, which comes in two widths. Regular is average width, Wide is extra wide fitting. I am wearing Regular and Samantha wears Wide. The fun thing about these is that the metal bit is interchangeable, so you can order whatever style you like best!
The leather on the Versa is softer than the Sheen, but I did find that the ankle opening is on the wide side and my feet almost want to slip out.
Peerko Trim
Leather | Sizes EU 36-43 | Ships from EU
When shopping in the EU, you can use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off – just note that they don’t accept returns outside the EU. Which is why we also carry them in the US!
The Peerko Trim is a loafer for people who want toe space AND pizazz. They are light, flexible, and low profile but with some sparkle and fun patterns. I think they still can be used as a professional shoe, depending on your outfit. But they also work well as a casual everyday shoe.
They have an average to wide fit (probably not suitable for extra wide feet) and stay on my narrow heels pretty well. The volume is medium to low, so also not best for a high volume foot.
Zeazoo Cheetah
Leather | Sizes EU 35-42 | Ships from EU
Use code ANYASREVIEWS to get 10% off.
The Zeazoo Cheetah driving loafer comes in a bunch of different colors and detail options. They have that rubber heel piece on the back so that they don’t scuff when driving.
They can be dressed up for more formal outfits or casually with denim. They are really comfortable for being a dressy shoe!
They are medium wide, but the moccasin top stitching makes them adaptable to a lot of different foot shapes. Zeazoo also does custom sizes and color combos by request.
Zaqq Qerp
Leather | Sizes UK 4.5-12.5/EU 37-48 | Ships from Germany
Zaqq Qerp loafers are so soft and feel great on my feet. They run true to size and have a medium width toe box – so not suitable for extra wide feet. But I like the classic styling of them with the metallic braided details.
Zaqq also has this gold Qosmo loafer that is quite pretty! Check out my Zaqq Review for more details about this brand.
Lisbeth Joe London
Leather | Sizes US W 6.5-11 | Ships from US
Get 10% off with code ANYASREVIEWS
The Lisbeth Joe London loafer has a classy, simple design that works with all my favorite outfits, but still fits my wide toes comfortably.
It does fit high volume feet best, and they have a straight cut for people who need width through the middle of the foot. This is basically the opposite of my foot type and they are quite roomy on me. But once I added in a tongue pad for my low arches I have been able to wear them comfortably.
I would say they are true to size, but I erred on the larger side because I wanted a little more toe space. They are medium width in the toe box.
Ruby Workshop
Leather | Sizes EU 36-43 | Handmade in Turkey
Use code ANYASREVIEWS35 for 15% off
Ruby Workshop is an Etsy shop that makes loafers and flats in lots of colors. They are simple leather shoes in what I would call middle quality leather, but feel light and soft. They are a little high volume for me and fit a wide toe box. You can see in the pictures above that they are also wide through the heel, so will overall be best for thick, high volume feet.
They are more affordable than a lot of other barefoot shoes, which is a plus, and can be dressed up or down.
Magical Shoes Cameron
Leather | Sizes EU 37-47 | Ships from EU
Get 10% off with code ANYA
Magical Shoes Cameron is super lightweight and flexible, like everything from Magical Shoes! This unisex style comes in 5 shades of soft leather and can easily take you from casual to dressy.
Check out all my Magical Shoes reviews here
Raum Goods
Leather | Sizes US Women’s 6 – Men’s 14 | Ships from USA
Raum Goods slip ons are made of buttery soft leather and have a nice wide shape to them. They come in several lovely neutral colors year round, and can be dressed up or down. They fit high volume and loose around the heel, so be ware if you are low volume and narrow in the back.
Be aware that the soles are fully leather and feel stiff and a little slippery at first. Once they get scuffed up they no longer are slippery, and the soles break in after a few wears. They are high quality shoes and feel great on. You can also have them repaired at a local cobbler if needed. Oh, and they have a grounding copper plug in the bottom!
I have a pair of their limited edition Mudcloth loafers and they are so cool! They run a little bit small, I am usually a 6.5 in flats/loafers and sized up to a 7.
Groundz Slip-Ons
Leather | Sizes EU 36-47 | Ships from US
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
Groundz slip-ons are similar to Raum Goods with a full leather sole and grounding plug, but Groundz have an extra wide forefoot shape to them and the leather is bit thicker. They fit high volume, so I went with the style shown above that fits more securely than the ones with cut outs on the sides.
In this brand I sized down to a 6 – they were a bit short but broke in!
Sullivent
Leather | Sizes EU 39-48 | Ships from US
Sullivent dress loafers are high end Spanish-made shoes that will last you for years. They feature some excellent toe space, and a faux heel design that blends right in with formal businesswear.
All these shoes are made-to-order, so keep that in mind before ordering, but they’re worth the wait!
Read our full Sullivent review here for all the details on sizing, fit, and more!
Drifter Leather Slip On
Leather | Sizes EU 34-49 | Custom Options | Handmade in Greece
The Drifter Leather slip on sneakers are simple, but able to be made according to your foot tracing and measurements! You can also customize your leather choice for a shoe that’s truly made for you. It’s a process, but I love all my Drifter Leather shoes.
You can read my Drifter Leather Reviews here
Tadeevo Boat Shoes
Leather | Sizes EU 40-47 | Ships from EU
Get 10% off with code ANYASREVIEWS
Tadeevo boat shoes give you all the classic style of a conventional boat shoe, without the cramped toe box and stiff soles! They’re available in 5 colors so you’re sure to find something to suit your wardrobe. We recommend Tadeevo only for EU customers, as the return process is quite difficult overseas and many people have had trouble getting the shoes actually delivered back.
Check out my Tadeevo Reviews for more details about this brand.
Gaucho Ninja
Leather | Sizes EU 36-45 | Handmade in the UK
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off your Gaucho Ninja purchase.
Gaucho Ninja shoes are exquisitely handcrafted in the UK by a small team of dedicated shoemakers using the finest materials. They are bespoke, made to your measurements and your preferences.
The price is ouchy for sure, but they are a heritage product so if you are someone who plans to get years and years of use out of them it may be worth the investment. Lisandro is a wonderful shoemaker dedicated to not leaving a harmful footprint on the earth. You can read more about Gaucho Ninja and my experience with their shoes in this review.
For lots more barefoot style, check out my Fashion, But Make it Barefoot Shoes series!
75 thoughts on “The Best Stylish Barefoot Loafers That Don’t Pinch Your Toes”
hello
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would be great and appreciated. pls consider this communictaion as B2B in private
like & enjoy your passion and efforts
Pavel
Have you heard of Raum shoes? There aren’t any reviews yet but they look promising to me!
Yes! I have a pair! They are fairly tapered in the toe box and not very comfortable for me. But they’re really soft and nice otherwise. The owner is planning on releasing a more barefoot friendly version in the future.
Awesome, thank you!
I just got a pair or Raums but will have to return them to size up.
Did you get to wear yours enough to get to know how well they wear. They are very beautiful and the leather is soft but there is a “grounding” copper plate hammered into the sole, which has a leather exterior. I’m afraid the leather sole will not last very long. What is your experience?
I have a few shoes with an all leather sole and have never had trouble with them wearing out. Leather is surprisingly durable for how thin it is, especially the type of leather used in outsoles. I never wore my Raums enough to really test that, but based on the quality of it and how my other leather soles have fared, I don’t think it will be an issue.
Hi Anya! I really love your blog and I’m especially glad that you write a lot about women’s shoes and consider fashion too, unlike lots of others. I have a question, do you know where I could get a barefoot version of penny loafers? My dress code is pretty strict and while I think I’d be ok with getting shoes that are less stiff with no heels, it still has to look like a penny loafer. Meaning, it needs the little rectangle with the slit. Are there any options for me to make the switch? I’m looking for one in black and in a US women’s size 6 or 6.5. Thanks again for your great blog!
Hey there! Thanks for the kind words. It sounds like you need the Zeazoo Cheetah! I reviewed them in a version without the “penny” slit, but they have them just like that in black. You can find my post on them here. Just click the link through to the brand and you’ll see them.
https://anyasreviews.com/zeazoo-kids-cheetah-review-barefoot-boat-shoes/
Thanks so much, this looks perfect!
These are all sooooo casual. I wish at least one brand would make a proper shoe. I need formal footwear for work and none of these work. 😞
Great list! The Opanka loafers look so nice. I wish Vivobarefoot would make larger women’s sizes. I’m a 44, but have low volume feet. Finding shoes that fit well, are large enough and look nice is still a challenge – especially when it comes to loafers and flats.
Yes, I can imagine! Softstar Ballerine might be a good place to check, they do larger sizes. We recently stocked a sandal that comes in a 44 and is goof for low volume feet as well, the Laboo Leather sandal.
I have researched various barefoot shoes for months. I’ve worn Altra running shoes since last year and I love them. I ordered a pair of the new Lisbeth Joe London loafers since it’s not always appropriate to wear sneakers at work. I love them. Fit is perfect. My toes have so much room and the sole is the perfect amount of cushion. HOWEVER, I cannot take the stretchy heel. Tell me they stretch out and can be worn for a full day. At this point, since I’ve worn them out of the house I don’t think I can return them. I am only 44 minutes into my workday, my Achilles is aching and my toes are tingling.
Are they brand new? Because they definitely do stretch out! You can put a heel cushion or moleskin in the mean time. I also manually stretched the heel and massaged the leather to soften it.
Where are the barefoot shoes in the bottom picture on the right side from?
I thought I found a link for them a couple months ago, but now I can’t find anything!
The loafers in the very last photo in this article are the FeetSutra Khussa
Hi Anya,
You have been so helpful and you advised me on my winter boot purchase last year (BeLenka’s, I love them!). Now I’m looking for a work shoe – have you tried the Groundies Budapest gs1? I read one review on their site that complained about the sole, but I love how they look. Any feedback/advice? Thank you!
Hi Marta! I don’t have them myself, but I’ve seen a few people post about them in my Barefoot Style Facebook group and they seemed to love them. Groundies shoes all follow the same sole shape, and I have another pair of Groundies shoes with the GS1. I do prefer their original sole, the GS1 isn’t as flexible and it fits higher volume but it’s still good.
Hi I need some wide toe box shoes but with a 3mm drop, I am not at the point where I can go with zero drop. I have very high arches and therefore need a little more padding and support. I need some shoes I can wear with skirts and capris in the summer.
Any recommendations?
Hi Melissa, here are a few barefoot brands that come with insoles with a 2 or 3mm heel rise. Ahinsa Comfort Line (they have mary janes), Joe Nimble, Whitin, Sophomore, and Sole Runner. If you just need extra cushion, but not necessarily a heel rise, you can check out this list of thicker options: https://anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-minimalist-shoe-brands-beginners/
Hi Anya—I’m looking for a Sperry look-alike in a kids size (Size 13). My daughter has been begging me for Sperrys to go with her uniform and I haven’t found any good minimalist lookalikes….
I believe you can request the Cheetah from Zeazoo to be made in kid sizes as a custom order. Otherwise I don’t know of any kids shoes that look like Sperrys.
Hi Anya, I just found this blog and AM SO GLAD! Great reviews! I now have Bunions and need to wear a WIDE toe box. And I also have Flat Feet so have to wear an orthotic. Thankfully, I buy “Superfeet” on-line which was recommended by my Podiatrist and love them. Will any of these shoes work with them?
Hi! I would go for the loafer options that fit medium or high volume, and that have good coverage of the heel and midfoot. If they are low volume and/or low in the heel then you might have fit problems adding an insole.
Great post! Which ones above, that are also grounding, would you recommend if you had to pick one? With the best for box, and most comfortable?
Also, what do you mean by “high volume?” I have a quite high arch but small instep, so I think that means I’d be low volume?
Probably Raum Goods, but Groundz is pretty similar, also has a grounding plug, and is wider toe box than Raum. But I like the full leather soles on Raum for grounding. If you are low volume then I would recommend the Groundz shoes that are cut straight across (not with the loafer cut).
Usually if you have a high arch you also have a high instep, but it’s possible you have a lot of space under the arch of your foot and still have a low instep. Here is an explanation of foot volume:
https://anyasreviews.com/ufaq/what-is-foot-volume/