Classy men’s barefoot dress shoes do exist! Once you discover the freedom of wide toe box shoes, it’s hard to go back to regular pinchy dress shoes. Fortunately there are a growing number of men’s barefoot dress shoes available all around the world that you can wear to work, church, weddings, and whenever you need to look sharp.
Find here our top men’s barefoot dress shoe picks, along with over 30 additional options at different price points and different regions of the world.
Why Barefoot Dress Shoes?
Dress shoes are notorious for being uncomfortable. I was constantly kicking off my tight, pinchy shoes before I found an alternative. And if you need to wear dress shoes often, it’s more than just comfort at stake – your standard heeled pointy dress shoes can actually lead to foot issues over time. It doesn’t need to be so!
Thanks to barefoot dress shoes, you don’t have to suffer anymore. The wide toe box, heel-less sole, and soft flexible fit make for a much more comfortable day. But they still have a dressy look that is appropriate for professional and fancy environments.
Shoes like this also exist for women and kids! The whole family can get fancy and stay comfortable!
Now let’s dig into which ones are our favorite men’s barefoot dress shoes!
The Best Men’s Barefoot Dress Shoes
These barefoot dress shoes for men include a range of options from business casual to upscale professional and black tie appropriate. We’ve been wearing barefoot dress shoes to all our fancy events for years now – people hardly ever notice that our shoes are “different” because they look so similar to regular dress shoes!
Be Lenka
Leather | Sizes EU 36-47 | Ships from US or EU
This is our selection in the US, but you can also shop with Be Lenka directly in the EU and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.
These are Justin’s and Robby’s (our two main male barefoot shoe testers here at Anya’s Reviews!) personal favorites for dressing up. The Cityscape (above left) presents a little more sophisticated and dressy, but the Synergy (above right) is an excellent casual-to-dressy all purpose shoe. Both have ample toe space for wide feet and maximum comfort, and the Synergy comes in a fleece lined option in the colder months.
Groundies
Leather | Sizes EU 40-48 | Ships from EU or US
Groundies men’s dress shoes are very nice looking, and they come in two widths for even extra wide feet. They are very light and flexible, with a real barefoot feel too. Justin wore his Groundies Palermos when he was a groomsman in his best friend’s wedding and the others in the wedding party were jealous of how comfortable he was!
We have select Groundies styles available at Anya’s Shop, including the Palermo (available seasonally).
Zaqq Peaq
Leather | EU Sizes EU 38-48 |Ships from US or EU
Zaqq dress shoes are buttery soft and have a wonderfully thin, flexible outsole. They’re simple, they’re classy, and they tick all the barefoot shoe boxes. Zaqq is best for average-wide feet and medium volume. Some of their dress shoes are tapered, but the Peaq has a good shape.
You can also find these directly from Zaqq in the EU
Vivobarefoot
Leather | Sizes US 7-15 | Ships from EU/UK
Use code ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.
Vivobarefoot were our first men’s barefoot dress shoes, and definitely one of the nicer options out there. They look very mainstream and yet have a wider toe box, and thin flexible sole. We’ve had really good luck with our Vivobarefoot shoes being high quality and long lasting.
Vivobarefoot has a medium wide fit that is sloped (with the exception of the Made in Ethiopia line, which is wider and more square shaped for toe space), so some people with long toes or extra wide feet don’t fit well into this brand.
Carets
Leather | Sizes US 7-14 | Ships from US
Beautiful shoes, very dressy. Don’t be fooled by the faux heel and what looks like a pointy toe, these are artfully designed to look like a classic dress shoe while still being barefoot approved.
Check out my Carets review here for all the details.
Lems
Leather & Canvas Options | Sizes US 3.5-15 | Ships from US
Lems has several models that can pass as dress shoes! While not the most elegant of all the options here, they work well with slacks for work or church and they are dang comfy. Some models come on their Widest shape, which is very generous and comfy. We also like their Wide shape, but it’s not as good for really wide feet.
Something that people really love about Lems is they have a bit more cushioning than many other barefoot shoe brands, while still having a natural fit and feel. So they can be more comfortable for people who spend long hours on their feet or who aren’t able to wear barefoot shoes.
European residents can purchase Lems at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.
Birchbury
Leather | Sizes EU 39-49 | Ships from US
These are an in-between barefoot shoe option – they have a much wider toe box than is typical in men’s dress shoes, but they still retain a mainstream aesthetic and they come with a lightly supportive and cushioned insole.
Justin really likes the Brenston (above left) because it has a really dressy look with the toe cap and is deceptively wide. He also loves the elastic lace option – each pair comes with elastic and regular laces. The Carnforth (above right) is a really nice suede Chukka boot with a great anatomical toe box shape. They’re classy and comfortable!
The Bramford is more of an elegant sneaker – something many people can wear to work but they’re not fancy.
The leather uppers are really soft, and they’ve been popular with our readers who want more toe space without going full barefoot shoe, or who need a bit more cushion for whatever reason.
Tomás Sullivent
Leather | Sizes EU 39-48 | Handmade in Spain | Ships from US
Sullivent crafts beautiful dress shoes with all the details you’d expect from a luxury item, but with a truly wide toe box. They offer many classic dress shoe styles that you can’t get from other brands like patent leather and monk strap models.
Read our full review here for all the details!
Xero
Leather | Sizes US 6.5-15 | Ships from US or EU
Xero’s dressy barefoot shoes are not super dressy, but they work well in a lot of situations. The Glenn and the Denver are two of Justin’s favorites, they are a good match for his particular foot shape and they have become softer and comfier over time.
You can find Xero Shoes EU here.
Aintap FeelBarefoot
Leather | EU Sizes 34-50 | Ships from Turkey
Use code ANYA50 for an extra discount.
FeelBarefoot has loads of oxford options in different colors and an extended size range. You can also request even bigger sizes! So this is a good shop if you have trouble finding nice shoes in your size. And they are on the more affordable side for a barefoot dress shoe.
The outsoles feel a little stiff when new, but we’ve found the leather to be top notch and to break in and last a long time. They do have a pretty high volume fit, so they can be floppy if you have low arches/flat feet. You can read our review for more information.
Using Insoles in Barefoot Shoes
One of my favorite shoe fit tricks is insoles. You can add, replace, or remove insoles in your shoes to get a customized fit. Love Birchbury shoes but want more space and a barefoot feel? Take out the insole! Love Groundies shoes but want more cushion? Add an insole! Find here my guide to using insoles with barefoot shoes.
More Shoe Options!
Depending on where you live or your foot type, you might prefer something from this list! Here are even more stylish and dressy men’s barefoot shoes.
Ahinsa (EU) – Sizes EU 36-48. Vegan! Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Ahinsa shoes have a nice wide toe box, but run slightly short so I recommend sizing up. They also have an extra wide option and a Comfort option (wide toe box, but not barefoot).
Angles Fashion (EU only) – Sizes 37-46. Great quality, classy design, and very comfortable. They look stylish, but still meet barefoot dress shoe requirements. These are a favorite in our household, but unfortunately do not ship to the US/Canada. You can use code ANYA for 5% off.
Conker Shoes (UK) – Sizes UK 1-13. Available in narrow, regular, and wide widths. Have not tried them yet myself, but have heard good things about the quality and durability.
Free Form Shoes (US) – Sizes US 8.5-13. Gorgeous high quality leather shoes available in a zero drop option (or 4mm or 15mm) with an elongated toe box designed to taper after the toes. Best for narrower feet.
The Drifter Leather (EU) – Custom and standard sizes up to EU 49. Lots of great men’s styles! They only open for orders about every 6 weeks and there will be an extensive wait time. Read my ordering guide for more info.
Freet Citee (UK) – Sizes EU 37-49. Vegan. Get 15% off with my code AnyaFreet. These run a little small, Justin needed to size up one for a good fit. But they have a wide toe box, and are one of the only vegan barefoot dress shoe options.
Gaucho Ninja Leather (UK) – Sizes 36-45. This small business custom makes men’s barefoot boots, and some of the styles are very classy and dressy (and quite expensive). You can see my review of Gaucho Ninja’s standard and bespoke options here. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off!
Green Shoes (UK) – Sizes UK 5-12 in four widths. These are handmade and super high quality barefoot dress shoes!
Jenon Leather (EU & USA only) – Sizes 36-48 and custom sizes available. This brand has a very generous toe box width. Use code JENON10 for 10% off
Baer Shoes (EU) – Sizes EU 39-47. Well made shoes with a good fit!
Luks Shoes (EU) – Sizes EU 42-46. Very soft, light and with a very wide toe box. In recent years it seems that shipping can take a VERY long time, but the shoes remain nice.
Magical Shoes (EU) – Sizes EU 37-47. I have several pairs of Magical Shoes and they are extremely flexible and comfortable. I do size up one in them, because they run a little short. Use code ANYA for 10% off. Read all our Magical Shoes reviews here.
No(N)s (EU) – Sizes EU 37-44. These are all handmade to order, read our NoNs review for more info!
Oaka Studio (US) – Sizes US Mens 8-13. These have a stretchy knit upper material paired with a really flexible outsole, faux heel, and a nice anatomical shape. They run long, Justin needed a size down from his usual.
Use code OAKAANYA for 15% off
Peerko Smart (EU) – Sizes EU 37-43. Very well made and classy! They are one of my favorites for barefoot shoes that look mainstream. Too bad they only go up to a size 43!
You can use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off, but they do not accept returns outside the EU. That’s why we carry these at Anya’s Shop.
Ruth Emily Davey (UK) – Custom and standard sizes UK 2-12. Beautifully made, but $$$.
Saguaro – Sizes EU 36-46. Affordable non-leather option. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off
Senmotic (EU) – Sizes EU 36-4. Their business line looks very professional and classy. Some customization options are available, i.e. different sizes and widths for L/R.
Softstar Shoes (US) – Sizes 5U-15U. Softstar has one dressy men’s barefoot shoe – the Hawthorne – which has a slightly tapered toe box in regular width, but is foot friendly in Wide. They also have the Primal Sawyer, and extremely wide shoe, which can pass as a dressy shoe. Read all my Softstar reviews here!
Sole Runner (EU) – Sizes EU 36-49. Quite a few nice looking men’s dress shoes! They are good quality as well.
Tadeevo (EU) – Sizes EU 35-47. Leather or Vegan. This brand has several dressy barefoot shoe options, and they are very flexible and wide. This brand is a good one for really high volume feet. You can use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. We recommend this brand for EU only.
Zeazoo (EU) – Sizes 35-47. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. These barefoot dress shoes are handmade, very soft and unstructured. They look a little less formal than some of the other options listed here.
Zkama Shoes (EU) – Sizes 30-45. There are some simple barefoot derby styles you can get from this handmade shoe shop.
ZlaTush Shoes (EU) – Sizes 36-45. Zlatica hand makes a couple men’s barefoot dress shoe styles and she is very talented. I ordered women’s shoes, but you can read about the ordering process here.
And there you have it! Enough barefoot dress shoe options to keep anyone occupied for quite some time. 😀 If you can wear wide toe box, zero drop shoes 100% of the time, your back, hips, knees, and feet will thank you. What are your favorite barefoot dress shoes?
50 thoughts on “The Best Barefoot Dress Shoes for Men”
Baer-shoes.com ships Joe Nimble to the US. Expensive shipping fee– 40 euros per order (not per pair), but you get to deduct VAT.
Thank you!!
Hey Anya, which ones do you recommend which are faux leather dress shoes?
If you don’t need super nice, my husband wears the Feelgrounds Luxe shoes in all black to work. He also has the Citee, which is good but he prefers the Feelgrounds. Finally, Ahinsa is an option as well. They don’t fit Justin’s foot type well because they are wide at the toes and narrow at the midfoot (he is wide all the way through), but in terms of comfort level, I would say they are similar to Feelgrounds. Citee is not quite as soft.
Thank you so much for this gem of a post.
I just received a pair of Zaqq’s that we ordered for my husband and they are beautiful but the toes are tapered just like traditional dress shoes. It’s so disappointing! Also, i ordered the size they suggested based on his measurements and they’re at least one, if not two, sizes too small. It’s so disappointing. Now I have to figure out how to send them back.
I saw someone shared in the FB group that the men’s dress shoes were very tapered! I’m hoping to figure out which styles are that way. Such a disappointment. Thanks for sharing, and good luck getting them returned (hopefully you used Paypal to cover your return shipping! If not, it’s a great way to cover your ass with international shipping costs).
thank you! great list!!
Have you seen the new “Brenston” from Birchbury? Looks dressier, but also tapered toes. But maybe it’s just a visual trick and they still allow splay?
Yes, it does look on the tapered side. My husband has the Bramfords, and they are not that wide, so I would expect the Brenston to be similar. Wider than conventional shoes, but still kind of tapered.
I just wore a pair of Brenston’s last night to a wedding – very comfortable except for the tapered sides. If not for that they’d be perfect.
I love ZAQQ.com, but I just tried to order some dress shoes for my husband, and they let me know they cannot ship the following men’s dress shoe models to the U.S., so we had to choose a different shoe:
APEQ
ARQ
BRIQ
DUQE
MONQ
Thank you for this! Very valuable information.
Do the narrow, regular, and wide widths change the shape of the toe box for Conkers?
Thanks!
I don’t actually know, I haven’t looked into that yet.
Thanks! I reached out and was able to find that it does not change the toe box. It only changes the mid and back of the shoe/sole shape.
How would you compare the toe box of Conkers to something like Vivobarefoot?
Thank you!
I’ve never held a pair of Conker shoes in my hands, so it’s hard for me to say for sure. But from what I’ve learned from my research, it’s probably comparable but a little narrower than Vivo. I wonder if they can give you internal width measurements for your size?
What shoe is second from the top right corner? I cant find that one anywhere and it looks the best.
It’s from Gaucho Ninja, a style called Pals. Unfortunately he temporarily stopped selling it because he’s working on a better supply chain to make it more affordable. I’m not sure when he plans to bring it back.
Really interesting post!
Thank you for all your helpful info! My husband wants a pair of Freet Citees. By their size chart, it looks like he should get the 47 (300 mm). Should he size up to the 48 (307 mm)? This will be his first barefoot shoe. His foot is 290 mm long with socks on; plateau shaped. He usually wears a US 13. Thank you!
Based on our experience I would say to size up. Justin normally wears a 12.5-13 and got the 47 and they are definitely too small. Justin is also plateau shaped. It has been a little while since he got them, so they might have adjusted the sizing (I’d ask them by email), but I believe they have not been changed at all since we tried them.