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 ANYA20VB for 20% off for 10% off
Pros:
- Shoes for the whole family
- Extremely functional outdoor/sport options
- Tons of styles
- 100 day no-questions-asked return policy
Cons:
- Expensive
- Doesn’t usually fit extra wide feet
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. We carry a small selection of Vivobarefoot at Anya’s Shop (US), and you can find retailers all around the world in our Barefoot Shoe Finder.
Sizing:
- True to size
- Average width
- Low to medium volume
While they do have some extra wide, high volume fitting shoes in their Made in Ethiopia line, 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
Pros:
- Shoes for the whole family
- Durable & high quality
- Tons of style & color options
- Fits wide feet well
Cons:
- Returns not accepted outside EU & US if ordered directly from Be Lenka (but are accepted at Anya’s Shop)
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
Pros:
- Wide Variety
- Durable sport shoes
- Affordable options
- 5,000 mile warranty
Cons:
- Can be wide on narrow heels
- Limited dressy/stylish options
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 for a one-time free shipping offer.
Pros:
- Shoes for the whole family
- Very light & comfortable
- Options for every season
Cons:
- No dressy options
- Not as durable as other outdoor brands
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
Pros:
- Shoes for the whole family
- Universal fit
- Look genuinely cool
Cons:
- No dressy or sport options
- Mainly synthetic materials
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
Pros:
- Shoes for the whole family
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Natural materials
- Light and comfortable
- Extra wide fit for kids
Cons:
- Limited inventory due to small batch production
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
Pros:
- Sustainably handmade in the USA
- Customizations available
- Several width options
- Free Shipping
- Resolable/Reparable
Cons:
- Top stitching can make shoes look wider than they are
- Some style limitations (no classic sneakers)
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.
Pros:
- High quality
- Great look
- Fit wide feet without looking huge
Cons:
- No kids shoes
- Returns outside the EU not accepted (unless you order from a retailer like Anya’s Shop)
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
Pros:
- Affordable options
- Classic look
- Accessible velcro options
- Shoes for the whole family
Cons:
- Have to be careful when washing (cold water only!!)
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
Pros:
- Classic look
- Two width options
- Sustainably made from hemp
- Fan favorite
Cons:
- Casual options only
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
Pros:
- Fit wide feet
- Lots of practical options at a lower price
- Different sole thicknesses
Cons:
- Most styles are casual
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.
Pros:
- Great quality for the price
- Mainstream styles
- Affordable Options
Cons:
- The sneakers and oxfords need to be broken in
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!
Pros:
- Tons of color options
- Soft, comfortable fit
- Excellent sandals + sheepskin boots
- Accepts custom orders
Cons:
- Top-stitched shoes fit rather narrow
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!
Pros:
- Great women’s dressy options
- Multiple widths
- Stylish shoes for people with extra wide feet
Cons:
- Dressy flats & oxfords need a break in time
- Returns not accepted outside the EU (but are if ordered from Anya’s Shop)
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.
Pros:
- Great baby/toddler shoes
- Ultra flexible, soft fit
- Options for all seasons and styles
Cons:
- Sneakers inner lining can feel rough for some people
- Inconsistent sizing
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
Pros:
- Beautiful lifestyle shoes
- Mainstream look
- Tons of variety
- Two width options
Cons:
- Not all styles come in all widths
- Some outsoles fit less comfortably
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 ANYASREVIEWS 10% off
Pros:
- The funkiest barefoot shoes you’ll find!
- Shoes for the whole family
- School uniform options
Cons:
- Some sizes often out of stock
- Less common fit type
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!
Pros:
- Great for extra thick, high volume feet
- Super flexible
- Extended size range up to EU 53
Cons:
- Return shipping can be expensive
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 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
- 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.
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, here is a brand we haven’t mentioned yet.
Realfoot – the widest barefoot shoe you’ll find! Use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off
For more details on Realfoot plus additional options, 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
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!
44 thoughts on “The All Time Best Barefoot and Minimalist Shoe Brands”
Hi Anya,
Great reviews. I am not sure if you have heard about the Barefoot Science proprioceptive foot strengthening insoles. We have strongly supported the move to minimalistic shoes since we published a study in 2001 that concluded that our insoles dramatically increase foot strength. Our coaches tell us that we reduce the transition time from two years to four months. We do one thing and we do it better than anyone else …. we enhance proprioceptive stimulus , with every step, while wearing any footwear. Match us up with any minimalistic shoe and the results will speak for themselves! Our web site has twenty years of evidenced based reports that show huge increases in activation of the entire posterior chain and progressive gait reports that were noit thought to be possible. If you watch the “Best Insoles” clip by Dr. Mark Cucuzzella on Youtube or under the educational link on pour site you will get it. Steven Sashen talks about the insoles on our Born to be Barefoot podcast. I would love to send you a set to trial. I can be reached at 416-919-1151 Lance
Tadeevo don’t have sizes soo big. I’m looking for 15 USA and they only have up to 47 EU.
Hey, Tadeevo does have large sizes, they are in a separate listing here.
I highly recommend removing Splay shoes from any best-of lists. I have bought two pairs now. One before they switched to a “new water-based” that was supposed to be better. But my original Freestyles AND my 101’s (which were supposed to have the new/better glue) failed in less than 6 months of ONLY indoor, office environment wear. By failed, I mean that the glue holding the soles to the upper gave out in so many places that the sole eventually started “flapping” around. I cannot possibly recommend them to anyone. (I feel scammed…)