From Left to Right: Vivobarefoot Geo Court, Mukishoes Plum, Feelgrounds Droptop, Groundies Sydney, Be Lenka Prime, Bohempia Kolda
For me, the casual barefoot sneaker is a very specific category, distinct from barefoot athletic sneakers. Casual barefoot sneakers have to carefully straddle the line between sporty and streamlined, so you can wear them with all your casual outfits and not just exercise clothes. If it’s done right, they are some of the most practical shoes around.
I’ve been on the prowl for a barefoot approved casual sneaker in the vein of Ked’s, Sperry, or Van’s for a LONG time. Up until 2019 there just weren’t that many wide, flat, and flexible options. But brands have really stepped up (and popped up! Several of these brands didn’t exist before last year) so we all can pretty much have our pick.
The following guide covers all your barefoot casual sneaker needs, for both men and women. Read on for my Top Barefoot Sneaker Picks, A Full List of Casual Barefoot Sneakers, and Lists of White, Black, Hightop, and Slip-On Sneakers.
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- My Casual Barefoot Sneaker Picks
- 1. Vivobarefoot Geo Court
- 2. Mukishoes
- 3. Feelgrounds
- 4. Be Lenka
- 5. Groundies Universe
- 5. Zaqq
- 6. Bohempia
- The Full Barefoot Casual Sneaker List
- The All-White Barefoot Sneaker List
- The All-Black Barefoot Sneaker List
- The Barefoot Hightop Sneaker List
- The Barefoot Slip-on Sneaker List
- Casual Barefoot Sneaker Width Comparison
For reference, I normally wear a Women’s US 6.5/7 or EU 37 in sneakers and do not wear socks with my shoes. If you do wear socks, try ones you can’t see, like these.
My Casual Barefoot Sneaker Picks
1. Vivobarefoot Geo Court
My current favorite sneaker is the Vivobarefoot Geo Court (reviewed in detail here). I could wear these every day and I love them to pieces. Vivobarefoot shoes last forever, but they don’t breath really well and make your feet sweat. Otherwise, these are perfect. Leather, $150, men’s and women’s sizing (a vegan option is also available!) ANYA10 gets you 10% off
2. Mukishoes
Mukishoes are simple, every day sneakers with a casual vibe. They always have a few neutral colors mixed in with some bright options that change seasonally. This year the mustard yellow Sol and deep burgundy Plum stole my heart and they’ve quickly become a favorite. Extremely flexible, lightweight, and so fun, Muki is a brand I expect to be coming back to. Read my full review of the Mukishoes Sol here. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off any purchase.
3. Feelgrounds
Feelgrounds are reminiscent of skater shoes and edgier than the other options. They are so lightweight and flexible you forget you’re wearing them, but look very mainstream. They also have some good color combinations you don’t see often, like blush/white sole and black/white sole. Here you can read all my Feelgrounds reviews. Vegan, $120, Unisex sizing.
4. Be Lenka
Be Lenka makes the widest barefoot shoes that still have a mainstream look to them. The Prime and Eazy are two new favorites for me this year because they are so classic and still super wide. The Prime is a leather sneaker with a higher volume fit (I use an insole) and the Eazy is a vegan slip on with a low volume fit. If I am barefoot, I can wear both a 36 and a 37. If I wear socks I need the 37. International customers can order from Be Lenka with code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. US customers can order from Anya’s Shop and get 10% off by subscribing to emails!
Read my review of the Prime and Eazy here
5. Groundies Universe
Groundies Urban Barefootwear makes some of the absolute best looking barefoot shoes. The Universe is one of my faves with it’s on-pointe style, but the sole is still thin (the height is an illusion). I wear them just like I would an Adidas sneaker, and the styling possibilities are endless. I wear my typical barefoot sneaker size (an EU 37, or US 6.5) in them and have some room to spread out. Groundies is a German brand, and they offer free global shipping (but be warned, it can take weeks to arrive). *Currently available on Amazon! Find the Men’s Version here.
Read my Instagram review of the Groundies Universe for more deets!
5. Zaqq
The Zaqq Piquant is another super-durable but kind-of-sweaty sneaker. They are one of the few options made in lots of different colors, so that will tickle your fancy if you’re a colorful person (I, obviously, am not). Zaqq really nailed that classic, streamlined look with this sneaker and they are super versatile. Leather, $165, men’s and women’s sizing (vegan options on the website).
Read My Full Brand Review of Zaqq Barefoot Shoes in this post for more pics/deets on these sneakers.
6. Bohempia
Very similar to a classic Ked’s, these Bohempia sneakers are one of my favorites for looks. The aesthetic is simple, low profile, and matches everything. One of the cool things about Bohempia (besides the fact that the shoes are sustainably made from organic hemp) is that their barefoot shoes have an extra wide version! I got a size 36 regular, and they are a good width and length for me, the wide version is SUPER wide. They are high volume, so I had to put in an insole to keep my foot from sliding around. The sole feels about 5mm thick with average groundfeel. More deets here. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off.
The Full Barefoot Casual Sneaker List
- Ahinsa – Vegan. Use code A10_ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Be Lenka – Ace and Prime are their two sneaker styles. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off. US/Canadian customers can order from Anya’s Shop and get 10% off by subscribing to emails!
- Bearfoot Athletics – These are shown in men’s sizing and don’t go small enough to fit me, but look like a good sneaker option. Use code
ANYASREVIEWSfor 10% off - Birchbury – These come with a non-barefoot insole you’ll want to remove, and are a little tapered. See this Instagram post for my review.
- Feelgrounds
- Freet Barefoot – Use code
ANYARVfor 15% off. - Groundies – They’ve got everything, even metallic options!
- Leguano Shoes – Leguano has a line of sneakers that are pretty sleek looking, but fall on the athletic side.
- Mukishoes – Vegan and sustainably made. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off.
- Peerko – Some styles available at PedTerra for US customers.
- Sole Runner
- Som Footwear – (vegan) I’ve heard these are good shoes with a medium width, but the soles are on the thicker side.
- Splay Shoes – EU 39 is the largest size they produce. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% of
- Vivobarefoot – ANYA10 for 10% off
- Wildling – vegan options
- Xero Shoes
- Zaqq – SO many great casual sneakers
The All-White Barefoot Sneaker List
- Be Lenka Prime White – $128 (leather). My full review here. Direct from Be Lenka, ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off. US/Canadian customers can order from Anya’s Shop and get 10% off by subscribing to emails!
- Feelgrounds All White Original – $131 (mesh)
- Groundies – Lots of white options around $150! Earth, Universe, Kopenhagen, Sydney, Orlando, Tokio and Kyoto.
- Leguano Active White – $159 (vegan)
- Mukishoes Cloud – $130 (cotton) and Raw Leather Cloud – $130 (leather). ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off
- Vivobarefoot Court – $150 (leather) Men’s version here. ANYA10 gets you 10% off
- Zaqq – Several different all white styles prices at $165 or higher, vegan and leather options.
The All-Black Barefoot Sneaker List
- Ahinsa – $200 (vegan) They make a number of all black sneakers in unisex sizing. Use code A10_ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Ani Low Top & High Top – $115 (vegan leather)
- Be Lenka Prime Black – $128 (leather). Direct from Be Lenka, ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off. US/Canadian customers can order from Anya’s Shop and get 10% off by subscribing to emails!
- Bearfoot Athletics Ursus – $80 (Leather). These are in men’s sizing, so won’t fit some ladies. Use code
ANYASREVIEWSfor 10% off - Bohempia – $115-$130 (hemp) All 4 of their barefoot styles come in all-black. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off
- Feelgrounds All Black – $131 (vegan)
- Freet – A few all black styles $80-$120. Use code ANYARV for 15% off
- Groundies – Monaco, Earth, Universe, Kopenhagen, Sydney, Orlando, Portobello, Rio, and Tokio.
- Lem’s Chukka – $120 (vegan)
- Mukishoes – $105 (cotton) The Onyx comes in a low top and high top. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off
- Peerko Plain Black– $86 (vegan) unisex but sizing doesn’t go up very high
- Sole Runner Metis – $130 (leather)
- Som Footwear Norwood – $149 (canvas)
- Unshoes Terra Vida – $74 (hemp) Unshoes just released an all-black version of their Terra Vida. My code ANYA gets your free shipping
- Wildling Tanuki Yoru – $96 (vegan)
- Xero Shoes Prio – $90 (vegan)
- Zaqq – $165 Again, several styles in both vegan and leather.
The Barefoot Hightop Sneaker List
- Bohempia Orik – $130. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Feelgrounds Highrise – $160 (vegan). See my highrise review here.
- Freet Bootee – $120 (vegan). Use code ANYARV for 15% off
- Mukishoes – $120 (vegan & leather options) Muki always has a few high top styles in different colors. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off
- Sole Runner Naiad – $165 (leather)
- Xero Shoes Toronto – $100
- Wildling – Around $150 or less, vegan options. See my review of the winter Honeybear and Nessie models here.
- Zaqq – Quite a few hightop options in leather and vegan options around $200. Some are even waterproof!
The Barefoot Slip-on Sneaker List
- Be Lenka Eazy – $110 (canvas and leather options) – LOVE. See them on me here. ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off from Be Lenka. US & Canadian shoppers can get them from Anya’s Shop and get 10% off when you subscribe to shop emails!
- Bohempia Vikla – $112 (hemp). ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off
- Feelgrounds Droptop – $117 (vegan) ALSO LOVE. See my Droptop review here
- Freet Talus – $70 ANYARV for 15% off
- Luks Shoes Fuego – $100 (leather)
- Splay is working on a slip on!
- Vivobarefoot – Ra Slip On $160 (leather & vegan options) Review here. Opanka (leather) – see some thoughts here. ANYA10 gets you 10% off
- Unshoes Terra Vida – $74 (hemp) – This slip on shoe only really looks like a slip-on sneaker in the all-black version. The others look more like Toms. ANYA for $8.50 off gets your free shipping in the US!
- Xero Shoes Aptos $60 (Vegan) Women’s version here, really affordable and cool looking! See my review of them here.
Casual Barefoot Sneaker Width Comparison
Curious which of the best casual barefoot sneakers will fit your foot type? Here is a visual comparison with external measurements (not to be used to determine your size) to show how their widths stack up.
Want to learn more about foot type and how to measure your feet? Read this post.
16 thoughts on “The Best Casual Barefoot Sneakers That Look Cool”
Have you tried Leguano from Germany, now with a North American distributor? https://leguanoshoes.com/product/active-white/
These active white shoes have caught my eye as have their flats.
Didn’t see them on your list of brands so another possibility!
Thanks for the heads up!
Thank you for this info! I have the feelgrounds, and I love the style, but the sole is a little too thin for me for hours of walking. I love the sole of my Xero Prios, but not the style so much. Do any of the style you reviewed have a more cushioned sole like the Prios?
The Bohempia sneakers have a little thicker insole (I think it’s 7mm thick). Otherwise you could try adding a NorthSole insole. Those have worked really well for me.
We just got Splay shoes for our kids. They’re much cuter in person than I expected, so I’m considering trying a pair. Could you share the width measurement of your 4y?
I can try, but it’s hard to get internal width measurements when there is no insole. You’d get better info if you contacted Splay directly for the internal measurements.
Do you have the sole runners in a 36 or 37?
They are a size 36
Not sure if they did at the time of this post, but Xero Prio has an all black sneaker. Great info, I love my Prios and LEMS Mariners! Shopping online is daunting, where I live none of these are in store, info on sizing and fit is helpful. Thank you.
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll get that Xero shoe added. And I’m glad you’re finding the info helpful 🙂
Wow thanks for the great reviews it really helps. I have a question. Out of those options which had the absolute widest toe box?
And for convenience which of the above models offer free/low cost international shipping and returns?
I know Zaqq is decent with their shipping/returns but Vivo doesn’t cover any returns. Which can create a pretty expensive gamble if a person doesn’t know exactly how it will fit.
Thanks again!
Where are you located? Vivobarefoot does free returns for the US, UK, and a few other countries. Wildling also does free returns. I believe Belenka is going to have the widest toe box of any on this list, but they don’t accept returns outside the EU right now (should be remedied soon though). So if you’re in the EU I’d recommend Belenka!
THANK YOU for posting an all-white sneakers list with materials! I tend to have sweaty feet so this was really helpful 🙂
You are welcome! Glad it is helpful.
How do Groundies fit size wise? I believe I am a 12.5 mens in the Lems Boulder boot leather as the 12 was a little small. I tried some size 12 in Vivo Primus FG trail and they were super tight. I typically wear 11.5-12 shoes but have foot issues with one foot being .5 size smaller and a joint issue. I have more of a Greek/Roman foot shape. Any info? Ordering overseas is a bit of a hassle if they are too small or big. I measured my feet. Left 27.5 cm and right 28.6 cm long. Thanks!
Groundies seems true to size to me, I am wearing the same size in Groundies as I do in Vivobarefoot but the Groundies are slightly wider. I haven’t tried the Primus FG Trail, but in general the Primus runs small. Looking at Groundies’ size chart you would be a 12.5 or a 46, as long as you measured correctly. That gives you 1.5 cm in front of your toes on your longer foot and should leave you with enough space. If you went with a size 12, it would be less than 1cm in front of your longest foot. That might be preferable if you don’t want a ton of extra space in front of your shorter foot, but it’d be cutting it close for your long one. You might check Amazon in case they carry the Groundies style you are looking at!