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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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!) ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus Yin, Sensus Slide, and Gobi Premium. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those. 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. ANYAMUKI 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, unisex sizing. Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
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 (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA). You 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-point 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 (upgrade to expedited shipping to avoid a long wait time). Conveniently, returns can now be made to a US address, and select styles are available at Anya’s Shop!
Find the Men’s Version here. Groundies also has a vegan Universe here.
Read my Instagram review of the Groundies Universe for more deets, or all my in-depth Groundies reviews here.
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 Complete Casual Barefoot Sneaker List
This list is of casual barefoot sneakers, that could be used for athletics if you wish but have a more mainstream look to them. If you are looking for athletic style sneakers, check out my Barefoot Running Shoes list!
- Ahinsa – Vegan. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Anatomic – US customers can find Anatomic at PedTerra and use code ANYASREVIEWS 10% off first order
- Angles Fashion – Leather – in tan, brown, and black. Use code ANYA for 5% off
- Barebarics – Read my Barebarics Review here and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- Be Lenka – Lots of stylish sneaker options! ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off from Be Lenka directly (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA). You 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
ANYA10for 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.
- bLifestyle – Read my review of the BLifestyle Urban hightop sneaker here
- Bohempia – All hemp/vegan. Very cool options, including the perfect Converse dupe! Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off direct, or find Bohempia at Anya’s Shop
- Feelgrounds – Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
- Freet Barefoot – Use code
AnyaFreetfor 15% off. - Groundies – They’ve got everything, even metallic options! Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Leguano Shoes – Leguano has a line of sneakers that are pretty sleek looking, but fall on the athletic side.
- Magical Shoes Promenade – Vegan or Suede – Use code ANYA for 10% off. Read all my Magical Shoes reviews here
- Mukishoes – Vegan and sustainably made. ANYAMUKI gets you 10% off.
- Origo Shoes – Use code ANYA for 10% off
- Peerko – Use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off. Some Peerko sneaker styles are available at PedTerra for US/Canadian customers.
ANYASREVIEWSgets you 10% off your first PedTerra purchase. - 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 – Excellent affordable and vegan barefoot sneakers! ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off.
- Tolos – Use code ANYA10 for 10% off
- Vivobarefoot – ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus Yin, Sensus Slide, and Gobi Premium. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those. for 10% off
- Whitin – These casual sneakers are cheap, but have a narrower foot shape. Read my Whitin Review here.
- Wildling Shoes – vegan options
- Xero Shoes
- Zapato Feroz – Only ships to the EU. Leather and vegan, best for narrower feet. Some styles available at Anya’s Shop with worldwide shipping available!
- Zaqq – SO many great casual sneakers
All-White Barefoot Sneakers
All-white sneakers are my favorite casual barefoot sneaker style. I prefer leather (either genuine or vegan) because of how much easier it is to keep clean than fabric shoes.
- Anatomic – US customers can find Anatomic at PedTerra and use code ANYASREVIEWS 10% off first order
- Angles Fashion Narcis – $180 (leather). Use code Use code ANYA for 5% off
- Barebarics Zoom – $159 (Vegan)
- Be Lenka Prime & Champ – $150 (leather). My full review here. Direct from Be Lenka, ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off. North American customers can order them from Anya’s Shop!
- bLifestyle
- Bohempia Kolda – $118 (hemp). ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off.
- Feelgrounds All White Original – $131 (mesh). Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
- Groundies – Lots of white options in leather or vegan for around $150! Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Icarus Footwear – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Leguano Active White – $159 (vegan)
- Magical Shoes Promenade – $140 (vegan). Use code ANYA for 10% off. Read all my Magical Shoes reviews here
- Mukishoes Cloud – $130 (cotton) and Raw Leather Cloud – $130 (leather). ANYAMUKI gets you 10% off
- Origo Shoes – $130 (vegan). Use code ANYA for 10% off
- Splay Shoes – $55 (vegan). Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read my Freestyle review here
- Tolos – Use code ANYA10 for 10% off
- Vivobarefoot Court – $150 (leather) Men’s version here. ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus Yin, Sensus Slide, and Gobi Premium. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those. gets you 10% off
- Zapato Feroz – $135 (vegan). Available at Anya’s Shop with worldwide shipping available!
- Zaqq – Several different all white styles prices at $165 or higher, vegan and leather options.
All-Black Barefoot Sneakers
Fancy an all-black look? Here is a list of all the casual barefoot sneakers that come in all-black, for all your goth, grunge, skater needs.
- Ahinsa – $200 (vegan) They make a number of all black sneakers in unisex sizing. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Anatomic – US customers can find Anatomic at PedTerra and use code ANYASREVIEWS 10% off first order
- Angles Fashion – $180 (leather). Use code ANYA for 5% off
- Barebarics Zoom – $159 (vegan)
- Be Lenka Prime Black – $128 (leather). Direct from Be Lenka, ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off. North American customers can order them from Anya’s Shop!
- Bearfoot Athletics Ursus – $80 (Leather). These are in men’s sizing, so won’t fit some ladies. Use code
ANYA10for 10% off - bLifestyle
- Bohempia – All hemp/vegan. Very cool options, with regular and wide widths. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off direct, or find Bohempia at Anya’s Shop
- Feelgrounds All Black – $131 (vegan). Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
- Freet – A few all black styles $80-$120. Use code AnyaFreet for 15% off
- Groundies – Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Lem’s Chukka – $120 (vegan)
- Magical Shoes Promenade – Vegan or Suede – Use code ANYA for 10% off. Read all my Magical Shoes reviews here
- Mukishoes – $105 (cotton) The Onyx comes in a low top and high top. ANYAMUKI gets you 10% off
- Origo Shoes – $90-$130. Use code ANYA for 10% off
- Peerko Plain Black– $86 (vegan) unisex but sizing doesn’t go up very high. Use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off
- Sole Runner Metis – $130 (leather)
- Som Footwear – $160 (canvas)
- Splay Shoes – $55 (vegan). Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read my Freestyle review here
- Tolos – (white sole) Use code ANYA10 for 10% off
- Unshoes Terra Vida – $74 (hemp) Unshoes just released an all-black version of their Terra Vida. My code ANYA gets you 10% off
- Wildling Tanuki Yoru – $96 (vegan)
- Xero Shoes Prio – $90 (vegan). Now available in leather here!
- Zapato Feroz – $135 (vegan). Available at Anya’s Shop with worldwide shipping available!
- Zaqq – $165 Again, several styles in both vegan and leather.
Barefoot Hightop Sneakers
Barefoot high top sneakers, for people who like Converse but like their feet more! There are some legitimately cool barefoot high tops out there. My personal favorites are show above!
- Anatomic – US customers can find Anatomic at PedTerra and use code ANYASREVIEWS 10% off first order
- Bohempia – All hemp/vegan. Very cool options, available in regular or wide. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off direct, or find Bohempia at Anya’s Shop
- Be Lenka Stellar – $170. A very cool basketball style sneaker in 3 colors! Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- bLifestyle
- Feelgrounds Highrise – $160 (vegan). See my highrise review here. Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
- Freet Bootee – $120 (vegan). Use code AnyaFreet for 15% off
- Mukishoes – $120 (vegan & leather options) Muki always has a few high top styles in different colors. ANYAMUKI gets you 10% off
- Sole Runner Naiad and Tarvis – $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!
Barefoot Slip-on Sneakers
- Anatomic – US customers can find Anatomic at PedTerra and use code ANYASREVIEWS 10% off first order
- Bearfoot Athletics Osos – $115. Men’s sizes US 3-16
- 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 – $120 (hemp). ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off direct, but you can also find Bohempia at Anya’s Shop!
- bLifestyle
- Feelgrounds Droptop – $117 (vegan) ALSO LOVE. See my Droptop review here. Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
- Freet Talus – $70 AnyaFreet for 15% off
- Luks Barefoot – $100 (leather)
- Splay – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read my Freestyle review here
- Vivobarefoot – Ra Slip On $160 (leather & vegan options) Review here. Opanka (leather) – see some thoughts here. ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus Yin, Sensus Slide, and Gobi Premium. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those. 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 10% off
- 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.
33 thoughts on “The Best Casual Barefoot Sneakers That Look Cool”
Thanks for this great overview! I got a pair of Bohemia. They look great and seem high quality, but I have the same issue like you: my feet are low volume, they slide around a bit, I got a blister on one foot and it feels there’s a lot of space around the mid top of my feet. I put in insoles, but now my toes don’t have a lot of space. Do you have any tips for this issue? Would a half-sole work better? Or some other cushions?
I wouldn’t do a half insole, because then you’ve pushed your heels up higher than your toes. Instead, you might want to try a shoe tongue pad. It goes underneath the tongue and can keep your foot from sliding without raising up the whole foot.
Hi Anya, I’m looking for some sneakers/ casual shoes that allows my toes to wiggle quite a bit, do you have any recommendations?
Be Lenka and Peerko have toe boxes that are nice and wide! But Softstar Primal sneakers have the widest toe box I’ve seen.
Hi!
Love your blog and reviews.
My heels blister very quickly and the vivo barefoot have a very hard heel cup.
Do the Geo court and openka have a soft heel by any chance?
Thank you!!!
The Court was re-released with a softer heel area, but the Opanka is even softer and I think they would be a pretty safe choice if you blister easily.
Hi Anya,
Do you wear hidden socks with your low white sneakers? I bought a pair of the Be Lenka prime 2.0 and I’m having a hard time finding good low/hidden socks for them.
Thanks!
I often don’t, but you can find hidden toe socks that are great for sneakers here. I also like these from hidden socks from Injinji.