When you switch to healthy footwear, you’re deciding your feet are important. And that means no longer wearing shoes that don’t fit. But with so many variations in foot shape and size, it can be really hard to find a shoe that actually fits YOUR foot. In this post we’re discussing how to measure your feet, the basic foot types, and the barefoot shoes and brands that work well for your foot type.
Keep in mind that this is a general guide. There are tons of other barefoot shoe brands that fall somewhere in the middle and aren’t listed out here. To find barefoot shoes by category and lots more brands make sure you check out my other shoe lists, and the Barefoot Shoe Finder. But no matter what type of shoe you are looking for, getting to know your feet first will make shopping that much easier!
I have first hand experience with nearly every single brand on this list. Be sure to check out the barefoot shoe reviews section and make use of the search bar if you have any questions about a particular brand!
*If you have more specialized questions about whether barefoot shoes are right for you, please check out the Barefoot Shoes FAQ!*
Measuring Your Feet
First things first. Having a handle on your foot measurements is pretty important, BUT it is not foolproof. After helping many customers measure and use a size chart via Anya’s Shop we’ve learned that fit is highly personal and this advice should be taken with a grain of salt. You will need to get to know how YOU want your shoes to fit first and foremost. So take this measuring and size chart advice with a grain of salt. With that in mind, here are some measuring best practices.
Foot Measuring Best Practices
- I always measure my feet in centimeters to ensure an accurate number, and I measure before each purchase (in case my feet have changed).
- If you plan to wear socks you should have them on.
- Measure at the end of the day when your feet are biggest.
- If you are new to barefoot shoes, keep in mind that they may feel too big the first time you put them on. If they stay securely on your foot when you walk and don’t slosh around, that space around your toes is good and you probably picked the correct size!
- The general recommendation is to wear shoes that are 1 – 1.2cm longer than your foot, but it can vary significantly depending on your preference and the style of shoe. In slip on shoes I sometimes have only .5cm extra length so that they fit close and securely on my foot. In lace up boots that are highly adjustable, I am comfortable with as much as 2cm extra length. If the shoe matches your foot shape perfectly, less extra length is required (they’re foot gloves!). And all of this can be impacted by the design of the upper, the materials used, and your particular foot type and preferences.
Despite the inevitable variations, getting an accurate measurement and understanding a size chart can reduce the chance of sizing mistakes. There are two main ways to measure: A foot tracing and the wall method. For expensive/risky shoe purchases I always measure both ways TWICE in the evening. It’s ok if your measurements are slightly different every time, just use the average.
Foot Tracing
A foot tracing is the most common way to measure. You simply trace an outline of your foot and measure. But it’s important to know that it adds about .5 cm to your actual foot size.
So if you use a foot tracing to figure out what size shoe you need, take your measurement and add only .5 – 1cm (so the total shoe length you are looking for would then be 1 – 1.2cm longer than your actual foot size), and find the nearest corresponding size on the size chart. My feet measure 23.2 from a foot tracing, so I look for shoes with an internal length of 23.7-24.2.
Some people get confused about their foot width when they use a tracing, because they aren’t taking into account the extra mm the tracing added. My foot measures 9.2cm wide from a tracing but I can comfortably wear shoes that have an internal measurement of 8.8cm (without socks). This is because my actual foot width is .5cm less than the 9.2 I get from a tracing.
Watch the vid below for how to do a foot tracing. Make sure you keep your pencil straight up and down!
Wall Method
The wall method yields the most accurate length and width of your foot. You measure foot length by placing your heel lightly against the wall (don’t push it in) and putting a heavy book where your longest toe ends. Then mark where the book is and measure that distance. You get your foot width by lining up the outside edge of your foot against the wall and placing the book on the other side. Then mark with a pencil and measure.
If you are ordering custom barefoot shoes, you might have additional measurements to take! Follow each brand’s instructions carefully and don’t be afraid to measure multiple times!
Understanding A Size Chart
To understand a size chart you need to read the instructions listed on the brands’ web page, because different brands create their size charts differently. It might show the length/width of the insole, the dimensions of the “last” used to mold the shoe, or the length of the foot that fits in each size.
If there are no instructions for how to use the size chart, contact the brand for clarification. But in my experience, when it’s not stated, the size chart shows the internal dimensions of the shoe and not the foot that fits inside. In that case, you would use the above instructions to find your foot length and add 1cm to find your size.
Understanding Foot Type
There are a dizzying amount of foot types and most people fall somewhere on a spectrum (metaphor for life). So let’s illustrate the main ones.
- Slope feet have a prominent big toe and all toes are shorter than the previous one.
- Mountain feet have their 2nd toe longest.
- Plateau feet have the first 3 toes all the same length and then it tapers (or for some it might be 2 or 4 that are the same length).
- Square feet are straight across.
Identifying the shape of your foot can make it a lot easier to select a shoe!
You can see above that barefoot shoe brands all have a different shape to them, while having in common that they are wide at the toe box where we need to the most space. So let’s discuss brands that work well for each foot type.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Slope Feet
Not many brands cater to Slope only feet, but the good news is they don’t need to. When all your toes are shorter than your big toe you’re not likely to have issues with them running into the front of the shoe. So people with Slope feet can often fit into every shoe shape (provided they work for your width and volume – keep reading for more info). Here are a few barefoot shoe brands that follow an Slope foot shape.
- Be Lenka – Be Lenka is also a very wide brand, so they will fit a wider range of people than narrower Slope shaped shoes. Use code ANYASREVIEWS 5% off directly from Be Lenka (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA). They are also available at Anya’s Shop in the USA with worldwide shipping available.
- Vivobarefoot – ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.
- Groundz – Code ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off
- Aylla
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Mountain Feet
People with Mountain feet have to be careful about shoes that slope after the big toe. The following brands have a more rounded toe box shape, but also check out the brands for Plateau & Square feet, as many of them will work too.
- Crupon Barefoot Sandals – Code
ANYAfor 10% off. Read my Crupon Review here - Feelgrounds – Use code ANYA5 for 5% off. Read all my Feelgrounds Reviews here
- Groundies – Read all my Groundies Reviews here. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Lisbeth Joe – Use ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. Read my Lisbeth Joe reviews here
- Mukishoes – Use
ANYAMUKIfor 10% off. Read all my Mukishoes reviews here - PaperKrane – Also available at Anya’s Shop!
- Posh Panda – Read my Posh Panda reviews here
- Splay Shoes – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read my Splay reviews here
- Unshoes – ANYA for 10% off. Read my Unshoes reviews here
- Xero Shoes – Read all my Xero Shoes reviews here
- Xero Shoes EU
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Plateau & Square Feet
Plateau and Square feet also need to watch for sloping toe boxes. That doesn’t mean you can never try other options, but you might need to size up for enough space for your outside toes. People with this foot type may want to focus on brands that also have an extra wide fit.
Below are some of the brands that cater to feet that are more square.
- Ahinsa – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. You can now order the black Ahinsa Jaya through Anya’s Shop! Orders placed through our shop will be eligible for US returns.
- Bohempia – ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop. Read my Bohempia review here
- Freet – AnyaFreet gets you 10% off. Read my Freet review here
- Lems – These are a thicker than most barefoot brands, and not all models are zero drop and foot shaped – but they’re clearly labeled in the product descriptions. European residents can find Lems at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- Origo Shoes – Code ANYA for 10% off. Ships to the USA & Canada only
- Softstar Shoes Primal Line – Read my Softstar reviews here
- Tadeevo – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. Read my Tadeevo reviews here
- Unshoes – ANYA for 10% off. Read my Unshoes reviews here
- Wildling – Read all my Wildling reviews here. Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer. If you are outside the US/Canada, use this Wildling Shoes link.
- Vivobarefoot Made in Ethiopia – This line is shaped differently than other Vivo shoes. Read my Addis review here. And ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.
- Zeazoo Dingo – get 5% off Zeazoo direct with code ANYASREVIEWS, or get them from Anya’s Shop if you’re in the US (Save on shipping)
What is Foot Volume?
On to the next foot feature! Foot volume describes how much vertical space your foot takes up. This can be at any point along the foot, including at the arch or instep, the ball of the foot, or the toes. And it is independent of your length, width, and foot type.
- High volume feet are “tall” or “deep” and take up space in the top of the shoe. If you have this type of foot you may find that shoes feel extra snug over the arch of your foot and you have to keep your laces loose.
- Low volume feet are shallow, or in other words they don’t come very high up from the ground and don’t take up much vertical space. People with this type of foot may find that there is extra space in the top of their shoes. This can result in a lot of sloshing around and toe gripping, but don’t worry it’s an easy fix.
In my experience, foot volume has a very high impact on whether your shoes will fit. Recognizing what kind of foot volume you have can really help you make better shoe purchases.
Barefoot Shoes Brands for Low Volume Feet
There aren’t many barefoot shoe brands that cater specifically to low volume feet, BUT that shouldn’t prevent you from trying them all. It is very easy to fix a low volume problem either with barefoot insoles or my favorite felt inserts.
You can learn more ways to make shoes fit your feet better in this Fit Hacks for Low Volume Feet FAQ. But if you don’t want to have to make adjustments, these are brands that work best for lower volume feet.
- Vivobarefoot –ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.
- Splay Shoes – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. Read my Splay reviews here!
- Be Lenka Wool Lined Boots, Champ & Eazy Sneakers – All available at Anya’s Shop!
- Groundies Sneakers on the GO1 sole (the GS1 sole models fit high volume by contrast) Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Bedrock Sandals
- Earth Runners – ANYA for 10% off
- Shamma Sandals
Barefoot Shoe Brands for High Volume Feet
If you have high volume feet it’s unlikely you’ll be able to make a low volume shoe fit. Your best bet is to choose a high volume shoe to begin with and get good at stretching techniques (Here you can see some more High Volume Fit Hacks). Below are a few high volume barefoot brands and shoes.
- Altra Running – Read my Altra review here
- Be Lenka Prime & Icon – The Prime can also be found at Anya’s Shop
- Bohempia – Get 10% off with code ANYASREVIEWS. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- FeelBarefoot – Code ANYA50 for a discount. Read my FeelBarefoot review here
- Feelgrounds Droptops (Especially in knit) – Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
- Lems – These are a thicker than most barefoot brands, and not all models are zero drop and foot shaped – but they’re clearly labeled in the product descriptions. European residents can find Lems at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- Groundies Universe – Select Groundies styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Groundz – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Lisbeth Joe – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- PaperKrane – Also available at Anya’s Shop
- Raum Goods
- Shapen – Wide width model. Use codeANYA5 for 5% off. You can also find Shapen Barefoot at Anya’s Shop!
- Tadeevo – ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- Unshoes – ANYA for 10% off
- Vivobarefoot Made in Ethiopia – ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.
- Xero Shoes
- Xero Shoes EU
- Zeazoo Dingo – get 5% off Zeazoo direct with code ANYASREVIEWS, or get them from Anya’s Shop if you’re in the US (Save on shipping)
- Bedrock Sandals
- Earth Runners – ANYA for 10% off
- Shamma Sandals
And if you are someone with a Medium Volume Foot, you are in luck. Because nearly everything else should work for your volume. And you can also make many high volume shoes work with the laces cinched a bit, and low volume shoes with the insoles removed.
Narrow Vs Wide
In the barefoot shoe world width usually refers to toebox width, not width the entire length of the shoe. Some people might have narrow heels but wide toes, while others are wide the entire length of the foot.
You can see that some of the above brands have narrow heels, and others tend to be wider through the shoe. For the purposes of this post, we will keep it focused on toe box width, but the better you know your feet the easier it will be to find the right shoe.
If you want to dig deeper into this, check out my post on the shoes best for extra wide feet!!
How Do I Know My Foot Width?
Narrow and wide are subjective terms, but most barefoot shoe brands fall into what we’ll call “average” width. Of course they are not average compared to conventional shoes, but conventional shoes are often too narrow for standard feet, so for our purposes “average” is appropriate.
So if you find that your feet are sloshing around in all your shoes (including barefoot shoes) then you may have narrow feet. If your foot is always rolling off the edges of the soles of your barefoot shoes, then you might have wide feet. If you have no idea, I recommend trying one of the average width brands listed below (maybe one with free shipping/returns to be safe!) and going from there – because if you’ve only worn conventional shoes thus far you likely have a distorted view of your foot width.
Now let’s list the best options in different toe box widths.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Narrow Feet
- Vivobarefoot – While they fit most medium width people, Vivobarefoot also works for narrow feet because they have a close fit.
- PaperKrane – Also available at Anya’s Shop
- Crupon Sandals – Use code ANYA for 10% off
- The Storehouse Flats – ANYA for $5 off
- Xero Shoes
- Xero Shoes EU
- Shapen Ballet Flats – Use codeANYA5 for 5% off
- Bedrock Sandals
- Ahinsa – Select ballet flats for narrow feet. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Zapato Feroz – select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Zeazoo Sandals – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Free Form Shoes – Men’s dress shoes
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Extra Wide Feet
All barefoot shoe brands should be wide compared to conventional shoes. But this is a list of extra wide options, for people who don’t fit into other barefoot shoe brands, starting with the widest. Keep in mind that custom may be a good option if you have trouble finding shoes that fit (see the next section).
And here is an article that goes into more detail on these shoes and separates them out into Fan Shaped and Straight – Where Do You Need Your Width?
- Softstar Shoes Primal Line – The absolute widest there is! I have written two Primal Softstar reviews.
- Bohempia Wide Width – Get 10% off with code ANYASREVIEWS.Select styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Be Lenka – International customers can get 5% off with code ANYASREVIEWS. You can order Be Lenka shoes from Anya’s Shop!
- Groundies – Models labeled Barefoot+ are extra wide!
- Groundz – ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- Ahinsa – Everything here is vegan! Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. You can now order the black Ahinsa Jaya through Anya’s Shop! Orders placed through our shop will be eligible for US returns.
- Vivobarefoot Made in Ethiopia – ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.
- FeelBarefoot – Code ANYA50 for a discount. Read my FeelBarefoot review here
- Feelgrounds – Code ANYA5 for 5% off
- Freet – AnyaFreet gets you 10% off
- Lems – Choose the Primal 2 for the widest toe box and thinnest sole! Lems Shoes are thicker than most barefoot brands, and not all models are zero drop and foot shaped – read the product descriptions. European residents can find Lems at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- Magical Shoes – ANYA 10% off
- Realfoot – Super wide toe box, read this review for more information. Code ANYASREVIEWS10 gets you 10% off
- Tadeevo – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- Zlatush
- Joe Nimble (International)
- Unshoes – ANYA gets you 10% off
- Tikki Sandals – Available for US/Canadians at Anya’s Shop
- Shapen Barefoot – Ivy, Fleur, and other models in Wide width are extra wide. Use codeANYA5 for 5% off. US/Canadian customers can find the Ivy and Poppy at Anya’s Shop!
Major Barefoot Shoe Brands for Average Width Feet
If you don’t even know where to begin, the brands listed here are a good place to start. They have an anatomical shape and tend to fit an average width foot well. If you find they are too wide or narrow, that can help you determine where to go next.
- Groundies
- Mukishoes – ANYAMUKI gets you 10% off
- Softstar Shoes – Non Primal models.
- Shapen Barefoot – Poppy model. Use codeANYA5 for 5% off. You can also shop Shapen Barefoot at Anya’s Shop!
- Vivobarefoot – ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus sandals, and Gobi sneakers. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those. gets you 10% off
- Wildling – Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer. If you are outside the US/Canada, use this Wildling Shoes link.
- Zaqq Barefoot – Some models are tapered. You can find select Zaqq boots at Anya’s Shop!
38 Barefoot Shoe Brands from Narrow To Wide
In the photo below I ordered 38 different barefoot shoe brands that carry everyday barefoot sneakers and lifestyle shoes from narrowest to widest. This is looking specifically at width across the ball of the foot – you can see that there are variations in overall shape between them which may make some shoes feel narrow on your foot, even if they measure wide at the ball of the foot (that’s why the above information on foot shape is useful!). Also, keep in mind that some brands have different width options available, and variations between models. This is my best attempt at generalizing the information to help orient you!
A couple notes: Some of these brands that show up as a narrower option sometimes work for even extra wide feet. Most notably, Wildling Shoes and Mukishoes. Both of these barefoot shoe brands have extra flexible soles that flatten out and tend to accommodate a variety of shapes. Wildling also often has wide-fitting options even with the same sole shape (more material up top). While it’s true that the actual sole width on those two brands are in the correct order in this photo, you may find that they still fit wide. Ultimately we’ll all experience shoes differently, so take everything here with a grain of salt.
Custom Barefoot Shoe Brands
While custom shoes can be a scary investment, if you have tricky feet it can make all the difference. My custom shoes are some of my all time favorites because they fit like a glove. Check out this list of shoemakers that will customize your purchase to your personal foot measurements. For more info on the ones that I have worked with, read this article on Custom Barefoot Shoe Brands.
- Gaucho Ninja Leather – My review of two Gaucho Ninja boots here. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
- The Drifter Leather – My ordering guide here
- Zlatush
- Zkama shoes
- Conker Shoes
- Jenon Leather – Shipping to EU & USA only. Use code JENON10 for 10% off. Read my Jenon Leather Review here
- Green Shoes
Sandals
- Chala – Use code 93D5B5E9 for 5% off, and read my Chala Sandals review here
- Conker Shoes
- Deliberate Life Designs – ANYASREVIEWS
- The Drifter Leather
- Jenon Leather – Shipping to EU & USA only. Use code JENON10 for 10% off . Read my Jenon Leather Review here
- Laboo Leather – LOVE these. Also available at Anya’s Shop!
- Nallu
- Paisley Running Sandals
- Running Pads
- Tarasoles
- Zlatush
- Zkama
Looking for more categories of shoes? Here are a few more lists
Still have barefoot shoe questions? Check out the Ultimate Barefoot Shoes FAQ
211 thoughts on “The Best Barefoot Shoes & Brands for Your Foot Type”
Do you know of anywhere to purchase these outsoles for us DIY’rs? I want to make my own pair.
You can buy sole material from Xero Shoes as part of a DIY kit, and I’ve seen sheets of Vibram for sale on Amazon (I’m sure there are other places you could buy it too). This Etsy shop here sells barefoot shoe DIY tutorials and might have more information for you on where to get materials.
Hi Anya, You are awesome! Thank you for putting in so much time and effort into helping others on their barefoot journey! I am about a month into it and I was wondering if you could recommend a shoe brand or brand/style to try based on my situation. I keep buying and returning shoes and I fear I am like the princess and the pea when it comes to shoes. I am looking for an athletic sneaker that I can wear everyday and exercise outside in, and I’ll be going for long walks (on the sidewalk) with it. I started out with the Xero HFS and I loved it – but after just a month of my free barefoot life, my foot is now becoming more “foot-shaped” like it is meant to be, which I am so happy for, but now those same Xero HFS are too narrow for my newly wide foot. My sad pinky toes are straining against the mesh. I tried the men’s version but it was too wide in the heel and mid foot.
My foot info:
The shape looks similar to yours from the top, except my 4th and 5th toes are a little longer.
Narrow/normal heels and wider forefoot.
Medium volume.
Normal arches, not flat or high.
Size 41.
Also I tried Lems Primal 2 and that is a shoe shape that works very well for me, plenty of toe splay, but I didn’t like how the rounded heel sole felt when I was walking.
I am currently breaking in some Earth Runners and have some Shammas coming next week. I bought them both based on your reviews and am loving the sandals! Thank you, Anya!
I would say Freet Barefoot for you! Very similar to Lems Primal 2 in shape and width, but with thinner soles that feel more like being barefoot. Good luck and thanks for the kind words!
Thank you, Anya, I appreciate it! You make barefoot fun. I feel like my feet are waking up after decades of being encased in “normal” shoes and years of custom orthotics. Free the feet!
Hi, if I have on one leg mountain and other one- plateau, did you have such issue?
This is a great article! Thank you for these great recommendations. I am new to the barefoot movement and really appreciate this resource.
Canadian winters are harsh with temperatures going down to -40C! Any recommendations for winter boots?
Yes in fact! I live in a cold climate, so really warm options are important for me. I’ve written up all the options and additional recommendations here:
https://anyasreviews.com/warmest-barefoot-winter-boots-zero-drop/
Thank you for this article! It was enlightening. I had made the mistake of assuming that barefoot shoes would mean wide shoes as well myself. Imagine my confusion when I tried on a pair of Vivobarefoot shoes and they turned out to be narrower and less comfortable than my cheap knit sneakers… Now I understand that I should be looking at other brands out there which cater to wider feet, such as mine.
Seems like we have the same problem. You can see my comment down below. And I consider myself to have average width feet so imagine my surprise when my first pair of barefoot shoes came in to tight…
Hope you have a better luck finding your next pair.
Cheers
Mikael
Hey Anya!
Thank’s for the best website out there on barefoot shoes. I recently bought a pair of Groundies Universe and found that they’re giving me an unpleasant rub on the outside and inside of my foot were the foot is the widest. Obviously they are to narrow for me which I find a bit strange since this is my first barefoot shoes and I wasn’t expecting it to feel narrow especially since I consider myself to have an average width feet. Can you help me in finding another pair of sneakers that look cool for the summer and that might suit me and my foot. I’m thinking to go for the Vivo Court or Mukishoes, but any suggestion is appreciated.
The Universe actually rubs my foot a little too! The sole on them comes up high and just gets in the way a little bit more than the other types of soles that Groundies offers. The Vivo Court might also feel a little tight on your foot (at least at first, they break in better than Groundies Universe) but when it comes to plain white sneakers I absolutely love my Mukishoes Clouds. They’re so soft. You also might like Bohempia, they have a traditional sneaker look but fit wider than Groundies.
Thanks for your answer. Might go for Mukishoes. I like their style and they have a sale now on their webiste to. Check it out if you didn’t 🙂
https://anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-shoes-foot-type/
Hi Anya,
At the top of this article what are the shoes in the image under mountain?
Thanks for help,
Sally
It’s the Liverpool from Groundies
Have you come across the best barefoot shoes for hypermobile feet or people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
I find barefoot shoes really help with my balance and coordination, but my feet are in a lot of pain at the end of the day and all I can find is recommendations for wearing very supportive footwear. But I can’t even go back now! Been barefoot for about a year and a half
I have hypermobility syndrome (but not ED) and I found NorthSole insoles to be a lifesaver for my first year or two in barefoot shoes. I would put them in my super thin barefoot shoes and they kept me out of pain but I still felt grounded and stable. I also like Naboso insoles for extra stimulation.
I have EDS, too, and was rather disappointed to discover with my Prios (less so with my xcursions, but still would if long enough) that, if I was on my feet for long enough, my feet would start killing me in a way that they haven’t in years. Good to know about NorthSole helping with that – I’ll check them out, since I have a couple pairs of cheap gel zero-drop insoles, but they’re not even close to wide enough for my shoes, so I can’t use them.
Hi Anya,
I recently listened to you on Mark Bell’s Power Project Podcast. I’m a hockey player in skates everyday. I’ve been wearing VivoBarefoot Shoes for almost two years now to combat the narrow toe box on my skates. Way better than conventional shoes, but I’m still having problems with bunions and space by my pinky toes, even after wearing YogaToes Spacers and doing exercises for my feet and ankles everyday. I’m a size 13 US needing wide space by my toes with a Mountain Shaped foot. Am I doing myself disservice wearing the Vivos? After reading your page you say “People with Mountain feet have to be careful about shoes that slope after the big toe”.
Any recommendations for long walking and gym training everyday shoes, along with dress shoes to wear with a suit?
Hey Matt! If you’re finding that the Vivo’s aren’t giving you enough space on the outside toes then that is an indicator it’s not an ideal shape and/or width. I have Mountain feet, and find that many Vivos are good for me, but others are too tight on the outside. Freet is a great brand if you need more space for any of the toes besides the big toe, and they have options for walking and the gym with medium cushioning or minimal cushioning. Here is another article that can show you more options that will be wider and more spacious in the toes than Vivo (I share fit info for each option):
https://anyasreviews.com/10-best-barefoot-running-shoes-for-healthy-feet/
And here is a resource for men’s dress:https://anyasreviews.com/barefoot-minimalist-dress-shoes-men/
My husband wears Carets for fancy occasions, and Feelgrounds Original Luxe for work.
Awesome,
I’ll try some different brands for sure!
I’m going to come off as snarky in this comment. That’s because I feel like I wasted time on a crappy product based on the reviews here. It’s really just about a specific shoe.
Lems Primal Zen. I don’t know how you have this listed as a “barefoot” or “minimalist” shoe. Maybe you’ve never seen one in person and are just going off of what the Lems website says. But it is NOT a minimalist shoe. I have a nearly brand new pair of Xero Speed Force at home to compare the Lems shoes I just received.
The Primal zen has a very thick and hard sole. They’re almost as rigid a skateboarding shoes. The material does not stretch very well. And the Primal Zen is relatively heavy.
I’ve owned Vibram Merrells, New Balance Minus, and Xero Speed Force. I know what a minimalist shoe is supposed to look and feel like. And a wide toe box? Matched up with my Xero Speed Force, the Primal Zen’s toe box is the same shape and size. The only difference is that the material on the Speed Force stretches and flexes, while the material in the Primal Zen does not.
If your trying to review minimalist and/or barefoot shoes, I really think Lems should be removed from this list. Or at least a note should be added stating how hard, thick, and inflexible the sole of Lems shoes are. Now pardon me. I have some shoes to return.
Thanks for the feedback. I think what’s going on is that Lems has added quite a few new models in the past year that are less barefoot. So even though they have some really good wide options with much better soles (for example the Primal 2, I recently used them in a video on my social media showing the flexibility), they are mixed in with a bunch of others that I really don’t like. That means I need to be more clear in pointing out which models I recommend.
Oh how I wish wide toe box shoes came in some plush sole cushioning options for women like myself who’ve had hysterectomy surgeries due to cancer and now have very sensitive and tender heels, tendons, ligaments, bones and skin due to now zero natural hormones flowing through our bodies any longer😭
Oof, I’m sorry! Have you looked at North Sole insoles? You can put them in barefoot shoes to get cushion. Even the 3mm one (which is quite thin) makes a big difference in your comfort level. They helped me get through the transition period when my bony feet had no natural cushion.