Barefoot Combat Boots – The Best Wide Lace-Up Boots

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Top down view of a line of 3 women in Peerko lace up boots. Three colors including a metallic cosmic, patent black leather, and matte white boots are lined up with wide toe boxes the focus off the frame.
Barefoot combat boots have a natural foot shape, but still look cool.

The classic lace-up combat boot is a wardrobe essential. But too many have a narrow, pointy toe box! If comfort is what you are after, then you probably want a wide toe box alternative.

Here are my top recommended wide toe box and barefoot combat boots that have all the grungy style and none of the foot deforming features.

Table Of Contents
  1. Why I Don't Wear Doc Martens Anymore
  2. My Favorite Barefoot Combat Boots
  3. Best for Extra Wide Feet
  4. Best Cushioned Options
  5. Best Budget Options
  6. A Few More

Why I Don’t Wear Doc Martens Anymore

A top down close up of a person's feet wearing black lace up combat boots. On the left is a Shapen Barefoot wide toe box Maverick boot with the text "Wear This" and on the right is a Doc Marten with the text "Not That" because it has a narrow tapered toe box

Doc Martens look cool but they are heavy, clunky, and have a narrow tapered toe box. I much prefer a shoe that looks great, but has a natural fit and feel with plenty of space for your toes. That’s where barefoot combat boots come in. They’re a perfect marriage of fashion and function!

Feeling comfortable all the time while not looking schleppy is a kind of secret superpower. That’s why I have such a deep love of wide toe box barefoot boots! I can live life more fully when I feel good and can actually move freely.

Two women standing next to each other in a graffitied alleyway wearing denim mini dresses. On the right, she is wearing maroon red patent leather lace up Maverick boots by Shapen Barefoot, and on the left, a matching pair in black patent leather with fishnet tights.

But it’s not just for today – tending to the health of my feet now can help keep me mobile and strong for decades to come. And if you want the toe space but not the thin sole, I’ve included cushioned options here too. You can also use insoles in the others!

Now let’s check out some barefoot combat boot alternatives that meet all the comfort criteria, but don’t compromise on style.

If you are looking for true combat boots for the military, head here instead.

My Favorite Barefoot Combat Boots

Peerko Barefoot

Front close up view of Peerko Go black leather lace up combat style boots with a side zipper, wide toe box, and flexible zero drop outsole
A close up of a pair of feet standing on pavement mid-walk wearing white leather Peerko Go wide toe box barefoot combat style lace up boots

Leather & Vegan Options | Lined or Unlined | Sizes EU 37 – 45
No Removable Insole | Side Zip (depending on model)

Peerko Boots

Many of our Peerko lace-up boots are already in-stock for 2025, but others (like the Go) are still on the way.

You can also order these boots directly from Peerko in the EU and use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off (but note that they do not accept returns outside the EU)!

For me the Peerko Barefoot boots are hands down the best looking barefoot combat boot style! My personal favorites are the Go (short cut) and Empire (long cut) and both have a side zip for easy on and off. Every detail is just spot on – it’s not hard to see why they’ve been bestsellers at Anya’s Shop the last few years.

A woman standing outside on brick wearing wide leg jeans and brandy brown leather Peerko Go barefoot wide toe box combat boots
Full body view of a woman smiling at the camera wearing short black dress, and dark green overcoat being held at the lapel. She is wearing tall black lace up leather boots from Peerko called the Empire. They are sleek, stylish, and foot friendly.

They also look great even after breaking in and don’t scuff easily. All while having a wide foot-friendly shape that fits a broad range of foot types!

Sizing & Fit

  • True to size (but wool-lined Frost fits snugger)
  • Wide toe box, suitable for most foot types
  • Medium volume fit

These do not come with an insole but you can add an extra wool insole to your order. It’s great for some extra warmth and comfort, or to fill in extra space.

If you like the tall Empire and have wide calves, you might need something like a Boot Band.

Lang.S Kombat

Cropped look at Lang S Kombat black leather barefoot boots being worn by a person in a floral jumpsuit. The boots show off a wide comfortable toe box and a flat, flexible outsole.
A zoomed in view of a woman sitting on a bench with her Lang S Kombat boots propped up in front of her adjusting the laces. The chunky zero drop outsole is in the forefront of the frame, and a flowery jumpsuit is blurred in the background. An inside easy access zip is also shown, along with adjustable laces for a classic look.

Leather | Leather Lining | Sizes EU 36-45
No Removable Insole | Side Zip

Lang.S Kombat

Use code ANYALANG to get 10% off directly from Lang.S, or we’ll be carrying these at Anya’s Shop this fall!

Lang.S (formerly Tikki Shoes) recently released a new lace up boot and it’s the only wide toe box option with a classic chunky profile. They have a thicker stack height than the others listed here, but are still uber flexible! This is great if you want a little more distance between you and the ground during the cold months, or just like a little cushion. The Kombat really fits into all combat boot categories – Extra-Wide Friendly & Cushioned – but I consider them an over-all best too!

Full body view of a woman with wavy brown hair standing on a downtown sidewalk wearing a floral jumpsuit, black sweater, and black bag. She is looking off into the distance with a slight smile on her face. The outfit is finished with Lang S Kombat black leather lace-up barefoot boots.

Another thing I love about them is that the the toe box is really roomy, including above the toes. Overall, I’ve been super impressed with these! The leather upper and lining is soft and good quality and there is a side zip for easy on and off.

Sizing & Fit

  • Runs slightly large
  • Wide to extra wide toe box
  • Medium to high volume fit

These boots are generally roomy. I tried a 37 and 38 and the 38 is rather large for me, though I could make them work with thick socks.

Mukishoes Igneous

Close up view of a pair of feet crossed on the sidewalk. The person is wearing slim light colored jeans with black lace up wool lined leather boots from Mukishoes. The sustainable barefoot Igneous boots have laces and a zipper.
Close up side view of black barefoot wide toe box combat boot style leather boots with wool lining. The Mukishoes Igneous boots are shown worn with straight leg jeans outside on a bridge

Leather | Wool Lined | Sizes EU 36-44
No Removable Insole | Side Zip

Mukishoes Igneous

Also available directly from Mukishoes in the EU where you can use code ANYAMUKI for 10% off any Mukishoes purchase (except sale items).

Mukishoes is one of my all time favorite brands because their shoes are soooo flexible, gorgeous, AND they have extremely high ethical standards. The Igneous is a sleek leather boot lined with a felted wool lining. The zipper on the side makes these easy on and off, and they are superbly flexible.

Sizing & Fit

  • Mostly true to size but slightly small
  • Average to wide width
  • Medium to high volume

Mukishoes Igneous boots are very soft and forgiving, but I sized up to a 38 for a bit of extra toe room and so I could fit a wool insole (cuz it’s winter yo). A 37 would have been just a bit tight for me.

You can read my full review of the Mukishoes brand here.

A woman sitting on a bridge with her back against the side looking off camera with a slight smile. She is wearing a dark green sweater, light colored slim jeans, and Black leather combat style lace up barefoot Igneous boots from Mukishoes.

Xero Breckenridge

Top down view of Xero Shoes Breckenridge black leather lace ups shoes being worn on cement. The wide toe box leaves room for natural toe splay
A close up front side view of Xero Shoes barefoot Breckenridge lace up boots in brown leather with a wie toe box and flexible outsole. A pair of mid-tone denim is visible at the top of the frame, bright green grass is underfoot, and a pair of slouchy cream socks are filling the space between the boot and jeans.

Leather | Leather Lining | Sizes US Women’s 5-12
Removable Insole | No Side Zip

Xero Breckenridge

The Xero Breckenridge has a very classic silhouette and can really be styled any which way – whether you want to dress them up, down, or with an edgy grungy look. They can even be worn functionally as outdoor/light hiking shoes. No side zip.

I find them to be one of the best fitting Xero models I’ve tried, and I like both the smooth black and the brown nubuck equally well. The outsole is on the stiff side and they took some breaking in to be as flexible as I like.

Sizing & Fit:

  • True to size
  • Medium to wide fit
  • Medium volume

Vivobarefoot Gobi Boot

Top down view of the wide toe box and tall lace up leather Gobi boots from Vivobarefoot
A close up side view of a pair of man's feet wearing the Vivobarefoot Gobi Hi black barefoot combat boot for men

Leather | Sizes US 5W – 15M
Removable Insole | No Side Zip

Vivobarefoot Gobi Boot

Use code ARVIVO20 for 20% off

The Vivobarefoot Gobi boot is a seasonal model that comes back every fall and winter. It comes in a leather lined and a fleece lined option depending on your warmth needs. Two things I like about Vivobarefoot boots – the have an oblique shape so you get lots of big toe room and they are very durable/high quality.

Even though the Gobi styles like a lifestyle boot they have a grippy outsole for some decent traction for outdoor use. The leather is so soft and supple, and they have held up like a dream. They have a modern urban aesthetic to them that feels fresh after so many lace-up boots that look the same.

If you’re wearing them in the cold, be warned that the insole that comes with it is not warm in my opinion. Check out this post for warm insoles options you can use instead.

Sizing & Fit

  • Runs slightly long, but I don’t size down
  • Average width (Men’s are wider than Women’s)
  • Medium to low volume

If you have wide feet I recommend sizing up or choosing the men’s version (same shoe just wider).

Groundies

Groundies Salzburg close up side view of a person wearing them on stone, flexing one foot up. They feature large eyelets, thick laces, and soft nubuck on a zero drop flexible outside with wide toe box
A close up on a pair of man's feet wearing black pants and black Groundies Williamsburg barefoot lace up combat boots standing on rocks outdoors

Leather | Sizes EU 36-47
No Removable Insole | Side Zip (depending on model)

Groundies EU
Groundies US

Groundies is always keeping it fresh with trendy styles made barefoot, and select models come in two widths. The Salzburg is available in both the EU and US stores – it’s a cute, soft boot with some unique details like oversized eyelets and a chunky lace.

I am not sure what else will be available in the US store for the 2025 season, but the quality from Groundies is consistently good. You can reliably look to them for good barefoot combat boots.

Sizing & Fit

  • True to size
  • Average width in Barefoot, extra wide in Barefoot+
  • Medium volume

I wear my usual size 37 in most Groundies shoes, but sometimes size up to a 38 for sock room. They have a Mountain shape to them and are medium width; a little bit wider than Vivobarefoot.

Some Groundies models come in an extra wide width, like the Salzburg model here. You can learn more about their Barefoot+ fit here.

Best for Extra Wide Feet

These are the barefoot combat boots that have the widest toe box, suitable for even extra wide feet.

Shapen Barefoot

A close up side view of a pair of feet standing on concrete wearing new Shapen Barefoot Maverick boots in black shiny leather that look like Doc Martens
Front angled close up of Shapen Barefoot Urbaneer barefoot winter boots with super flexible zero drop outside and extra wide toe box. The brown leather is a pretty mid-tone with matching laces.

Leather | Leather & Wool Lined | Sizes EU 36-47
No Removable Insole | Side Zip (depending on model)

Shapen Barefoot (EU)

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off directly from Shapen (returns are not accepted outside the EU). We’ll have the Maverick at Anya’s Shop in the US shortly!

The Shapen Maverick is spot on for the Doc Martens look! They have a side zip, roomy toe box, and sleek fit. They are very light and flexible – in fact I prefer them with an extra insole – but overall the styling is on point.

Urbaneer is a classic (less edgy) silhouette with a wool lining, no side zip, and a more rugged outsole for a wintry climate.

I love both of them – they’re the perfect blend of comfort with quality and style. If you have extra wide feet and/or want all the toe space this is one of the best options.

Sizing & Fit

  • Maverick runs slightly large – I do not size down but I have room for thick socks and insoles. Urbaneer is more true to size because of the wool lining.
  • Wide to extra wide toe box
  • Medium to high volume

Shapen boots fit on the larger roomier side in general.nI go in greater detail on the fit & sizing of Shapen barefoot boots in this review.

Origo Adventurer

Front and side flexed view of Origo Adventurer barefoot lace up leather boots with wide toe box and flexible zero drop sole. Brown wide leg corduroy pants are visible on top of the boots
A woman standing outside in nature wearing denim and Origo Nomad Adventurer wide toe box barefoot boots in vintage brown, smiling and looking off in the distance

Leather | Unlined | Sizes US Women’s 6 – Men’s 13
Removable Insole | No Side Zip

Adventurer Women’s
Adventurer Men’s

The Origo Adventurer is an ultra light and comfy boot with ample toe space and a heritage feel. They are super comfortable, I am a big fan! The leather has a really nice natural quality to it that will get better with him. And of the options here, they are one of the lightest and most flexible.

Sizing & Fit

  • True to size
  • Extra wide toe box, but fitted through the midfoot and heel
  • Medium volume – easily cinches over my low volume feet

I think the fit on the Origo Adventurer is really great. You get plenty of toe space, but the shoe is not floppy or slippy. It’s a good balance of roomy and fitted!

Be Lenka Atlas

Top down view of the toe box and side view of the zipper and profile of Be Lenka Atlas combat style black high quality leather lace up barefoot boots
A close up of a pair of feet wearing Be Lenka Atlas barefoot boots in cream with a hand tying the laces

Leather | Fleece Lining | Sizes EU 35-47
Removable Insole | Side Zip

Be Lenka Barefoot (EU)

Use code ANYASREVIEWS to get 5% off Be Lenka directly

Be Lenka Barefoot makes several stylish lace-up boots in a range of colors, all of which are ultra comfortable and high quality. If you like the combat boot style but have extra wide feet, this brand is going to be a better option for you than most.

My favorite as a combat boot replacement is the Atlas. They have a side zip for easy on and off and are lined with a thin fleece. Be Lenka also has the Winter 3.o lace up boot (no side zip), which is taller cut and has a thick wool lining. We carry the Winter at Anya’s Shop.

A close up side view of a pair of black combat leather lace up winter boots from Be Lenka being worn by a person sitting on a stone wall. A plaid jacket is just visible at the top of the frame, and wide leg denim are resting above the boots with a pair of chunky knit socks peeking out over the boots.

Sizing & Fit

  • Runs small – I size up one in both Atlas and Winter.
  • Wide to extra wide fit
  • Medium volume

Be Lenka boots generally run on the small side and I size up pretty consistently.

But note that Be Lenka models on the ErgoGrip sole (Mojo & Diva) are not as wide as the Atlas, so it’s a good idea to check the product listing and size charts to understand what you’re ordering.

Ahinsa Jaya

Top down view of a pair of feet wearing Ahinsa Jaya Black Vegan Barefoot Combat Boots
A woman's hand holding a Ahinsa Jaya boot into a flat U shape to show the flexibility.

Vegan | Waterproof | Fleece Lining | Sizes EU 37-46
Removable Insole | Side Zip

Ahinsa Jaya

You can use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off.

The Ahinsa Jaya is a vegan barefoot combat boot with an extra wide toe box. This option is super flexible, fits fits people who need a lot of toe space (check that non-sloping toe box), and can accommodate high volume feet. It is also super light, soft, and has a water resistant finish. I also love the side zipper for easy use!

Sizing & Fit

  • Runs a little small – I size up to a 38
  • Extra wide toe box, but slim through the midfoot.
  • Medium volume, but can easily cinch or loosen to most foot types

See below the the Ahinsa Jaya on two different foot types. On the left (below) is my low volume foot with a wide toe spread. On the right, is Samantha (our researcher here at Anya’s Reviews) with an EXTRA wide and high volume foot. Notice that the laces are cinched much tighter over my low volume foot, but Ahinsa fits both our foot types well.

Best Cushioned Options

Here are some combat boots that have the wide toe box and lightweight natural feel but a thicker sole for a bit more cushion.

Lems Boulder Boot

A woman standing in front of her front steps wearing black skinny jeans and a flannel button down. she is smiling down at her shoes. She is wearing Black lace up Lems Boulder Boots, a unisex barefoot option.
A pair of Lems Boulder Mid boots hanging in a tree from the laces. a blurry greenery out door background.

Leather & Vegan Options | Waterproof Option | Sizes US 5W – 15M
Removable Insole | No Side Zip

Lems Boulder Boots

If you’re outside the US, shop Lems EU here.

The Lems Boulder Boot is super popular in natural footwear circles because it has a timeless look to it, and a wide toe box. They have a thicker sole than any other shoe I review here, but it’s still zero drop and a little bit flexible (not as flexible as the others). They are definitely more structured than most of the options here and take a bit of breaking in, but are pretty dang comfy once softened up.

One thing I love about Lems is that they have a lot of vertical toe space, so you really get toe freedom. I particularly like my Boulder Boot Grips and wear them a lot for cold weather hiking or walking in the rain.

Sizing & Fit

  • Runs small – I usually size up to an 8 in Lems.
  • Wide to extra wide fit
  • High volume

Feelgrounds Patrol

A top down view of a woman with low volume feet wearing one Feelgrounds Patrol winter boot.
a front angled view of a pair of legs in feelgrounds patrol winter boots - a waterproof vegan options.

Vegan | Waterproof | Fleece Lined Option | Sizes EU 35-49
Removable Insole | No Side Zip

Feelgrounds Patrol

Use code ANYA5 for 5% off your first order

Feelgrounds Patrol boots are vegan, waterproof, fleece lined (in their Winter version), and slip resistant. They look super stylish with a chunky appearance while being practical. Many people even use these as a hiking boot!

I personally found the material a bit stiff for my liking, but for people who want a more traditional feel that’s not as thin and flexible as other barefoot shoes this is a good option.

Sizing & Fit

  • Runs slightly small
  • Wide to extra wide fit (will work for many foot types, but you may need to size up to get enough width).
  • High volume

Best Budget Options

Saguaro Ambition

Top view of a pair of affordable barefoot combat boots with a wide toe box from Saguaro Shoes.
Side view of a pair of Ambition barefoot combat style boots from Saguaro Shoes with laces and a side zipper.

Microfiber | Faux Fur Lining | Sizes EU 36-48
Removable Insole | Side Zip

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off

Saguaro

The Ambition II from Saguaro is a great affordable option that still retains all the barefoot qualities we want in a boot. It has a nice wide toe box, and a flexible 4mm zero drop outsole. The laces are low quality and a little difficult to adjust, but once you have them set there’s a handy side zipper for easy on/off.

The lining is medium thick faux fur that’s soft but will make your feet sweaty, so I would plan on sizing up to wear socks.

Sizing & Fit

  • Runs a little small – we usually size up
  • Wide fit – will work for some extra wide feet.
  • Medium volume

A Few More

Want to see even more options? I’ve compiled a full list of barefoot boot options organized by style! Click on the link below and head to the Lace-Up Boots Section.

Complete List of Barefoot Boots

In the meantime, here are a few other stylish options I like.

A close up of a pair of feet wearing Wildling Shoes North Wolf wool barefoot winter boots, standing on rocks with one foot turned out to the side.

Wildling Shoes (US & Europe) – Another personal favorite brand of mine. Their options change seasonally, but the North Wolf shown here and the Atmo Black are part of the essentials collection. Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer. If you live outside the US/Canada, shop Wildling Shoes here.

Read my Wildling Reviews here

A top down view of a person's feet wearing black leather Zaqq Quintic brogue detailed wide toe box barefoot combat boots

Zaqq Quintic – A fun variation on the classic lace up boot style. The beautiful brogue detailing gives them a little something extra, and they have a side zip. These are very high volume.

You can find these available directly from Zaqq here.

Top view of a woman's feet in Magical Alaskan barefoot winter boots in brown leather

Magical Shoes Alaskan (Europe) – Use code ANYA for 10% off your Magical Shoes purchase!

You can also find select colors at PedTerra, where code ANYASREVIEWS gets you 10% off your first purchase.

Stock photo of Koel Florence barefoot black lace up leather boots with cozy warm lining

Koel (Europe) – Koel has a couple black lace-up models that also come in many colors.

You can also find Koel at Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off

A stock image of a pair of No(N)s tall black leather lace up barefoot combat style boots.

No(N)s (Europe) – Read my No(N)s Review here

Top down view of Gaucho Ninja barefoot goodyear welted leather zero drop lace up boots on a bed of green clover

Gaucho Ninja (UK) – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off

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Comments

77 thoughts on “Barefoot Combat Boots – The Best Wide Lace-Up Boots”

  1. patricia

    Hi Anya. Most of the tall boots are NOT really tall. Do you know if the Zaqq qatch winter black is a true tall boot? Their customer service is not really helpful and keep on insisting by their chart that is 48cm tall ….that would be an over the knee. Will you be carrying Zaqq tall boots in your store? Is there any other brand you could recommend for a tall boot? The cool lace-up boots from Peerko are too short unfortunately. Same with Belenka…they seem short. I’m 5.6″ and normally have 15-16 inch tall boots in the shaft height

    Reply
  2. xica

    Hi!
    Which brand is the one that is the second from the right in the big photo(under the caption’My Favorite Barefoot Combat Boots’?)
    I love the contrast between the outsole and the upper, but looks like you did not mention in the body text… 🙂

    Thanks!!

    Reply
  3. Chiara Comai

    I love combat boots! Do you know of any toe-shaped ones that aren’t barefoot? Looking for a gradual transition!
    Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sylvie Tallarico

    Hi Anya
    I live in Toronto, Canada, and winter is very snowy. Then I feel a little concerned about these barefoot boots. I am very comfortable with the sneakers for spring and summer, but we need strong protection against the snow and the cold weather. May be, combat boots are more appropriate for our weather. Let me know, please. Thank you.

    Reply
  5. kayla

    I bought the Xero Breckenridge after reading this article a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to wear them but it’s currently in the mid 80s still in Georgia so it may be a while….

    Reply
  7. Ann

    Another good black boot could be the Bahé Rediscover (hiking boot). If it fits like their Revive shoe it will have plenty of toe space. I love that shoe because there is enough room to wear toes spacers in them and there is also plenty of space above the toe nails.

    Reply
    1. Anya

      We recently started testing the Bahe hiking boot! We will probably add it to my best hiking boot roundup, because it doesn’t have the combat boot aesthetic IMO.

      Reply
    1. Anya

      I checked out with PayPal when I ordered something over Black Friday, so I don’t know about their credit card processing. Maybe shoot them an email to check in?

      Reply
  9. Rachael

    In the very first picture with the line up of boots, which one is the pair you are actually wearing? Second from right. Thank you so much!

    Reply

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Picture of Hi. I'm Anya.

Hi. I'm Anya.

I first discovered barefoot shoes after a long history of foot issues. By changing my footwear and strengthening my body I was able to completely transform my life. Anya’s Reviews is my way of sharing with the world that healthy feet are happy feet!

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