Birchbury Carnforth – Comfort Shoes for People Who Don’t Wear Barefoot

The Birchbury Carnforth is what a “comfort shoe” should be: Quality and style, combined with anatomical design. This one is for people who are taking better care of their feet, but aren’t wearing full barefoot shoes (or need a break from them sometimes)!

Key Takeaways

• The Carnforth has a mainstream look but is significantly wider and more flexible than your typical chukka boot.
• They are a more cushioned wide toe box shoe, for people who don’t want a thin barefoot sole.
• The materials are on-par with top quality brands (and priced similarly too).
• Adjustable elastic laces and a removable insole make for an easy, versatile fit.
• 10/10 recommend!

Meet Birchbury

Birchbury’s story began with founder Matt’s quest for an upscale leather dress shoe to elevate his shoe collection, which mainly consisted of flip-flops. Frustrated by the discomfort and cramped toe boxes of most options, he discovered barefoot shoes (cue angelic singing). However, none fit the style he was looking for. So Matt took matters into his own hands and founded Birchbury—a minimalist shoe company offering business casual and dress shoes that combine barefoot comfort with classic style.

I have tried all of Birchbury’s shoes, since they first launched in 2019. Their very first model didn’t land for me, but they have been busy making improvements in the intervening years – that kind of small business tenacity is what I am here for!! Currently Birchbury carries three styles, and they have been honed to near perfection in style, fit, and function.

By and large their shoes have a more masculine vibe to them, but technically the shoes are unisex and in the full size range, so anyone can wear them. Birchbury shoes all have a wide toe-box, flat outsole, and more flexibility. But the sole and insole are thicker, so they lean more wide toe box rather than true barefoot. This makes them a great option for those who are are looking for a more comfortable dress shoe option, but don’t want to go the full barefoot shoe route.

Carnforth Review

The Carnforth is Birchbury’s newest style, and one I am particularly excited about. Similar to Clarks, they can be dressed up with slacks or dressed down with jeans, making them versatile for dressy occasions or casual outings. But more comfortable because they have lots of toe room and no heel!

Robby (Samantha’s husband) and I both have been test driving a pair the last few months and our first thought is that if you like Clarks, you’ll love the Carnforth!

The only fit complaint I had was that the top of the shoe hit awkwardly at my ankle (my feet are very low volume). This was only mildly uncomfortable, and I expect it to resolve as the shoe breaks in. Robby, who has medium to lower volume feet, didn’t have this issue.

I find that suede makes for a more business-casual shoe, so if you are looking for a true dress shoe, you might consider the Birchbury Brenston model instead. I bought my dad a pair of those since he wears dress shoes a lot for church, and they are more upscale compared to the Carnforth.

Shoe Specs

The materials used to craft the Carnforth are top notch. They sport a buttery soft full-grain leather lining on the inside of the shoe, and a cushy suede upper that doesn’t crease or pinch your feet anywhere.

The tongue pad and ankle opening have a bit of cushioning, and the laces are elastic and adjustable – which I love. They also come with a spare set of laces, which is a nice touch. The shoes come in tan, dark brown, and black, and all models are suede.

The outsole is non-slip but not overly grippy, suitable for light indoor or outdoor use. While the suede is water-resistant, these shoes aren’t waterproof due to stitching and the style of the upper construction.

Because the insoles have some extra heel padding for comfort, these shoes are technically not zero drop when worn with the insole. But because it’s squishy padding, it compresses and the effect is essentially zero drop under your body weight. If this is a concern for you, you can swap out the insole for one from another pair of barefoot shoes.

What I Love About Them

These are shoes for people who won’t wear barefoot, but want to be more comfortable. Or for people who already know they love a natural fit and feel, but want a thicker sole sometimes, like me! While I am a huge fan of minimalist footwear, I have fat pad atrophy because of my hypermobility so I rotate in cushioned options to stay comfortable.

I love that with the Carnforth you are getting a healthier, more comfortable shoe that reads chic and upscale. I also appreciate that the shoes offer a nice wide toe box that most would fit into, without looking clownish. They’re not my personal style, but I am loving them as menswear. They strike me as a shoe most people wouldn’t even register as being “different,” except that they are crazy comfortable.

Samantha’s dad (a reluctant barefoot shoe enthusiast) borrowed Robby’s pair for an event and he was a huge fan! Birchbury stands out as a great option for people like him and my own dad – those who aren’t totally into barefoot shoes because of the lack of support, but love a natural fit that is kinder to the body than traditional shoes.

And of course I appreciate that quality is high and the features are functional (elastic laces FTW). At $197, the pricing is not cheap, but it’s also not excessive for what you are getting.

Sizing & Fit

The Birchbury Carnforth fits as follows:

• Generous wide toe box suitable for wide feet, but not extra wide IMO
• Medium volume, but the elastic laces are adjustable to different volumes
• True to size according to the EU chart (the US sizes were inconsistent for me) 

Navigating the sizing of these shoes proved a bit tricky, so I recommend using the EU sizes to order instead of US. According to the Birchbury website, if you are between sizes, then those who wear US size 11 or smaller should size up, while those who wear US size 12 or larger should size down.

However, my experience was actually the opposite. My pair in a women’s 6.5 fit slightly larger than expected – more in line with a women’s 7. Meanwhile, Robby, Samantha’s husband, found that the men’s size 11 felt more like a 10.5 and ran slightly small.

Birchbury does list the EU size, and I found that sizing to be accurate, so I would suggest you size according to the EU chart.

In summary I consider the Carnforth the perfect elevated lifestyle shoe for men, that combines the comfort of barefoot-inspired features with the sophistication of a dressy, business-casual aesthetic. With premium materials, versatile styling, and a focus on wider toe-box comfort, these shoes cater to those seeking a middle ground between barefoot and traditional footwear. While the sizing may require some trial and error, using the EU size chart helps ensure a better fit. Whether you’re dressing up for an event or dressing down for a casual outing, the Carnforth is a reliable choice for style-conscious individuals who value comfort.

Looking for more wide, but not barefoot shoe options? Check out my other favorite options here.