Skinners makes barefoot shoes in classic styles, with an urban environment in mind. They have a good middle-of-the-road outsole that balances durability, cushion, with a natural fit and feel. All while looking clean and aesthetically pleasing. If you want barefoot features in a more mainstream silhouette, or are specifically looking for shoes that fit a narrow heel and lower volume foot, this is a brand to watch.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Originally known for “sock shoes,” Skinners is now producing lifestyle sneakers and boots.
- True-to-size fit.
- Medium width with narrower heel, great for low-volume feet.
- Thicker lifestyle soles with removable insoles in all models.
- Classic shoe designs that will never go out of style
- Use code ANYA15 for 15% off.
Meet Skinners
This is my first official write-up on Skinners, but they’ve been around for a while. Back in 2016, they introduced the original “sock shoe;” essentially a durable, thick sock with a protective rubber sole. It was a novel idea, and it put them on the barefoot map early. Since then, they’ve expanded well beyond sock shoes. After launching a successful Kickstarter campaign, Skinners began developing a full line of lifestyle barefoot sneakers and boots, and that evolution is where they really caught my attention.
I’m personally not a sock shoe person… If I want to be barefoot, I’ll just be barefoot, and if I need shoes, I’ll wear actual shoes. So in this review I am covering just their full shoes, which are strong. Their barefoot shoe options include sneakers, lace-up boots, and winter boots, and overall, the quality is very solid, using good materials and thoughtful details.
Their entire lineup leans lifestyle rather than sport or performance. The soles are thicker than a brand like Vivobarefoot, and feel more comparable to in-between brands like El Naturalista. They’re flexible, but clearly designed for pavement and urban wear.
They’ve also recently improved their distribution process for U.S. customers, making them easier to access stateside. You can even shop them in person at Stride Lab in Boulder, CO! Find their store locator here, or shop with their main site below.
Use code ANYA15 for 15% off.
What I Love About Them
What stands out most to me is the overall polish of the line. Skinners shoes feel cohesive across the brand, but they implement small, thoughtful variations that keep things interesting. For example, Skinners varies their lace styles across models. Many brands just use the same laces everywhere, so I think this is a standout feature for Skinners.
I also appreciate that all models include removable insoles, which allows for easy volume adjustment and makes the shoes more versatile across different foot types. That’s something I think should just be a standard in barefoot footwear.
The materials feel substantial without being heavy. There’s a softness to many of the uppers that makes them comfortable right away, and overall the construction feels solid and dependable.
I also respect that Skinners has continued evolving rather than staying stuck in that original sock-shoe niche. The shift into more refined lifestyle footwear shows growth and intention.
Sizing & Fit
- True-to-size overall.
- Medium width – not super wide, but not narrow either.
- Best for low to medium-volume feet, with a remove insole for people with medium to higher volume feet.
- The heel is narrower and more secure than many barefoot brands, making them a great option for narrow to medium heel widths.
- Thicker lifestyle sole – flexible, but more geared toward urban wear, so may not be loved by ground-feel purists.
- All models include a removable insole for easy volume adjustment, and more ground feel.
Skinners Boots
The boots collections is where Skinners really stands out, IMO.
There is no shortage of lace-up boots on the market, but the Astra and Nebula genuinely stand out – and I have seen a lot of black barefoot boots in my time, so that’s saying something. They’ve really managed to create a boot that feels refined and classy-looking. They are soft, structured where they need to be, and don’t have that oversized, floppy fit that comes with many barefoot boots. The thinner laces on some models are also a subtle but thoughtful touch. It gives a more feminine look, and I’m here for it!
The outsole is functional without being aggressive, and the lining options add warmth without compromising flexibility. They feel built for real-world wear.
But the heel fit is what surprised me most. Not many barefoot boots cater well to narrower heels or lower-volume feet, but these do. I can zip them up and go without adding insoles or adjusting laces, which is rare for me.
Robby (Samantha’s husband, and regular Anya’s Reviews tester) had a pair of Cavalier Cognac boots that were his most worn boots this past winter. He did everything in them and they held up very well! They were everything he looks for in a boot – durable, comfortable, warm, and stylish. Robby also has lower volume feet.
Skinners Sneakers
Skinners also offers a robust sneaker portfolio that covers the closet essentials. You’ve got breathable mesh, classic leather, and retro color block sneakers. All on the same medium-thick outsole that is geared toward lifestyle urban use.
The smooth leather sneakers are very clean and classic looking, but feel the stiffest out of the box. The suede and mesh sneakers have been our favorite so far, because they are immediately soft and relaxed. My personal favorite is the Globetrotter, and Robby has been wearing his Timehacker sneakers a lot. He loves them as much as he loves his boots!
All that being said, I will say that the barefoot sneaker category is saturated. While these are well-made and popular, they don’t stand out to me style wise in the same way the Skinners boots do. Perfect for those who want a perennial understated sneaker look that will never go out of style. Solid lifestyle sneakers, just not particularly distinctive.
Summary
Overall, Skinners offers solid quality, thoughtful details, and a fit that works especially well for narrower heels, something the barefoot world doesn’t always cater to. That alone makes them worth a look!
