I love the Chelsea boot look, but I’m tired of cute shoes that are uncomfortable. That’s why I wear barefoot Chelsea boots instead! They don’t squish my toes or aggravate my back, like most stylish shoes do. Want the Chelsea boot look without hurting your feet? You’re in the right place.
Find here my all-time favorite wide toe box Chelsea boots, including barefoot, cushioned, and budget options.
Why I Wear Barefoot Chelsea Boots
Most fashion footwear, like the Chelsea boots on me above right, have a pointy narrow shape that can really hurt! By contrast, barefoot Chelsea boots have a natural foot shape with space for the toes to lay flat. Unlike shoes that claim to be good for wide feet but still come to a point at the end, barefoot boots actually give you the space you need where you need it.
And barefoot Chelsea boots also don’t have a heel, which can be a real back saver. Same style essence, but so much more comfortable!
So I wear barefoot Chelsea boots because:
- They have a wide anatomical toe box that doesn’t squish my toes
- They are flat (zero drop) and don’t push my weight forward
- They style the same as regular Chelsea boots!
- And you can choose more cushioned options or add insoles if you don’t want a thin sole!
I also make use of a few easy fit hacks to ensure I get a perfect fit, since Chelsea boots don’t have laces. Now let’s talk about my personal favorite barefoot Chelsea boots that have space for your toes to wiggle AND are stylish and trendy.
The Best Barefoot Chelsea Boots
I love a Chelsea boot moment. The understated design is both easy to style and easy to wear (love me a pull-on shoe). And they will basically never go out of style, so you can be sure to get lots of use out of them! Here are my all time top picks for the best barefoot Chelsea boots.
Lila by Anya
Leather Upper | Leather Lining | Sizes EU 34-45
When it comes to Chelsea boot styling, the Lila is my go-to. I wanted something that looked more like a classic Chelsea boot than other barefoot options, so I went out and designed one! The leather paneling over the elastic makes for a more sophisticated look, so these dress up really well too. I reach for them and the Rosa boot (similar but with side zipper) all fall and winter when I really want to look good!
Lila Chelsea boots have a quality leather upper, leather lining, and leather insole – all chrome free and vegetable tanned without the use of harsh chemicals. It takes significantly longer and is more expensive to tan leather in this way, but it’s safer for skin and is softer/more breathable than chrome tanned leather.
The outsole has a rubber bottom for a bit of grip, but they are not intended for rugged use. And it is a bit thicker and stiffer sole than some barefoot Chelsea boots, so if you want a real flexible feel you’ll probably like the others here better!
Me at the leather production facility in Gaziantep, Turkey during the tanning process!
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size, but slightly short for some. I wear my usual size still.
- Medium wide – suitable for average and wide feet, but not best for extra wide feet.
- High volume above the arch, so I added tongue pads to mine to get a secure fit (just be aware that tongue pads are semi permanent and don’t come off easily).
Mukishoes Chelsea
Leather | Wool Lining | Sizes EU 36-45
Use code ANYAMUKI for 10% off directly from Mukishoes in the EU
I love that the Mukishoes Chelsea is a lower cut than most other wide toe box options, which gives you different styling options – easier to wear with jeans than taller Chelsea boots! They are also very light, flexible, and come with a real wool lining – not too thick, but nice for cold days.
They can get a little wrinkly/frumpy because they are so soft and unstructured, but it doesn’t stop me from styling them with lots of outfits. I reach for them often when I want a quick and easy look that’s still stylish. Mukishoes Chelsea is unisex.
Sizing & Fit:
- Slightly small – I have a pair in both my regular size and a size up and wear the bigger size with socks.
- Medium wide – best for average and some wide feet. The outsole is very soft and can flatten out a bit under wider feet as they break in, but don’t feel super wide when brand new.
- Medium volume – the ankle opening is slim and lower cut, so some people say the front edge cuts into their ankle a bit. But it helps keep the shoe from being floppy even on different instep heights.
Xero Ridgeway
Leather | Mesh Lining | Sizes US W5 – M15
The Xero Ridgeway is a new style for fall 2024, and they’ve been very popular with both men and women. They have that rugged Chelsea boot look that’s so trendy right now, and an actual rugged outsole to go with it! So they look cool and are practical for hiking, light work, and a bit of weather.
The outsole on the thicker side with tread, but still flexible. The leather upper is thick and stiff when new, but break in.
I personally found them too stiff in the back heel area for my liking, but I am sensitive there and go for softer over more durable most of the time. The Lems Chelsea (in the Cushioned section of this article) is a better option in this style for me.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size for most people, but ran small for Justin (he wears a 13 but needed 14 in Ridgeway Chelsea)
- Medium to wide width – Men’s models are wider than women’s
- Medium to high volume with removable insole
Vivobarefoot Gobi Chelsea
Leather Upper | Leather or Fleece Lining | Sizes EU 35-43
Use code ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus Yin, Sensus Slide, and Gobi Premium. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those..
The Vivobarefoot Gobi Chelsea is a new silhouette, unique from the other barefoot Chelsea boots. They come in an unlined and fleece lined version, and have more of an urban vibe to them. For me they felt kind of stiff when brand new and rubbed, but got softer with wear.
They come with a removable cork insole for a bit of extra fit adjustability, but tend to fit medium volume best.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size – fits longer than the first two boots listed here, but I don’t size up!
- Medium wide – best for average and some wide feet, but not extra wide.
- Medium volume
Angles Nyx
Leather | Leather or Wool lined | Sizes EU 37-45
If the Vivobarefoot Chelsea isn’t a good fit for you or doesn’t go big enough for you, I recommend the Angles Nyx next. It has a similar sleek shape and extra sheen that looks dressy, and they are a little bit wider and higher volume if you need some more space. They are also designed to be unisex.
While I love a super soft, flexible shoe (like Mukishoes Chelsea) I also like my stylish boots to have a bit of structure so they stay classy. A sophisticated but straight forward black Chelsea is one of my closet work horses and these fit the bill perfectly.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size
- Medium to wide width – will work for wider than average feet!
- Medium to high volume
The Best Extra Wide Chelsea Boots
For when even barefoot boots aren’t wide enough! These are the widest of the wide barefoot Chelsea boots.
Groundies Camden
Leather | Velvet lining | Two Width Options | Sizes EU 36-43
The Camden Chelsea in Barefoot+ fit has an extra wide toe box with room for toes to splay for days. This boot also comes in their regular Barefoot width, which is best for average width feet. So if you want the extra wide option make sure you choose Barefoot+!
They are really nice quality, have a slip-resistant outsole, plus a thin velvety lining for a little bit of extra warmth. They feel great on foot! I love them in both widths myself since I don’t have an extra wide foot.
Groundies also has the Camden Mid available in Barefoot+ which features a shorter height and handy side zipper.
Be Lenka Entice
Leather | Fleece lined | Sizes EU 36-43
The Be Lenka Entice is a little more rugged of a Chelsea boot style with a durable outsole. They have an extra wide, fan-shaped fit for those of you who really need all the toe space while still styling like other Chelsea boots.
They are heavier than the Groundies Camden and other barefoot Chelsea boots – some people love that extra durability and traction though. They certainly are good quality!
Be Lenka also has the Mojo chelsea boot that we really like. It’s not quite as wide as as Entice, but is still plenty wide for me and features a comfortable knit ankle opening.
Sizing & Fit:
- Runs small – I size up one
- Extra wide
- Medium volume – they do not have a removable insole, and people with high volume feet often find them tight over the top of the foot. They can loosen with wear though!
The Best Chelsea Boots with Cushion
Lems Chelsea
Leather | Waterproof Options | Sizes US W6 – M15
Hands down my favorite wide toe box Chelsea boot with cushion is the Lems Chelsea. They are really lightweight, have a very spacious toe box shape that can fit most foot shapes and widths, and they are soft and cushioned. Justin and I both have had great luck with ours – the quality, fit, and feel are all on point.
Also from Lems is the Chelsea Tuff. The brown color has a fluffy collar and lining that is surprisingly warm. The sole is quite thick (makes me feel so tall!) but flexes at the toe. Really well-made waterproof shoes with a grippy practical outsole. The black color has no fluff, but is still insulated.
Best Budget
For when you want the comfort of a wide toe box barefoot Chelsea boot, but can’t swing the price.
Saguaro Urban
Faux Leather | 4mm Outsole | Sizes EU 36-42
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off
These faux leather Chelsea boots from Saguaro have a classy look and a nice little perforation detail around the edge. They’re really comfortable straight away, without any hard edges or rough bits. I don’t expect the faux leather to be as durable as real leather, but it does make the price more affordable.
We found them true to size, with an extra wide toe box. They’re best for a medium volume foot, but higher volume can remove the insole for a little extra space (this is how Samantha is most comfortable!).
Whitin Chelsea
Faux Leather | Sock Opening | Sizes US Women’s 5.5-10.5
At $40, this is about as cheap as it gets for wide toe box barefoot Chelsea boots! They have a decently wide toe box and a soft sock opening. Not as high quality as the others listed here and made of a pleather type of material (as expected at this price). But they are pretty comfy and have a little bit of extra cushion.
The sock opening is more casual, but still you can style them the same way you would other Chelsea boots. Whitin shoes tend to have a little bit of toe spring, which I don’t love. But it’s not excessive and I am not feeling it too strongly in these.
More Barefoot Chelsea Boots
If you’re looking for even barefoot Chelsea boots options, you can find a full alphabetical list below in different price ranges and locations around the world. I also have a full list of barefoot boots available for tons of other options in different boot styles.
Aintap FeelBarefoot (EU) – Sizes US Women’s 3.5 – Men’s 15. Read my Review here. You can use code ANYA50 for a discount!
Conker Shoes (UK) – Sizes UK 1-13 with 3 different width options and different sole options.
Drifter Leather (EU) – Sizes EU 34-49 with custom fit available. See my reviews of the Drifter Leather here.
Gaucho Ninja Chelsea (UK) – Sizes EU 36-45. Read my Gaucho Ninja Review here. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off!
Koel Fila (EU) – Sizes 36-45. These come in a few colors you don’t often see in Chelsea boots. I like them for average width, average volume feet.
Also available at retailer Mugavik Barefoot with worldwide shipping. Code ANYASREVIEWS gets you 5% off from Mugavik.
Lang S. Luna (EU) – Sizes EU 36-42. Chrome free waxed leather uppers with a chrome free leather leather lining.
Use code ANYALANG for 10% off
Magical Shoes Lupino (EU) – Sizes EU 36-47. Get 10% off with code ANYA. These run small, I recommend sizing up one. Love how soft and flexible they are. Also available in a vegan version.
PaperKrane Chelsea boot (AU) – Sizes EU 19-42. PK is a great brand for a pop of color! Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off.
Shapen Barefoot (EU) – Sizes EU 36-43. The victory is a tall chelsea boot from Shapen See my Shapen review for more details about this brand. Use code ANYA5 for 5% off.
You can find select Shapen models at Anya’s Shop!
Vivobarefoot Chelsea – Sizes US W5.5-11.5/EU35-43. Use code ANYA25VB for 25% off everything but Sensus Yin, Sensus Slide, and Gobi Premium. You can use code ARVIVO20 20% off those.. You can find the Gobi Chelsea seasonally from Vivo. Read my more about these boots here.
Wildling Bruklin – I am loving the new Chelsea boot from Wildlings. They have a wool lining and a wool/hemp upper paired with a water resistant membrane. The higher cup sole is also more weather friendly and they are just dang comfy!
Use code AWN_ANYA_S for a one-time free shipping offer. If you live outside the US/Canada, shop Wildling Shoes via this link.
Zkama (EU) – I have yet to try this brand myself, but I’ve been watching them for years and they seem like a good option.
Zaqq (EU) – Sizes EU 36-50. Lots of Chelsea boot options from Zaqq! See my Zaqq brand review here.
We also have select Zaqq styles available at Anya’s Shop.
Vegan Options
Ahinsa (EU) – Sizes EU 37-46. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
Bohempia Rola (EU) – Sizes EU 36-43. Regular and Wide width available. Use ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. This is an excellent extra wide vegan barefoot Chelsea boot.
Feelgrounds Chelsea (EU) – Sizes EU 35-49. Available in black, cream, and brown! Use code ANYA5 for 5% off
Magical Shoes Lupino (EU) – Sizes EU 36-47. Vegan option in smooth black and gray. These run small – I recommend sizing up one.
Get 10% off with code ANYA
Mukishoes Chelsea (EU) – Sizes EU 36-48. The black cork option from Mukishoes is vegan. I love these boots and have worn them for years now. They are so light and comfy!
Use ANYAMUKI for 10% off. You can read my review of the Mukishoes Cork Chelsea here.
Check out my 10 All Time Favorite Barefoot Boots for more of my top fall boot picks!
100 thoughts on “The Best Barefoot Chelsea Boots That Don’t Squish Your Toes!”
Hi Anya. Great review, as always. I have a question about the Mukishoe Chelsea boots. I really want a simple pull on boot like this chelsea. I’m a consistent 38 in Vivobarefoot and can wear most of their styles, even the Ryder, comfortably. However, I found their Fulham boot too snug across the top of my foot. Do the Mukishoes have more volume than the Fulham? In your picture above it looks like the Mukishoes might have more top to bottom space in the forefoot, even though it’s a little shorter (for the equivalent size). I’m wondering if I could wear a 39 in their chelsea boot. I have a slightly high instep, but not a particularly high volume foot, if that makes sense. What do you think?
Thanks again for all your great reviews! You are sooooo helpful on this minimalist shoe journey.
Yes, there is more space over the tops of the toes and instep in the Chelsea than in the Fulham (with the insole). But if you take the insole out of the Fulham it is about the same. So if the Fulhams were still a little shallow over the toes in the Fulham even without the insole you might want to size up in the Mukishoes. So glad the info is helpful!!
Thanks, Anya. I think one size up for the Mukishoe Chelsea will work for me, especially since it’s a little shorter than the same size Fulham.
One more question. How high up the ankle (the shank?) is the Mukishoe Chelsea? I thought I saw somewhere you said it is a little shorter than the Fulham, but I wasn’t sure.
Yes, it is shorter by about an inch. I will upload some more photos to the review to show that difference.
Hey Anya! I wanted to ask you if you tried Vibae chelsea boot or know anything about it? I like their design but I couldn’t f8nd it in your lists
Thank you for all these reviews and info, they are so helpful!
Hi! I have not yet tried them but I’ve spoken with the company and they come with a non-barefoot friendly insole that would need to be replaced if you wanted a zero drop shoe. Apparently without the insole there is just a thin layer of rubber that isn’t so comfortable and would make the shoe fit huge so replacing it would be the best thing to do. But from what I gather if you are able to do that the shoes are nice.
Thank you so much for your response !!
These are so lovely! The cork is such a neat texture. All sold out in my size though. Hopefully they’ll get more in stock soon!
They are getting a big restock at the beginning of the new year! It’s a bummer to have to wait that long, but they are making the Chelsea a part of their permanent line up so they’ll be getting plenty in.
Hello , I have been following your site since i have recently been hooked on barefoot shoes . Can you tell me how do i buy angles fashion dafne ev black boot in the U.S .?
thank you
regards
Jane kaufman
Hi Jane! If you open up their website on Google Chrome you can use the Goggle translate feature to get it all in English. Then you should be able to check out like normal, and enter your shipping destination. I have a couple pairs of Angles shoes on their way to me, I’m excited to get to know the brand better!
Wore my new Muki cork Chelseas yesterday, would an insole help with keeping my foot from sliding forward? Thanks.
Hi Vicki! Yes, it would. Also a felt shoe tongue in the top would help with that. And so would yoga stirrup socks to fill in the ankle space.
Hi Anya, thanks for this review! I am trying to decide between the 2. You commented on traction and durability in your Fulham review. How is the traction and durability in the muki Chelsea boot? I’m in the US so I believe we don’t have access to their resoling program. Thanks!
The Mukishoes soles are super grippy, and they’ve held up really well for me so far. But if compared to the Fulhams, they don’t seem to be as sturdy or durable. My feeling is that the Mukishoes would wear out first if both were worn the exact same way. But again, my Mukishoes Chelseas are probably my most worn of all my chelsea boots and I haven’t seen any wear on the sole yet.
I am a farmer who has farmed in Blundstones for years and spent alot of time searching for an adequate zero-drop replacement. I decided to invest in the Conker chelsea boots with a lugged sole after seeing them on this list. I can vouch that although they are a significant investment, they are every bit as sturdy as my Blundstones were, and they are amazingly comfortable. I waterproofed them and condition the leather regularly, and they’ve held up beautifully. They’re not as flexible as some shoes, but as a work boot that will be kicking a lot of shovels, I wasn’t looking for them to be too thin or flexible. Thanks for putting them on this list! They are exactly what I needed and I’d recommend them for anyone who wants a shoe that will hold up to hard work, mud, and everyday wear.
Thanks for this feedback, so glad you found something that worked!
Hi Josie – I second the Conkers vote of confidence! They craft some seriously beautiful boots. And their staff is incredible – they confirmed with me all of my measurements and helped me decide between standard and wide based on my region and boot usage. I had a pair of DaVinci’s, but Conkers (in my opinion) are far superior and more attractive.
Hi Anya,
Thanks for your great reviews!
I bought the Chelsea Mukishoes online according to your sizing recommendations and my feet slide forward and bump the front :/
If I move my foot to the back end, the size is perfect. Also, I compared them to my Vivo Primus Lite and they are exactly the same length (the Vivos fit perfectly).
So I’m wondering if I should size up or use an insole.
What do you suggest?
Hey there! It sounds like you might need to make use of some of the low volume fit hacks to keep your foot from sliding around. Leg warmers and tongue pads should do the trick if they fit you in the length and width. An insole also can help, but since it pushes your whole foot up I find it doesn’t work in all my shoes. You can read more about these tricks here: https://anyasreviews.com/ufaq/fit-hacks-for-low-volume-feet/
Hi Anya! I am adding to the above question. I’d love to try Chelsea style as I am lacking stylish barefoot shoes, but I am afraid with my low volume feet and skinny ankles and heels this style will not work for me, unless I wrap my feet in bubble wrap which is not something I am excited about. Is there by any chance a brand that makes Chelsea style boots for my kind of feet? That would not make my feet swimming all directions inside the shoe? Your input appreciated as always!
Chelsea boots will always be a challenge for low volume feet and narrow heels. I have yet to find one for me that is a perfect fit out of the box. I think maybe if it was I wouldn’t be able to get my foot inside… I basically always need to use a tongue pad in the upper and often in the heel cup too. Mukishoes Chelsea, Groundies Camden, and Magical Shoes Lupino are the best fitting for me and I can almost get away with no accommodations.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Anya, Im a guy looking for Chelsea boots and I noticed a few of the brands here specified that the shoes were women’s. But am I correct in guessing that as long as the sizes fit me, that they can all be unisex? Or are there some other nuances that Im missing?
You’re right, as long as the sizes fit you should be good. Some of these brands have a different shape in men’s vs women’s (like Vivobarefoot and Xero) but most of them are exactly the same, it’s really just needless gendering. Just make sure that if you’re looking at something marketed as a women’s shoe in US sizes you check the conversion, since your comparable men’s size would be different.
Thanks Anya!
Hi – been pouring over this article! I love wide toe box (I wear correctoes all the time) but have still not graduated to super thin sole. I’ve been trying to compare but many sites just say ‘really flexible’! 😉 which pairs (other than Lems – not wide enough for me) have the ‘thickest’ sole? thanks!
Conker would have the next thickest sole, but another trick you can do is add an insole. NorthSole makes barefoot insoles that adds some cushion and stack height, and they work really well!
Thanks for this blog. I’ve found some great new barefoot brands from reading your posts. I switched to barefoot shoes about 5 years ago and I’m noticing that some of my favorite boots’ (like the Drifter Leather Chelsea boots) soles are wearing down to the point where I either have to have them resoled or throw out the shoes even though the upper part is in great condition. My DL boots are in a shoe repair shop that specializes in vibram soles right now, but they told me that they can’t replace the entire sole but will try to patch and rebuild the worn heel area. I’m wondering whether you are seeing this issue. It seems this is an unspoken downside of minimalist/barefoot shoes—that the soles will wear out much sooner than those of conventional shoes and given how much these shoes typically cost and the dearth of good shoe repair shops that can resole them (not to mention some of these shoes simply *cannot* be resoled)—you will have to replace barefoot shoes often. It seems so wasteful.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this issue. Thank you for reading my message.
Hi Lara, you bring up some good points. In this world of fast fashion I don’t believe it’s just barefoot shoes that have this problem – most of the shoes you see at the store and online are cheaply made, wear out quickly, and get thrown in the landfill within a couple years. In fact, I would say that barefoot shoe brands are generally more conscientious about having reparable shoes or offering repair services. But there are many that can’t be repaired if the sole wears out and it’s something that I would like to see changed as we apply pressure. There are cobblers in the states that will completely resole barefoot shoes or any shoes, one is The Barefoot Cobbler and another is Matt from Paisley Running Sandals.
Really glad to find this blog! Thanks for your work. I’m wondering if there are any manufacturers who make custom shoes for atypical foot shapes. My 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes are longer than my big toe, and 43 years of cramming into shoes that assume big-toe primacy are taking a real toll. Even barefoot brands taper from the big toe, and either I’m buying shoes that are way too big for the rest of my foot (which is low volume and narrow) or my toes are crunched.
I’m also wary of going all-in on zero drop and no cushioning – just got Topos with a 3mm drop and even that is a strain on the system.
Any ideas?? Thanks so much!
Hi Shonie! There are in fact quite a few custom barefoot shoe makers, and while it can be expensive there are options in a more affordable range. You can explore custom brands here: https://anyasreviews.com/custom-barefoot-shoe-brands-for-hard-to-fit-feet/
As far as the concerns with transitioning, you can find heel lifts to put under the insole in your shoe if you need a higher drop. The nice thing about that is you can take it out later without needing to buy a new pair of shoes. In this article here I list out brands with thicker soles, but they still have an anatomical foot shape. Some have a small heel rise as well. One custom brand you might be interested in is Fyous, you get a custom shoe to your foot shape and you can choose the heel drop and sole thickness.