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 ANYA20VB for 20% off.
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 ANYA20VB for 20% off. 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 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!
98 thoughts on “The Best Barefoot Chelsea Boots That Don’t Squish Your Toes!”
Hi Anya, Thank you for all the information on Muki Chelseas. I normally wear a size 39 (25cm/10cm) but sized up to 41 on the Mukis so I can wear them with insoles and thick socks. They are so comfortable, like slippers! They look good with all my outfits. I am 75 years old and these are my first pair of barefoot shoes! Never too late to wise up ! Thank you again for all that you do.
Yay! So glad they were a home run for you. Thanks for the sizing info.
Hi! I live in the U.S- New York. Are any of these shoes sold in U.S.? If not, do any of these shoes ship to U.S.? What happens if they don’t fit?
They look so comfortable!
There are many available in the US! My shop Anya’s Shop carries several of these European brands and we are located in the US. And the ones that aren’t physically located here almost always ship to the US. If they don’t I mention it, because most of my readership is stateside.
Read through each shop’s return policy to see what to do if they don’t fit, it varies. But most accept returns on new shoes within 30 days.
Hi Anya! Great list of boots! I was wondering if any of these are waterproof? I’ve had the xero tari boots for about a month and they already look terrible from all the rain we get. Any slip-on Chelsea boots that are waterproof? Thank you!
Yes! The Lems Chelsea comes in a waterproof option. Also the Feelgrounds Chelsea is another water resistant boot.
Hi Anya, thank you for all your great reviews! I am considering the Mukishoes cork or leather Chelsea boot in black, have you tried both and if so would you say they are very similar in size and fit? I am typically 38 in most shoes (24cm longest foot). Also is the leather version really warm or could they be ok also for spring and autumn? Just trying to work out which option to go for :).
Thank you!
Hi Frida, I do have both and I find the leather model fits a little bit smaller. I have a 37 in the Cork and a 38 in black leather and my feet are 23 (sometimes 23.3) cm long. Both are a little smaller than chelsea boots from Vivobarefoot in the same size. The lining isn’t so thick in either and I think they can definitely work for spring and autumn.
Hi Anya, would you recommend to size up from Vivo Fulham or just the same size? A little hard to judge from the photo for me 😀 Although I must say that 39 in Vivo Fulham sometimes feel lose for me with insole. I won’t be getting the insole right off the bat with Muki as they are out of stock though. Thanks so much in advance for your reply 🙂
The Vivo Fulhams from year’s past ran bigger than usual for Vivo, but this year the Geo Chelsea is more true to size. If you have a wide and/or high volume foot you might want to size up for a little more space, or if you plan to wear warm socks. Otherwise I think you can order based off their size chart.
Hi Anya thank you for all of your reviews and amazing info. I don’t know if you have much experience with duckfeet shoes there roskilde inparticular. I have wide-extra wide mountain shape feet, my question is would these be a good durable fit for my particular foot? If not any recommendations I am hard on shoes and looking for a good rugged chealsea.
Thank you
Hi! I don’t own any Duckfeet shoes, but I have looked at them. I love everything about them except that they have a small heel. An alternative that looks very similar and is also durable is Conker shoes or Green shoes in the UK. They can be made with a totally flat rubber sole, and repaired as often as needed. You might also be intrigued by the Lems Chelsea, but Conker shoes are more durable.
Hi! These are great reviews. Couldn’t be happier to see shoes made for our feet. There’s always one more thing, right? I’m looking for a wide toe box but with a platform sole. I need more cushion but without pitch. Have you come across a good platform boot? Preferably with a removable insole. That’s all.
Unfortunately I don’t know of any such boot myself. Duckfeet is probably the closest but they have a small heel. You might like Oesh Shoes for their thicker sole, but they don’t have any boot styles.
Have you tried the Chelsea boots from Etsy sellers like feelbarefoot and bespokycraft? Curious how those compare.
I had never heard of or tried Bespokycraft, but it looks like they are heavily inspired by FeelBarefoot. I do have a pair of Chelsea boots from FeelBarefoot and they are good. They have more of a high volume fit over the arch than is ideal for me, but look sleek (and I use a tongue pad in them). I like that you can get them in virtually any color too. All around good choice – but shoes made with those thick buffalo hide outsole start out feeling stiff and then break in significantly as you wear them. Just a heads up, since some barefoot shoe wearers are surprised by that. This is my FeelBarefoot Review, which doesn’t include info on the chelsea yet because I got them later, but does share more info about the brand and materials used.
Thank you so much for this wonderful in-depth reviews! Of these Chelsea boot options, which hold up best outdoors? We live in a rural area and are often on more natural elements, not on sidewalks and pavement. I’d appreciate any insight into which of these are more for urban areas or dress shoes, vs. outdoor and in the elements. I already see the suggestions of waterproof- thanks!
I would suggest the new Vivobarefoot Chelsea (which haven’t been released yet but should be soon), or the Lems chelsea. The Be Lenka Entice also should function well for outdoors.
Hi Anya!
I just got inspired to order a pair of Mukishoes Chelsea reading your article and also seeing them being relaunched now on their website. Maybe I gotta be quick to order them before they run out. Just got a small question about the fit. I have low volume feet. Do you think these boots will suit me? I think I read on your site that Mukishoes in general cater to high volume feet or am I wrong?
Best regards
Mikael
Hi Mikael, I might have replied too late but it’s true that Mukishoes generally fit high volume and the Chelsea do fit high volume over the arch. But the ankle area is slim and can wear them well with an extra insole. They fit a little loose on me, but because they’re so light and flexible I don’t have an issue with it.
Hi Anya,
How wide are the Groundies Camdens compared to the Vivo Geo Chelseas?
Style is a huge factor for me and I’m looking for Chelsea boots that fit slim at the ankles with a medium to taller shaft.
Wondering which of the 2 you would recommend, or if you have other suggestions.
For reference, I’m a 38EU/7.5US with plateau feet.
– Vivo Magna Trails hiking boots are a bit too narrow for me (chafe pinky) out of the box at the right length
– Vivo Addis have a lot of splay room, very comfortable, although I could definitely go narrower
– Xero Prio Neos fit well, potentially because of the mesh top (more stretchy)
Hi KC, the Camdens are similar in width to the Vivo Geo Chelsea’s but to me they feel softer and wider because the sole is more flexible and forgiving. I have both in the same size and find that the Geo Chelsea’s feel stiffer out of the box and take more breaking in. But I will say that the Vivo’s look nicer after having been worn a while. The Camden’s are super soft and comfortable but crease more. I really like both for style, but personally I find the taller shaft on the Camden a little harder to wear because I am short. Basically, I love both! but hopefully those minor differences will be enough to help you decide. Oh, and the Vivo’s are leather lined whereas the Camden has a velvet lining that is warmer.
Hi Anya,
I have extra extra wide toes, and narrow heels/ankles. Could you tell me which has a wider toe box, the be Lenka entice or the Groundies Camden mid barefoot+?
(I have other be lenka boots and they could be wider, but I struggle to find brands wide enough and I’m in UK, so not being able to return is an issue for me). Thanks so much
I don’t have the Camden Mid, but I have the regular Camden in Barefoot+ (size 37) from Groundies and I Just put them on side by side with the Be Lenka Entice (size 38). The length is the about the same and visually they look to be the same width but the Entice feel snugger on me and my outer toes brush the sides. The walled outsole on the Entice comes up higher and isn’t super flexible so it encroaches on the widths a bit. The Camden Barefoot+ feels soft and roomy, but they are a little wider in the heel area than I need. I have been wearing them with socks and an insole and they stay nice and secure. As a side note, Happy Little Soles in the UK carries a lot of Be Lenka. But I don’t know any UK retailers that sell Groundies right now.