When it comes to shoes the dialogue can feel a bit extreme. It’s either a total barefoot shoe or a full blown marshmallow strapped to your foot. But what if you’re someone who wants to wear a combination of those two – a wide toe box shoe that doesn’t squish your toes, but that also doesn’t have an ultra thin, flat sole?
I’m here to solve your shoe woes, so here is your guide to shoes that have a natural foot shape but are not barefoot shoes.
The Natural Footwear Spectrum
When it comes to shoes there are two extremes: Maximalist and Minimalist. Maximalist shoes have thickly cushioned soles, arch support, pronation control, and all the doodads possible. And unfortunately, often a pointy narrow toe box as well.
Minimalist shoes are the polar opposite with no cushion or support of any kind, as little shoe as possible so that nothing interferes with the functioning of the foot. And also there’s the foot shaped toe box we love so much.
This is why minimalist shoes are considered to be the most natural – they are simply there for protection and don’t interfere with the natural functions of the foot!
But these are just the two extremes. There is an entire spectrum of shoes that fall in between and still have a comfortable wide toe box. That means you have the option of picking the shoe features that align with your goals, and leaving behind what doesn’t align – without compromising your toe space.
Because depending on your current life situation, your feet might not be able to do all that’s required of them without a bit of help. Here are a few reasons why a person might not want to be in full barefoot shoes all of the time:
- Short term injury – e.g. achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, morton’s neuroma, stress fracture.
- Long term condition – e.g. hallux rigidus, loss of fat pad under foot, severe joint instability, diabetes.
- Working/Living environment – e.g. standing on concrete all day.
And then there’s simple preference. I’m not here to tell you what to wear.
But that’s not to say that anyone with one or more of the above conditions should never try barefoot shoes. Only to say that there might be stages of your life when you need or want different options.
The path to happier, healthier feet is WIDE and there is space for you! If barefoot shoes don’t work for you for whatever reason, I want you to know what your best options are.
And don’t forget that you can make many barefoot shoes less “barefoot” with the use of insoles (either from this list of insoles or your own) AND you can have more than one type of shoe in your closet. Choose the best option for the day or activity!
My guiding principle is to wear the shoes that support the life I want to lead, both in the short term and the long term.
Are These Shoes Still Good For Me?
An anatomically shaped shoe that allows your toes to spread out is ground zero for foot health. So even though there are good reasons to consider true minimalist shoes, you should give yourself credit for taking what I would consider to be the most important shoe feature seriously!
What If I Am New To Barefoot Shoes?
Trying shoes from this list will allow you to experience more toe freedom and can be a good way to get started. However, true barefoot shoes have a totally different feel and if that’s your goal I would recommend starting with my other barefoot shoe resources instead.
If you’re ready to transition and need some guidance, check out my Find Your Footing Workshop to get started!
The Best Wide Toe Box Shoes That Aren’t Barefoot
Now let’s dig into your options for shoes with a natural wide toe box that are not barefoot shoes.
These are listed alphabetically.
Altra Running
Altra Running makes zero and low drop shoes with a much wider toe box than is typically found on athletic shoes, but the cushioning level is high and they offer lateral stability. This is a good brand for ultra runners who log ridiculous miles on concrete and for people who need a more rigid sole – whether that is because of joint arthritis or to hold a supportive orthotic.
I personally recommend their lower cushion options (the high cushion is just excessive for nearly everyone!) and their extra wide fit – the Lone Peak is my favorite.
Baer Shoes
Baer Shoes is a German brand with many beautiful anatomically shaped shoes. The nice thing about Baer is that you can find options for just about every type of shoe you are looking for – they’re “regular” shoes but with a wide toe box. You can check each product description to find the height of the heel drop, type of support, shoe weight, and more.
Bahe
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The Bahe Revive has a light, natural feel and flexes easily (they just don’t twist easily). They are a great in-between shoe that isn’t super thin or super thick (11mm without the insole, 14mm with). They also have grounding technology. Note that Bahe also has a traditional sneaker called the Recharge that is not a wide toe box model.
Read my full Bahe Revive review here!
Barebarics
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off from Barebarics, or find select styles at Anya’s Shop, including the custom colorway you see above left (not available anywhere else).
Barebarics are more of a barefoot shoe brand than others listed here, but I couldn’t leave them off because they work very well for people who want to add their own orthotic. The sole is wide, durable, and structured so they are quite stabilizing. If you need a supportive shoe and want toe space for days, this is one of the best options (with your own arch support added, because they come with a totally flat insole).
Read an in-depth review of Barebarics shoes here.
Bedrock Sandals
Bedrock sells a variety of models and most have a thick, protective outsole. And if support is what you’re after, the Mountain Clogs and 3d models are lightly molded. You can read our review of the Mountain Clogs here.
Birchbury
Birchbury shoes aren’t very thick, but they do have more cushion than a barefoot shoe. The insole is lightly padded under the heel with a bit of arch support. Birchbury are still pretty flexible and light, so make for a good bridge between traditional shoes and barefoot shoes. The Breston model has a non-slip outsole option, which is great for people in the service industry.
Birkenstock
Birkenstocks are high quality shoes with rigid support for the entire foot. If you want/need a lot of foot support this is a good brand to consider, especially if rigidity is necessary for you due to structural limitations (e.g. big toe arthritis). Birkenstocks last a really long time too! Some closed toes models have removable insoles, so you can experiment with a more barefoot feel if you want to.
I have a long, somewhat tortured relationship with Birkenstocks. But I can’t deny that they saved my toosh when I couldn’t walk due to foot pain!
Chaco
Chaco shoes have a really durable sole with quite a lot of arch support. The sole is mainly rigid, especially in the heel area, but you do get some flex right at the ball of the foot. They do carry models with a conventional toe box and tall heel, so look for options with a flat outsole on models Paonia, Revel, and Ramble. Some sandal models are also available in a wide width.
Conker Shoes
Conker Shoes is a small UK-based sustainable brand making high quality leather footwear that can be resoled for a lifetime. Their made-to-order shoes can be customized a variety of ways and built on many different soles (including zero drop options). You can even be fitted in person at their workshop in Devon! While they don’t offer supportive insoles, they do have a more traditional structure and thickness to them – and you can always add your own insoles if you want to.
Crocs
Oh Crocs! These lightweight foam clogs have become a comfort staple in America because they slide on easily and have ample toe space. While I am not a fan of slide on shoes for long term foot health, I can’t deny that the toe box on Crocs is solid. And if cushion is what you’re after, they are soft and thick under foot.
Duckfeet
Duckfeet shoes has been making naturally shaped footwear since 1975! They all have a wide toe box and a moderate heel. There is no internal arch support, but the veg tanned leather midsole will form to your foot with wear. They’re based in Denmark, and all materials are European-sourced, including terracare® leather, making Duckfeet a sustainable and environmentally-friendly option. Oh, and they can be resoled too!
Flux Footwear
Flux footwear’s Adapt Runner has ample toe space and a mostly flat sole, but they are cushioned and fairly stiff with a rocker effect. This can be useful for people who have trouble bending the big toe – but I wish there wasn’t so much toe spring! They also have a Trainer sneaker, but the toe box isn’t as wide.
Green Shoes
Green Shoes are all handmade in the UK with a variety of custom options – you can even have them fully bespoke to your foot shape! And because you can resole them they can last forever.
Hey Dude
Hey Dude shoes have many barefoot qualities. They’re super lightweight, flexible, with a toe box that is a lot roomier than most conventional shoes. The outsole is also moderately cushioned with a small heel lift. The best options from Hey Dude are the Wally and Wendy styles, and some models also come in wide width and a non-slip option for service workers. These are a good first step into more natural footwear.
Icarus
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Icarus is a fun one because they come with 3 different insole options depending on your needs. I wear mine with a thin, flat insole but you can choose the cushioned option with extra padding under the heel and a bit of support. They’re really comfy and I love the simple styling!
Read my in-depth Icarus review here.
Joe Nimble
Joe Nimble is a spin off brand from Baer shoes that focuses on athletic/outdoor models. These shoes are good quality and function well, with a lovely anatomical shape to them. I like them for people who need a more rigid sole but have wide feet. The support is minimal (light molding around the heel and flared base for lateral stability) compared to a Birkenstock, but you can always replace the insole with your own if you feel you need it.
Keen
Keen footwear was a staple in my life before I found barefoot shoes – they are really durable and long-lasting with a much wider than average shape. We like the water sandals, and also found that their work boots have good toe space (great option if you need a heel for ladder climbing). The KNX sneaker is a newer model inspired by the barefoot concept with just a 4mm drop, wide toe box, and flexible outsole. The product descriptions clearly show each model’s sole thickness and heel-to-toe drop so you can find a model that works for you!
Lems Shoes
Lems are another brand that is well loved in the barefoot shoe community, but really can go either way. Their shoes are fairly thick and cushioned and they can easily hold your own arch support if you want to add it in. If you want a thicker, more supportive feel, I would choose Pursuit, Summit, & Outlander models, but all Lems are cushioned.
The Mesa & Trailhead are the only Lems models that do not have a wide fit and that I would stay away from. Each product listing includes width information.
Read all my in-depth Lems Reviews here
Oesh Shoes
Oesh Shoes are made with a natural shape, zero drop outsole, and no internal support. They have a more cushioned sole than most barefoot shoe brands and a plant-based recycled knit upper that’s soft and stretchy to fit a wide variety of foot shapes.
Peluva
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Peluva doesn’t just have a wide toe box, they have individual toe pockets! You can find trainers and casual shoes for men and women with a stack height of 9mm or 12mm.
Saltwater Sandals
One reason these perennial sandals are so adored is because they are quite wide in the toe box and therefore more comfortable than most cute sandals! As a former Saltwater sandal wearer (who has always hated uncomfortable shoes) I can personally vouch for this. While not supportive, they are stiffer and thicker than most barefoot shoes and have a very low heel rise.
Taos
Taos wool clogs can be used as house slippers or as outdoor shoes. They have a good anatomical shape to them and a molded supportive insole that is removeable.
Teva Sandals
Teva Original sandals are generously shaped as far as most adventure sandals go, and the adjustable straps make them comfy even for my wide feet! I also like that Tevas are lightweight and still flexible, despite being cushioned.
Topo Athletic
Topo Athletic has a wide toe box and a low or zero drop sole, but more cushioning and rigidity than any barefoot shoe. The pedorthists at FootRX specifically recommend the Phantom 3 model for people with hallux rigidus (limited to no range of motion in the big toe), because the sole is stiff enough to prevent bending.
Vibae
Vibae shoes have a classic vibe and come with a molded supportive insole. The outsole is flat, and the shape is generously wide so they make for a mostly natural fitting shoe but with some support.
Whitin
Whitin is a popular affordable pick and this particular model features a wide anatomical toe box on a cushioned zero drop outsole.
Wyde Footwear
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The Arcus sneaker from Wyde Footwear sports a chunky looking outsole that looks heftier than it really is. With a 10mm stack height, it’s still thicker than true barefoot shoes but is decently flexible. The toe box has an extra wide anatomical shape and while the outsole is on the heavy/firm side if you’re used to barefoot shoes, these do have a little bit more ground feel than I was anticipating.
These feel a lot like wearing conventional shoes, but without the pinchy tapered toe box! There is no internal support, but they are high volume and have a thin removable insole so if you wanted to add your own support insole there should be plenty of space for it. The size chart is accurate and I would stick with your normal size. These are super wide so you won’t need to size up for extra space.
251 thoughts on “The Best Wide Toe Box Shoes That Aren’t Barefoot”
Thank you so much for making this post. My main concern right now is finding shoes that are wide enough and more anatomically shaped than standard shoes. This has been a major source of struggle and stress for the past 20 years, which I hope is now coming to an end since discovering barefoot shoes and this site! My Barebasics are the first pair of shoes I’ve ever bought that have been genuinely wide enough for my feet. Just ordered some Birkenstock boots and so hoping they’ll fit as I don’t currently have any winter shoes! My feet are mountain-shaped with a high instep and are 9.8cm wide, which their average-width shoes appear to accommodate, according to their size chart. These suggestions of not-perfect-but-good-enough barefoot alternatives are much appreciated.
After wearing barefoot shoes for many years I developed plantar fasciitis after having my baby. Having some cushion was necessary so Lems and Altras saved my feet!
Oh dear, so that means barefoot shoes are not the solution for preventing (or resolving) plantar fasciitis? What do you think caused your PF?
For me it was the postpartum hormones ( relaxin) plus hours standing, swaying, and walking barefoot that did it!
I have bought Keens and they were the most comfortable boot I ever had. I have recently tried to buy replacement pairs, and two different varieties were 5 millimeters more narrow that the older pairs. One pair was old, and when I contacted Keen they denied changing them, so I thought maybe somehow the soles stretched, but I just bought another pair to replace a fairly new pair and they are also 5 millimeters narrower. Also the new pairs were too tight, were as the original ones fit perfect right out of the box. I’m just a single consumer so they probably don’t care if they lose my business, but maybe if you look into it and publish your findings they may realize they are going to lose more of the customers that went to them for the wide toebox in the first place.
I love my lems and was looking for more stylish. So hard to find until now ! This article is gold thank you for making this !
What are your recommendations for under and overpronation, and flat feet/fallen arches? I have worn barefoot shoes for almost a year and have not seen improvement. It’s contributing to knee pain and not helping my cuboid syndrome. I’m just not going to do foot exercises every day of my life, though I’ll do them occasionally or for a stretch when something is bothering me. I have started putting in super feet insoles into my barefoot shoes to recover from my latest cuboid injury and am thinking that I might just leave them in. What do you think?
The arches of the foot are created in the pelvis! Exercise modalities that strengthen your core, pelvis, glutes, and hips can have a surprisingly positive effect on flat feet. As can overall leg strength. Personally I love Pilates for stubborn flat feet and whole body foot health. So if foot exercises and barefoot shoes don’t seem to be doing much that is where I would focus. In the short term, if your Super Feet insoles help alleviate pain then I would stick with it until things calm down significantly.
Thanks so much for your response! This is reassuring.
Thank you for this article! I wear barefoot shoes sometimes (several pairs of Xero) but I’m old and I just have to have some cushioning. I am at the point where I will never go back to a shoe that is not zero or almost zero drop, but I can’t spend a day on my feet or do a lot of city walking in a shoe with no cushioning. Altra and Birkenstocks are my go-tos (though I have not had a lot of luck with Birkenstock *shoes* – I have found them stiff and heavy). Another shoe I have had some luck with is Allbirds – they have a high top sneaker that is zero drop, and they’re made of wool so they stretch enough to accommodate my wide forefeet. They’re cushioned enough for lots of walking, and have molded to my feet enough that they feel like slippers! However, I also tried their waterproof sneaker version and that is not zero drop, so my back and knees complain every time I wear them.
Great article! From the last above, I wear Altra and Birchbury shoes. They are both fantastic! Do you have a recommendation for a wide toe box shoe that can provide more lateral support for someone who plays pickleball or tennis. The shoe will also need to have a durable sole for playing on a hard surface.
Hi Mack, you can find some ideas for pickleball/tennis in this list here.
Thank you! I just sent this article to my daughter. She just had bunioneictomies at 18 with arthritis in the big toe. This was unfortunately hereditary and a necessary due to the grade. With that said we have been searching for wide toe boxes a rarity as you well know. This article is perfect and gives us a lot more options for when barefoot isn’t possible.
Thanks a bunch!
Love my Duckfeet fisherman sandals. I had my cobbler remove the heel!
Hi Anya,
Would you happen to know the name of the Crocs you have pictured without the holes and the strap? I can’t find it in my searches. Thank you!
Sheila
Hi Sheila, that model is called the “on the clock work slip-on”.