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”
I bought a pair of Duckfeet and made them zero drop. Once I knew they would fit, and knew I would keep them, I didn’t wear them until I took them to a cobbler and had the heel removed. After the heal was removed the shoe easily molded to be completely flat after a couple of times wearing them. The shoe was pretty flat to begin with anyway. When trying them on I put a felt furniture slide under the front part of the shoe so it would be zero drop. It work perfectly. They are great shoes, the styles are timeless, and I expect to have them a very long time since they can be resoled. The leather is stiff and takes a bit of time to break in. I highly recommend them.
Thanks for all the not quite barefoot shoe suggestions. It is very helpful.
Hey Anya! 👋 Just wanted to drop by and say I loved your post on wide toe box shoes that aren’t barefoot. It came at the perfect time for me because I recently transitioned to wide shoes with cushioning this year. Flux is my go-to for gym sprints—stylish and washable! Lem’s Chelsea boots are my winter daily companions, especially the waterproof ones in chilly Chicago weather. And, guess what? My kids convinced me to try Crocs, and now I’m a believer! Thanks for the awesome recommendations.
I tried using your Anya’s purchase code at Flux, but it was rejected?
Hi Joan, thanks for letting us know! We let them know it needs to be reset, so please try again soon 🙂
If you size up, DrMartens’ 1460 boots have plenty of toe space too. And I have very wide feet!
Yay! I was waiting for an article just like this. The wide/anatomical toe box is a lifesaver for me. I also think I’ve bought into zero drop at this point, but need more cushion for active footwear, so this list is awesome. Some of my pre-barefoot favorites are on the list (Crocs, Chacos, Keens) along with transitional footwear (Altras and Lems). Most barefoot brands are expensive and can be difficult to find on sale, but I can much more easily find Chacos, Keens, Crocs, and Altras at a steep discount, so I think others wanting to have more foot friendly footwear but perhaps not able to commit to dedicated barefoot shoes will really appreciate these!
Thank you for this review!
I have EDSH and barefoot shoes have been maintaining my posture and feet in correct shape and tonic for 2 decades. I have several Vivobarefoot and Merrell 5 fingers with which I love to walk, do my physical therapy, and although I get remarks, I wear them at work (office job – OK not the 5 fingers though).
However, there are 2 occasions when I need other shoes:
If I have to stand and move very little for a long time, I’m at risk of sudden arch collapse (as a sports injury – ‘have fun’ with EDSH). In that case, I wear El Naturalista shoes, the flattest they have. Their toe box is super wide, and their inner sole matches my feet great. I usually wear them without the inner sole and insert it when I feel my feet getting tired without the possibility of sitting or lying. The added elasticity gets my arch some rest without completely restricting its function.
I ride horses and trim their feet. For that I need shoes with some more sole rigidity, some toe protection and the slightest heel in order for the feet not to slip through the stirrups. For those activities I love my Keen shoes. I always choose men’s models which are wider. Great toe box and overall width, some toe cap / protection, and they are super solid.
Happy feet to all!
Hi Anya,
Thanks much for this helpful post. I need a wide toe box but don’t like the barefoot look in the office. I have worn Teva Naot dress shoes for years as they provide a very wide toe box, but are a bit bulky and frumpy looking.
I’m looking to replace my Teva Naot with a proper non minimalist shoe, but prefer not to pay Birkenstock or Baer prices. Are you familiar with the Born Hutchins III and Soledad? If yes, please share any information you have.
Thanks,
Daniel
I’ve not tried Born, but I’ve seen them before and the models you specify seems to have a lot more toe space than a standard dress shoe. If you try them and they are a good candidate for this article please let me know!
Love this list, and will be looking into some of the brands! As a swing dancer, I have been scouring the internet for a shot that has a bit of heel but a natural toe box, since for swing dancing a heel is needed for some styles. Do you have any recommendations?
Hi Brooke, we don’t have heels on our radar but do have this list of smooth soled shoes for dancing.community group occasionally, so you might find some additional answers in there!
Thank you for this list of wide box toe shoes. I have arthritis in my toes, and I need a duck-like toe box shoe. I bought men boots just to get a wide toe box, and the boots still hurt my toes after about 4 hours. The only shoes I can wear without pain are Altras. I need shoes to wear with dresses; I appreciate this list. Once again, thanks
This is the list I’ve been looking for! Thank you, Anya!!
thank you! thank you! thank you for this! the in between is so important for me now. hopefully you’ll be able to continue to update this one like your other articles. i appreciate this so much!
Great post! There doesn’t need to be this division between extremes. The best anyone could do for footwear is to wear what is healthy and comfortable.
I started transitioning to barefoot/minimalist shoes over 2 years ago, and I do some barefoot hiking; so I can now handle some of the thinnest shoes made – or none at all. But, they just aren’t right for me every day or in every situation. I have 2 pairs of Birchburys and I’ll always have some Lems. Because some days, you just need a little more cushion or you can’t go to a formal event and have everyone gawk at your choice of shoes. Everything except my bowling shoes are zero drop, more natural foot shape with a wide toe box, and flexible. I even took a pair of LL Bean canvas camp shoes that I had, pulled out the formed insoles and the stiff cardboard layers glued under them, and trimmed a pair of Lems cork insoles to fit them. They were already wide – now they are flat and flexible and I can still use them!
The point is don’t worry about being extreme. It’s not about being all or nothing. It’s about having a healthy foundation that makes you stronger and to have better alignment. Then you can be more active and healthy for more of your life; hopefully with less pain and fewer injuries keeping you from enjoying what you want to do.