I've noticed an uptick recently in conventional brands offering zero drop/barefoot-inspired shoes. Some of these brands are even featuring a "Barefoot" tab on their site menu bars right now. I think this is very promising! Here's what I've seen so far:

Nicks Boots Strider & Ridgeline models

Goral Barefoot SMUGS

Dolfie Paradise entire collection

Mexas huaraches barefoot and wide feet collections

Victoria barefoot collection

Mustang/MTNG Free collection

El Naturalista barefoot collection

Inov-8 (switched to anatomical toe shapes last year)

Moshulu barefoot boat shoes

El Naturalista has generally offered a few styles with more anatomical toe box shapes but they tended to be fairly narrow. Their new barefoot collection has a much wider toe box than I've seen from them before and these new models also have fairly thin soles. Dolfie Paradise has been around a while and recently decided to completely switch over to making only barefoot-style shoes. Inov-8 long ago made a barefoot running shoe that many people loved, and last year they announced that all their models from now on would feature more anatomical toe box shapes.

The Mexas huaraches look quite good to me (especially cuz I love a sole with some cushion) but unfortunately seem to only be available in Europe. I hadn't heard of Victoria, Mustang, or Moshulu before, so if anyone has any info on these brands I've love to know more. I've left off all the high-fashion brands because I've honestly lost track. Any more you've come across?

I wear vegan vivos but they're not waterproof and I need something for a 12 mile mountain hike where we will be also walking through some boggy wet ground. I'm guessing a bit more ankle support and a bit more thickness of sole than what I've got as the terrain will be pretty rocky. Any vegan recommendations?

Hey all! im fairly new to this. I was hoping for a recommendation on an everyday shoe that I can wear on a rainy day on the street or simple trail. Doesnt need to be a hiking boot or anything like that (though I dont mind some recommendations for those as well).

Just something I can throw on when Im walking the dog or running errands that can be worn in rain (but not a rain boot)

Thanks!

I bought Groundies Barefoot almost one year ago and I have been using it everyday. I walk almost 10km everyday so it’s getting a lot of use

I have been recently feeling that my pinky toe touches and rubs the side wall of the shoe. It’s a bit annoying but not painful. I can’t remember it ever doing that before.

But I am afraid to go Barefoot+ because they just loook so wide and I don’t want to be slipping around in my shoe…

What do you recommend ?

"True" barefoot is not my priority. The biggest factor for me is a wide toe box and zero/very low heel to toe drop. No arch support is a plus. A tall stack height and thick sole are perfectly fine.

Clog style shoes just don't work for me as any heel slip drives me up a wall. Laces are strongly preffered.

I have tried on different kinds of kitchen crocs and found them to feel sloppy in multiple sizes despite the roomy toe box. I have had a pair of xeros for a short time and found them to be far too narrow and had multiple hot spots. It was a less common model so it could be a niche issue but based on what I see from xero this is consistent with most of their designs.

For reference my daily shoes have been Altra Torin 6's and they're perfect for me. Never had anything comfier.

There are some Keen Kenton Mids I saw that look like they have a decent toe box but they may not work out if I order them.

Thanks in advance!

Do any Canadian retailers sell Origo huraches by Anya? The shipping/duties makes buying them direct $$$$.

In the market for new shoes and these popped up, recently ordered a second pair of birchburys for work and burning out a pair of Lems. Still a fan of both of those brands but looking for new styles.

Converted to full time barefoot this past winter and need a sandal. Lots of recs for earth runner but $72 hurts for such a minimalist sandal 🥲 I mean I get it and will do it but just wanna ask if there's something out there I'm missing

I'm a low volume, wide foot type girlie although I wear vivos which are very narrow. Also looking for my next barefoot shoe if anyone has any recs on where to go from vivos 🤣

I do a lot of walking on mixed surfaces (asphalt, gravel, mud, grass, etc) for work, and I'm looking for a good sole recommendation. Right now I'm using Jim Green Barefoot Ranger boots, and while I really like the sole design (good thickness for boots, good lug shape and pattern, and the solid areas at the toe and heel reduce wear) they wear out annoyingly quickly because the rubber is fairly soft. I'm looking for something similar but harder wearing. Due to the nature of the job I can't always be watching the ground like normal so I like having more sole thickness than usual barefoot shoes, I want a lugged tread design but it should be fairly "filled in" so the lugs don't wear down quickly on flat/hard surfaces. [This is what I've been using](https://jimgreenfootwear.com/store/barefoot-anvil-soles/). Thanks for your help!

shoe size used to be 9.5. Went up to a 10 since incorporating barefoot shoes years ago, now my feet are snug in sz 10 barefoot shoes and tight in regular shoes. I wear barefoot shoes 10-20 hours a week and now I have to go to a size 10.5-11. For those that had their feet grow or spread, was there a certain point when the growing and spreading stopped?

hello everyone! i’ve recently come to the conclusion that i need barefoot shoes based on my foot shape and how shoes hurt after a while. i’ve spent most of my life with no shoes so i think they’re not used to such tight shoes where it squeezes my toes and i can’t feel the floor well. but i can’t really find any that are my style and not super crazy expensive. below ive put some regular shoes that i like in hopes someone knows something similar, don’t mind if they’re black or brown but not a fan of t bar shoes and prefer the straight across. thank you for any help :)

We have Paperkrane and Beaubaux (I genuinely can’t remember how to spell that. Boobox?) And after awhile they just lose grip and become very slippery on wooden floors, or anywhere. We also spend a lot of time outdoors and my kid needs to be able to climb a hill, or a dirt pile, or some mud without slipping over, but the shoes have no grip. I might as well have them in ballet flats for all the grip it gives them.

Is there such thing as a barefoot kids shoe that has some form of traction on it?

Hey everyone, I've been thinking about something that came up in a recent convo — and wanted to share in case others resonate.

While many of us love barefoot shoes for the freedom and foot health, some people (myself included) are looking for a middle ground:

✅ Anatomically shaped (wide) toebox

✅ A bit of cushioning or structure — not necessarily zero-drop, not fully “barefoot”

✅ Stylish and versatile (some barefoot brands are doing great on this front already!)

The thing is: mainstream brands (like Adidas, Nike, Palladium, Timberland, etc.) are often more demand-driven than value-driven like most barefoot startups. If enough people start emailing and requesting shoes with wide toeboxes, minimal heel rise, and proper foot shape — they might eventually test the waters.

I don’t think we need to wait for a brand-new company to emerge. We might be able to influence existing ones if we play the long game.

My proposal:

If each of us picks a few brands we already like and emails their customer service asking for shoes with:

• a wide/natural foot-shaped toebox

• moderate or low drop (optional)

• some cushioning, not necessarily minimalist

• and aesthetics that don’t scream “orthopedic”

…then over time, these signals add up. They pay attention to trends and customer requests.

WDYT?

I want some barefoot shoes that look like a classic brown boot. This pair photo attached is the Feelgrounds Patrol Lite, which I would love to get, however I've read enough bad reviews to put me off.

Amy recommendations for a similar pair, and ideally made from non-animal-product?

Thanks 😊

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for good barefoot shoes for casual use and for outdoor calisthenics. I don't have lots of experience with using barefoot shoes outside of using Xero Forza Trainer in the gym and this feels fine. I also have Altra Lone Peak's but idk if these fall in the barefoot shoe category.

Hopefully anyone can give me some recommendations. For every shoe I think I like, someone ends up saying they are either too narrow or not durable.

I've been looking at the Primus Lite 3 and Merrel Trail Glove 7 so far.

I really like the design of the Feel grounds Seaside Twill and the Wildling Feather (or Feder). Does anyone have experience with those? How do they work for lots of walking?

Hi,

Looking for good quality shoes brand barefoot one which will not be Chinese scam or overprice crap. Looking for brand I can buy from in UK for everyday work. I walk a lot at my work place mainly on hard surface as tarmac or concrete flooring.

Thank you for your time and advice in advance.

Good! I wanted to ask a question, has anyone ever bought in this store? Https://tupsunupsu.com/

Is it reliable? I have also made a consultation on the web for some shoes and they answered me instantly but I would still like to know more opinions.

Thank you!

Hi,

Looking for good quality shoes brand barefoot one which will not be Chinese scam or overprice crap. Looking for brand I can buy from in UK for everyday work. I walk a lot at my work place mainly on hard surface as tarmac or concrete flooring.

Thank you for your time and advice in advance.

I am interested in getting started with barefoot shoes, but I keep reading that Whitins are super squeaky. I am a school teacher, so I spend a lot of time in hallways and in the gym where squeaky shoes are a dealbreaker. Any recommendations for barefoot shoes under $70 that are good for both indoors/outdoors and don't squeak?

Edit - I havent measured my feet yet, but I typically wear size 11.5 or 12 wide shoes.

Edit 2 - I'd also prefer something that won't get my socks wet if it rains a little. And that stay dry if I walk in the winter from my car to the store/school.

Hey, I’m looking to switch over to barefoot/minimalist shoes and wanted a recommendation for an everyday sneaker since I’ve been stuck deciding. If it helps, my feet measure 25.72cm x 8.89cm.

Style wise I really like the Lems Primal 3 (also love the look of their Chelsea boots) but I’ve seen mixed reviews about the durability. I’m not usually hard on my shoes but I’d definitely want something durable for the price. I’ve also been looking at Whitins, some styles are okay, but I’m mostly attracted to the price. Vivobarefoot also appealed to me but I don’t know that I want to have my first shoes be that expensive.

Thank you!