The Ultimate Barefoot Shoe Guide for Beginners

Barefoot shoes are for people who want healthy feet and care about nature.

They address the main problems that regular shoes have:

• Foot and toe deformities resulting from unnaturally shaped shoes;
• Poor posture and pains resulting from raised heels;
• Injuries resulting from instability caused by excessive cushioning;
• Sustainability and eco-friendliness.

They achieve this by removing everything excessive or unnecessary, letting your feet move as freely and naturally as possible, just like they would if you were barefoot. Transitioning to minimalist footwear is a natural step for those who want to lead a healthy, minimalist lifestyle.

However, there’s much to consider when choosing, buying, and transitioning to barefoot shoes. Not only is there a lot to know, but there’s a ton of misinformation about minimalist footwear, which makes it hard to know what’s true. I don’t want you to make a mistake and end up with shoes you don’t like or that hurt your feet.

That’s why I spent hours compiling all my knowledge and research into this barefoot shoe guide. I want it to serve as the only resource you’ll ever need on barefoot shoes, so I’ll keep it up to date. Enjoy!

How are barefoot shoes different from regular shoes?

Barefoot shoes are the most minimal kind of minimalist footwear. They aim to provide a more natural, barefoot-like walking experience but still offer adequate protection from the environment.

They have these key differences from regular shoes:

• Wider toe box: barefoot shoes mimic the foot’s natural shape, allowing more space for toes to splay and flex freely, while regular shoes will have a pointy end that squishes the toes together.
• Zero-drop heel: the soles of barefoot shoes are entirely flat, while regular shoes often have at least an 8mm heel raise.
• No arch support: instead, the idea is to let you naturally strengthen your feet rather than always relying on a crutch.
• Completely secured to your feet: their entire sole always touches your sole, so the shoe doesn’t flip-flop or wobble around.
• Light and flexible: unlike stiff, traditional shoes, they don’t limit the range of motion of your feet.
• Thin: they have virtually no cushioning, allowing you to connect with the ground and improving your balance.

If you haven’t deduced it yet from the differences above, here’s the one cardinal rule of all barefoot shoes: barefoot footwear must allow your feet to move naturally without interference.

While all barefoot shoes fall under the category of minimalist footwear, not all minimalist shoes qualify as barefoot shoes. Minimalist shoes might have only some of these features, whereas genuine barefoot shoes must encompass all of these aspects.

Why you should consider barefoot shoes?

You should consider barefoot shoes for these reasons:

• Improved foot health: barefoot shoes encourage natural foot movement, which strengthens the intrinsic muscles in your feet, reducing the risk of injuries. Their wider profile minimizes the likelihood of developing bunions and hammer toes.
• Enhanced athletic performance: If you're an athlete or fitness enthusiast, barefoot shoes can promote a more efficient and natural running form, reducing the damage to your knees and hips and improving your overall performance.
• Comfort and versatility: barefoot shoes are the most comfortable footwear. If comfort is more important to you than fashion, then minimalist footwear is a compelling option.
• Better connection with your environment: the thin sole improves your sensory connection to the ground, which makes them especially great if you’re into hiking.
• Sustainable: many barefoot shoe brands prioritize sustainability and eco-friendliness, making them an excellent option for environmentally conscious people.

Feet are the foundation of our bodies, and poorly designed or ill-fitting footwear can cause seemingly unexplained pains in your posterior chain. Most people should be interested in barefoot shoes for that reason alone.

However, because of their trade-offs, barefoot shoes might not be a viable option for everyone:

• They tend to be more expensive than regular shoes;
• They have a transitional period;
• Their style options are limited;
• You’ll likely only be able to order them online.

If that’s a deal breaker, you might still reap some of barefoot shoes’ benefits by spending more time barefoot. And if these reasons don’t deter you, let’s move on!

What to know before buying barefoot shoes?

If you select ill-fitting shoes, barefoot or not, they will be uncomfortable. Before even looking at shoes, you must get familiar with your feet.

Buying comfortable shoes is a gamble if you don’t understand what makes your feet unique and how to serve them best.

That being said, here’s what you need to do first:

Understand your foot shape

Every foot is unique, but we can broadly classify them into four main types based on their shape:

• The Egyptian Foot - where the big toe is larger than the others.
• The Greek Foot - where the 2nd toe is the largest.
• The Roman Foot - where the first three toes are roughly the same length.
• The Square Foot - where all five toes are the same length.

Examine your foot to determine its type, but don’t stress about it. It’s not an exact science. Nonetheless, this step is important because barefoot shoes are all shaped slightly differently, so specific models and brands will fit your foot shape better than others.

That isn’t to say you can’t get the shoes you like if they are not ideal for your foot type, but only the right shoe will provide the best comfort.

If you have Egyptian Foot, all brands should fit you well; Greek Foot should watch out for shoes that slope down immediately. You’re generally safe if you buy shoes, leaving some space at the end. Roman and Square Foot also need to be mindful of sloping toe boxes, and you might want to avoid narrower brands altogether.

Measure your feet

You can’t use the same size guide as you use for regular shoes for barefoot shoes, as it won’t work. Besides, barefoot shoes might have somewhat inconsistent sizing. And if you’ve developed bunions, your feet might be too wide to fit in even some barefoot shoe models.

Instead, I advise you to measure your feet and check them against the size guides for every brand or model.

In my experience, barefoot shoes feel larger than regular shoes, almost too large, but that’s how it should be. That’s because your feet aren’t used to the wide toe box. If you’ve measured your feet and relied on the sizing tables, you’ve nothing to worry about.

Here’s the simplest way to measure your feet:

1. Put your foot on a sheet of paper on a hard surface against the wall.
2. Press your heel against the wall with your weight entirely on the foot.
3. Place a straight, long object at least 3cm high, like a book, at the forefront of your foot.
4. Lift your foot and draw a straight line on the paper where the book touched your toe.
5. Measure the distance from the line to the wall, and that’s your foot length.
6. Repeat for the second foot, and use the longer measurement when looking at the size guides.

There are other, more complicated, ways to measure your feet that consider your foot width. However, they’re largely unnecessary unless you have deformed feet from previously wearing ill-fitting shoes, e.g., bunions, or have extra wide feet.

When measuring your feet, do that in the afternoon - when your feet are largest.

Understand the sizing charts

The sizing charts usually provide the length and width of the inside of the shoe. Most of them also include width. Make sure the shoe is wide enough for your feet, even if it means getting a shoe that’s a bit longer than you need.

How should barefoot shoes fit?

I’ve found that when you follow sizing guides for barefoot shoes, they may seem too large, especially when transitioning from regular shoes. Instead of opting for smaller shoes, I recommend getting used to that sensation - you’ll be more comfortable in the long run.

Nevertheless, it all comes down to personal preferences. Some people like to have an extra 1-1.5cm of free space at the front, and some like their toes touching the front of the shoe.

Using printable templates

Download the printable templates if you’re worried about the exact fit. Some brands, like Xero, provide them for all models of their shoes.

They’re particularly convenient for sizing sandals, where you can’t be sure how the straps will play along with the shape of your foot from measurements alone.

It’s essential to print the templates out at 100% scale. They often have a space for you to place a credit card to check that. To use them, put your bare foot on a designated slot.

It’s important to note that the width might not be precisely accurate in printable templates. Also, natural materials like leather or canvas might stretch out a little, so take it with a grain of salt.

Know what kind of shoes you need

There are barefoot shoe options for various purposes:

• Casual sneakers;
• Dress shoes;
• Work shoes;
• Winter boots;
• Athletic shoes;
• Hiking shoes;
• Sandals;

Many barefoot shoes aren’t waterproof, even those labeled as winter boots. Read their descriptions and our reviews carefully if you have a special use case for them.

If you’re buying your first pair of barefoot shoes, I recommend something universal that you can wear most of the time, like sneakers or casual sandals in summer.

Buying barefoot shoes

If you’ve measured your feet, buying barefoot shoes isn’t much different from buying regular shoes. However, because you’ll most likely going to be ordering online, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Check the return policy. Some brands will charge you a return fee if you want to refund shoes that didn’t fit.
• Some brands and retailers offer free shipping, so check if you can get it;
• Be sure to visit the correct store for your region;

Look at our shoe lists if you need recommendations for a model to try.

Barefoot shoes are generally quite expensive. To save on your purchase, consider buying secondhand or refurbished shoes. I bought my VIVOBAREFOOT Magna FG on Revivo, and I was pleased with their quality and saved $50.

Where to buy barefoot shoes?

Some physical shops offer barefoot shoes, but most barefoot shoe shops are online.

You will often get the best deal buying from a particular brand's online store directly. Additionally, some retailers sell minimalist shoes, and you can often find popular models on Amazon.

Here are some of my favorite brands to get you started:

• VIVOBAREFOOT
• Xero Shoes
• Be Lenka
• Wildling Shoes

How to choose the best barefoot shoes?

To choose the best barefoot shoes, pay attention to:

• The sizing guide - choose the right size according to your measurements.
• The shape of the shoe - it should accommodate your foot shape.
• Any specific qualities you need - such as waterproof or extra breathable.
• Off-site reviews for a model you want - don’t limit yourself to on-site descriptions.

Transitioning to barefoot shoes

Most people shouldn’t have problems simply swapping their regular shoes for barefoot shoes.

However, to safely transition to barefoot shoes, you should:

Listen to your body. You might need a few months to make the complete transition.

While some initial discomfort is not unexpected, you shouldn’t experience pains during your transition period. If you do so, shorten the time you spend in barefoot shoes to give more time for your feet to adjust.

If you’re worried about diving straight into barefoot shoes, you can get “transitional shoes” first that will have more cushion, such as:

• Lems
• Altra
• Barebarics

Looking after your barefoot shoes

Barefoot shoes are a significant investment, so taking care of them is encouraged.

• For regular cleaning - you may clean the sole and sides with a brush. Use a universal foam cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the dirt and salts off the top layer. I recommend doing it often, especially in winter.
• For deep cleaning - I don’t recommend using a washing machine. Instead, remove the insoles, submerge them in soapy water, and let them sit for 30 minutes. Then rinse them, lightly squeeze them to get the water out, and leave them to air dry.
• For waterproofing - use a breathable waterproofing spray every 2-3 weeks.
• For smells - I’ve got no lifehack - simply clean them. If the shoes get smelly quickly, make sure you’re storing them in a well-ventilated area. You can try wearing socks if you aren’t already, and use a deodorizer.