Barefoot shoes have become very popular in the past few years. People are wearing them for a variety of different reasons. With some people preferring to wear them exclusively and others occasionally. But there can be quite a bit of confusion when it comes to picking out which barefoot shoe is best for you! To solve this problem, I have compiled 12 of the best barefoot shoe brands on the market today into one article so that you don’t have to do any more research.
12 Best barefoot running shoes brands
Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot is a UK-based company that was established in 2012. Vivobarefoot’s founders are a duo of cobblers, who found that the best way to make footwear sustainable is by going back in time.
Their shoes use the science of barefoot walking to provide posture and biomechanics associated with natural foot movement.
It’s been developed to be as close as possible to running without shoes. Which has become more common due to the popularity of this movement among some in recent years. People in this movement advocate for going without shoes as much as possible which leads to better form when running.
Their technology was designed based on what people do instinctively while traveling from place to place. Walk or run across different terrains like sand or grasses. Rather than wearing a heavy pair of boots that can make it difficult to maintain proper foot position over long periods of time.
The brand offers shoes and other footwear for all kinds of occasions, including running, walking barefoot, or with footwear indoors.
Their best-selling products include shoes from their Geo & Primus series.
Product Range: 115 USD – 240 USD
Explore Vivobarefoot shoes here.
Be Lenka
Be Lenka is a new company that specializes in designing and producing barefoot shoes, baby carriers, and other comfortable clothing. The makers of these products obey European Union’s health, safety, and quality-related laws. They were co-founded by an Ex-Paralympian Ms. Lenka Cenigova who has been dedicated to her brand since her kids were born.
Be Lenka develops their own brands of footwear designed specifically for infants up through toddler age groups including those learning how to walk on their feet (barefoot). While their designs provide natural metatarsal arch support which helps promote proper posture development while walking upright without hindering mobility or tampering.
Product Range: 109 USD – 239 USD
Carets
The Board-Lasted Cement construction of Carets shoes makes them a standout in the dress shoe category. To be honest there aren’t many brands out there that make barefoot dress shoes & carets are a breath of fresh air in that regard.
These shoes are different solely on the fact that they don’t use leather for their outsoles. Currently, they are working more in this area to bring up an outsole that isn’t leather but gives the look of it.
Tip: To save some cash, you can buy some of the pre-owned Carets shoes with good discounts on their official store!
Product Range: 145 USD – 250 USD
Feelgrounds
FeelGround’s first crowdfunded model, the Original Mesh, had sold in under two days. Since then, their mission is to make barefoot shoes available for everyone, not just those who want them or can afford it!
Their very first original mesh model was made of recycled materials. Thus, making Feelgrounds one of the very few companies that are environmentally friendly. Not only that but special care has been taken by their team to ensure all their products are 100% vegan and no animal skin or fat is involved in the shoe-making process.
Product Range: 100 USD – 170 USD
Explore Feelgrounds shoes here.
Groundies
GROUNDIES is a must-have for barefoot enthusiasts. Your foot will experience the mobility and freedom it needs to be healthy. While still receiving all of the protection that socks offer you in shoes made with rigid materials. From bending soles to stitching high-quality leathers by hand—GROUNDIES feels like walking on clouds!
The shoe should adapt to your feet, not vice versa – Groundies does just that!
Groundies is a brand that has developed anatomically shaped shoes to allow for their customer’s feet the most natural movement possible. Unlike conventional shoe companies, Groundies, allows your toes and foot muscles to have full mobility in any direction with its wide-toe box design.
This company was founded on the idea of giving people more freedom when it comes down to not only footwear but how they use their body as well through taking care of themselves naturally from head-toe as our ancestors did before us.
Product Range: 89 USD – 170 USD
Wildling Shoes
The natural comfort of Wildling shoes is perfect for beginners and experienced walkers alike. The lightweight washi fabric will make you feel like your old walking self again, while the sturdy Nordwolle wool insulates against cold temperatures to keep everyone comfortable on their journey.
Explore this diverse collection in muted tones or vibrant colors- whichever color fits your personal taste perfectly!
Their shoes are based on anatomically correct foot shapes that give your feet the space they need. Whether you have a narrow or wide foot, they have the perfect shoe for you! Because of natural widths and adjustable features, they can accommodate not just different sizes of ankles but also wider-than-average-sized people.
The bottom of a Wildling shoe is unlike any other. They took this idea from Japanese ninja boots, which provide protection while ensuring that the feet can move. It has a split down the middle and an aggressive ribbed tread pattern. These features make for a light, flexible sneaker with an excellent grip.
Product Range: 70 USD – 150 USD
Earth Runners
With the help of Kickstarter, Earth Runners sandals were launched in 2012 and have become a popular trend for people looking to rewild their lives.
Their sandals can help you keep a connection to the earth while going about your day. These minimalist sandals give a lot of ground feel, and feature their grounded conductive laces that mimic being barefoot!
The Earth Runner sandals are perfect for any adventure because they combine the protection of being barefoot with comfort and balance. They were designed by an eco-conscious company that aims to preserve ancient practices while offering you more benefits than just going without shoes!
The minimalist design heavily emphasizes feedback from your feet, allowing you to have all-over body awareness while still being barefoot. It’s no wonder that their idea was inspired by ancient practices like long-range hunting!
Product Range: 43 USD – 93 USD
Explore Earth Runners shoes here.
Shamma Sandals
Shamma sandals were found in 2013 and are located in Santa Cruz, California. All these sandals strive to offer high-quality, handmade footwear and each offers a personalized design for your specific needs in a home workshop setting.
We all know that the best sandals come from family-run businesses. And Shamma Sandles are no exception! For over 8 years, they have been providing quality footwear to adventurers of every age and ability level, because you deserve nothing less than a high-quality product when it comes to your feet.
They are proud to be able to offer their customers more than just great footwear – but also an outstanding customer service experience with each purchase or return as well as excellent prices for such top-tier products. Whether you’re after some new walking sandals or looking for something tough enough for outdoor adventure in the mountains; have fun picking out today’s pair!
Product Range: 75 USD – 122 USD
Unshoes Footwear
I used to be a huge fan of flip-flops, but as I grew up and became more aware of how my feet are the foundation for all body movement, it was really hard finding shoes that would let me move naturally. That’s why Unshoes is so amazing! They not only want you to feel good in your own skin by providing products that allow natural foot motion; they also give back with each purchase!
After the success of their first pair of sandals, Unshoes was born! They quickly expanded to ship internationally and grew from a small company into an international business.
The products are high-quality and affordable, which may suit people in the minimalist community most of all. They’re constantly striving to make themselves better with each new product release.
Product Range: 50 USD – 112 USD
Explore Unshoes footwear here.
Inov-8
Inov-8 is a footwear, clothing, and equipment brand that is based in the fells and mountains of the British Lake District. The company’s goal is to make products for committed trail runners who are always pushing themselves farther than they have ever gone before.
For over a decade now, inov-8 has been known as one of the world’s leading brands. The company lives by its philosophy that an athlete’s interaction with their training environment is crucial to designing products and creating innovative lineups. Just like their graphene laced footwear for runners who need more traction on wet surfaces without weighing themselves down.
At the end of the day their product is unmatched. They’re in a league of their own, thanks to the use of patent-pending graphene in our shoes! As far as I know, there are no others like them out there – and that makes for some pretty cool bragging rights.
Bare-xf is their brand to look for in case you want to try their barefoot shoes.
Product Range: 165 USD
Lemsshoes
Found in 2011, Andrew Rademacher created Lems with one goal: Shoes should be made specifically to fit your feet without any excess material or unnecessary alterations so you can explore freely in them every day! He began analyzing his favorite running shoe in order to understand how it worked so well with the natural contours of your foot.
After finally coming up for air from all this research, Andrew decided that there needed to be more options on the market than what currently existed at the time. Shoes designed specifically around their natural shape as opposed to an average fit through mass production methods -and started designing Lems!
When you buy these extraordinary sneakers today, they are delivered right away since every pair is made by hand using patented stitching techniques which allow them each to have a unique style but also guarantees comfort without sacrificing any benefits.
Product Range: 75 USD – 165 USD
XeroShoes
Xero Shoes founded in 2009 is a type of minimalist footwear that was designed for walking, running, and athletics. The brand’s shoes have thin, flexible soles that are fitted to the foot like a glove. Xero Shoes has had success after being featured on ABC’s Shark Tank. In 2018 Business Insider named them one of the Top 5 Best Barefoot Shoe Brands of 2018.
Fun fact – They have partnered with the US Olympic swimming team.
Their mission is to become an industry leader in lightweight footwear with quality products for all lifestyles by staying true to their mission through innovation and inspiration from nature.
Xero’s best-selling shoes include products like HFS, Prio & Terraflex. All their shoes come with a 5,000-mile sole warranty which reflects the confidence they have in their product in terms of durability.
Product Range: 60 USD – 150 USD
Summary
Vivobarefoot: various styles, sporty, dress, athletic, casual, everyday
Caret*: professional, office/dress wear
Earth Runners: sandals, sporty, running, casual, athletic, everyday
Luna Sandals: sandals, sporty, running, casual, athletic, everyday
Sockwa: pull-ons, sporty, casual, athletic, running, everyday
Softstar Shoes: casual, dressy, running, everyday
Tadeevo: athletic, casual, everyday
Tieks*: flats, casual, dressy, everyday
Tune Footwear*: professional, office/dress wear
Unshoes: sandals, sporty, running, casual, athletic, everyday
Vibram FiveFingers: running, casual, athletic, everyday
Water shoes: (there are many places that carry these. Search “water shoes” and see what comes up)
Wildling: casual, everyday, fun, stylish
Leguano: active, casual
Muki: sleek, stylish
Drift Leather Shoes and Boots*: customizable, workfriendly
Groundies*: fancy, stylish
Zaqq*: handmade, sustainable practices
Fit Kiks: pull-ons, active
Luks: handcrafted, leather materials
Gea Soles: handcrafted, healthy leather
Freet: sporty, casual
Davinci Footwear*: sleek, stylish, professional
Feelmax: casual, sporty, active
Magical Shoes: everyday, athletic, vegan options
Joe Nimble: active, casual
Baer*: professional, casual, active
Xeroshoes: various styles, sandals, casual, athletic, everyday, dress, cold weather boots
Lemsshoes: casual, dress, sporty, active
Conclusion
Want a pair of shoes or sandals that will let your feet breathe and give you the most natural running experience? Check out these brands. Whether you’re looking for minimalist or cushioned, they have it all!
There are many barefoot shoes & sandals to choose from, but I have narrowed the field down for you. Let these brands be your guide on your quest to find a pair of comfortable and supportive shoes that will make it easier for you to walk or run without any discomfort!
If you have any questions about what may work best for your foot type (or anything else!) feel free to comment below. I would love to help in whatever way possible!
For a complete list, check out our List of Minimalist Barefoot Shoes.
