We were born barefoot, we know that. What we don’t know, however, is that the growing body of evidence suggests we should’ve stayed that way. But whether narrow or wide-footed, you need comfy and stylish footwear to get you through the day. What are the best barefoot shoes for wide feet, though?
What even are barefoot shoes? We’re aware that you can’t commute to work or go on a run barefoot because you’d end up hurting your feet – even though you feel like walking barefoot would be much better for your wide feet than wearing narrow footwear that causes you blisters, bruises, and bunions.
Barefoot shoes are, by definition, shoes that provide minimal interference with the natural movement of your foot. Now, to do that, barefoot shoes are crafted with highly flexible fabrics, a low heel-to-toe drop, and an absence of motion control and stability features. Barefoot shoes are not supportive or stable.
Barefoot shoe devotees argue that you don’t necessarily need the added features that come with average sneakers. They say shock absorption, arch support, and ankle support mess with the natural anatomy of your foot. Barefoot shoes are the closest you can get to being barefoot without putting your feet at risk.
While all types of feet can benefit from barefoot shoes, wide feet seem to be at the forefront. When you put tight-fitting footwear on your wide feet, you put too much pressure on the pressure points of your feet and cause damage to both your feet and your shoes. We’ve got you covered, though.
What to look for in barefoot shoes for wide feet
When shopping for wide-foot-friendly barefoot shoes, you need to make sure they check the right boxes. High-quality, hard-wearing barefoot shoes come with their own set of features and functions you need to consider, but you can’t forget about accommodating your wide feet, too.
First things first, we suggest consulting with a doctor and deciding whether barefoot shoes are the right way to go for you. Discussing options with a professional can help you figure out which style or type of barefoot shoes would work better for you, too.
When you do that, you can proceed to do your research on different measurements and sizes across different brands. We wouldn’t suggest shopping online because that’s the best way to make a mistake and end up with a poorly-fitted barefoot shoe. Try them on and go from there.
Furthermore, even though barefoot shoes are already wider than regular shoes, we urge you to opt for barefoot shoes with a wide toe box. A wide toe box can make a world of difference and allow you plenty of wiggle room. Stretchy fabrics, adaptable straps, and similar features can be of service, too.
Finally, go for whatever feels good on your feet. When you try on a pair of barefoot shoes for wide feet, you’ll notice whether they’re too tight or too wide, as well as whether you feel comfortable or uncomfortable walking in them. We’re bringing you our top picks to make the quest easier.
Our top picks for the best barefoot shoes for wide feet
1. Freet Tanga
Dealing with wide feet can be a tough task when you don’t know what footwear to opt for. Depending on whether you’re going for a run, running errands, or grabbing a quick brunch with friends, we suggest going for Freet Tanga sneakers. Comfortable and wearable, these sneakers are everything you need and more.
Crafted with a single-piece mesh upper made of recycled coffee grounds (you read that right!), these sneakers are perfect for people with wide feet because they’re soft, stretchy, and wide enough to accommodate even the widest of toes.
Breathable and lightweight, they’re equipped with rubber outsoles that prevent you from slipping and removable insoles that enable you to customize the amount of padding you’re comfortable with as you go.
2. Merrell Vapor Glove 5
Unsure of which barefoot shoes to go with for your first time? With a wide toe box and a tight heel cup, Merrell Vapor Glove 5 barefoot shoes are still fairly shoe-like, which makes them a favorite among beginners.
First and foremost, these shoes are engineered with a zero heel drop and minimal padding for that ultimate barefoot feeling. And even though they’re meant to be worn while running or working out, they’re comfy and wearable shoes that can be worn on various occasions.
Heads up, though: When you consistently wear these shoes for running and working out, you can expect them to get damaged and wear out after six months or so.
3. Arc’teryx Norvan SL 2 Minimalist
Designed with an ultralight TPU mesh that breathes and drains well, together with a flexible upper that easily folds down to stow, Arc’teryx Norvan SL 2 Minimalist shoes are one of the most breathable barefoot shoes for wide feet on the market. With rock climbers in mind, these shoes are crafted to be super lightweight.
Whether you’re leading an active lifestyle or looking for a shoe that won’t drag you down, you can’t go wrong with Arc’teryx Norvan SL 2 Minimalist shoes. What’s great about these shoes is that they’re narrow at first glance, but they’re made with a wide forefoot to provide more ground contact.
4. Peluva Strand
When you read about barefoot shoes for the first time, chances are you expect them to look like little gloves with separate spaces for your toes – and some of them do. With Peluva Strand barefoot shoes for wide feet, you get a shoe that spreads your toes and ensures you can toe off easier when you walk.
Silly but stylish at first glance, these shoes are a reviewers’ favorite for a reason. With a super lightweight design and carefully placed rubber treads on the soles, you can wear them on your morning runs, when cycling through the city, or even when going for a simple walk.
5. Softstar Primal RunAmoc
Softstar Primal RunAmoc barefoot shoes are great for people who are light on their feet and aren’t prone to injury.
Crafted with a 5mm grippy Vibram Omniflex rubber outsole, an extra roomy toe box with a light protective cap, and plenty of padding to cushion your feet and make them comfortable, these barefoot shoes are perfect for short runs on pavement or soft trails.
Contrary to popular belief, you can wear barefoot shoes even when you’re not running or working out. With Sofstar Primal RunAmoc shoes, you can count on attracting attention and turning heads everywhere you go.
6. Joomra Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot
An affordable alternative for people who aren’t willing to break the bank on barefoot shoes they’re not sure they’ll wear, Joomra Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot shoes are a must. With nearly 20,000 positive reviews on Amazon, these barefoot shoes deserve a spot on the list.
If you lead an active lifestyle – whether it’s trail running on the weekends or hiking with friends – we recommend these shoes, as they’re made for outdoor activities.
Its rubber outsoles protect you from slipping and falling, and removable insoles ensure you can customize your barefoot shoes to fit your feet to a T. What’s not to love?
7. Vivobarefoot Addis
We’ve talked your ears off with barefoot shoes for wide feet appropriate for outdoor activities, right? Worry not, we’ve got something for couch potatoes who prefer spending their time sipping on Starbucks and strolling around town.
With Vivobarefoot Addis shoes, you’re going to look comfy and stylish. Made with an elegant leather upper, grippy rubber outsoles, and an insignificant heel-to-toe drop, these shoes have your work cut out for you.
What’s even better about these shoes – they’re extra wide around the toes, and you might even need to size down.
8. Xero Shoes Minimalist Mesa Trail Running
Xero Shoes Minimalist Mesa Trail Running shoes are the best road-to-trail shoes on the list. Whether you’re an avid trail runner or thinking of starting, you might want to check out the Xero Shoes Minimalist Mesa Trail Running shoes because they’re a great departure point.
We’d argue that they’re not as intense as some of the other barefoot shoes we’ve listed so far, but they’re equipped with everything you need for a successful barefoot run.
Made with grippy rubber outsoles, a zero heel-to-toe drop, and a thick upper, they’re certainly more supportive than your average barefoot shoes.
9. Vibram KSO EVO
We couldn’t pass on the opportunity to rave about yet another pair of barefoot shoes with separate toe spaces. Whether or not that’s something you’re on the hunt for, we urge you to try them out – they’ll give you a completely new view of running on a treadmill, working out, or even walking.
With a five-finger design, you can count on Vibram KSO EVO to accommodate your wide feet and free up your toes to wiggle. You’ll be surprised by how stable and balanced you feel after an hour of working out in these puppies!
