Ugg boots are the classic cozy sheepskin boots that originated in Australia and later became a household brand name in the United States. They’re known for their warmth and comfort, but traditional Uggs still have many of the same drawbacks as conventional footwear, including a tapered toe box, a thick and stiff sole, and a noticeable heel drop. 

If you’re looking for a barefoot Ugg boot alternative that offers the same cozy feel without compromising foot health, here are my favorite slip-on styles with warm linings. 

Best Barefoot Boot Replacements for Uggs

Softstar S’more Slippers and Phoenix Boots 

Women’s 5.5 – Men’s 11.5 | Leather and sheepskin | $155 – $275 | Made in USA

For the most luxurious barefoot sheepskin boot or slipper, Softstar has several great options. The Phoenix boot is a mix of leather and suede uppers and fully lined with plush sheepskin. They’re most comparable to the Ugg Classic Short, with an 8-inch shaft that fully covers the ankles. You can simply slip them on, or use the side zipper for easier on and off. These boots use the 4mm Vibram Tundra sole, plus a 3mm midsole for some cushion. All of Softstar’s shoes are handmade in their Oregon workshop.

If you prefer something closer to the Ugg Classic Ultra Mini that hits around  the ankles, check out the new S’mores Slippers. They now feature a Vibram sole, so you can comfortably wear them both indoors and outdoors. These have been my favorite slippers over the last few years, and the new sole just means I’ll be able to wear them even more. Wear the cuff up to cover the ankles, or roll them down for a cute fuzzy collar. 

Fit and sizing: These slippers use Softstar’s unique sizing, so be sure to measure your feet and reference the size chart. I’m wearing a 5U regular for my 23.3cm feet as these stretch a little bit with wear. The regular already has a roomy fit, but they also come in wide for those with extra wide feet. 

Wildling Koselig Boots 

EU23 – 47 | Wool | $169 | Free Shipping Code: AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

The new Koselig is the coziest boot (the name literally means cosy in Norwegian). While they’re not sheepskin, the extra fluffy wool lining and wool uppers are no less warm. True to Wildling’s DNA, these boots are ultra minimalist—super lightweight and incredibly flexible. I’m not sure if it’s all of the wool or if it’s a middle layer, but they make a light “shooshing” noise when I walk (that’s the best way I can think to describe it). It’s not a big deal as most shoes make some kind of noise, but these were a little more noticeable than other lined boots.

You can use code AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE for free shipping. Wildling is currently covering the tariffs for US orders.

Fit and sizing: I usually wear an EU38 in Wildling and still wear an EU38 in these as they sized up the boots to account for lining and thick socks (You can see the Koselig compared to another Wildling wool shoe in EU38). They fit my higher instep, but feel a little tighter over the top than the others. I’d say these are best suited for low and medium volume feet.

Zeazoo Dingo Boots 

EU23 – 42 | Sheepskin | Shipped from USA with PedTerra | $135 | Code KELLY for 10% off

The Zeazoo Dingo boots are close in style to a classic Ugg boot with brown suede and sheepskin lining. They come in toddler through adult sizes, and feature a flexible 6mm Vibram sole. 

If you’re in the US, you can order directly from PedTerra with free shipping and free returns. Use code KELLY for 10% off. 

Groundies Cozy Boot 2.0

EU36 – 43 | Suede and wool lining | €135 | Shipped from EU

This is another barefoot boot that captures the style of the Ugg boot well. The Groundies Cozy Boot is the perfect low slip-on barefoot bootie, and comes in four different suede colors. The sides fully lined with sheep wool. The insole isn’t quite as fluffy, so I personally added a wool insole to add a bit more cushion and warmth and adjust the volume.  

Groundies has two websites (one for the US and one for all other orders), but the Cozy boots are currently only available on the International website.

Fit and sizing: Like most of Groundies’ regular barefoot fit styles, these work best for narrow to medium-width feet. I went with an EU 39, which is one size up from my usual Groundies sneaker size. They have a higher volume overall, so adding the extra insole helped fine-tune the fit—both in volume and length—for a more secure feel. Without the insole, this size feels a bit long and loose on me. Personally, I prefer sizing up and then adjusting as needed, since it gives me a bit more width and flexibility when wearing thicker socks. 

Groundies Iceland Boot

EU36 – 43 | Suede and wool lining | $140 | Shipped from US or EU

These have a few extra details beyond a basic suede boot, including a stretchy knit collar and a side zipper. Like the Cozy Boots, they feature a full wool lining along the sides and a thinner lining underfoot. The boots use Groundies’ TrueSense® GO1 sole with a 6.3 mm stack height, which I find to offer one of the most barefoot-like feels in their lineup since it has minimal sidewall structure. The Iceland boots come in three colors on the International website, and in black on the US website. They’re currently on sale for $110 on the US site as part of early Black Friday sales.

Fit and sizing: My comments are the same as the Cozy boots as these have a very similar fit. 

Shapen Fluffy Boots

Suede uppers and wool lining | $189 | Code KELLY5 for 5% off

Ugg boots are known for their casual vibe—they were originally the go-to choice for surfers—but if you’re looking for something a bit more elevated, the Shapen Fluffy Boots are a stylish alternative. Shapen is best known for its dressier barefoot designs, and that same refined touch carries over to these boots. The latest version of these suede barefoot boots also got an upgrade with a genuine sheep wool lining for added warmth and comfort (the photos feature the original synthetic lining).

Fit and sizing: Shapen boots are a great fit for medium to wide width feet, and I have plenty of space for my higher instep. I’m wearing these in an EU38. 

Final Thoughts

If you love the cozy warmth and easy slip-on style of Ugg boots but want something that’s better for your feet, there are now plenty of great barefoot alternatives to choose from. Whether you prefer the plush sheepskin feel of Softstar, the dressier look of Shapen, or the casual everyday comfort of Groundies, you don’t have to sacrifice natural movement for softness and style.

Each of these options keeps your feet warm while still allowing your toes to splay naturally and your feet to move the way they’re meant to. Once you’ve experienced that barefoot comfort, it’s hard to go back to traditional boots—even the iconic Uggs.

The post Best Barefoot Ugg Boot Alternatives appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

We’ve been covering the best barefoot shoes Black Friday sales for awhile now, and we’re always trying to find the best way to share the information so you don’t have to spend all of your time searching and scrolling. Each brand is alphabetically listed below for each category. I’ve added a note with my favorite picks on some of them too!

Check back often—this post will be continuously updated throughout the 2025 holiday sale season with the latest barefoot shoe discounts.

While some brands run their biggest sales on the actual Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, many barefoot shoe companies now start early or extend their sales well into December. Either way, this is the best time of year to save on your favorite minimalist footwear.

If you want a heads up on what the sales will likely be for a particular brand, you can always review the prior year Black Friday Sales posts (see 2024, 2023 and 2022). For a list of evergreen discount codes for barefoot shoes, find them all here.

Barefoot Shoe Sales

This section includes barefoot shoe brands for both adults and kids, listed alphabetically.

Ahinsa

Nov 13 – 30 | Up to 40% off select styles

A Czech-based physiotherapist-founded brand. Vegan boots, shoes and sandals.

shop ahinsa

Altra

Nov 28 – Dec 1 | 30% to 50% off select styles

A widely available running and hiking shoe brand known for its zero-drop platform and roomy “FootShape” toe box with moderate to high cushion.

shop altra

Astral

Nov 21 – Dec 8 | 35% off with code ASTRALxBFSG

Shoes for hiking and water sports with a zero-drop sole and wider toe box than most conventional. Feels like more of a transitional brand as they run narrower than most barefoot shoes.

shop astral

Bahé

Nov 28 – Dec 7 | Code BAREFOOTGUIDE for extra 10% off

UK brand with trail runners, hiking shoes and boots in three different stack heights. Get $40 the original Revive trail runners. Pre-order the new Rewild hiking shoes for 20% off through December 7.

shop BahÉ

Barebarics

Nov 1 – Dec 1 | Up to 50% off best sellers

Urban design-driven styles under the parent brand BeLenka.

shop Barebarics

BeLenka

Nov 1 – Dec 1 | Up to 50% off best sellers

A Slovak-based brand that has one of the largest ranges of barefoot shoes.

shop Belenka

Barefoot Pals

Nov 24 – Dec 1 | 20% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY2025 | Stack KELLY10 for extra 10% off

More affordable footwear line by Gaucho Ninja

shop pals

Bearfoot Shoes

Nov 28 – 30 | 15% off using code KELLY10

A U.S. brand with rugged boots and weightlifting shoes

shop bearfoot

Be Flamboyant

Starts Nov 20 | Up to 40% off

Spanish vegan brand. My picks: Clogs and loafers!

shop be flamboyant

Birchbury

Nov 28 – Dec 1 | 20% off site wide

Refined leather and suede men’s dress shoes and sneakers

shop birchbury

Bohempia

Nov 26 – Nov 30 | 20% off full-price shoes with code BETTERFRIDAY

A Czech-EU brand offering vegan minimalist shoes.

shop bohempia

Carets

Nov 25 – Dec 2 | 18% off any order < $300 – code 18BF2025; 23% off any order > $300 code 23BF2025

Zero-drop minimalist dress shoes that look like conventional formal footwear while giving your toes room. Also have steel toe safety boots.

shop carets

Dolfie Paradise

Nov 19 – Dec 1 | 15% to 20% off select styles | KELLYDP5 stacks for extra 5% off

High-quality leather sneakers with laid back vibe and thicker soles.

shop Dolfie

Feelgrounds

Nov 6 – Dec 2 | 30% off sitewide | KELLY5 stacks for extra 5% off

A vegan brand focused on stylish, everyday sneakers, boots and sandals.

shop feelgrounds

Fleeters

Nov 24 – 28 | Up to 30% off sitewide | Code KELLY stacks for extra 10% off

A French brand that pairs generous toe boxes with fun colors and sustainable materials.

shop fleeters

Flux

Starts Nov 24 | Up to 60% cashback on $115+

Higher cushioned running shoes aimed at people transitioning to minimalist shoes with a modern aesthetic.

shop flux

Freet

Nov 12 – Dec 2 | Up to 60% off

Large range of outdoor and hiking boots, along with everyday styles. If you’re in the EU, shop here. For the UK, shop here.

shop freet USA

Gaucho Ninja

Nov 24 – Dec 1 | 20% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY2025 | Stack KELLY10 for extra 10% off

Premium brand offering leather boots and safety shoes.

shop gaucho ninja

Grecian Sandals

Nov 9 – Dec 7 | Up to 40% off select styles | Code EXTRASALE for extra 10% off

Handmade leather sandals on Etsy with Vibram sole option

shop grecian sandals

Groundies USA

Nov 24 – 27 | Up to 25% off select styles

Large range of stylish barefoot shoes, including an extra wide Barefoot+ fit. My pick: Starlite sneakers, Phoenix Boots

shop groundies

Groundies International

Nov 24 – 27 | Up to 50% off select styles

Large range of stylish barefoot shoes, including an extra wide Barefoot+ fit.

shop groundies

Groundz

Starts Nov 12 | 20% off footwear

Grounding barefoot sneakers

shop groundz

High Feels

Starts Nov 14 | Code BFSG for 20% off

Vegan strappy sandals

shop High Feels

Lang.S

Nov 7 – 28 | Up to 40% off select styles

Sustainable brand offering full-size ranges for adults and kids. My picks: Kombat boots and Mira Flats

shop lang.s

Lex Barefoot

Nov 16 – Dec 15 | 20% to 50% off select styles

Kids brand based in Australia

shop leX

Lems

Nov 18 – Dec 2 | 25% off sitewide (excluding new releases)

US brand with focus on moderately cushioned hiking and lifestyle shoes My pick: Boulder Boot Grip, Primal Zen

shop lems

Lisbeth Joe

Starts Nov 16 | Loafers for $50

A fashion-forward minimalist brand

shop lisbeth joe

Lono

Nov 14 – 28 | BOGO 50% off all shoes

Affordably priced sneakers and hiking shoes.

shop lono

Luks Shoes

Starts Nov 6 | 20% off sitewide

Simple handmade leather shoes with stitch down construction and Vibram soles

shop luks

Magical Shoes

Nov 10 – Dec 1 | Up to 35% off sitewide

Polish brand with large selection for toddler through adult

shop magical

Manitobah Mukluks

Starts Nov 13 | Up to 40% off select styles

A Canadian heritage brand known for handmade leather moccasins and mukluk boots rooted in indigenous design.

shop manitobah

Merrell

Starts Nov 20 | 30% off select Trail and Vapor Gloves

More foot-friendly line for kids (Bare Steps) and adults (Trail/Vapor Glove). Adult line is still narrower than most barefoot shoes and often has small heel drop.

shop merrell

Minnemals

Nov 28 – Dec 1 | 15% off with code BF2025

Versatile, everyday sneaker brand based in USA

shop minnemals

Nunorm

Nov 24 – Dec 1 | 25% to 40% off

Athletic sneakers that fit narrow width best

shop nunorm

Ohne Project

Starts Nov 28 | Up to 45% off

Vegan Spanish brand with retro styling

shop ohne

Origo Shoes

Nov 20 – Dec 2 | 30% off site wide

Simple, clean aesthetic with focus on sustainable materials.

shop origo

PaperKrane

Nov 15 – 30 | Up to 40% off

Brightly colored styles for kids and adults.

shop paperkrane

Posh Panda

Starts Dec 1 | BOGO Free

Handmade sandals and moccasins in Canada. Sale ends when order capacity is reached

shop posh pandA

Raum Goods

Live Now | 25% to 50% off sitewide

Grounding moccasins

shop raum

REI

Nov 14 – 24 | 20% off full price items for REI Members | 25% off select Altras

Large USA-based outdoor retailer carrying Xero Shoes, Bedrock Sandals, Altra and more

shop rei

Reima

Starts Nov 21 | Up to 50% off plus free shipping | BAREFOOT20 stacks for extra 20% off

Popular children’s retailer focusing on high-quality outdoor gear, including barefoot shoe line.

shop reiMA

Ruby Workshop

Nov 7 – Nov 30 | 40% off with code KELLYFRIDAY40

Handmade-to-order on Etsy

shop ruby

Rutsu

Nov 24 – Dec 1 | 25% off sneakers

Affordable brand with canvas sneakers and high tops

shop rutsu

Saguaro Shoes

Nov 17 – Dec 1 | 25% off select styles + 10% off new arrivals with code KELLY2025

Affordable brand for adults and kids. Many on-trend styles that sell out quickly.

shop saguaro

Shapen Barefoot

Starts Nov 10 | Up to 30% off Kids’ Shoes

Dressy flats, boots and sandals for adults and kids.

shop shapen

Skinners

Nov 24 – 27 | $20 off sock shoes

Started with a “sock-shoe” and expanding into a full line of barefoot shoes

shop skinners

Softstar

Nov 12 – Dec 3 | Up to $50 off select adult styles

Made in USA from premium leather and Vibram soles, plus soft-soled toddler moccasins My pick: S’more slippers

shop softstar

Splay Shoes

Starts Nov 19 | Up to 50% off | Stack code KELLY10

Wide toe box shoes designed for skateboarding, plus more minimalist options

shop splay

Tadeevo

Starts Nov 24 | Up to 20% off

Ultra-light barefoot shoes

shop tadeevo

Ten Little

Nov 1 – Dec 2 | 15% off orders over $75

Affordable shoes for toddlers through big kids including sneakers, sandals, rain boots and snow boots.

shop ten little

Tolos

Nov 28 – Dec 2 | $75 for all shoes | Stack code KELLY10 for extra 10% off

Versatile gym-to-lifestyle shoes, plus classic canvas high-tops and low-top sneakers. Comes in two different stack heights

shop tolos

Unshoes

Nov 21 – Dec 1 | 20% to 75% off all shoes

A Utah-based minimal footwear brand 

shop unshoes

Vibram FiveFingers

Starts Nov 27 | Up to 50% off

Original toe shoes

shop vibram

Vivobarefoot

Nov 1 – 30 | 25% off with code THEBAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE25 | BOGO 50% off select styles

Leader in the barefoot shoe industry with focus on athletic and outdoor shoes. My pick: Gobi boot

shop vivobarefoot

Whitin

Starts Nov 16 | 20% to 40% off select styles

Affordable brand sold on Amazon. Shop “Wide Barefoot” styles for true barefoot fit. Whitin also sells conversional shoes.

shop whitin

Wildling US

Nov 22 | Up to 40% off select styles

Ultra-minimalist soles with unique design and sustainable, natural materials. Free shipping code: AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

shop wildling us

Wildling International

Starts Nov 22 | Up to 40% off select styles

Ultra-minimalist soles with unique design and sustainable, natural materials. Free shipping code: AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

shop wildling intl

Wyde Footwear

Nov 22 – Dec 3 | Up to 40% off | Stack code KELLY for extra 5% off

Good fit for wider feet with moderate cushion

shop wyde

Xero Shoes

Starts Nov 13 | 30% off select styles

Large US-based brand with athletic, hiking and lifestyle shoes My pick: Breckenridge boots

shop xero

Zeazoo

Nov 24 – 30 | 25% off all shoes

EU-based line for toddlers through adults with shoes, boots and sandals

shop zeazoo

Hiking and Running Sandal Sales

We love our barefoot hiking and running sandals, and there are quite a few amazing brands (many based right here in the USA), so wanted to make a separate section to highlight them. Many of these brands use Vibram soles and feature straps that are replaceable.

Bedrock Sandals

Nov 14 – Dec 1 | 15% off Cairn sandals

Rugged, outdoor-first minimalist sandal brand born out of river-restoration work with a moderate stack height. Also makes rugged clogs with Vibram soles.

shop bedrock

Deliberate Life Designs

Nov 21 – Dec 1 | Up to 20% off

A handcrafted, made-to-order minimalist sport sandal brand that offers customization and is aimed at ultralight backpackers, trail runners, and barefoot enthusiasts.

shop deliberate

Earth Runners

Starts Nov 24 | 25% off sitewide

A performance-oriented barefoot/grounding sandal brand combining minimalist Vibram soles with a conductive-lace “grounding” system to enhance the feel of connection to the earth underfoot.

shop earth runners

Luna Sandals

Nov 28 – Dec 1 | 25% off sitewide

Sandal brand with roots in the “Born to Run” movement that crafts adventure-ready barefoot sandals you can hike, run, travel or paddle in, using Vibram soles.

shop luna

Shamma Sandals

Starts Nov 12 | 20% off Elites, Trailstars and Numa Sandals

US-handcrafted minimalist sandal brand from Santa Cruz that features a soft leather insole option and several different strap designs. My pick: TrailStar in Tan Sahara

shop shamma

Toetem Sandals

Nov 24 – 30 | 25% off select styles

Small family-run brand handmaking barefoot sandals in the USA with a wide, square toe box.

shop toetem

Unshoes

Nov 21 – Dec 1 | 20% to 75% off all shoes

Minimal footwear brand based in the U.S making several barefoot sandals for light hiking.

shop unshoes

ZuZu Sandals

Nov 20 – Dec 1 | Up to 40% off select styles

Sustainably-minded minimalist sandal brand with replaceable straps

shop zuzu

Sock Sales

No, not all socks are created equal, and often times it’s worth ditching your old socks when you’re ditching your old shoes. Here’s our favorite wide toe box socks and toe socks that are having Black Friday sales.

Creepers Toe Socks

Nov 27 | special color drop and up to 30% off

shop creepers

Injinji Toe Socks

Nov 27 – Dec 1 | Up to 50% off select styles

shop injinji

Knitido+ Toe Socks

Starts Nov 28 | 40% off on 5 pairs of socks

shop knitido

Luna Tabi Socks

Nov 28 – Dec 1 | 25% off sitewide

shop luna

Maro Cotton Socks

Nov 24 – Dec 1 | 35% off with code BF35

shop maro

Nui Organics wool socks

Starts Nov 16 | 35% off sitewide

shop nui

Naboso Socks

Starts Nov 24 | Up to 40% off sitewide plus free USA shipping

shop naboso

Toesox

Nov 28 | 30% off sitewide

shop toesox

Barefoot Shoe Retailers with sales

Brands that will not have Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales

Many barefoot shoe brands are small businesses that try to maintain a consistent, sustainable business model, and therefore opt NOT to have large holiday sales. That’s not to say they never have sales, but they just don’t typically to align with holidays. For example, some barefoot shoe brands choose to offer a sale on pre-orders at the beginning of the winter season, and then often times discount for winter items at the end of the season. Evergreen discount codes are provided below where available. For the full list of my discount codes and an extensive list of barefoot shoes, see this post here.

Cool East Market, Canada

Have a question about a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale for barefoot shoes? Drop a comment below!

The post Best 2025 Black Friday & Cyber Monday Barefoot Shoe Sales (Updated Daily!) appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

Clogs are trending right now, and they’re an easy, comfy style to pair with a casual outfit. The Birkenstock Lutry is a cute and well-made clog, but like all Birkenstocks, it comes with an overly stiff and supportive cork insole. For someone that wears barefoot shoes, it feels more like a cast than a shoe.  I want my feet to be able to move naturally, and the cork insole makes that impossible.

Luckily, the insole is pretty easy to pop out on the Lutry clog, and you’re left with a slip-on shoe that has a nice, wide toe box and a pretty flexible sole. I replaced the cork with a wool insole that I cut down for size, and now I have a cozy, comfortable barefoot clog that’s good for my feet.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on one of them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, read our full disclosure.

Are Birkenstocks barefoot?

No, Birkenstocks aren’t considered barefoot shoes. While they have a wide toe box and a natural foot shape, their thick cork footbed is very stiff and includes arch support and a raised toe bar—all features that limit natural foot movement and ground feel. True barefoot shoes are completely flat from heel-to-toe without any added support, flexible, and allow your feet to move naturally.

Why use the Birkenstock Lutry?

It’s true, there are barefoot clogs that don’t need any modifications. But, none of them quite fit the style and quality I was looking for. Birkenstock shoes are known for being exceptionally well-made, and as someone that typically can’t buy the conventional, trendy brand, it was an easy way to modify the shoe and get exactly what I wanted.

While these Birkenstock clogs are a similar price point to many of the barefoot clogs, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to find them on sale. For example, I purchased mine for $80 during their Black Friday sale.

When the cork insole is removed, the Lutry fits all of the barefoot features that I look for. The remaining rubber soles is zero drop and flexible. They’re also really wide. Birkenstocks are often available in two widths: Medium/Narrow and Regular/Wide. The women’s sizes for the Lutry are Birkenstock’s Medium/Narrow width, but it’s actually very wide. For example, when I cut down the wool insole for my EU37 Lutry, the width was 9.6cm. This is wider than most of the barefoot shoes I own. The men’s Lutry is available in the Regular/Wide width, so some sizes are available in both widths.

Step-by-Step Instructions on converting your Birkenstock Lutry Clogs in to Barefoot Shoes

Here’s how to make your own barefoot clogs from the Birkenstock Lutry.

1. Figure out your size for the Lutry clogs when the cork insole is removed
   • I wear an EU37 in a Birkenstock sandal or clog with the cork insole included. The EU37 is supposed to have 24cm of usable insole space. I opted for the same size (EU37) in the Lutry clog as I planned to added a thicker wool insole to add warmth, cushion, and take up some of the excess space. Because the cork insole cups the heel at the back, there’s a lot of extra room once you take it out. When I traced and cut out the wool insole as a replacement, it was about 25cm long, so you can plan on about 1cm of extra space when you remove the cork insole.
   • Wool: When I’m wearing a 5mm thick wool insole and a pair of thicker wool socks, size EU37 fits me a little loose. If I double stack them to 10mm and only have a thin sock, it’s a pretty good fit. I have a higher instep, so if you have a lower instep/low volume foot, you’ll likely need an even thicker insole to take up room in the shoe, or size down.
   • Sheepskin: The sheepskin insole takes up a lot more room, so that plus a pair of medium wool socks offered the best fit for me. The sheepskin will compress over time, so it may end up starting to feel a little loose after more wear. I’ll check back in and update if it does!
   • If I wasn’t planning on adding as thick of an insole, then I’d probably want to size down.
   • I’ve seen the women’s sizes listed as medium/narrow, and the men’s as regular/wide. For my medium width feet, the medium/narrow width is pretty roomy.
2. Order your Clogs
   • Birkenstock has the biggest selection, but you can also order them from a few other retailers, like REI.
3. Remove the Cork Insole:
   • Pop out the cork insole from your Lutry clog. Since it’s not glued or attached, it comes out without damaging the shoe, but you do need to maneuver it around a bit. The leather goes all the way around the back of the shoe, so this doesn’t affect the structure.
4. Buy a wool or sheepskin insole:
   • Felted wool or sheepskin insoles are two of the best options as they’ll both take up some of the excess volume in the shoe, and keep your feet warm.
   • Wool: I purchased the largest size in this wool insole to ensure I’d have enough room in the toe box.
   • Sheepskin: These are a good option for an affordable sheepskin insole.
   • Find a comprehensive list of insoles for barefoot shoes here.
5. Trace the Cork Insole:
   • Lay the cork insole on top of your wool or sheepskin insole. Use a marker or pen to trace its outline onto the wool. This will ensure you cut the insole to the exact size and shape of the original.
6. Cut the Wool Insole:
   • Using scissors, carefully cut along the outline you traced. If you didn’t trace, simply cut the wool insole down bit by bit, testing the fit inside the clog as you go. Since the most sheepskin insoles are the sheepskin layer sown onto a layer of felt, I made sure to trace my outline so I would only be cutting at the front. After the cut, these two layers are obviously no longer sewn together at that part, but I haven’t had any issues with anything moving around as most of it is still sewn together.
7. Insert the New Insole:
   • Place the trimmed insole into the clog. Adjust as needed to ensure it lies flat and fits snugly.
8. Test the Fit:
   • Put on the clogs and take a few steps to check the fit and comfort. If necessary, remove the insole and trim any areas that feel too snug.

By replacing the cork insole in your Birkenstock Lutry clogs with a wool or sheepskin insole, you’re transforming them into a more flexible, barefoot-friendly option. This simple modification supports natural foot function while maintaining the timeless style of your clogs. Give it a try and enjoy the freedom and comfort of your customized footwear!

Can you make the Birkenstock Boston Clogs barefoot?

While a skilled cobbler could technically remove the cork insole of the Birkenstock Boston to make it more flexible and barefoot-friendly, it’s a much more involved process than the Lutry clog. On a Boston clog (or even the Tokio), The cork footbed is glued directly to the outsole and provides much of the shoe’s structure. Removing it would mean carefully ungluing and scraping out the cork, which is time-consuming—and you’d still need to replace it with something that adds a bit of structure and fills the space.

That’s why the Lutry clog is so much easier for a DIY barefoot conversion: the cork insole isn’t glued in, and the suede upper wraps around the back of the heel, giving the shoe enough structure to swap in a thinner, more flexible insole.

Clogs from Barefoot Shoe Brands

If you’d rather opt directly for a clog from a barefoot shoe brand, check these out. I’ve created a more detailed review of barefoot clogs right here.

BEDROCK MOUNTAIN Clogs

Women’s US6 – Men’s US14 | $160 – $175

These are the durable, adventure-ready take on the everyday clog. With a wide toe box, zero drop, and a Vibram Megagrip sole, they strike a nice balance between barefoot functionality and all-terrain capability. You can wear them loose like a slip-on or use the strap for a more secure fit. They come in nubuck, suede, or synthetic suede uppers.

They’re a bit stiffer than your average barefoot shoe due to the thicker, heavily lugged sole, but still flexible enough to move naturally. They’re easy to throw on, but tough enough for just about anything. If you’ve been looking for a barefoot-friendly clog that actually performs outside, this is it.

BEDROCK clogs

REI

Be Flamboyant vegan clog

EU36 – 46 | $149 | KELLY10 for 10% off

Be Flamboyant is a Spanish brand that makes vegan barefoot shoes with a chunkier-looking sole. Most of their soles are just 5mm. These are the coziest barefoot clogs, lined with faux shearling. I wear the EU38, which is a great fit for me.

Be Flamboyant

MUKISHOES SOCA CLOGS

EU36 – 48 | €89 | Code KELLYMUKI for 10% off

This style is similar to the Boston—or technically, the Tokio, since it has a back strap—but with a much more minimal barefoot design. Both the upper and footbed are made of soft suede, plus a cork midsole that adds a touch of cushion. They pulled in a lot of great elements from the original Birk design, including adjustable buckles across the top of the foot and at the heel. I also appreciate the structured toe box—it helps the clog maintain its shape and gives your toes room to move. Read a full review here including fit and sizing tips.

Mukishoes soca

DRIFTER LEATHER SOLIS Clogs

EU36 – 42 | €130

Drifter Leather is a smaller barefoot shoe brand that periodically offers both ready-to-ship and custom-fitting barefoot shoes. These clogs use a 5mm Superflex Vibram sole that strike a great balance of cushioning, bounce, and flexibility. The leather uppers are low volume and start out a little stiff, so I’ve been needing to break them in both to soften them up and stretch them out.

Drifter leather

SaguarO SeRENE Mules

EU36 – 44 | $61 | KELLY15 for 15% off

These are backless, so technically mules rather than clogs. As with most of Saguaro’s lineup, they’re a more affordable option—which also means they use lower-cost materials, like the microfiber uppers you see here.

Saguaro

RuBY BAREFOOT

EU35 – 43 | $84 | KELLY35 for 35% off

These handmade leather barefoot clogs are crafted in Turkey and sold on Etsy. They run large, and the front panel offers less coverage than most clogs—it doesn’t extend as far over the top of the foot—so the fit is quite adjustable thanks to the long back strap. That said, I still have a lot of extra sole length in my EU37, and would size down to an EU36 for my 23.3cm feet next time.

Ruby

earthing harmony mules

EU6 – 15 | $135 | KELLY35 for 35% off

This is another convenient slip-on option, but it does compromise on some barefoot features—most notably, the lack of a back strap means the fit isn’t as secure. They feature leather uppers and a leather sole with a copper grounding plug. These leather soles start out quite slippery and need to be scuffed up for better traction, very similar to the Feelbarefoot Etsy brand.

earthing harmony

The post How to turn your Birkenstock Lutry Clogs into Barefoot Shoes appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

If you’ve been holding out to find the best deal on barefoot shoes, then let this list of the best Black Friday barefoot shoe sales be your guide!

While holiday sales may not be as heavily focused on the actual days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday anymore, many barefoot shoe companies still hold holiday sales around this time.

Here’s the link to the Barefoot Shoe Guide 2024 Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales Excel file . Since there are a lot of Black Friday barefoot shoe sales (yay!), this post can get cumbersome to scroll through, especially with so many different sale start and end dates. This Excel file is easy to sort and filter (best used on a desktop).

This post is focused on brands that are having a special promotion or sale during the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and holiday sales season. If a brand consistently offers a discount or coupon code throughout the year, you’ll find them on this post on Discount Codes for Barefoot Shoe Brands.

Many brands have an embargo date placed on releasing sales info (meaning you usually can’t share about them until they go live), so you may want to check out the 2023 Black Friday Sales for Barefoot Shoes blog post to see the dates and types of sales in prior year as they tend to be similar. I will update this 2024 post as the sales go live.

*Affiliate note: I am an affiliate for some of the brands on this list, so I make a small commission if you order using my link or discount code.

Adults | Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	Ahinsa	Nov 25 – Dec 2 Up to 40% off site wide		Shop Now
	Altra	Nov 29 – Dec 2 30% to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Barebarics	Oct 31 – Dec 2 Up to 50% off bestsellers		Shop Now
	BeLenka	Oct 31 – Dec 2 Up to 50% off		Shop Now
	Barefoot Pals	Nov 29 – Dec 2 20% off site wide Stack code KELLY10 for extra 10% off		Shop Now
	Bearfoot Shoes	Nov 29 15% off using code KELLY10		Shop Now
	Birchbury	Nov 22 – Dec 3 20% off site wide		Shop Now
	Bohempia	Nov 29 – Dec 2 20% off site wide with code GREENFRIDAY		Shop Now
	Carets	Nov 19 – Dec 3 18% off all orders <$300 with code 18BF2025; 23% off all orders >$300 with code 23BF2025		Shop Now
	Feelbarefoot	Starts Nov 24 Code KELLY50 for 50% off		Shop Now
	Feelgrounds	Nov 29 – Dec 2 20% off site wide, including already discounted items. Code KELLY5 stacks for extra 5% off		Shop Now
	Fleeters	Nov 29 – Dec 2 15% off site wide, 25% off previous collection Code KELLY stacks for extra 10% off		Shop Now
	Flux	Starts Nov 15 – Dec 2 30% off select colors		Shop Now
	Freet	Nov 22 – Dec 3 Up to 50% off		Shop Now
	Gaucho Ninja	Nov 29 – Dec 2 20% off site wide Stack code KELLY10 for extra 10% off		Shop Now
	Groundies	Nov 4 – Dec 2 Up to 50% off select shoes Code KELLY15 for 15% off non-sale shoes through Dec 8		Shop Now
	Groundz	Nov 27 – 29 20% off footwear with code FRIDAY20		Shop Now
	Lang.S/Tikki	Nov 24 – Dec 1 Up to 40% off		Shop Now
	Lems	Nov 18 – Dec 2 22% off most Lems styles 10% off new fall ’24 styles + non-Lems gear		Shop Now
	Lisbeth Joe	Starts Nov 26 15% off pre-order of new styles		Shop Now
	Luks Shoes	Nov 24 20% off everything		Shop Now
	Magical Shoes	Dec 2 – 4 15% off site wide		Shop Now
	Manitobah Mukluks	Nov 29 – Dec 2 Up to 30% off select styles		Shop Now
	Minnemals	Nov 27 – Dec 1 15% off new V2 shoes with code BF24		Shop Now
	Origo Shoes	Nov 15 – Dec 3 Up to 30% off		Shop Now
	PaperKrane	Nov 1 – Dec 2 Up to 40% off in-stock shoes		Shop Now
	Posh Panda	Nov 16 – Nov 27 Buy one get one 50% off		Shop Now
	Raum Goods	Nov 18 – Dec 3 25% off site wide. Use code GROUNDED25		Shop Now
	Realfoot	Nov 1 – 30 Up to 40% off; Stack code KELLY10		Shop Now
	REI	Nov 15 – 25 25% off all Xero Shoes 20% off full price shoes for REI Members (Xero, Bedrock, Altra)		Shop Now
	Ruby Workshop	Nov 1 – 30 40% off on Etsy. 40% off on Ruby website with discount code KELLY40		Shop Now
	Saguaro Shoes	Nov 15 – Dec 2 Up to 35% off select shoes; Code KELLY15 for full-price styles		Shop Now
	Shapen Barefoot	Nov 18 – Dec 2 Up to 40% off Stack code BFSHOEGUIDE5 for 5% off		Shop Now
	Skinners	Starts Nov 21 20% off site wide with code BLACK20		Shop Now
	Softstar	Nov 13 – Dec 2 Up to $50 off select adult styles		Shop Now
	Splay Shoes	Nov 21 – Dec 1 Buy one get one 50% off		Shop Now
	Tadeevo	Nov 21 – Dec 1 Up to 20% off		Shop Now
	Tolos	Nov 21 – Dec 1 Shoes on sale for $99 Code KELLY10 for extra 10% off		Shop Now
	Unshoes	Nov 26 – Dec 2 25% off site wide with code BlkFri		Shop Now
	Vibram Five Fingers	Starts Nov 21 Up to 50% off		Shop Now
	Whitin	Nov 27 – Dec 2 20% off select styles on Amazon		Shop Now
	Wildling US	Nov 23 – 30 Up to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Wildling Intl	Nov 23 – 30 Up to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Wyde Footwear	Starts Nov 22 20% off with code BW20		Shop Now
	Xero Shoes	Nov 26 – Dec 3 50% off select styles; 10% off all Xero Shoes		Shop Now
	Zeazoo	Nov 25 – 29 25% off all shoes		Shop Now

Hiking Sandals | Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	Bedrock Sandals	Starts Nov 21 15% off select sandals + Accessories		Shop Now
	Deliberate Life Designs	Nov 29 – Dec 2 20% off all sandals with code 24BLKFRI		Shop Now
	Earth Runners	Nov 24 – Dec 8 20% to 30% depending on order size		Shop Now
	Luna Sandals	Nov 20 – Dec 2 20% off entire order		Shop Now
	Shamma Sandals	Nov 15 – Dec 4 25% off site wide (exclusions apply)		Shop Now
	Toetem Sandals	Nov 25 – Dec 1 20% off all Black Bear sandals		Shop Now
	Unshoes	Nov 26 – Dec 2 25% off site wide with code BlkFri		Shop Now
	ZuZu Sandals	Nov 17 – Dec 7 Up to 60% off Code KELLYBF2024 for a free pair of replacement straps with purchase of sandals		Shop Now

Kids | Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	BeLenka	Oct 31 – Nov 30 Up to 50% off		Shop Now
	Earth Runners	Nov 18 – 24 20% to 30% depending on order size		Shop Now
	Feelgrounds	Nov 29 – Dec 1 20% off site wide, including already discounted items. Early access on Nov 28 for newsletter subscribers Code KELLY5 stacks for extra 5% off		Shop Now
	Freet Shoes	Nov 22 – Dec 3 Up to 50% off Returns extended through end of January		Shop Now
	Jan & Jul	Nov 29 – Dec 2 20% off site wide		Shop Now
	Lex Barefoot Shoes	Nov 24 – 29 Up to 50% off shoes		Shop Now
	Little Love Bug Company	Nov 18 – 28 20% off all shoes (automically applied to cart)		Shop Now
	Magical Shoes	Dec 2 – 4 15% off site wide		Shop Now
	Merrell Bare Steps	Starts Nov 7 Up to 40% off		Shop Now
	Nui Organics	Nov 27 – Dec 2 40% off site wide		Shop Now
	Origo Shoes	Nov 15 – Dec 3 Up to 30% off		Shop Now
	PaperKrane	Nov 1 – Dec 2 Up to 40% off in-stock shoes		Shop Now
	Posh Panda	Nov 16 – 27 Buy one get one 50% off		Shop Now
	REI	Nov 15 – 25 Members save 20% on full-price item REI sells Xero Shoes, Altras, Vivobarefoot		Shop Now
	Reima	Nov 25 – Dec 1 25% off or more site wide Code BAREFOOT20 is stackable		Shop Now
	Shamma Sandals	Nov 15 – Dec 4 25% off site wide (exclusions apply)		Shop Now
	ShooShoos	Nov 22 – Dec 2 35% off site wide		Shop Now
	Skinners	Nov 21 – Dec 2 20% off site wide with code BLACK20		Shop Now
	Softstar	Nov 13 – Dec 2 Up to $50 off select adult styles		Shop Now
	Splay Shoes	Nov 21 – Dec 1 Buy one get one 50% off		Shop Now
	The Foot Buddy	Nov 24 – 30 40% off with code BLACKFRIYAY24		Shop Now
	Ten Little Shoes	Nov 1 – Dec 3 15% off $75+ with code “BLACKFRIDAY15”		Shop Now
	Tikki Shoes/Lang.S	Nov 24 – Dec 1 Up to 40% off		Shop Now
	Unshoes	Nov 26 – Dec 2 25% off site wide with code BlkFri		Shop Now
	Whitin	Nov 27 – Dec 2 20% off select styles		Shop Now
	Wildling US	Nov 23 – 30 Up to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Wildling Intl	Nov 23 – 30 Up to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Zeazoo	Nov 25 – 29 25% off all shoes		Shop Now

Socks

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	Creepers	Nov 29 New colorway drop Use code KELLY for 10% off		Shop Now
	Injinji Toe Socks	Nov 27 – Dec 2 Up to 50% off select styles		Shop Now
	Knitido+ Toe Socks	Starts Nov 18 40% off on 5 pairs of socks		Shop Now
	Luna Tabi Socks & Injini	Nov 29 – Dec 2 20% off entire order		Shop Now
	Maro Cotton Socks	Nov 25 – Dec 2 35% off all products using code BF35		Shop Now
	Nui Organic thick wool socks	Nov 27 – Dec 2 40% off site wide		Shop Now
	Realfoot	Nov 1 – 30 Up to 40% off. Stack code KELLY10		Shop Now
	Naboso Socks	Nov 27 – Dec 2 30% off socks		Shop Now
	Toesox	Nov 21 $11 Crew Grip Socks		Shop Now

Foot Health Gear

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	Barefoot Kids – Muffik Sensory Floor Mat	KELLY10 for 10% off		Shop Now
	Movemate	Nov 29 – Dec 6 15% off		Shop Now
	My Foot Function	Nov 22 – Dec 2 Up to 50% off foot health courses and tools		Shop Now
	Naboso Sensory Insoles + Recovery Tools	Nov 27 – Dec 2 30% off site wide		Shop Now
	Pranamat ECO	Nov 27 – Dec 2 15% to 25% off accupressure mats		Shop Now

Barefoot Shoe Retailers with Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales

Brands that will not have Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales

Many barefoot shoe brands are small businesses that try to maintain a consistent, sustainable business model, and therefore opt NOT to have large holiday sales. That’s not to say they never have sales, but they just don’t typically to align with holidays. For example, some barefoot shoe brands choose to offer a sale on pre-orders at the beginning of the winter season, and then often times discount for winter items at the end of the season. Evergreen discount codes are provided below where available. For the full list of my discount codes and an extensive list of barefoot shoes, see this post here.

Cool East Market, Canada

Have a question about a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale for barefoot shoes? Drop a comment below!

The post Black Friday Sales for Barefoot Shoes: 2024 appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

The Barefoot Shoe News Digest is a summary of the most important news, including new brands launching, often requested changes finally being made by a brand, or adding new sizing options.

My goal is for this to be a quick and easy place for you to check for any significant updates without trying to scroll through a social media page or sign up for a bunch of mailing lists. I’ll be periodically updating this post through the end of winter before starting a new page for spring/summer 2024.

Looking for holiday sales? Check out the best Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales in 2023 here.

When I first entered this barefoot shoe space, it was a pretty big deal to see a new brand launch or a new style being added. And while it’s still really exciting to see, new additions are happening more often and big changes are coming faster than ever. Even for someone who spends a lot of time dealing with barefoot shoes, it’s getting hard to keep up. Again, this post is focused on the most notable changes, not a list of every new style. To see the best of the new barefoot boot styles this season, see this post on the best everyday barefoot winter boots.

This post will keep it all organized so with just a quick check, you can see if there’s anything new you want to check out or if there’s any progress on a change you’ve been waiting on.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on one of them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Have a question about anything from sizing to finding a specific style to foot health? Join the Barefoot Shoe Guide Discussion Group on Facebook.

New Barefoot Shoe Brands launching

Ohne Project: This is one of the newest barefoot shoe brands that I’ve been looking forward to for a while. Yes, it’s another white sneaker, but they’re definitely not boring. Love the 80s vibe, and appreciate that they come with two insoles so you can adjust the cushion/volume. These are vegan made with corn leather uppers. Snag a pair at 10% off with code KELLY10.

For fit and sizing of Ohne Project barefoot shoes, they’re best for narrow to medium width. With the different insoles, they can accommodate low to higher volume. I have a higher instep, and I’m most comfortable without any of the insoles. I have an EU37, which feels a tiny bit short for my 23.3cm feet. If I were to order again, I’d go with an EU38 which is my usual size. I measured my insole, and it seems to run a little bit shorter than the size chart.

Minnemals: Athletic style minimalist shoe catering to beginners to the barefoot shoe space. 6mm sole with 3mm insole. Launching November 2023. Based in USA. $125 with free shipping and returns within the US. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off at Minnemals.

I found the sizing to run a little big in these. I’m wearing the women’s 7/7.5, and they’re about a half size (maybe even a full size too big for me). I typically wear an EU38 or US7.5 in most of my barefoot shoes based on a 23.3cm foot measurement.

Lex Barefoot: New barefoot kid’s shoe brand launching in Australia. Faux leather uppers with velcro to secure to make them easy to clean and easy to put on. Currently comes in sizes EU20 – 27. Sizes up to EU35 coming soon. Retail at $58. Use code KELLY for $5 off at Lex Barefoot Shoes.

Note that the initial shoes did have a small heel-to-toe drop, which they’re rectifying in their new models. Going forward, Lex shoes should be zero drop.

Brands making notable changes to existing designs

Wildling new sole: In October 2023, Wildling introduced “Resouled,” a new full coverage outsole. It was made for damp, wet and harsh weather conditions, as the gaps in the original sole aren’t ideal for these situations. These are currently available in Tann Resouled, with a vivid green canvas upper and a felted wool lining. Shop Wildling US | Shop Wildling International

Feelgrounds new sole: Feelgrounds is known for their incredible soft and flexible soles, but with that superior flexibility came at the price of shorter wear for some. They have replaced their TPE soles for rubber soles that are denser and more durable. These rubber soles were previously used for the children’s styles launching in Spring 2023. During our six month testing of the children’s soles, we experienced normal wear, but no extreme wear or cracking of the soles. Shipping on models with new rubber soles began in October 2023.

Shamma Sandals new elastic straps: Created the Numa design with elastic straps. This may not seem like a huge deal, but it means you can put on the sandals hands free. For those of you that are missing a sandal like a flip flop you can just slide into, the Numa is a great option. I took these on a trip to the beach and could easily slide them on while my hands were full of beach gear. Code BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE for 10% off.

Highly anticipated styles

Lems has a few good ones this season:

• Lems Boulder Boot Grip: The Lems Boulder Boot has long been one of the most popular minimalist boots out there, and the new Grip sole is a long-awaited upgrade. The Grip sole is designed to better handle wet, slippery and icy surfaces.
• Lems Kourt Grip: The minimalist casual shoe the Kourt also got upgraded to a slip-resistant sole. This is in response to those needing a non-slip barefoot shoe for work. The Lems Kourt Grip is made for those that work in areas like food service as the all-leather black uppers are easy to wipe clean, and the non-slip soles will give you extra traction even when there are spills on the floor.

Ten Little: Launched a minimalist toddler Chelsea boot and snow boot. You can read a full review of these new styles here here.

Barefoot Shoe Sales

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: This time of year has some of the biggest sales for barefoot shoes. Check out a comprehensive list of the best Black Friday sales for barefoot shoes here.

Special Vivobarefoot code: Vivo doesn’t have any Black Friday sales, but they have given me a boosted code to share with my followers for the month of December. Use code BSG20 for 20% off Vivobarefoot.

The post Barefoot Shoe News Digest: Fall and Winter 2023 appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

If you’ve been holding out to find the best deal on barefoot shoes, then let this list of the best Black Friday barefoot shoe sales be your guide!

While holiday sales may not be as heavily focused on the actual days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday anymore, many barefoot shoe companies still hold holiday sales around this time.

I’ll continue to update this post throughout November and December as barefoot shoe brands announce their sales.

This post is focused on brands that are having a special promotion or sale during the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and holiday sales season. If a brand consistently offers a discount or coupon code throughout the year, you’ll find them on this post on Discount Codes for Barefoot Shoe Brands.

As many brands have an embargo date placed on releasing sales info (meaning you usually can’t share about them until they go live), you may want to check out the 2022 Black Friday Sales for Barefoot Shoes blog post to see the dates and types of sales in prior year as they tend to be similar. This post is pre-populated with sales information from prior year, and will be updated once the 2023 barefoot shoes sale for that brand goes live.

Barefoot Shoe Sales Excel File: Since there are a lot of Black Friday barefoot shoe sales (yay!), this list can get kind of cumbersome to scroll through. Especially with so many different start and end dates for each of the brands and retailers. Based on my IG story poll, you guys said you’d find an Excel file easier to sort/filter. Here’s the link to the Barefoot Shoe Guide 2023 Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales Excel file.

Table of Contents:

I. Adults

II. Sandals

III. Kids

IV. Socks and Accessories

V. Brands not having a Black Friday Sale

*Affiliate note: I am an affiliate for some of the brands on this list, so I make a small commission if you order using my link or discount code.

Adults | Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	Ahinsa	Nov 20 -27 30% off select styles		Shop Now
	Altra	Nov 24 – Dec 3 Up to 50% off top styles		Shop Now
	Barebarics	Nov 8 – 27 Up to 40% off bestsellers Stackable with code KELLY5 for additional 5% off		Shop Now
	BeLenka	Nov 8 – 27 Up to 40% off bestsellers Stackable with code KELLY5 for additional 5% off		Shop Now
	Barefoot Pals	Nov 24 – Dec 1 20% off in-stock items with code BLACKFRIDAY23		Shop Now
	Birchbury	Nov 24 – 28 Up to 25% off select shoes		Shop Now
	Bohempia	Nov 22 – 27 20% off with code GREENFRIDAY		Shop Now
	Carets	Nov 24 – 28 20% off orders $200+ with code 2023BF20 15% of all orders with code 2023BF15 Classic men’s dress shoes with a false heel and pointed toe		Shop Now
	Feelbarefoot	Nov 1 – Dec 31 40% off with code KELLY40		Shop Now
	Feelgrounds	Nov 24 – 28 20% off all shoes (includes already discounted shoes for total discount of 36%) Sign up for their email list for early access 24 hours before		Shop Now
	Fleeters	Nov 24 – 27 15% off shoes 2% of proceeds go to 1% for the Planet		Shop Now
	Flux Footwear	Starts Nov 22 BOGO 50% off with code BFCM23		Shop Now
	Freet Barefoot	Nov 17 – 30 Up to 50% off select styles Code KELLY stacks for extra 10% off sale		Shop Now
	Groundies	Nov 13 – 30 Up to 50% off select styles Get 5% off on full-priced shoes when you bundle with discounted styles.		Shop Now
	Groundz	Nov 23 – 26 15% off select styles		Shop Now
	Lems	Sale EXTENDED thru DEC 1 25% off most styles New Fall 2023 styles 10% off (including Boulder Boot Grip, Telluride Boots, Kourt Grip)		Shop Now
	Lisbeth Joe	Nov 13 – 30 Up to 60% off Code KELLY for extra 5% off		Shop Now
	Luks Shoes	Nov 9 – 30 15% off site wide		Shop Now
	Magical Shoes	Nov 24 – 26 Up to 30% off Most shoes 15% off; exercise equip 20% off		Shop Now
	Manitobah Mukluks	Starts Nov 17 Up to 60% off		Shop Now
	Origo Shoes	Nov 17 – 28 15% to 25% off site wide		Shop Now
	PaperKrane	Nov 24 – 30 Up to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Posh Panda	Nov 20 – 27 BOGO 50% off all shoes		Shop Now
	Raum Goods	Nov 22 – 27 20% off site wide + free shipping with code BEGRATEFUL		Shop Now
	Realfoot	Nov 8 – 15 20% off sneakers		Shop Now
	REI	Nov 10 – 20 Members save 20% on both a full-price item REI sells Altras, Xero Shoes, Vivobarefoot		Shop Now
	Ruby Workshop	Nov 1 – 30 30% off on Etsy		Shop Now
	Saguaro Shoes	Nov 15 – 27 Up to 58% off Code KELLY15 for 15% off non-sale styles		Shop Now
	Shapen Barefoot	Nov 20 – 27 Up to 40% off Code BF2023-15 for an extra 15% off sale prices		Shop Now
	Skinners	Starts Nov 13 20% off		Shop Now
	Softstar	Nov 17 – 28 Up to $40 off Select Adult Styles 15% off gift cards over $100		Shop Now
	Splay Shoes	Nov 22 – 28 Buy One Get One 40% off		Shop Now
	Tadeevo	Nov 20 – 27 10% discount code: BLACK		Shop Now
	Tolos	Nov 24 – 28 Archetype 2.0 just launched! 25% off remaining version 1.0s. Stack with code KELLY10 for extra 10% off		Shop Now
	Unshoes	Nov 24 – 27 Up to 35% off		Shop Now
	Vibram Five Fingers	Nov 22 – 27 50% off select styles		Shop Now
	Wildling US	Nov 23 – 26 Select styles on sale up to 30% off Subscribe to Wildling newsletter for access 24 hours early		Shop Now
	Wildling Intl	Nov 23 – 26 Select styles on sale up to 30% off Subscribe to Wildling newsletter for access 24 hours early		Shop Now
	Xero Shoes	Starts Nov 7 Up to 70% off Shop early as they plan on selling out of styles!		Shop Now
	Zeazoo	Nov 17 – 24 25% off with code BF2023		Shop Now

Sandals | Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	Bedrock Sandals	Starts Nov 8 30% off close-out sale on Cairn Sandals 20% off accessories		Shop Now
	Deliberate Life Designs	Nov 24 – 27 15% off Alchemy and Perception sandals		Shop Now
	Earth Runners	Nov 24 – Dec 3 Up to 30% off		Shop Now
	Luna Sandals	Nov 24 – 27 25% off everything		Shop Now
	Shamma Sandals	Nov 13 – 28 20% off sandals (excluding Numa and boot)		Shop Now
	Toetem Sandals	Nov 20 -30 30% – 50% off everything Code KELLY5 for additional 5% off		Shop Now
	Unshoes	Nov 24 – 27 Up to 35% off		Shop Now
	ZuZu Sandals	Nov 17 – Dec 30 Up to 50% off select styles		Shop Now

Kids | Black Friday Barefoot Shoe Sales

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	BeLenka	Nov 8 -30 Up to 40% off Some styles extra 5% off with code KELLY5		Shop Now
	Earth Runners	Nov 24 – Dec 3 Up to 30% off		Shop Now
	Freet Shoes	Nov 17 – 30 Up to 50% off select styles Code KELLY stacks for extra 10% off sale		Shop Now
	Jack & Lily	To be updated when live Select styles $15.99		Shop Now
	Jan & Jul	Nov 24 – 27 20% of purchase of $100 or more See kids insulated boot linked for minimalist option		Shop Now
	Lex Barefoot Shoes	Started Nov 11 50% off Early Bird Black Friday Sale		Shop Now
	Little Love Bug Company	Starts Nov 18 35% off site wide (except Holiday Collection)		Shop Now
	Magical Shoes	Nov 14 – 26 Up to 30% off Most shoes 15% off; exercise equip 20% off		Shop Now
	Nui Organics	Starts Nov 18 25% off wool socks and slippers		Shop Now
	Origo Shoes	Nov 17 – 28 15% to 25% off site wide
	PaperKrane	Nov 24 – 30 Up to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Posh Panda	Nov 20 – 27 BOGO 50% off		Shop Now
	REI	Nov 10 – 20 Members save 20% on full-price item REI sells Xero Shoes, Altras, Vivobarefoot		Shop Now
	Reima	Nov 23 – 26 20% off orders up to $199; 25% off orders $200+ Code Barefoot20 for extra 20% off (makes these sneakers $38)		Shop Now
	Shamma Sandals	Nov 13 – 28 20% off sandals (excluding Numa and boots)		Shop Now
	ShooShoos	Nov 23 – 28 30% – 35% off site-wide Prewalker soft-soled moccasins and slippers (other shoes are not barefoot)		Shop Now
	Skinners	Starts Nov 13 25% off and free shipping		Shop Now
	Softstar	Nov 17 – 28 10% off gift cards over $100		Shop Now
	Splay Shoes	Nov 22 – 28 Buy One Get One 40% off		Shop Now
	The Foot Buddy	Nov 17 – 30 10 – 15% off site wide Code KELLY15 stacked for extra 15% off		Shop Now
	Ten Little Shoes	Starts Nov 7 JOY10 for 10% off $100+ JOY15 for 15% off $150+ JOY25 for 25% off $250+		Shop Now
	Tikki Shoes	Nov 10 – 26 Up to 40% off select styles		Shop Now
	Unshoes	Nov 24 – 27 Up to 35% off		Shop Now
	Wildling US	Nov 23 – 26 Select styles on sale up to 30% off Subscribe to Wildling newsletter for access 24 hours early		Shop Now
	Wildling Intl	Nov 23 – 26 Select styles on sale up to 30% off Subscribe to Wildling newsletter for access 24 hours early		Shop Now
	Zeazoo	Nov 17 – 24 25% off with code BF2023		Shop Now

Socks and Accessories

	BRAND	SALE INFO
	Barefoot Kids – Muffik Sensory Floor Mat	KELLY10 for 10% off		Shop Now
	Injinji Toe Socks	Nov 7 – Dec 31 Different sales throughout the rest of the year Best sales available exclusively to Injinji’s newsletter subscribers		Shop Now
	Knitido+ Toe Socks	Nov 11 – 28 40% off with minimum purchase of 5 items (no code needed) 20% off with code KELLY20 for less than 5 items		Shop Now
	Luna Sandals Tabi Socks & Injini	Nov 24 – 27 25% off everything		Shop Now
	Naboso Sensory Insoles + Recovery Tools	Nov 22 – 27 25% off and free shipping		Shop Now
	Pranamat ECO	Nov 1 – 30 25% off with code kellybsg		Shop Now
	Toesox	Nov 22-29 30% off site wide with code HOLIDAY		Shop Now
	The Foot Collective	To be updated when live		Shop Now
	Nui Organic thick wool socks	Starts Nov 18 25% off wool socks		Shop Now

Barefoot Shoe Retailers with Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales

Pedterra | USA | Starts Nov 23 | 15% off with code GIVETHANKS (discount appears automatically at checkout)

Cool East Market | Canada | Select styles on clearance

Barefoot Junkie (Vibrams) | UK

Happy Little Soles | UK | Nov 23 – 30 | 30% off select styles

Mugavik | EU | Nov 24 only | 10% off full price shoes; Extra 15% off sale

Go Free Concepts | EU | Nov 17 – 27 | Select styles on sale

Naboso | EU | Nov 19 – 26 | Select styles on sale; many 10 – 50% off including Angles and Crave

Xero Shoes EU | EU | Up to 70% off

bprimal | Australia | Up to 40% off store wide

ShoesVB | Australia | 20 – 60% off site wide

Sole Mechanics AU | Australia | 20 – 50% off site wide

Xero Shoes AU | Australia | Up to 70% off

Brands that don’t typically have Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales

Many barefoot shoe brands are small businesses that try to maintain a consistent, sustainable business model, and therefore opt NOT to have large holiday sales. That’s not to say they never have sales, but they just don’t typically to align with holidays. For example, some barefoot shoe brands choose to offer a sale on pre-orders at the beginning of the winter season, and then often times discount for winter items at the end of the season. Evergreen discount codes are provided below where available. For the full list of my discount codes and an extensive list of barefoot shoes, see this post here.

Mukishoes – Mukishoes clarified that they are not having a Black Friday sale, but they do have a clearance for last pairs of discontinued styles. Use code KELLYMUKI for 10% off all current styles.

Vivobarefoot – code KELLY10 for 10% off throughout the year. For December 2023, I have a special code for my followers to get 20% off — code KELLY20.

Zami – Online barefoot shoe retailer based in Spain

Zapato Feroz

Zaqq Barefoot

Have a question about a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale for barefoot shoes? Drop a comment below!

The post Best Black Friday Barefoot Shoes Sales in 2023 appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

There are barefoot shoes, and then there are Wildling barefoot shoes. Wildling has created a brand that extends beyond the basics of a wide toe box and a thin, flat and flexible sole. They’re trying to embody something more than the freedom of movement their shoes offer. It’s also about the care, consideration, and connection to your surroundings. Wildling is doing this, yes, with the design of the shoe, but also with sustainable, natural materials and processes. 

According to Wildling, their company is about “finding new trails to create a positive impact while bringing RE:GENERATION closer together – one minimal step at a time.” 

Let’s dive right into this Wildling shoes review and learn all about this innovative barefoot shoe brand. 

About the Brand: Wildling Shoes 

Back in 2013, Anna and Ran were making a big move—from Israel to Germany. As they settled into the colder climate, their 3 children were no longer as comfortable running around barefoot for most of the year. And when the couple couldn’t find shoes for their kids that met their requirements for freedom of movement, sustainable materials, and fair production, they decided to create their own shoe brand. 

It’s been almost a decade since those first discussions on what a healthy, sustainable barefoot shoe brand would look like, and Wildling is now one of the most popular barefoot shoe brands. It was also one of my first experiences with barefoot shoes, so I’ve had the privilege of enjoying Wildling shoes for a number of years and watching the company grow. 

Wildling continues to design and manufacture its barefoot shoes for both children and adults with those 3 requirements in mind. 

Brand Basics 

Wildling has two separate websites: the original international website, and the USA website. 

If you’re based in the US, shop at Wildling Shoes USA. Prices are listed in USD and use US sizing. If you’re based in any other country, head to the international Wildling website. 

• Pricing: Adults: $100 – $170 | Kids: $80 – $100 | Toddlers: $70 – $90 
• Free Shipping Codes for first-time customers: AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE
• Delivery fees: Free over 200 USD/EUR | Starting at $9.90 for deliver to US for orders under $200 
• Sizes: Toddler through Adult (EU18 – EU48; US Toddler 3 – US Men’s 13.5) 
• Shoe styles: casual lace up/sneakers, high-tops, boots, sandals, slip-ons, slippers 

Are Wildlings barefoot shoes? 

100% Yes. If I put Wildling on a barefoot shoes scale of 1 being a pointed high heel and 10 being a barefoot shoes with a foot-shaped toe box and a thin, flat and flexible sole, Wildlings would most definitely be a 10.  

As one of the three founding requirements of Wildling is freedom of movement, Wildling shoes are likely the lightest and most flexible shoes you’ll find. They protect your feet to keep them clean, warm and comfortable, but interfere with your movement as little as possible.  

Wildling shoes are based on the anatomical shape of the foot, which means the toe box is wide, giving feet plenty of room to naturally move. The soles are thin and flat, with most shoes featuring a 2.5mm to 3.5mm sole made from recycled rubber and cork. You can easily feel the ground beneath your feet, creating a greater sensory connection to the world around you. 

Wildling Shoes Pros and Cons

Who should buy Wildling Shoes? 

Wildling shoes are best for those that are looking for an extremely minimal shoe, almost working as a second skin.  

It aligns with those that prioritize sustainability and ethical manufacturing in their purchasing decision. Wildling is a certified B Corp. Their goal is to be a regenerative company. To them that means making a positive impact in all levels of their business, including their production partners, the innovative materials used that focus on regenerative cultivation, and supporting renaturation projects. 

Materials, Design and Production 

Upper Materials: Natural, sustainable materials including wool, cotton, hemp. Most materials are vegan (no leather), but many of the winter models do include wool  

Model Designs: Laces or Elastic Laces, slip-ons, or velcro for Feather sandals only 

Most of the Wildling designs are laced up, except a slip on style, a slipper, and the Feather sandal. The kid’s sizes use elastic laces that cinch tight. This makes it easy for a child to get on and off, even if they’re not comfortable tying their own shoes yet. It’s also great for older kids who don’t love the velcro look.  

The shoes are designed in Germany and handmade in Portugal. Wildling sets itself apart from most other shoe retailers with the materials it uses and commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

By manufacturing close by, Wildling not only reduces its environmental impact, but has more transparency into the process and can ensure that its shoes are being sustainably and ethically made.

In another effort to create incredibly comfortable shoes that also have a minimal impact on the environment, the uppers are made from soft and flexible natural materials. I’ve included a basic list of some of the materials for the uppers, but what that doesn’t capture is how thoughtful and innovative they are with those specific materials. For example, the Nittugo is a single piece of a knitted merino blend textile, so there are no seams. The summer Tanukis are made from a super strong and lightweight Japanese Washi paper blend. Many of the materials are organic or recycled and created in a way to save resources or make a better product. 

You can find the product and material information for each Wildling Shoes style on their respective page on the website. 

Wildling Sole Design

Wildling features two sole designs. The original Wildling sole is a unique design with a gap in the middle. This is part of what makes the sole so flexible. The sole is about 2.5mm thick (or thin would be more accurate), and is made from mostly rubber and recycled cork. There is a waterproof material to fill the gap so water doesn’t soak through. The toddler outsole does not have a gap as shown below.  

In October 2023, Wildling introduced “Resouled,” a new full coverage outsole. It was made for damp, wet and harsh weather conditions, as the gaps in the original sole aren’t ideal for these situations. Any shoe with “Resouled” in the name will feature this new design.

Durability and Longevity 

My son has been consistently wearing Wildlings for about four years, and they’ve been one of his favorite shoes. Last year, he wore his winter pair most days for about 5 months. They were showing their wear at the end, mostly with the front toe portion of the sole starting to separate from the uppers. For us, they lasted a full season of active wear from a kid, which I feel is pretty reasonable for a shoe that is as minimal and as flexible as Wildings are. 

I’ve talked with others that have also experienced the sole separating from the uppers, especially at the big toe. For us, this hasn’t impacted functionality. Some people choose to re-glue it; it was not so much of an issue for us that we’ve usually just left as is. 

Most of my son’s Wildling shoes are in decent enough play condition after he’s grown out of them that I’m holding onto them for my second child.  

With all of that said, Wildlings are more on the delicate end of the spectrum when it comes to shoes. If you (or your child) are rougher on shoes, then they may not last as long for you.  

Wildlings do tend to have good resale value, so this is something to consider when you’re calculating affordability. Overall, I’d say Wildlings do well for regular, everyday use. 

Wildling Shoes Review 

Now that you’ve gotten to know Wildling as a brand, let’s talk about some of the specific shoe styles in this Wildling Shoes review! Wildling has an Essentials collection that is available year-round. This features many of their most popular models. The Essentials include both warm weather styles for spring and summer and cold weather styles for fall and winter.  

In addition to the Essentials collection, Wildling releases two seasonal collections per year. Each collection typically has two drop dates. For example, in the fall, a handful of cold weather models are released in September, with a second drop in October. 

While all these shoes are in Wildling’s signature style and design, there will be changes in fabrics, colors and details. They do sometimes bring back previous models (find them as Refoxed models). Often they’ll make updates and improvements to the model, so it’s slightly different from prior years.  

Wildling Essentials Collection 

Let’s start off with the Wildling Essentials Collection. These are sustainably made, minimalist shoes you can order from the Wildling website year-round. Some of my favorites are included in this collection, which means you don’t have to wait for a special launch date! As these are meant to be Essentials, they come in neutral colors of white, black, blue, grey and brown. For all the really fun, bold colors, look to Wildling’s seasonal collections. 

Nittugo | Stretchy Merino Wool Knit

These may be one of my favorite Wildling shoes! The stretchy, merino blend knit fabric is made to have a tighter fit, to feel like a second skin. These shoes are super breathable, super lightweight, and easy to wear without socks. Comes in kids – adult sizes. The Nittugo now also comes in black.

Tanuki | Japanese Washi Paper

These are a super lightweight, breathable summer shoe made from Japanese Washi Paper. The material is so cool! The essentials come in white, black and blue, but they have new colors every summer. I find these to a smaller, tighter fit. 

Feather Sandals | Microfiber

The Feather sandal comes in toddler through adult sizes. Like all Wildling shoes, these sandals feature a super flexible 2.5mm sole. The uppers are soft microfiber and secure with velcro. These run small, so it may be best to first consult the Wildling size chart, and then size up from there.   

Arni | Cotton

This cotton high-top has a denim look and water-resistant weave that make these shoes perfect for transition weather (or even year-round).  

Chestnut | Wool + Hemp with wool lining

We loved this winter style from last year, so I was glad to see stay. The uppers are a rich brown-blue weave made from wool and hemp. It’s neutral, but not boring. The Chestnut style also has a membrane plus felted wool lining. Comes in toddler – adult sizes. 

North Wolf

This is Wildling’s warmest model, with a 100% wool upper with a high cut, polyester membrane, and felted wool lining. Comes in toddler – adult sizes. 

Spring and Summer Wildling Shoes

The new spring and summer Wildling styles are starting to drop in February 2024. We have some new styles along with someremixes of old favorites.

Pegasus Resouled | Cotton

As this is one of the earlier releases for the new spring and summer 2024 collection, it’s meant for those cooler and often wetter months when winter is over, but the warm weather of summer isn’t quite here. The Pegasus is a mid-cut barefoot shoe featuring a tightly woven cotton canvas in a beautiful sky blue color, and an integrated polyester membrane. If you do plan on wearing these in wet weather, I also recommend adding a water-repellant treatment to the canvas.

This is the second shoe to feature Wildling’s new full coverage sole, again making it better to wear during rainy or cold weather. Due to the sole, I do find this style one of the roomiest around the toes, both in width and volume. I previously tried the Tann Resouled (with the same sole design) in winter, but it didn’t have quite as much space available due to the thicker wool lining.

Dormouse Refoxed

The Dormouse is another midcut style with a linen and hemp canvas upper. The “Refoxed” in the title means that Wildling previously released a style in the same material. I have a low-cut version of the Dormouse from several years ago–they were my first pair of Wildlings. I love the subtle texture of these shoes and the soft gray color.

Nittugo black

The popular Nittugo has finally been released in a new color — all black.

Fall and Winter Wildling Shoes 

The Winter lineup of Wildling shoes uses warm, natural materials like wool or tightly woven cotton canvas for the uppers.  All winter models feature an integrated polyester membrane that helps protect against moisture. The transitional weather models typically have a cotton lining, while the warmest models have a felted wool lining. 

Wool is a natural insulator and water repellent, which makes it ideal for both an outer material on a winter shoe and as an inner lining.  

Some Wildling shoes have a waterproofing treatement pre-applied, while others do not. This information is included in the Care section for each style. To make your Wildling shoes more winter-proof and water-repellant, you can apply a waterproofing product. Wildling provides product recommendations in the same Care section for each of its styles. It can also be a good idea to regularly reapply a waterproofing treatment throughout the season.  

This “Pearl Moisture Protection product is recommended for shoes with Wool uppers, while this Waterproofing spray is recommended for the cotton uppers. Note that these Wildling products are only available on the International Wildling website.

We’ve found our Wildlings great for moderate winter weather, including occasional light rain or snow. We typically opt for something heavier duty if we’re going to be outdoors in very wet or snowy weather. 

Koselig Slip-on Boots | Wool uppers and wool lining

Wildling just dropped their new winter 2025 collection, and the star of the show for me is the Koselig. The name literally means “cozy” in Norwegian—and they live up to it with their soft wool uppers and extra fluffy wool lining.

Wildling sized these up to account for the lining, so I stuck with my usual EU38 and they fit perfectly. (See the side-by-side comparison below with an unlined pair.) These come in both adult and child sizes.

Tejo

The Tejo comes in blue and caramel, and is probably my favorite of the new 2023 Wildling Winter Shoes. It’s made from extra-densely woven recycled cotton, has an integrated membrane, and lined with wool. It’s a great combo to keep your feet warm and dry. Plus, the extra hardware on the eyelets and the contrasting colors on the tongue and heel give these a nice pop. Comes in toddler – adult sizes. 

Serra Black

When you want an all black combat boot, but Wildling’s verison. The twill uppers on the Serra black are water-resistant, coupled with a polyester membrane. The lining and insole are a hemp flax fleece, which adds some warmth, but doesn’t make them too warm to wear in spring and fall.

Bruklin Chelsea Boots

The Bruklin is a brand new style from Wildling in 2024. The uppers are made from a blend of hemp and wool. These Chelsea boots feature Wildlings newer shell sole that are better for wet weather thanks to the taller sidewalls. Though these are not vegan, they do not feature any leather.  These do not come with a separate insole, but you can order a wool one from Wildling to help with warmth and adjust the volume and cushion. I found these to run true to size. I wear a size EU 38 for my 23.3cm foot measurement. Wildling also has a printable fit kit to help you get the right size.

Atmo and Vigor | Cotton

These brightly colored mid-cut styles use an organic cotton or cotton-blend upper, integrated membrane and cotton lining. These styles are great for the transitional weather in fall and spring, or if you have very mild winters.  The Atmo come in Paprika (red featured below) and black. Vigor is available in golden yellow.

Douro: The Douro is a wool-on-wool style. The uppers 100% felted wool with a wool lining. 

Ciclo: This is a low-top style, made with wool uppers and lining. If you’re feet are always getting cold but you don’t necessarily need a high-top, these Ciclo could be a great option.   

Slippers

Wildling has two cozy wool slippers with rubber soles.

Lotus Slippers: $59 – $99  | Felted wool uppers and Wildling’s thin and flexible rubber sole with a higher top. Shop Wildling US or Wildling International.

Nelus Slippers: These are the low-top version (pictured below), also using the same felted wool and rubber soles as the Lotus slippers. I like that these are more “slip-on,” but with too loose of a fit on these, they do become floppy. I wear these in my typical Wildling size of EU38 plus thicker socks for a secure fit. If you plan to wear without socks, you may want to size down. I have seen some people have issues with the sole unstitching from the uppers, but I’ve been wearing mine often for a year, and they’ve held up really well.

Ranidae Rain Boots

The Wildling Ranidae is the barefoot rain boot we’ve all been waiting for—lightweight, flexible, and actually fun to wear. Unlike stiff, clunky rubber boots, Ranidae moves with you, letting your feet bend and flex naturally while keeping water out. These rubber rain boots have the ultimate barefoot feel we’ve come to expect from Wildling shoes.

The deep-tread sole gives extra grip on slick surfaces, whether you’re splashing through puddles, wandering muddy trails, or just tackling a rainy day in the city. It comes in toddler through adult sizes, with plenty of toe space for a natural fit that doesn’t feel bulky. Made in Italy from vegan, water-repellent SEBS material, the Ranidae is a fresh take on rain boots—because wet weather shouldn’t mean compromising on foot freedom. 

Fit and sizing: Designed for year-round wear, the Rainidae boots have room for warm socks in winter but still breathes in warmer weather. If you’re already familiar with Wildling, you’ll find these boots much wider in the toe box than their regular models. I opted for the EU38 based on my 23.3cm foot length, which is my usually size in Wildling shoes. They are a great fit length wise, but a bit roomy in the heel (I have a narrower heel). With thin socks, I’ll probably need to add a heel grip for a more secure fit. However, paired with the new Wildling Calora thicker knit wool socks, they’re a perfect fit. My 3-year-old also got the boots in the same size as the Wildling shoes he’s been wearing all winter, and they’re also a great fit with the wool socks. Hopefully that means he’ll have a little space to grow and continue to wear them through spring and summer with thinner socks.

Fit and Sizing 

Wildling shoes have more of a square toe box shape with a slope towards the pinky toe. Fit and sizing will vary depending on the model and on personal preference, but they are generally best for narrow to medium width feet. I have medium width feet, and Wildlings are one of the narrower shoes that I own.  

If you have wider feet, you can try sizing up to accommodate your width. Many people who classify their feet as wide or extra wide find they do not have enough space in these shoes. 

If you have lower volume feet, you can add an extra insole to take up more space (they sell insoles on their website). The Nittugo are one of the narrower, lower volume options. I find the cotton canvas models to be the wider, higher volume options.  

To determine the best size for you, check out the printable FitKits or the size chart. Like I mentioned above, sizing is highly personal and depends on a number of things, like foot length, shape and volume.  

For reference: 

• My foot measurement is 23.3cm, and the size chart recommends an EU37. I prefer a little bit more room in my shoes (about 12mm), so typically opt for an EU38 in Wildling shoes and most other barefoot shoes. 
• Aaron’s foot measurement is 26.8cm, and typically wears an EU44, including his Wildling shoes. 

If you plan to wear thick socks with your shoes, make sure to wear those socks while measuring. Read more tips on how to measure your feet for barefoot shoes here.

Sizing Option A: Printable FitKit 

The easiest way to determine your correct Wildling size is to use the printable FitKits. There are four options—for toddlers, kids, growing feet, and adult feet. Ensure your scale is set to 100% to get an accurate printing. By place your foot on the printable guide, mark the longest point to determine your size. These guides already include the extra space. 

Sizing Option B: Measure Feet and Compare to Size Chart 

Wildling also has a size chart. Note that the size chart does NOT list the actual insole sizes, but a recommendation based on your foot size. This recommendation includes about 8mm of rolling room. 

As a reference, my foot measurement is 23.3cm, and the size chart recommends an EU37. I prefer a little bit more room in my shoes (about 12mm), so typically opt for an EU38. 

If you plan to wear thick socks with your shoes, make sure to wear those socks while measuring. Read more tips on how to measure your feet for barefoot shoes here. 

Ordering, Shipping and Returns 

Wildling has two separate websites: the original international website, and the USA website. 

If you’re based in the US, shop at Wildling Shoes USA. Prices are listed in USD and use US sizing. If you’re based in any other country, head to the international Wildling website. 

Wilding offers worldwide shipping. Shipping is free on orders over $200. If you’re a first-time customer, you can use the following code for free shipping on any order: AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

Returns for first-time customers are free. If you’re a return customer or your order is under $200, express shipping to the US starts at $9.90. 

Third-party Retailers 

Wildling Shoes can currently only be purchased on the two Wildling websites. As of 2023, they do not sell through any third-party online retailers.  

Physical Stores 

Wildling has several physical showrooms located in Germany where you can try on their shoes. They currently have showrooms in Berlin, Cologne and Engelskirchen. You can find up-to-date hours and info here.  

If you’re looking for Wildling Shoes in the USA, keep an eye out for pop-ups. So far, they’ve held several pop-ups in the San Francisco Bay Area over summer 2023. The dates/locations were announced on the Wildling Shoes Instagram. During these pop-ups, they had models to test and try-on, as well as stock available for purchase (isn’t that a barefoot shoe lovers dream—being able to try before you buy and not pay a fortune in shipping?!?) 

Wildling Accessories 

Wildling sells extra insoles (including wool insoles for additional warmth), laces, and shoe care products, like waterproofing spray and cleaning kits. 

Sales for Wildling Shoes 

As sustainability is one of the brand’s three main pillars, they try to keep overstock at a minimum. This means styles can sell out before the season is over. So, if there is a color you love, it’s best to get it early! This also means sales are rare for Wildling. They do not hold any holiday-related sales, like a Black Friday sale (see here if you want a list of brands that do offer Black Friday sales).  

Wildling goes on occasion offer sales at the end of the season if they have remaining stock leftover. These sales are typically around 20%, though they did offer a 30% discount for a single weekend at the end of this summer. For up-to-date sales, check out the barefoot shoe sale page. 

Do you have a Wildling coupon code or discount code?

Wildling does not offer additional percentage discounts through personalized coupon codes or discount codes.

I do have the following code for free shipping on any order: AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

Wildling does offer a group discount of 20% whenever 5 or more pairs of Wildling shoes are purchased as part of the same order. No code is necessary for this group discount; it will be automatically applied at checkout on the Wildling website. So gather your friends and get a group order together!

If you want to get a better deal on Wildling Shoes, resell groups of Facebook are a great place to check. Wildling Shoes have a strong following and seem to retain their value well. The pro for this is that you can resell a gently used pair for close to retail value (say you got a pair and realized it just didn’t fit your style or wardrobe). The con is that these used options aren’t usually super discounted, though it does depend on the condition.  

Find the Wildling B/S/T Facebook group here. 

Have any other questions that weren’t answered in this Wildling Shoes review? Drop it below! Or check out my Facebook group to chat with others and get answers.

The post Wildling Barefoot Shoes Review – the lightest, most flexible shoes ever  appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

With summer around the corner, hopefully it means more barefoot time at the beach, by the lake, or hanging around the pool. But for all the in between times, this Barefoot Shoe Guide will help you find a great barefoot sandal for kids. This post is split out into three different categories: 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on one of them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Here’s what we looked for to find the best summer sandals

1 Wide, foot-shaped Toe Box – Look for sandals that fit the natural shape of the foot. Most conventional shoes taper in the toe box, which squishes the toes together. Feet are widest at the toes, and shoes should reflect that.  

2 Flat aka zero-drop — There shouldn’t be any heel-to-toe drop. A flat shoe allows a child to stand in a natural, neutral position.   

3 Thin, Flexible Soles – Soles should provide protection, but still allow for a sensory connection to the ground beneath and easy movement. 

4 Securely attach to the foot – A lot of kid’s sandals are notoriously floppy. A healthy kid’s sandal should have enough straps in the right place to attach securely to their foot so it doesn’t flop off and slide around. A loose shoe can lead to tripping, twisted ankles, or toe gripping (which can eventually lead to hammer toes). It helps if there are some kind of adjustable straps as feet vary in shape and volume.  

Prevention is easier than remediation 

One reason I’m passionate about starting off kids in barefoot shoes and sandals is that prevention is so much easier than remediation. When kids wear healthy, barefoot shoes that respect their foot anatomy and allow a natural walking gait, they are much less likely to have to deal with many of the foot and body issues associated with modern footwear. Bunions, hammer toes, ingrown toenails, gait issues and plantar fascia pain are too common and mostly preventable.  

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on one of them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Best Barefoot Sandals for Kids 

Barefoot Casual Sandals for Kids 

1 Ten Little Everyday Sandals and Splash Sandals

US Sizes Toddler 4 – 13 | Retail: $39 | Shop Ten Little 

SHOP TEn little

Ten Little makes affordable minimalist shoes and sandals for kids that have simple, classic styling. The Everyday sandal is a minimalist closed toe sandal with water-resistant, quick-dry uppers and velcro to secure around the ankle. They’re reasonably flexible, but stiffer than most of the other barefoot sandals on this list.

The Splash sandals are a great replacement for Crocs or Natives. They’re made from EVA foam, so they’re very lightweight and very flexible. We’ve loved them for the pool, beach and splash pad.

Both shoes fit up to medium width and higher volume feet.

2 Feelgrounds Arcade Sandals

EU22 – EU37 | Retail: $74 | Code KELLY5 for 5% off | Shop Feelgrounds

SHOP Feelgrounds

Code KELLY5 for 5% off

The Feelgrounds Arcade sandals are a closed toe barefoot sandal made with cotton, tencel, microfiber and mesh. They’re a great everyday barefoot sandal for kids. They come in two fun color combinations, plus an all black option.

They’re easy to put on and secure quickly with velcro. They’ve been a great fit for a toddler with higher volume feet. My older son has lower volume feet and is still able to wear them as he can secure them tighter with the velcro straps.

3 Wildling Feather 

Toddler US Size 3/EU18 | Retail: $59-$69 | Free Shipping code: AWN_ BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE

SHOP Wildling US

SHOP Wildling IntL

For the most minimal shoes that are as close as you can get to being barefoot, check out Wildling shoes. The Feather is their sandal that comes in toddler through adult sizes. Like all Wildling shoes, these barefoot kid’s sandals feature a super flexible 2.5mm sole. The uppers are soft microfiber. These run small, so it may be best to first consult the Wildling size chart, and then size up from there.  

4 Reima Rantaan Sandal 

US Sizes Toddler 11/EU22 – Kids US6.5/EU40 | Retail: $40 | BAREFOOT20 for 20% off | Shop Reima 

SHOP Reima

Code BAREFOOT20 for 20% off

Reima is a popular Finnish kidswear brand that recently entered the barefoot shoe market with a knit sneaker and a summer sandal. The Rantaan sandal has a breathable, polka dot mesh upper that dries quickly (so these can work well for water too). The sole is thin, flexible and zero drop. The toe box is foot-shaped, but these are a better fit for narrower feet.  

See a full review of Reima’s barefoot kid’s shoes here. Use code BAREFOOT20 for 20% off kid’s clothes and barefoot shoes at Reima.

5 Merrell Toddler Bare Steps Sandals

Toddler Size 4 – 10 | Come in Medium and Wide Width | Retail: $45 | Shop Merrell Bare Steps

SHOP merrell

The Merrell Bare Steps Sandals are another affordable minimalist sandal for kids. They’re a cute, two strap sandal with adjustable velcro straps (though they have buckles on top to give them a little more style). The soles are similar to the Merrell water shoes listed above, where the front part has good flex, but the heel portion is stiffer. 

6 Magical Shoes Leather Sandals

EU23-29 | Retail: $43 – 56 | Code KELLY for 10% off | Shop Magical Shoes 

SHOP magical shoes

Magical Shoes makes a few styles of casual barefoot sandals for kids with soft leather uppers. A few of the smallest sizes come with leather soles, but most have a thin and super flexible rubber sole. I’ve loved the Magical Shoes kid’s shoes, especially as they are perfect for thicker and wider baby feet. The ones pictured above are the Moxy Sandals, but they also have some sandals with more cut outs for less coverage and more of a sandal style and feel.

---

7 Softstar Laguna Sandals

EU23-29 | Come in Medium and Wide Width | Retail: $70 | Shop Softstar 

SHOP Softstar

Softstar handmakes leather barefoot sandals in their Oregon workshop. Softstar is a great brand for toddlers and kids with wide and extra wide feet as they offer a wide option. The soles of the Laguna Sandals are 6mm vibram soles. You can also customize your colors. 

Barefoot Outdoor and Hiking Sandals 

8 Earth Runners Kid’s Sandals 

Start at Child Size 12  | Retail: $53 | Code KELLY10 for 10% off | Shop Earth Runners 

Code KELLY10 for 10% off

The huarache is a popular style for barefoot hiking sandals. Earth Runners is one of the most popular barefoot sandal brands making huaraches, and they make them starting in children’s size 12. This style is so popular as a barefoot sandal because it has an in-between-the-toe-strap that doesn’t put any force on pushing the toe inwards. But, they still attached securely to the foot (unlike flip flops). 

Earth Runners use 8 or 9mm Vibram soles and offer the option of adding a hemp footbed. I like this feature, but if your child is more sensitive to texture on their feet, then you may want to opt for the 8mm sole without the hemp footbed. 

Earth Runners are grounding sandals. They have a copper plug on the bottom to serve as a connection to the earth, but they’re great sandals whether you’re interested in grounding or not.  

9 Freet Zennor Sandals 

Start at Kid’s US11.5/EU30  | Retail: $65 | Code KELLY for 10% off | Shop Freet 

Code KELLY for 10% off

Before I learned about barefoot shoes, I used to think the KEEN Newport sandals were the ultimate kid’s adventure sandals. They’re rugged with a protective toe bumper, they never slipped off, and I felt like they were good for just about any situation with water or warm weather. But the soles are incredibly thick and stiff. I want sandals there to protect my kid’s feet when they need them, but not at the expense of natural movement. 

The Freet Zennor sandals have all of the things I look for in a rugged adventure sandal, and they have a flat and flexible sole. The sole comes up over the toe for a tough bumper. I also like that the tops can be tightened with an elastic pull, and there is a velcro strap around the back to adjust around the ankle. 

For more barefoot water sandals that are similar to KEEN sandals, check out this post.

10 Xero Shoes Z-Trail Sandals 

Start at Kids Size 12 | Retail: $59.99 | Shop Xero Shoes 

SHOP Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes dubs its Z-Trail sandals as the “ultimate trail-friendly” sandal. When I was looking for minimalist hiking sandals to replace much stiffer and thicker styles that both me and my son were using, this is the first option we tried. Years later, and I still think they’re one of the best barefoot sandals, especially for kids.  

This barefoot sandal has a few features that make it a great adventure and hiking sandal for kids. The sole has some smaller lugs for more grip, and it’s zero-drop and flexible. At 10mm, it has enough substance to protect from rocky trails. The heel cup keeps little rocks from sliding underneath the foot.  

The velcro straps on the Z-Trail are thick but soft and easy to adjust. The sandals easy to put on and take off, but stay securely put. Mine are still holdling up after several years. My son is on his second pair, but only after growing out of the first pair. And that first pair still has a lot of life left.  

11 Shamma Sandals Kid’s Sandals 

Starts at size Kid’s US 1 | Retail: $60 | Code BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE for 10% off | Shop Shamma Sandals 

Code BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE for 10% off

Shamma Sandals handmakes barefoot running sandals for kids and adults using vibram soles. They offer a few different sole options, and several of them come in kid’s sizes. The Cruzers are simple but durable sandals that will take your kid through plenty of summer adventures. The straps on Shamma’s sandals have two different spots to adjust to get a good fit.  

12 Luna Sandals Lunacitos 

Start at Kids Size 12 | Retail: $60 | Shop  Luna Sandals 

SHOP Luna Sandals

Luna Sandals is another popular brand for huarache style adventure and running sandals. The kid’s version, the Lunacito, comes with an extra tech strap over the top to make it a little easier to adjust and get a secure fit (seen in blue here). 

These minimalist kids sandals are made with Vibram moreflex soles that are meant to hold up to a lot of hiking, climbing and outdoor adventures. They’re a little bit thicker than some barefoot sandals, but still have decent flex. 

13 Unshoes Children’s Keota 

Starts at Toddler US 5/EU21 | Retail: $45 | Code nomanbefore10 for 10% off | Shop Unshoes 

SHOP Unshoes

Code nomanbefore10 for 10% off

The Unshoes Keota start at US toddler size 5, so these are a great option if you’re looking for toddler barefoot sandals. The Keota have a thin and flexible 8 mm sole. They’re a little different than the huarache sandals as the toe strap is elastic and goes out into a V, a little more like a flip flip (but don’t worry, the extra straps mean they fit securely). The sole has a very slight upward pull at the toe to help prevent it catching. 

Barefoot Water Shoes for Kids 

14 Saguaro Water Shoes 

Size US Toddler 7.5 to Adult | Retail: $35 | Code KELLY15 for 15% off on Saguaro Shoes | Also available on Amazon 

SHOP Saguaro Shoes

Code KELLY15 for 15% off

Saguaro Shoes makes barefoot water shoes with stretchy mesh uppers and grippy soles. They’re affordable and durable. The toe box is wide, and the sole is flat and flexible. They come with an insole that may have a small heel lift, so you can remove it for a completely flat sole with more ground feel, or leave it in for kids with lower volume feet. These shoes are available on the Saguaro Shoes website and on Amazon.

Some of the Saguaro water shoes dry faster than others–the thicker knit tend to take longer to dry.

15 Merrell Bare Steps H20 Sneaker 

Toddler Size 4 – 10 | Come in Medium and Wide Width | Retail: $40 | Shop Merrell Bare Steps 

The Merrell Bare Steps H20 Sneakers are a great option for minimalist water shoes for toddlers. They have full coverage over the toes and dry pretty quickly. Most of the sole is pretty flexible, but the heel area can be more stiff.  

The Bare Steps line come in regular and wide width; I recommend opting for the wide width unless you have a toddler with a narrow foot. 

I like that these are easy to put on, and a toddler can take them off by themselves.  

These are usually $35-$40, but we’ve been able to snag them on sale for $20. 

16 Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom summer shoes

Toddler US Size 9 – Kid’s US6 | Retail: $68-80 | Code BSG20 for 20% off |  Shop Vivobarefoot 

Code BSG20 for 20% off

These remind me a lot of crocs, but a healthier, barefoot version. While Crocs are bulky, thick and let the foot slide around, the Vivobarefoot Ultra Bloom summer shoes are thin, flexible and securely attach to the foot. The uppers are made from a special Bloom foam (it’s partially made with algae, how cool is that!) that is really lightweight and dries quickly.  

Have a pair of barefoot sandals for kids that you love? Share in the comments below!

The post 15 Best Barefoot Sandals for Kids appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

Looking for the coziest sheepskin house slippers? The Softstar Fireside Slippers are what slipper dreams are made of. I’ve had mine for years, and every fall I can’t wait for the moment it’s finally time to pull them back out. They’re that good!

Now there are two versions to choose from: the original soft-soled Fireside, and the new S’mores, which has a thin Vibram sole for stepping outside.

Foot-shaped Slippers

Because these slippers are made by a barefoot shoe brand, they feature a natural foot-shape. No squished toes here! In addition to the wide roomy toe box, there are no hidden heel lifts, and they securely attach to your feet, so they’re perfect for the barefoot shoe lover.

Materials

The Softstar Fireside Slippers are fully lined with plush sheepskin fleece, including an extra fluffy insole. The insoles can be removed and replaced — Softstar sells the replacement insoles on their website. This is a great option as the slippers are fairly expensive, and being able to replace the part that wears out the easiest improves the sustainability and longevity of the slippers.

There is no other materials for the sole other than the leather and fleece on the Fireside Slippers, so they’re super lightweight and flexible, and truly a house slipper. Like all of Softstar’s shoes, these are handmade in their Oregon workshop.

The S’mores slippers have similar construction, but with an added Vibram sole.

Sizing

Softstar has it’s own sizing system, so to start off, you’ll want to measure your feet. Since switching to barefoot shoes, I’ve gotten in the habit of regularly measuring my feet, especially before a big shoe purchase. You can find some tips on measuring your feet for barefoot shoes here.

I ordered size 5U regular, which is listed as a Mens 5/ Women’s 6. My foot measurement is 23.3cm, and according to the size chart, the 5U fits foot lengths up to 23cm. For reference, I’m typically a size US 7.5/EU38.

I read a lot of reviews that recommended sizing down, and I’m happy I did. Softstar notes they should feel a bit snug when new as the sheepskin leather with stretch with wear. They felt comfortable from first wear, and they still feel just right a few months later.

These are available in Softstar sizes adult 5U to 15U. Softstar also offers a wide option for these slippers if you have a wider foot. The regular width accommodates around 10cm – 12cm depending on the size.

S’mores: New Vibram sole option

I love how soft and flexible the suede sole is on the Fireside slippers, but I’ve definitely wished I could keep them on for quick trips outside — taking out the trash, grabbing the mail, or morning school drop-off. Now I can with the new S’mores version! It has the same cozy barefoot feel, just with a thin Vibram sole that adds a bit more durability while staying lightweight and flexible.

Pricing

The Softstar Fireside Slippers and S’mores slippers retail for $155. Softstar does occasionally run sales, usually before fall and winter kick off (around late September) and again during Black Friday. Discounts are typically around $20–$25 off.

I know, that’s a lot for slippers (even on sale), which is why I put these firmly in the treat yourself (or someone you really like) category. But honestly, they live up to every rave review.

For more barefoot slippers, including more affordable options, check this list of the best barefoot house slippers here.

The post Softstar Fireside Slippers: the coziest sheepskin house slippers appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

Barefoot shoes are great for your feet, but as anyone who’s done some shopping for barefoot shoes knows, they’re tough on your bank account. It’s difficult to find affordable barefoot shoes. And this problems compounds as many of us are not just buying one pair of shoes. If you’re like me, you probably got hooked once you tried your first pair, and realized you now wanted to replace all the shoes in your closet.  

After trying to find affordable barefoot shoes for me, my family, and all of you, I’ve got a short list, plus a few different ways to find better deals. 

This post isn’t just a list of cheap barefoot shoes, because to be honest, there aren’t that many. I’ve listed the few affordable barefoot shoe brands, but also provided a guide on where to find sales throughout the year, when most sales take place, and where to buy gently used barefoot shoes.  

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on one of them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Shopping for kids? Check this post on affordable barefoot shoes for kids 

Why are barefoot shoes so expensive?

There are a number of reasons barefoot shoes carry a high price tag. One of the biggest contributors to the higher prices is usually volume. Most barefoot shoe brands are newer, smaller companies that are nowhere near the level of production to reach economies of scale. Especially compared to much larger, more established traditional shoe companies. There is also the fact that many barefoot brands use high-quality, sustainable materials. Many European brands also manufacture in places like Portugal, which has a higher wage rate than common manufacturing locations like China and Vietnam. 

The barefoot or minimalist shoe market is still fairly niche. It’s grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, but it’s still nowhere near the size of the traditional shoe market. Just to give you a little bit of context, Nike sells over 780 million pairs a year. And to be fair, a lot of Nike’s shoes are still $100+, manufactured in Vietnam and Indonesia, and made from synthetic materials. For a small barefoot shoe brand that’s paying more for materials and labor and often times charging similar prices to these footwear behemoths, I doubt they’re really killing it on the margins.   

Affordable Barefoot Shoes Under $50 

Saguaro Shoes  — $35 to $50

Synthetic Uppers | Sizes US Toddler 7.5 – US Men’s 14 | Code KELLY15 for 15% off on Saguaro.com | Free shipping on orders over $18

Shop on Saguaro

Saguaro has an extensive range of barefoot shoes, and many of them hover around the $50 mark with 15% off using the discount code KELLY15. Saguaro is one of the brands with the cheapest barefoot shoes for both kids and adults. Despite their lower cost, the quality of many are very good.

Initially, their styles were limited to mesh trail runners/water shoes like the blue shoes shown below. These retail for around $35. My son has really loved these, and they’ve worked great for running, sports, and warm weather. The soles are foot shaped, flexible and grippy and the uppers are breathable mesh.

Saguaro now offers casual styles, including trendy sneakers and boots. They currently have one of the largest collections of barefoot shoes. The casual knit and mesh barefoot sneakers are very affordable (most around $50), look great, and have held up well for us.

You can see the full line on Saguaro.com, where you can use code KELLY15 for 15% off. A smaller selection of Saguaro’s shoes are available on Amazon, but this is limited to their water shoes.

For orders over $18, shipping is free. These are shipping directly from China, so they have a longer transit time (usually around 10 – 15 business days).

WHITIN Shoes  — $40 

Synthetic Mesh and Knit or Cotton Canvas Uppers | Sizes Women’s US 6 – Men’s US 13 |Little Kid’s 10.5 – Big Kid’s 5 | Free Shipping and Returns on Amazon

Amazon has several different cheap barefoot shoe brands. I think Whitin shoes are some of the best in terms of looks, fit and durability for the price. The toe box on WHITIN Wide Barefoot Shoes are pretty roomy and the sole is flexible. They have growing number of styles, including sporty tennis shoes, Vans-inspired casual shoe option, and even a HEYDUDE type slip-on.

Most WHITIN Barefoot shoes are $40. They’re a really affordable barefoot shoe option that look good and are reasonably durable. Most people are concerned about quality given the price compared to other barefoot shoe brands. While I don’t find the quality to be on par with some of the other barefoot shoe brands, those are often 3x the price, so I think that’s fair. That said, I’ve still found them to hold up well to regular use. Several of my family members have been wearing them for several years, and are happy with the fit, comfort and durability.

They also have kid’s barefoot shoes for $37.

When you’re shopping Whitin shoes, make sure you’re on their “Wide Barefoot” tab. They also have “Barefoot” tab, but most of these shoes look like conventionally narrow shoes. The only style I would consider on the regular “barefoot” tab is their trail runner. 

Since these are sold on Amazon, it is free shipping and free returns in the US.

See more styles and info on fit, sizing and durability in this WHITIN Shoes brand review.

Joomra Shoes — $40 

Synthetic uppers | Sizes Women’s US 5.5 – Men’s US 12.5

Joomra makes a pair of wide toe box sneakers very similar to the Whitin ones. They’re usually around $40, but I’ve recently seen them discounted to $20. 

Splay Shoes Freestyle, Explore and REV — $40 to $68 

Cotton canvas uppers | US Child 8 – US Men’s 13 | Code KELLY10 for 10% off

Splay Shoes is a US-based barefoot shoe brand that has several styles including casual lace-up shoes, slip-ons, and a Velcro option for kids. The Freestyle is their affordable lace-up sneaker made with a cotton canvas upper. Note that these did receive an update in 2024, and I find the toe box to have slightly more of a taper than before.

The Explore is similar in styling, but with Velcro and available in toddler and kids sizes. Depending on the size and style, Splay shoes run from $40 to $67 using the discount code KELLY10 for 10% off. Splay shoes tend to fit lower volume feet best.

See a full review on Splay Shoes here. 

Affordable Barefoot Shoes Under $80

Anatomic Shoes — $53  

Cotton canvas uppers | US Child 8 – US Men’s 13 | Code KELLY for 10% off on PedTerra

Anatomic are affordable foot-shaped shoes with a wide toe box. They have a thicker sole than the most barefoot shoes, but they’re still flat and pretty flexible. Styles include casual lace ups, slip-ons, and high tops. They’re availabe in the US from the online minimalist shoe retailer PedTerra, which offers free shipping and free returns. Take 10% off your order with code KELLY. 

Xero Shoes Kona and Aptos — $65 

Cotton canvas uppers | US Women’s 5 – US Men’s 15

Xero Shoes is one of the most popular US-based barefoot shoe brands. Two of their cheapest barefoot shoe option a slip-on canvas shoes: the Aptos and the Kona. The Aptos is more like a Vans slip-on, while the Kona feels more inspired by Hey Dudes. Xero Shoes tend to fit those with narrow, lower volume feet best. As someone with a higher instep, I often remove the insole for a more comfortable fit (though many are still too narrow for me).

LONO Flow — $76

Vegan mesh uppers | EU36 – EU48 | Code KELLY for 5% off

Lono’s goal is to make a pair of reasonably priced, innovatively designed, and sustainably made barefoot shoes. The breathable mesh uppers and athletic design make these a more budget-friendly alternative to shoes like the Vivobarefoot Primus or the Xero Shoes Prio.

Unshoes Terra Vida slip ons — $74 

Hemp canvas uppers | US Women’s 5 – US Men’s 13 | Code nomanbefore10 for 10% off

Unshoes has an affordable barefoot slip-on shoe made from hemp canvas. Use code nomanbefore10 to get an extra 10% off at Unshoes. 

Origo Shoes Cotton Canvas Sneakers — $79 

Cotton canvas uppers | US Women’s 5 – US Men’s 13 | Code KELLY for 10% off

Origo focuses on using sustainable materials in its barefoot shoes, including in the cotton canvas sneakers that cost $79 using the coupon code KELLY. They have men’s, women’s and kid’s sizes. The canvas kid’s barefoot shoes are $54 with the discount code. If they are having a sale, often times this code will stack, so you can get 20% or 30% off the retail price. 

Origo’s everyday sneakers have a 6mm stack height, plus they come with an extra insole. Sometimes this little extra cushion can be helpful for those new to barefoot shoes. Overall, these shoes fit narrow to medium wide feet best.  

Lems Shoes— $70 to $85 during sales

Canvas and Mesh uppers | US Women’s 4.5 – US Men’s 14

Lems are a bit pricier, but they do tend to have really good sales around the holidays and I think they’re a great brand for those new to barefoot shoes. Lems have a wide toe box , but slightly thicker soles, which can be easier for those that are adjusting to the thinner soles of barefoot shoes.

I’ve seen Lems go on sale for up to 25% off for Black Friday, and they’ve had other 20% off sales throughout the year, like President’s Day in February, Memorial Day in May or Labor Day in September. At 25% off, some of the most popular styles like the Primal 2s, Primal Zen, Drifter and Chillums are $70 to $85. Just a note, if a style is brand new, it likely won’t be included in the sale. So, if it’s a new shoe you really want, I wouldn’t wait for them to go on sale as they may not be included or they may be sold out.

Other affordable barefoot shoe options

• AliExpress: I’ll caveat this by saying I haven’t tried any of the options off AliExpress, but there are what look like cheap barefoot shoe options for about $20. I don’t know the quality, but they are probably very similar to some of the Amazon brands like Whitin or Saguaro. AliExpress items can take awhile to ship since they’re usually coming straight from China. If you try any, let me know how you like them.  
• More options on Amazon: A lot of different brands that all look pretty similar often pop up on Amazon. Many of them may be manufactured at the same place, and simply branded differently. I haven’t kept up with all the different Amazon brands, so if there’s a new one you’ve tried that you like, please share in the comments below.

Affordable Barefoot Sandals 

If you live where the weather is warm at least part of the year, opting for sandals is a great way to add another pair of affordable barefoot shoes to your closet. I love how light and free my feet feel in sandals, so opt for them pretty often when the weather is warm enough. 

Earth Runners Elemental Lifestyle Sandals — $66 

I really love my Earth Runners sandals and wear them often, even for hiking. I highly recommend getting the softer lifestyle laces; I found the performance laces too thick and uncomfortable. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off. You can also check reearthrunners.com for gently used or returned sandals at a discounted price.

Xero Shoes Sandals — $20 to $50 

Xero Shoes has a few cheap barefoot sandal options, including the Genesis sandal for $43 and the Jessie women’s sandals for $50. They also have a DIY sandal kit for $20 that is a rubber sole and some laces. My personal favorite Xero Shoes sandal is the Z-Trail, which costs $80. 

Shamma Sandals Cruzers — $54 

Shamma makes some of my favorite sandals due to the simple, comfortable strap systems. They have different sole thicknesses and customization options, but the Cruzers are the lowest cost option. Use code BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE for 10% off.  

Unshoes Wakova Feather — $57

Unshoes makes a simple, lightweight sandals that works for light hiking or casual wear. Use code nomanbefore10 for 10% off.  

Coupon codes for Barefoot Shoes

Many barefoot shoe brands offer evergreen discount codes that can be used throughout the year. I have a list of barefoot shoe coupon codes here. These usually give you 5% to 15% off barefoot shoes, depending on the brand. I also list some of the best current barefoot shoe sales at the top of the post, so it’s a good resource to check whenever you’re ready to make a purchase.

Where to buy discounted or used barefoot shoes

Buying used is another way to buy barefoot shoes on a budget. If you’re willing to shop around, you may be able to find a practically new or gently used pair for a pretty steep discount. Here are different places to shop for discounted or used barefoot shoes. 

Facebook Groups: One of the best places to find used barefoot shoes are the buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook. The groups listed below are pretty active, so they’re worth keeping an eye on or putting out a request to see if someone is willing to sell. 

Minimalist Shoe Buy/Sell/Trade (USA) 

KIDS Minimalist/Barefoot Shoes BUY/SELL/TRADE (USA) 

Europe Buy/Sell/Trade Minimalist, Barefoot Shoes 

eBay: eBay can be a good place to hunt for used barefoot shoes from individual resellers, but Splay also has an outlet on eBay. The Splay Outlet is for factory seconds, which they describe as like new shoes, but with minor cosmetic defects. The shoes ship without a shoe box and there are no returns, refunds, or exchanges. Prices range from $30 to $45, and standard shipping is free. 

REI Outlet: REI sells a few barefoot or minimalist shoe brands, so discounted options can pop up on REI Outlet from time to time. They carry brands like Altras, Lems and Xero Shoes. Used options are typically around 50% off. For a few examples, at the time of this writing, I saw Xero Shoes Tari Boots for $72 (new $135), Xero Shoes Oswego sneakers for $42 (new $100), and Altra Lone Peaks for $68 (new $140).  

Sierra.com: Sierra is an online outdoor retailer that shares a parent company with TJMaxx, and operates with a similar model. So similar to TJMaxx (and Marshalls and Ross, etc), they get a lot of their inventory from liquidations or other retailers getting rid of prior season items. I’ve ordered Altras from here for around $60, and my sister just ordered a pair of Xero sandals for under $20. I’ve also seen a large selection of Vivobarefoot shoes for around $70 (which is over 50% off full retail). You never know what they’re going to have in stock and in may not last long, but it’s definitely worth checking!

Revivo – Vivobarefoot: Vivobarefoot runs a platform to repair and resell its own barefoot shoes called revivo.com. People can sell their used Vivobarefoot shoes back to the company where they’ll clean, repair, and prep them for resale. Shoes are priced according to condition. 

ReEarth Runners: Earth Runners has a separate website called reearthrunners.com where it sells  sandals that may be discontinued model, a lightly used return, or feature a cosmetic factory defect. There is a limited selection and availability varies, but you could find some of the most affordable barefoot sandals here. Most people I’ve seen that have purchased from ReEarth Runners have received sandals in really good condition without any significant or noticeable issues. Sandals start at $48 on this site compared to $74 at full price.

Other resale platforms: Check out other popular resale apps for cheap barefoot shoes, like Poshmark and Mercari. The brands I see most often on these apps are Altra, Vivobarefoot, Vibram Five Finger, and Merrell’s minimalist Vapor Gloves line.  

Large, seasonal barefoot shoe sales 

Black Friday/Cyber Monday 

One of the biggest sales throughout the year for many barefoot shoe brands is around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This last year, brands like Lems had 25% off sitewide, while other brands will discount select models. You can see my Black Friday Sales posts to get an idea of the sales that took place. 

I did want to note that if you’re in the US and purchasing from some European brands, sometimes an offer of free shipping can be a better option than a 20% or 30% discount around the holidays. I noticed this when a brand offered free shipping earlier in November, and then later offered a percentage discount. However, the shipping was now around €30 due to increased holiday shipping prices. In this example, the free shipping option earlier in the month was a better deal than the discount offered later on. Just something to keep in mind. 

A few popular brands did not have Black Friday sales, which is worth noting so you don’t wait thinking they’ll go on sale. They are Vivobarefoot, Mukishoes and Wildling. 

Preseason/End of Season Sales

Some brands have preseason or end of season sales. Preseason typically has smaller discounts (like 5 to 10%) for new styles at the start of the season. End of season is typically end of summer or end of winter to clearance out sandals or boots. I share shoe sales here.

Other tips for finding affordable barefoot shoes 

1 Keep an eye out when you’re shopping 

Occasionally, a traditional shoe company does make a shoe that has all the healthy features we’re looking for, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out. An “accidentally barefoot” shoe can be a really affordable option if you find one. Here’s what to look for in healthy shoes: 

Wide toe box — The toe box should be wide, allowing your toes to naturally splay. This means that your big toe can lie straight, so the toe box is either straight or splay out at the big toe. This is one of the most noticeable differences between a barefoot shoe and a conventional shoe, which has a tapered and almost symmetrical toe box.

Flat — There shouldn’t be any heel drop, which can sometimes be hidden in the inner sole. If it’s just the inner lining that’s creating the heel drop, you can always remove it. 

Thin — This helps keep shoes light and flexible and allows natural movement .

Flexible — Again, the focus here is allowing the foot to function naturally, so a shoe should allow the foot to easily bend.

2 If you have smaller feet, check the children’s sizes 

If you have smaller feet, consider taking a look at the children’s sizes. When I was looking up Altras, I realized that the largest child size goes up to EU39, or about a women’s US 7.5/8. The retail price for the child’s size was about half the price of the adult version. Reima is a popular kids wear brand that recently started making barefoot shoes, and their simple but cute knit Astelu sneakers go up to EU40 (they’re $52 with my discount code BAREFOOT20).

Kid’s shoes (even barefoot or foot-shaped options) can still be narrower overall, so this works best for this with smaller, narrower feet. But, something to look into if that’s you! 

3 Buy one type of shoe at a time

If you’re brand new to barefoot shoes, keep in mind that your feet may grow and spread out now that they regularly have more space and you may be utilizing your muscles more. Many people see changes in their feet as they switch to barefoot shoes, and may actually end up needing a larger shoe size later on. So if you keep in mind that a year or so after you switch to barefoot shoes, the first pairs you bought may be too small. While it’s great to go for quality in your shoe purchases, I wouldn’t recommend buying the most expensive barefoot shoes as your initial barefoot shoe purchases. I recommend taking it a season at a time and replacing one or two of your most worn shoes for the period. And remember to remeasure your feet with every shoe purchase, especially at the beginning.

4 Buy what you like and need 

Lastly, I just want to encourage you to buy a pair of shoes that you like and that fits your current needs. Even if that means waiting and saving awhile for it. 

I’ve been guilty far too often of buying something close to what I wanted, but it wasn’t quite it, only because it was a lot less. If that was all I purchased and it filled my need, then I would’ve saved money. But usually what ended up happening was that I would buy two or three things that were adjacent/similar to what I actually wanted over the months or years….and if I added up the total amount I spent, it was usually around what I would’ve spent if I’d just bought the exact thing I had wanted in the first place.  

I know $100+ for shoes are not in many people’s budgets, period. But, if it’s something you can save up for, it may end up saving you in the long run. This is mostly a reminder for me, but hope it helps if you needed to hear it too.   

Final Thoughts

In closing, I hope that as barefoot shoes become more popular, more affordable options become available. I see this as one the pieces to a healthier life, and would love for it to be more accessible to more people, both in price and buying options. I’m still waiting for stores in the US to carry them so we can try them on in person!

If you have any other tips on finding affordable barefoot shoes, please share below! 

The post Affordable Barefoot Shoes: Buying Barefoot Shoes on a Budget  appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.