Hi, we’re Tjaša and Katja, and we’re here to help you step into the world of barefoot shoes with confidence. Our journey began in 2012 when we discovered the incredible benefits of walking naturally, free from the constraints of traditional footwear. Since then, we’ve dedicated ourselves to guiding others towards a healthier lifestyle through education and personal experience.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your understanding, Barefoot Universe is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about barefoot shoes. From expert reviews to practical guides, we’re here to support you every step of the way on your barefoot journey.
23+ countries
Students from all over the world
12+ years
Extensive experience with barefoot walking
1000+ tests
Tested almost all brands of barefoot shoes
At Barefoot Universe, we support you at every stage of your barefoot journey, offering resources tailored to your needs, no matter where you are in the process. Whether you’re just beginning, deepening your knowledge, or ready to make a purchase, we’ve got you covered:
If you’re new to barefoot shoes, our educational resources are designed just for you. Explore our Academy and Fit Feet courses to build a solid foundation in foot health and discover the basics of barefoot living.
For those who are already familiar with barefoot shoes and want to expand their knowledge, our in-depth guides and blog posts offer detailed insights and advanced tips to help you refine your barefoot lifestyle
If you’re looking to buy barefoot shoes, check out our curated list of retailers and exclusive discount codes. We make it easy to find the best deals on the top brands, so you can shop with confidence.
Entering the world of barefoot shoes can feel overwhelming with all the information out there. That’s why, after 10 years of personal experience, we decided to create a video course that simplifies the journey for you.
Our course is designed to guide you step-by-step, from understanding the basics of barefoot shoes to finding the perfect pair for your feet. You’ll learn how to transition safely, improve your foot health, and embrace a natural way of walking, all with expert advice and practical tips.
Whether you’re curious about starting your barefoot journey or ready to dive in, our video course is the best place to begin.
Wondering how your foot width compares to others? Are your feet narrow, medium, or wide? Understanding your foot width is essential, as it plays a big role in finding the right barefoot shoes. Our quick quiz will help you find out.
Get personalized results based on your foot measurements and learn how to choose shoes that fit and support your unique foot shape. It’s quick, easy, and insightful—taking the guesswork out of finding the best shoes for you!
Note: This quiz is currently designed for adult feet (feet that have already stopped growing).
Are you struggling to find shoes that fit your unique feet perfectly? Whether your feet are extra wide, extra narrow, extra large, extra small, or just hard to fit, finding comfortable and stylish shoes can be a challenge. Perhaps you’re looking for specific colors, styles, or materials that you just can’t seem to find anywhere. […]
Finding the perfect pair of shoes can be a challenge, especially if you’re torn between wanting a wide toe box shoes and still needing extra cushioning. This blog post is for those who refuse to squeeze their toes into tight shoes but also can’t stand the thin soles of barefoot shoes.
Knowing the correct length and width of your feet is one of the first and most important steps when buying barefoot shoes, especially online. These measurements are essential not only for comparing with size charts to determine if a model is right for you but also for ensuring a proper fit across different brands and styles.
When it comes to climbing, the right shoes can make all the difference. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Saltic’s newest innovation—the Eliot, their first barefoot climbing shoes. Saltic is a well-established brand known for its exceptional classic climbing shoes, and they’ve leveraged their extensive experience to create these groundbreaking barefoot climbing shoes.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when starting your barefoot journey and shopping for barefoot shoes, especially once you discover how many choices are out there.
This guide will walk you through many important things you need to consider before buying your first pair of barefoot shoes, so that you can avoid making expensive and painful mistakes.
Hey there, water lovers! If you’re anything like me, you love the feeling of being barefoot, but sometimes going completely shoeless just isn’t practical. Whether it’s the scorching sand at the beach, the sneaky sharp spikes of sea urchins, or those tricky pebbles that seem to find the most sensitive spots on your feet, there are moments when we need a bit of protection.
When school uniforms are mandatory, finding the perfect shoes that meet the dress code requirements can be a challenge. Sending your kids off to school in the morning means ensuring they’re ready for a day full of learning and play. While uniforms handle the ‘what to wear’ part, finding the perfect school shoes can be a bit tricky.
Birkenstocks have long been celebrated for their unique blend of comfort and style, but why are they so popular? With their distinctive cork footbeds, sturdy straps, and foot-shaped design, they’ve become a staple in many wardrobes as a healthier alternative to modern footwear.
Welcome to the enchanting world of barefoot weddings! Whether you’re planning your own big day or attending as a guest, and you’re aiming to combine style with comfort, you’ve found the perfect guide.
The Barefoot Universe Academy teaches a step-by-step method for improving foot health with barefoot shoes. We assist you in everything from choosing the best barefoot shoes for your foot type to finding the perfect fit, all for improved foot health + MORE!
This course provides a step-by-step guide to increasing foot strength, mobility, stability, and restoring foot health through simple foot exercises.
Still unsure about which barefoot shoes are best for you? We offer personal consultations for anyone in need of quick advice.
one of the UK’s leading foot and gait therapists
“If you are new to barefoot shoes this course clearly teaches you why wearing them is necessary for foot function and teaches you how to transition your feet to barefoot shoe-wearing. This is a detailed course filled with information from people who know and understand the barefoot shoe market.
The Fit Feet course gives you foot stretching and strengthening exercises. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises all of which will help your feet function and feel better. If you are looking for a simple and straightforward foot health course Fit Feet is a great way to start your journey!”
Yoga teacher
“The academy is everything I wish I’d had when I landed in barefoot land! Your explanation of barefoot shoes is perfect and understandable by all. Your work is comprehensive without ever being overwhelming.
Finding barefoot shoes is hard, especially at first, and your knowledge saves time and money to anyone who wants to get the best of their shoes. “Choosing your first barefoot shoes” was my favorite, a foot’s wingman; a brilliant way to explain how to choose the shoes and how to assess what we receive.
All in all, I am blown away by your expertise and how you share it in an easy, sweet and accessible way. Your knowledge is a gift to everyone who is curious about barefoot shoes and I can only thank you for your hard work and generosity in making sure others can navigate the transition with the best tools.”
Licensed Massage Therapist/Structural Integrator
“I think the courses are a great resource for those new to the barefoot world. It can be overwhelming, but the course Barefoot Universe Academy covers all the key points when searching for shoes and understanding the advantages of using barefoot footwear.
The Fit Feet course gives a great foundation and start for improving foot health!
The Barefoot Academy course was very informative.
I would recommend it to anyone interested in the benefits of barefoot shoes, how to choose the right size shoe, and some of the companies out there. It’s a good compilation of information to guide those interested in barefoot shoes and how to get started.”
Finding the perfect pair of shoes can be a challenge, especially if you’re torn between wanting a wide toe box shoes and still needing extra cushioning. This blog post is for those who refuse to squeeze their toes into tight shoes but also can’t stand the thin soles of barefoot shoes.
You read the title right—there’s no need to sacrifice the magical feeling of walking around barefoot when boot season arrives! Stylish barefoot boots exist that won’t compromise your foot health or natural gait and movements.
Do you love the look of classic Chelsea boots? Do you want to feel good about the way your feet look and feel, but still want to keep up with the latest trends? Then barefoot Chelsea boots are perfect for you!
Whether you’re a beginner seeking flexible and lightweight minimalist hiking shoes or an experienced hiker in search of a comfortable long-distance backpacking option, there’s a best barefoot hiking shoe out there that’s perfect for you.
Who says you have to spend a fortune to reap the benefits of barefoot shoes? In this post, we’ll share our top picks for the best affordable barefoot shoes for adults. From versatile sneakers to lightweight sandals, these shoes offer a natural foot feel and allow your feet to move and flex as they were […]
If you’ve been looking for the best barefoot shoes for wide or extra wide feet, then you know what a struggle it can be. There are just so many out there that look good, but when it comes down to real life testing, they just don’t fit the way you’d wish. But it doesn’t have […]
Are you on a quest to find the perfect footwear for your child this spring? You’ve come to the right place! Welcome to our comprehensive guide to barefoot shoes for kids—a footwear choice that mimics the natural, barefoot experience, promoting healthier foot development and offering superior comfort.
As winter approaches, every parent’s mind turns to the daunting task of choosing the perfect shoes for their kids. Finding the ideal kids winter barefoot shoes that offer the right balance of warmth, water-resistance, affordability, and proper development for growing feet can be quite challenging.
Barefoot shoes, also known as minimalist shoes, are designed to provide a natural walking and running experience, as close to barefoot as possible, while still providing protection. They feature a wide toe box and a foot-shaped design that allows the toes to spread naturally during movement. The minimal cushioning maximizes ground contact, which is essential for enhancing sensory feedback from the terrain. The flexible soles of barefoot shoes are designed to flex and twist with the natural movements of the foot, promoting better balance and a more natural gait.
Another defining feature of Barefoot shoes is zero heel-to-toe drop. This means that, unlike traditional footwear, there is no raised heel, ensuring that the foot remains in a flat, neutral position that aligns the spine and minimizes stress on the joints. This design philosophy not only supports the health of your feet, but also contributes to an overall improvement in posture and locomotion, making barefoot shoes an ideal choice for those looking to improve their mobility and comfort during physical activities.
Health-wise, barefoot shoes offer some great benefits. The foot-shaped design allows our toes and forefoot to spread out, creating stability and longitudinal stiffness for our feet so we can push forward when walking and running. The foot-shaped design also improves balance and stability, increases circulation, and reduces the the chance of forming bunions.
The zero-drop aspect of these shoes ensures that the heel and toe are on the same level, which promotes a more natural posture and reduces strain on the lower back and hips. This alignment helps distribute body weight more evenly, which can reduce pressure points and lead to a reduction in joint pain. In addition, the flexibility inherent in barefoot shoes supports a full range of motion, enhancing the foot’s natural ability to absorb shock and adapt to varying terrain. Over time, this can lead to stronger foot muscles, improved balance and a decreased risk of injury.
By embracing the philosophy behind barefoot shoes, wearers not only experience a return to a more instinctive form of movement, but also enjoy a lifestyle that prioritizes wellness and functional health. This approach aligns with modern wellness trends that emphasize holistic and preventative health measures, making barefoot shoes an ideal choice for those who want to nurture their body’s natural strength and resilience.
