Natur Athletics: Barefoot Cleats with a Wide Toe Box – Tested by a Pro

Until recently, barefoot cleats didn’t exist. For decades, footballers of all levels and foot widths have been squeezing into narrow, pointed, rigid cleats. Even players with naturally narrower feet often end up dealing with pressure, pain, and long‑term foot problems.

Natur Athletics, a US‑based company, is the first to question that standard. They’ve designed barefoot soccer cleats with a wide toe box, made for both adults and kids, allowing the foot to move more naturally on the pitch.

We tested these cleats with David, a professional football (soccer) player who started playing at age 6 and made his debut in Slovenia’s First League at 17. With years of experience and foot pain to show for it, he knows exactly how cleats should feel and perform. Off the pitch, he’s been wearing barefoot shoes for years, so he immediately noticed the difference in shape and comfort.

Here’s how these wide toe box cleats held up under a pro’s feet.

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First Impressions: Surprisingly Wide, Even for a Barefoot Shoe

Even though David is used to the shape of barefoot shoes, he was still surprised by how wide these barefoot cleats felt, especially compared to traditional soccer cleats. The toe box is extremely spacious, even by barefoot shoe standards, and easily accommodates wide and even extra‑wide feet.

👉 Not sure where your foot width falls? Take our Foot Width Quiz to compare your measurements with 50 million scans.

David has high insteps and medium-width feet, so he still had extra room in the forefoot, but it didn’t bother him during play. The shoe hugged his instep and heel area well, providing a secure hold even without tight pressure.

“They’re really wide in the front. I had some extra space, but it didn’t get in the way.”

Fit & Comfort: No More Pinching, Pressure, or Pain

For most footballers, narrow cleats and the pain that comes with them are part of the territory. David’s reaction to the Natur Athletics cleats was refreshingly different.

“They’re easy to put on. Nothing pinches, my ankles don’t hurt, and the shoe holds the instep and heel really well.”

He especially appreciated how they caused no discomfort during movement, even if some elements still needed getting used to.

On-Field Performance: What Worked and What Didn’t

David tested the cleats in real football scenarios, such as juggling, dribbling, passing, shooting and changing direction quickly, and compared them directly with traditional cleats.

Here’s what he found:

✅ What worked well:

• Juggling felt just fine — possibly even easier
• Dribbling and close ball control were surprisingly good
• Short passes and team play felt nearly the same as in traditional cleats
• Less impact on toes during strong kicks — toes don’t suffer as much
• Zero foot pain, even after longer wear
• He adjusted more with each use and ended up liking them more than expected

“They’re not as bad as I thought they’d be at first — the longer I wore them, the more I got used to them.”

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⚠️ What was missing:

• No front stud at the toe made certain backspin techniques harder
  (Note: Natur Athletics has already updated this in the latest version.)
• Less ball feedback during long passes and shots on goal
• Too much height at the front made sprinting feel a bit off
• Quick changes of direction felt less stable than in narrow cleats
• Ball feel was slightly muted, especially noticeable in striking
• More toe space affects how the foot interacts with the ground — David noted that when trying to kick under the ball (to lift it), the wider front sometimes caught the turf instead, leading to unintended contact with the ground
• Loss of intuitive control — with classic cleats, he feels like the ball stays “glued” to his foot, giving a sense of full control in tight movements. With these cleats, that confidence wasn’t always there.

“With regular cleats, I feel like I can do anything with the ball — like it won’t slip away. I don’t quite have that feeling with these. But I’m not sure if that’s because they’re actually worse… or just because I’m used to the old shape.”

Are These Wide Toe Box Cleats Really “Barefoot”?

Yes, in design, they follow the barefoot principles:

• Wide toe box
• Zero drop sole
• Flexible construction

They allow for more natural foot movement than any cleat we’ve seen before. If you’re looking for barefoot cleats that don’t crush your toes and give your feet room to breathe, these are the best you can get, and a solid step toward foot-friendly football gear.

A Great Option for Kids and Non-Professional Players

Natur Athletics also offers barefoot cleats in kids’ sizes, where they really stand out.

For children, especially those not playing at a professional level, these wide toe box soccer cleats are a fantastic choice. They provide space for natural foot development, reduce the risk of long-term foot problems, and offer comfort without pressure points.

David mentioned that for kids who grow up wearing cleats like this, the adjustment is likely much easier. Since they wouldn’t be used to the restrictive shape of traditional cleats, their sense of control and movement would develop naturally.

“If someone started playing in these from a young age, they might never miss the classic cleat feel, because they’d never be used to anything else.”

👉 Want to keep your child’s feet healthy off the pitch too? Check out our roundup of the best barefoot shoes for kids.

Final Thoughts: A Bold Step in the Right Direction

Natur Athletics has created the first true soccer cleats with a wide toe box, built on barefoot principles and shaped to match the human foot — not the other way around. And that’s exactly the kind of shift we need in sports footwear.

Are they perfect for elite performance today? Maybe not for every player. The feel is different, the mechanics shift slightly, and for professionals used to ultra-narrow cleats, the adjustment is real. David noticed this too, especially during long passes, fast turns, or moments where precision is key.

“They’re great for training, kids, or anyone who plays football recreationally. For players who aren’t competing at the highest level, they might be a comfortable alternative. But for pro‑level matches? That transition would still be tough.”

“In a match, I still miss some of the feel I’m used to, especially during quick changes or long passes. But the fact that my feet don’t hurt? That’s something I can’t ignore.”

But maybe the challenge isn’t the cleats — maybe it’s our expectations. We’ve grown so used to playing in tight, restrictive shapes that anything more natural feels unfamiliar. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong; it just means we’re early in the transition.

If players grew up in cleats like these, wide from the start, would their style of play adapt too? Would injury rates drop? Would comfort finally be part of the performance equation?

Natur Athletics hasn’t just made a product; they’ve asked a bigger question: What if cleats didn’t hurt?
And their answer is a bold, wide, foot-shaped step in the right direction.

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