When the temperatures rise, so does the need for shoes that actually let your feet breathe. If you’re searching for barefoot summer shoes that combine comfort, freedom, and airflow – you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best summer barefoot shoes for hot weather that aren’t sandals. These picks are perfect for days when you want to protect your toes without overheating – whether you’re walking through the city, traveling, or just running errands in the sun.
👉 Not sure what fits your feet? Take our quick Foot Width Quiz or read our Foot Type Guide to find barefoot shoes that match your shape.
We’ve organized the list into two categories:
- Natural materials like hemp, cotton, and linen that feel good on your feet (and the planet)
- Breathable mesh & synthetics that keep things light and airy even on the hottest days
👉 Need barefoot sandals instead? Check our full list of barefoot sandals for everyday wear.
Let’s get into the best breathable barefoot shoes for summer – tested, loved, and toe-space approved.
Natural & Eco-Friendly Barefoot Summer Shoes
Made from breathable materials like hemp, cotton, linen, or wool, these barefoot summer shoes feel cool on the skin and are a great choice if you prefer natural, sustainable fabrics.
Wildling Shoes
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Ultra-light and breathable, Wildling’s summer models (like Nittugo and Tanuki) are made with thin layers of linen, paper yarn, organic cotton, and even merino wool. They’re some of the most barefoot-feeling shoes out there – flexible, thin-soled, and so light they feel like a second skin. You can comfortably wear them without socks, even on the hottest days.
Wildling doesn’t recommend machine washing, but we’ve washed our Tanuki models many times with great results.
Materials: linen, cotton, hemp, paper yarn, merino wool
Fit: best for narrow to medium-width feet, average volume
Mukishoes
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Sustainable, breathable, and beautifully simple. Mukishoes’ summer styles are lightweight, low-profile sneakers made with organic cotton, hemp, or linen uppers and ultra-thin soles that offer fantastic ground feel. The design is clean and casual – easy to wear, easy to love.
If you want barefoot function wrapped in a minimalist aesthetic, these are a top pick.
Materials: cotton, hemp, linen
Fit: narrow to medium-width feet (leans narrow), average to higher volume
Blusun
Use BU10 for 10% discount
Blusun’s organic cotton models deliver exactly what you want in barefoot summer shoes: breathable fabric, flexible soles, and an airy feel that keeps you comfortable even on the hottest days. They come in a range of fresh summer colors – including bolder shades like pink – making them as fun as they are functional.
Materials: organic cotton
Fit: narrow to medium-width feet, low to average volume
Bohempia
Use BU10 for 10% discount
If you’re looking for barefoot summer shoes that channel classic sneaker vibes, Bohempia has you covered. These Converse and Vans lookalikes are made from hemp canvas with a natural rubber sole – breathable, vegan, and durable. They come in two widths, with the extra wide fit available in smaller sizes.
Materials: hemp upper, natural rubber sole
Fit: narrow to extra wide (extra wide in smaller sizes), average to higher volume
VIVOBAREFOOT
Use BUVIVO20 for 20% discount
The Gobi Sneaker Canvas for women is a stylish barefoot option made with a lightweight cotton canvas upper, ideal for warm weather. We’ve tested the leather version and loved it – and this canvas model offers the same great fit with more breathability. Clean design, flexible sole, and easy to pair with casual outfits.
Materials: cotton canvas
Fit: narrow to medium-width feet
Lang.S (Tikki Shoes)
Use BU10 for 10% off
Lang.S makes beautifully crafted, leather-free barefoot shoes with minimalist soles and eco-friendly materials. Summer options like the BREEZE model use cotton canvas uppers with bamboo lining that feel cool and soft – perfect for warm days. (Note: some colors are made with recycled PET uppers, so check materials before ordering.) The clean, classic design works effortlessly for everyday wear.
Materials: cotton canvas with bamboo lining (or recycled PET, depending on color)
Fit: narrow to medium-wide feet, average heels, average foot volume
Doghammer
Use BU10 for 10€ discount
Doghammer’s barefoot casual shoes are a sustainable summer choice with a mix of unique materials: merino wool, a fabric blend of recycled PET laminated with cotton, and a soft cork insole that feels great barefoot. Elastic laces make them easy to slip on and off, perfect for travel or everyday wear.
Materials: merino wool, recycled PET with cotton lamination, cork insole
Fit: narrow to medium-wide feet
Skinners
Use BU15 for 15% discount
Skinners’ summer sneakers combine breathable natural materials with a slightly more cushioned sole – great if you want barefoot benefits with a softer feel underfoot. The Globetrotter is made with TreeKnit™ (from conifer fibers), while the Wanderer features cotton canvas. Both are fully vegan with natural rubber soles and lyocell lining for added softness.
Materials: TreeKnit™ or cotton canvas upper, lyocell lining, natural rubber sole
Fit: narrow to medium-width feet, low to average volume
Breathable Mesh & Synthetic Options
While synthetic materials aren’t quite as breathable as natural fabrics, they have their own summer-friendly advantages: they dry quickly, are often machine washable, and tend to be more resistant to dirt and daily wear. If you need something easy-care and durable for everyday adventures, these barefoot summer shoes are great go-to options.
Note: Some brands in this section, like Shapen, Xero Shoes and Feelgrounds, also offer models made from natural materials such as cotton canvas. We’ve included them here based on their most popular synthetic styles.
Feelgrounds
Use BU5 for 5% off
Summer barefoot shoes from Feelgrounds include their well-known Mesh models (made from synthetics) and cotton canvas versions. We wear Mesh models a ton – they’re lightweight, easy to style, and machine washable, which makes them perfect for travel or daily wear when sandals aren’t an option.
On hot days, the mesh models can still feel a bit warm, while the canvas versions are slightly more breathable – though lighter colors like white do tend to show dirt faster.
Materials: synthetic mesh or cotton canvas
Fit: narrow to medium-wide feet
Freet
Use code bu-freet for 10% discount
These mesh models from Freet – like the Vibe, Tanga, Flex, and Skeeby – are built for active summer life. Thin, grippy soles plus quick-drying uppers made from recycled plastic bottles or coffee grounds make them great for walks, workouts, or light trail use. Bonus: they’re washable and surprisingly durable.
Materials: recycled PET or recycled coffee grounds
Fit: narrow to medium-wide feet (size up for extra width)
Xero Shoes
Xero offers a wide range of barefoot summer shoes with breathable designs – including mesh-based sport sneakers like the HFS II, Zelen, and Speed Force, ideal for active days. For something more casual, the Dillon Canvas combines a classic sneaker look with a 100% cotton canvas upper. While the sole isn’t as thin as some other models on this list, it still offers flexibility and zero drop.
Available in both lace-up and slip-on versions, Xero shoes are great for daily wear or transitioning into barefoot footwear.
Materials: cotton canvas or breathable mesh (depending on model)
Fit: narrow to medium-width feet (leans narrow), average foot volume
Shapen
Use BOSENOGICE5 for 5% off
Shapen’s summer shoes blend barefoot comfort with everyday convenience. The Weavin model features a stretchy knit upper that’s breathable and easy to slip on – no need to untie the laces. The Vibin is made from 100% cotton canvas and offers a more structured feel with better breathability. They also offer espadrilles in two widths, made from organic cotton with a soft microline lining, perfect for a casual summer look.
Materials: breathable knit (cotton, Tencel, synthetics), 100% cotton canvas, or organic cotton espadrilles with microline lining
Fit: medium to wide feet, average to high volume (Weavin can adjust to narrow feet but may feel roomy on low volume); espadrilles fit narrow to medium-width, low volume
Kjavik
Use BU10 for 10% discount
With a breathable mesh upper and a sporty, cushioned feel, KJAVIK sneakers are great for both training and casual wear. They come with two insoles (one thicker, one thinner) so you can adjust the feel – or remove them for a more barefoot experience. Easy to slip on once laced, and solid enough for everyday use or gym workouts.
Materials: synthetic mesh
Fit: medium to wide feet, average to high volume (size up for more length)
Peerko
Use BOSENOGICE10 for 10% off
The Peerko Origin blends classic Converse vibes with real barefoot comfort. It’s one of the softest and lightest barefoot shoes from Peerko – super flexible, slipper-like feel but with structure that holds up. The thin sole gives great ground feel, and it comes in plenty of colors from subtle to bold.
Materials: textile upper, flexible rubber sole
Fit: suits narrow to wide feet, low to average volume (true to size, but size up for more width)
👉 Want more like this? Check out our full list of barefoot shoes that look like Converse.
Lems Shoes
Use BU10 for 10% off at Lems EU
Lems offers several casual barefoot-style shoes that work well in summer, like the Laguna, Primal 3, Drifter, and Malibu. These are more on the “transitional” end, but worth including if you want comfort and breathability with a bit more sole – especially if you’re new to barefoot shoes. Most models feature mesh or canvas uppers and come with the cushioned insole, which adds comfort but can feel a bit warm on hot days.
Materials: breathable mesh or canvas (depending on model)
Fit: medium-width, some also wide; average volume; note that toe box shapes vary – some taper more than others
Be Lenka
Use BU5 for 5% discount
The Be Lenka Rebound is a bold, expressive barefoot sneaker made with a textile upper and a soft, flexible sole that’s slightly cushioned – making it a comfortable choice for all-day wear.
With fun patterns, vibrant colors, and a casual silhouette, they stand out from the minimalist crowd.
Compared to other Be Lenka models, the Rebound has a new shape that slightly reduces space for the big toe. If your feet are especially foot-shaped or already close to Be Lenka’s width limit, sizing up might be necessary.
Materials: textile upper (synthetic)
Fit: best for medium-width feet, low to average foot volume (can size up for more width)
Saguaro
Use BU15 for 15% discount
A go-to brand for barefoot beginners, Saguaro offers affordable, fully vegan sneakers made from synthetic materials. They’re lightweight, machine washable, and come in a wide variety of styles – great if you’re just testing the barefoot waters. Designs and colors change often, so there’s usually always something new to try.
Materials: fully synthetic (vegan)
Fit: varies by model – some are more foot-shaped than others; generally suited for medium to wide feet (size up if the upper is thicker or toe box tapers)
Helpful Extras for Summer Comfort
Little upgrades that make barefoot summer shoes even better.
No-Show Toe Socks
If you’re not into going barefoot-barefoot, try thin toe socks made from moisture-wicking fabrics. They help reduce sweat, prevent rubbing, and keep shoes fresher longer – especially with canvas or leather-lined shoes.
Removable Insoles
Many barefoot shoes come with thin, removable insoles. Removing them after wear helps your shoes air out and dry more effectively – or you can swap them for washable or moisture-wicking insoles during the hottest months.
Natural Deodorizing Tips
- Sprinkle a little baking soda inside overnight
- Use odor-absorbing insoles to absorb moisture and odor
- Let shoes fully dry between wears – rotate pairs if possible
- A proper wash and air-dry can do wonders for mesh shoes
Explore More Barefoot Summer Favorites
Looking for something more specific? We’ve got you covered.
👉 Need open-toe options? Check our guide to the best everyday barefoot sandals for women and best barefoot sandals for men – stylish, foot-shaped, and easy to wear.
👉 Heading to the beach or the lake? Browse our top picks for water-friendly barefoot shoes that can handle splashes and sand.
👉 Planning hikes or summer adventures? Don’t miss our multi-sport barefoot sandal guide – built for movement and tough terrain.
👉 Shopping for kids? We also have a complete list of barefoot sandals for kids to keep little feet cool and free.
👉 New to barefoot shoes? Start with our Foot Width Quiz to find the perfect fit.
Final Thoughts: Let Your Feet Breathe This Summer
Barefoot summer shoes don’t have to mean sandals – with the right pair, you can enjoy hot days in breathable, foot-shaped comfort without compromising on style or protection. Whether you prefer natural canvas or technical mesh, there’s something here for every type of summer day.
The key? Give your toes space, choose breathable materials, and don’t forget comfort matters more than trend.
👉 Have a favorite pair we didn’t mention? Or questions about fit and breathability? Drop a comment below – we’d love to hear what works for you this summer!
Explore more of our barefoot summer picks in the links above – and treat your feet to a season of freedom.
