Wearing barefoot shoes is a great way to improve your health, but some people need more time and support before they can handle the thinnest soles on their feet. Barefoot and minimalist shoes for beginners provide the right amount of protection and comfort for those who aren’t quite ready to go fully barefoot yet.
There’s no need to dive headfirst into minimalism. Your feet have been squeezed into tight shoes for years, and it’s perfectly fine to give them time to adjust to new feelings and sensations.
If you love the wide toe box and foot-shaped design of barefoot shoes but aren’t quite ready for the thinnest soles, or if you need more support on days when your feet are tired, you’re in the right place. This guide will introduce you to the best barefoot brands offering models with a bit more cushion. Typically, this cushioning is achieved with a medium-thickness outsole and/or an added foamy insole, which makes a significant difference in how cushioned the soles feel. Most brands on this list still provide good sole flexibility, but the foamy insole adds extra comfort. For most people, this type of cushioning is enough to provide some padding underfoot.
You can also achieve a similar cushioned feel by adding extra insoles to your barefoot shoes, helping your feet transition gradually.
If you need even more cushioning, thicker and firmer soles, or soles with a toe spring to give you that rocker effect, check out our separate post on The Best Wide Toe Box Shoes with Extra Cushion. These shoes aren’t barefoot but have a wide toe box, perfect for those whose current situation or preference doesn’t allow for barefoot shoes, or who simply don’t want to wear them.
In this guide, you’ll find barefoot brands whose soles and insoles provide a more cushioned step.
The Best Beginner-Friendly Barefoot & Minimalist Shoes
Fleeters
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While we love Fleeters for their ground feel and modern design—think leopard prints, metallic details, and the kind of stylish look that fashion-forward individuals crave in barefoot sneakers—Fleeters can also be a great brand for beginners. They come with two different insoles, and the thicker one is perfect if you’re looking for some cushion in your sneakers (and you can replace it with the thinner one when you feel ready!).
What also sets Fleeters apart is their commitment to sustainability, with sneakers made from vegan materials like corn leather. A huge plus is that they’re machine washable, making maintenance a breeze. Fleeters are ideally suited for medium and medium-wide feet and can be comfortably adjusted to fit narrower feet as well.
Saguaro
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Saguaro is known as one of the most affordable barefoot brands. They offer a wide range of barefoot shoes, beach shoes, and water shoes for men, women, and kids, all made from synthetic materials. With plenty of colors and styles to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect pair for your needs.
Saguaro shoes are made on different lasts and use various soles, differing in width, shape, and sole thickness. All their soles are soft and flexible, but some styles have added thicker cushioned insoles, providing extra cushioning for those who desire it. These styles with thicker, foamy insoles typically feature the ‘5 toes outsole’ design. Other styles have thinner soles and won’t offer the cushioned effect found in other styles on this list. These styles of Saguaro models are best suited for medium and wide feet and are the widest Saguaro models.
Quick Shopping Tip: Saguaro has separate websites for different countries. You can switch between them by clicking on the country flag on their website. US customers should stick to the English version, while those shopping from the EU should choose either the German, Spanish, French or Italian flag.
Freet
Use code bu-freet for 10% discount.
We love Freet for casual wear and outdoor activities. All their shoes come with soft and flexible soles, but different styles have different insoles that provide a more cushioned step. Their Pace model felt thick enough even for my father, who likes wide toe box shoes but not thin soles. You can even buy their Ortholite insoles separately and include them in your shoes for more shock absorption.
For a detailed review of Freet, check out our comprehensive review.
Feelgrounds
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While most Feelgrounds shoes have thin and flexible soles, there are some styles that feature thicker and more cushioned soles. This type of sole is found on Feelgrounds’ autumn and winter models like Patrol and Chelsea. These models, with their thicker soles, are also suitable for beginners.
Sizing & Fit: Feelgrounds boots don’t feel as wide as their sneakers and are best suited for medium and medium-wide feet, average volume, and average heel widths. In the winter boots, there is a small tapering at the big toe side, so make sure to choose a size that provides enough space in front of the toes.
Ohne Project
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Ohne Project is a fresh face in the world of vegan barefoot sneakers, offering designs with a mainstream appeal sure to captivate many. Their sneakers may feel more structured, particularly around the heel area. They come with different insoles, allowing for easy customization of the cushioning level to meet individual preferences. For the most cushioned feel, we advise using their thickest insole.
Sizing & Fit: Ohne Project sneakers are versatile, accommodating a range from narrow to medium-wide feet, and are suited for low to average foot volumes. The choice of insole can significantly affect the overall fit; for instance, the thickest and most cushioned insole option might reduce the available space inside the shoe. It’s important to consider this when selecting your size.
Whitin
Whitin is another affordable brand on this list and is available on Amazon. Their shoes feature a wide toe box and come with different sole thicknesses. When selecting your preferred style, ensure you pick models labeled “barefoot” and “wide.”
Whitin shoes come with a zero-drop flexible outsole, but the insole might have a slight heel rise. This extra cushion makes them great for beginners! However, we recommend swapping the insoles for zero-drop ones as you transition to barefoot shoes. While you can completely remove the insole, it may make the shoes less comfortable to wear and too voluminous for your feet.
Sizing & Fit: Whitin provides a size chart with internal lengths and widths listed, and we find it to be true to size. Just remember to leave about 12 mm of wiggle room for your feet. These shoes are best suited for medium and wide feet and fit well to different foot volumes. If your feet are on the wider side, you can always size up to gain even more width.
Quick Shopping Tip: Whitin shoes can be purchased on Amazon, but note that different Amazon websites may offer different models.
Bahé
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Bahé is a relatively new barefoot brand that not only offers a wide toe box but is also one of the first to provide barefoot grounding or earthing shoes with the same electrical conductivity as human skin. They achieved this by incorporating several layers of conductive material inside the sole. The overall thickness of the sole is slightly increased but not excessively so, providing just enough thickness and cushion if this is your preference. The sole still maintains good flexibility in one direction, making them perfect for beginners. For those who prefer more ground feel, the insoles can be removed, allowing you to wear them both ways.
Their first barefoot shoes, the Revive running sneakers, have a very modern, urban look that effectively conceals their wide toe box. Even those not accustomed to the look of wide toe box and foot-shaped shoes will find them aesthetically pleasing. These shoes are made from a water-resistant mesh upper and are available in four different colors.
Bahé has also released their first hiking boots, Rediscover, and plans to release new shoes in the future. However, they also sell traditional shoes with pointy tips, so make sure you are browsing the right section on their website.
Wyde Footwear
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WYDE made it onto this list because their shoes have thicker, more cushioned soles, making them perfect for beginners or those who prefer more padding. They also offer the widest fitting barefoot shoes we’ve tested.
Their new Arcus sneakers combine a modern, stylish design with a comfortable fit for extra wide feet. They have a slightly heavier feel compared to other minimalist barefoot shoes, but they can be adjusted to fit a wide range of foot volumes, including wider ankles and higher insteps. I managed to adjust them nicely to my skinny ankles as well, but the forefoot is best suited for wide and extra wide feet.
Icarus
| USA | leather | 36-47 | from cca. $144 |
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Icarus shoes come with three different insoles that vary in thickness. This allows you to swap them based on your desired level of support and activity.
Xero Shoes
Xero Shoes often sport an athletic look, but they also offer a nice lineup of casual styles that pair great with jeans for everyday wear. Their shoes are made from either vegan materials or leather, making them a bit more wallet-friendly compared to other brands we’ve discussed, especially during their sales. Many of Xero Shoes’ sneakers have a bit more padding, perfect for those just starting with barefoot shoes or anyone who likes a bit more cushion. The thickest soles can be found in their Ridgeway, Ridgeway Mesh Low, and Kelso models.
Sizing & Fit: Xero Shoes come in two widths: men’s and women’s. The women’s sizes are slightly narrower than the men’s, fitting medium-width feet best. If your feet are on the wider side, going up a size might provide the extra width you need. Their shoes also tend to have plenty of room above the toes. The men’s versions are designed to be wider, especially around the ball of the foot and the midfoot area, making them well-suited for individuals with medium-wide feet. If your shoe size is available in both men’s and women’s options, this gives you the flexibility to choose based on the specific width needs of your feet.
The fit can vary across their range, so here is my go-to strategy for picking my size: For models made with thicker materials, I tend to go up half or a full size.
For a detailed review of Xero Shoes, check out our comprehensive review.
Barebarics
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Barebarics is a brand that many beginners are drawn to. Their sneakers have a stylish, chunky vibe that appeals to a wide audience. Made from leather or vegan materials, Barebarics shoes feature youthful, modern designs and appealing colors.
They are fully foot-shaped with a completely zero drop sole. The firm edge around the sole and a firmer heel cup, combined with a thicker foamy insole, make them a popular choice for beginners. These features provide the wide toe box and space for toes that barefoot enthusiasts love, while still maintaining some of the firmness of traditional shoes. Barebarics has also released hiking shoes with thicker soles and less flexibility.
Ballop Shoes
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Ballop barefoot shoes have thin soles, but they come with two different insoles—one thin and the other slightly thicker with a heel rise. If you’re looking for a small amount of cushion, the thicker insole might do the trick.
Ahinsa Shoes
Use code BU10 for 10% discount.
Ahinsa is a vegan barefoot shoe brand that offers both fully barefoot models and models from their ‘Comfort’ line. The only difference between the ‘Barefoot’ and ‘Comfort’ models is the insole used in the shoe. The ‘Comfort’ models feature a slightly thicker, cushioned insole with a slightly raised heel.
Beginner-Friendly Barefoot & Minimalist Sandals
If you decide to transition to barefoot shoes in the summer, here are some options for sandals with thicker soles. Some brands offer both thinner and thicker soles, while others focus solely on thicker ones. So, be sure to choose models with a greater sole thickness.
For sandals, we always recommend using a printable template to determine the correct size. You can read more about fitting sandals properly here.
Earth Runners
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Toetem Sandals
Use BU for 7% discount
Shamma
Use BAREFOOTUNIVERSE for 10% discount
Luna Sandals
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Saltic
Use BAREFOOTUNIVERSE10 for 10% discount
Use BU10 for 10% discount
Conclusion
No matter where you are in your barefoot journey, there is a variety of minimalist shoes to help your feet along the way. It’s important to remember that it can take months for your feet and ankles to strengthen. Be patient and go easy on yourself. We hope this list has helped you in your search and given you some good places to start your journey. We wish you the best of luck in finding your perfect barefoot shoe.
Hi,
How about Topo Athletic shoes for beginners?
Hi Archi,
We are not familiar with that brand.
Hi! I’d like to have healthier feet. I am used to MBT shoes, I put my heel on the ground and roll on my feet. Also I have a very rigid big toe (I can’t bend) and limited arch. Do you recommend barefoot shoes for me?
(My feet instantly crumps, when I try to bend. Really weak I guess.)
Hi Mariann, we can’t provide medical advice and recommend that you contact a podiatrist who is familiar with barefoot shoes to advise if they are suitable for your condition.