Barefoot shape shoes but not barefoot soles? And not too horrible?

[Talipesmum]

Firstly - I’m posting this in style and beauty not because I think what I’m after is stylish or beautiful (I suspect it’s very much neither) but because this seems to be the de facto place for clothing recommendations. So I’ll apologise in advance to fashionistas for any offensive shoe images that may arise…

I’ve got really wide square feet, and so has my teen son. My Facebook has been slowly infected with adverts for barefoot type shoes, eg vivobarefoot, hobibear etc. My son saw some and was v excited at the prospect of shoes shaped like his actual feet, and so am I. I’ve also seen barefoot shoes recommended on here for wide feet.

I’m not actually interested in the “feel the connection with the floor / zero drop” aspect of barefoot shoes, though I’d be willing to try. It’s all about the “barefoot” shape natural toe box for me.

These ones didn’t look as weird as some others but the trustpilot reviews are shocking hobibear

My question is - has anyone with wide feet tried any of these brands and can recommend specific ones, ideally that don’t look too weird with rubber stripes coming up round the foot? Anywhere we can try them in real life or is it nearly always an online order job? And are there any with normalish soles but barefoot shape that can be recommended?

Watching with interest. Wide feet, plantar fasciitis, prescription orthotics for arch and knee problems - I find it quite tricky to buy shoes!

I usually wear Birkenstock Bend Low.

I have a gorgeous pair of Docs, but I had to try several different styles in the shop before I found one that would accommodate my toes.

I am currently wearing a pair of cheap-as-chips Decathlon trainers (Skechers rip-offs, I think) that are light and bouncy, and accommodate my orthotics. They are the best for my PF.

@HalfWomanHalfHobnob how does the sizing work on those Amazon shoes? I'm normally 7.5, but often go for 8 to accommodate my toes.

Some Keen shoes have wide toe box and they have some 'barefoot inspired' types

@Aparecium I'd say maybe size up; I'm usually a 5, but had to send that pair back for a 5.5 (wide, obviously!). At least returns are fairly painless with Amazon, if needed.

Another vote for Birkenstocks! All my shoes are Birkenstocks, they are so comfortable. Expensive for a growing teen though.

I actually love my hobibear shoes! They're really light and comfy. They make my feet happy, and I think they look fairly cute!

My friend has these and i intend to try them next for walking trainers - https://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/
They are wide toe box and low drop but not thin soled.

I triy to only wear foot shaped shoes with a wide toe box and my go-to brands are Birkenstock and Altra. I've just made an account with Hobibear because I really like the look of their shoes😍
@Therapee would you say that the Hobibear are roomy? Should we size up or size down?🙏🏻

Also would you consider men’s trainers? My xeros are actually men’s because they are wider fit. You don’t get as lovely colours but the shoe is otherwise the same.

I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes almost exclusively for around 18 months (after a Morton’s neuroma removal and bunion correction) but like you I’m more about having the toe spreading space than the barefoot ground feel (I can’t tolerate anything trying to squeeze my corrected big toe in anymore which is a shame as have had to let go most of my regular shoes).

For regular looking trainers I would recommend Groundies, really love my Nova and Nova G01’s, have worn them all day on holiday walking tours with no issues (I do use a thin foam insole). For work I have some great loafers from Shapen, the most comfortable summer sandals from Zeazoo, and workout shoes from Lono. I tried Vivo but found them a bit too narrow and felt I was in between sizes but did like the look and feel (although they are a tad over priced!). I first went to Altra’s which I still wear but when running occasionally will go back to a Hoka or similar due to previous calf strain issues being aggravated by the zero drop.
Someone else recommended Anya’s reviews which is a great source of info on all the different brands available and how they fit.

https://www.groundies.com/uk/barefoot-shoes-women/sneaker/

https://www.shapenbarefoot.com/en/versa-barefoot-loafers-beige?_gl=13y0ywy_upMQ.._gsMQ.._gaMTk4NzkyNTMwMy4xNzU2ODIwMDY0_ga_KMMKSDDBPV*czE3NTY4MjAwNjMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTY4MjAwNzAkajUzJGwwJGg3OTA3MjcwMzU.&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Lvr25i6jwMVbJlQBh3URBHAEAAYASAAEgKZAfD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAClbVScQqwrrVDwdS51RgzSSmXM2R

https://zeazoo.com/en/barefoot-sandals-grown-ups/251-16456-311-47-symphony-black-instock.html#/62-size-38

https://lonowear.com/products/flow-s-black

I don’t know if anyone has mentioned them but Altra are a wide toe box with a normal cushioned sole. They sell them in John Lewis but don’t have a huge range. I only wear these now for walking boots and road and trail running. Changed the game for me.

I've also ordered Hobibear from Amazon because they are easy to return. They're not amazing quality but they're fine for the price. I put heel supports in them so they're not totally flat. I'm like you, more about the roomy toe box than the soles

Clarks 'funny dream' style has a pretty wide toe box (needed after I broke my little toe getting out of the bath). Look on eBay.

i hate my hobibear, they're uncomfortable, and upset my Plantar fasciitis, i'll be saving up for birkenstock trainers in the hope they're as good as my sandals.

Had to have shockwave therapy on my PF because its turned chronic, and even my physio says barefoot shoes, despite claims, are not good for PF.

My daughter has ongoing hip issues and loves vivobarefoot. I think they were suggested by her PT.

My kids are in BGreater. Not too barefoot, and look like normal shoes.

I have wide forefooot and tried vivobarefoot but got plantar fascitis. Now wearing select new balance in EE and some other trainers that come up wide.

For plantar fascists try adding in an arch support to your shoes. I've had terrible trouble with PF on and off for years. Had steriod injections that worked really well for 6 years. I run, used to run a lot now more on and off. Anyway last year I read somewhere that PF is caused by arch issues so bought some quite stiff insoles and then some sort of gel stick in things for sandals and whatnot. Am cured. If I wear flat shoes with no arch support for a few days now the pain comes back, put the insoles in and it goes away. Well worth a try. I bought insoles from amazon, I paid about £15-20. Well worth it.

DD and I both have wide feet with narrow heels making it fairly impossible to buy properly fitting shoes. She recently discovered Altras and swears by them.

Edited as I posted twice in error.

I have Altra trainers, they have a selection with a wide toe box, they are the most comfortable shoe/trainers I’ve owned. I bought mine second hand from vinted and will be buying more! They are true to size and have a lovely wide toe box and my toes can wiggle away unsquashed!

There is a lady on tiktok who is quite informative on barefoot and brands. She also checks what high street shop sell barefoot shoes. Her name page barefootbrit

I've been wearing Vivobarefoot and Merrell for about 15 years now. They don't seem to do my favourite Merrells any more, so I'm watching this with interest.

I wear both barefoot and wide feet flat shoes. I brought ones like these from the VIVOBAREFOOT store in Covent Garden last year:

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/gobi-boot-womens

I lived in them all winter (mine have a furry lining).

I wanted to try some barefoot shoes for the gym, but purchased a vivo pair and found them just a bit too flat and flexible. Vivo let you try and use shoes for up to 100 days and I wore mine for about 2 weeks at the gym before concluding that they weren’t right. They accepted the return with no quibbles.

I bought these https://www.barebarics.com/barefoot-sneakers-barebarics-arise-white-raspberry-pink/

on sale, for about half that, and I love them.

I still haven’t found sandals that are both comfy enough and that I am prepared to wear. I am not very stylish but have some standards 😂😂

Inov8 trainers are worth trying, I really like mine. Foot shaped with normal soles. I think I got wide too.

I know not your question but Saltwater sandals are also great.

Have a look at barefootbritofficial on Instagram.

I would also recommend Altra trainers. I have a Morton Neuroma on both feet and these trainers are so comfy. I have two pairs, both with 4mm drop (so not completely flat), which were easy to get used to.