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?

I’ve been in barefoot shoes for over a year now.

Love my saguaro luck, but they are quite minimalist. My second order didn’t fit so well, and as they didn't want a return they just sent me a different size for free.

I have a pair of Splay 101s which I love and are more “normal” looking. They ship from the US but quite reasonable price.

ZzFaber are cheap but look decent and nice and wide.

I have a pair of Altra Lone Peak for running as well, they are a barefoot shaped toe box and zero drop, but thicker sole.

Just ordered my mum some hobibears off Amazon as her first foray into barefoot shoes and she loves them. She’s had multiple people comment assuming they are sketchers.

I wear walking boots and light trainers from Vivos (with orthotics from Amazon - I used to wear them as is but strained my foot a while ago), sandals from Keen and Birkenstock, and smartish shoes from Sole Bliss (not barefoot but they do have a wideish toebox).

I also have a couple of pairs of Crocs which I wear for general mooching. I have a pair of trainers from Topo which I do like but the toe part of them is very barefoot compared to the more supported rest of the shoe which is weird when I run.

I also have a pair of Irregular Choice flats for fancy dos.

I've been barefoot for nearly 10 years and will never go back for everyday shoes (I have occasionally worn heels a about once a year) I'm not bothered about groundfeel either - it's more my wide feet.
I've bought more expensive brands but actually prefer my cheaper ones (because I'm a tight arse).
I've had hobibears from Temu/AliExpress which are great and cheap £6 shoes from Amazon. Also £12 high tops from Temu which are my favourite.

I do have a pair of rose gold groundies for going out out.

As someone mentioned Happy Little Soles are good for trying shoes, they used to have a good returns policy too.

Also, follow Barefoot Brit on FB - she reviews loads of shoes - there are plenty of "normal" looking shoes.

I got involved with Hike barefoot shoes. They are very comfortable for my very sensitive feet and toes and are reasonably priced. HOWEVER, their marketing strategy is crap. They'll send and charge you for two pairs and it is almost impossible to send them back or get a refund. So, be very careful. Such a shame as the shoes themselves are ultra comfy - though my podiatrist doesn't rate them, saying there is not enough support. Well, at least I can get my feet in them and they are comfy

You could try Camper, they have stores in London too

Topo

hoka

keen

duckfeet

fly London.

^^ these are all wide/wider toe box shoes that are not bare foot. I need these due to painful arthritic bunions (bare foot is a no no) but I have normal width heels , so can’t wear “wide fit” shoes.