Best Barefoot Loafers: Dressy, Casual & Vegan Picks
From dressy leather styles to casual everyday wear and vegan options, find comfortable, foot-friendly loafers you’ll love in this round-up of the best barefoot loafers.
I used to have a pair of calf hair loafers that I thought looked so elevated and cool…but every time I wore them, they left me with blisters on my heels, red and pinched toes, and my feet tired and sore. The stiff leather soles had zero give, and by the end of the day, I was miserable. Looking back, I can’t believe how much discomfort I used to tolerate for the sake of style!
It’s easy to see why loafers are such a classic. They’re incredibly versatile—easy to dress up for work or a night out, or dress down with jeans and a sweater for a casual weekend look. But finding a pair that’s both stylish and truly foot-friendly used to feel impossible.
Lately, though, the landscape has been changing. Loafers have always been a wardrobe staple, but right now they’re having a major moment. From high-fashion runways to everyday street style, loafers are everywhere, and barefoot shoe brands have stepped up with their own versions of this timeless style.
Over the past few years, I’ve tried a wide range of barefoot loafers, and this season, there are more options than ever before. Some of the pairs in my collection are well-loved staples I’ve worn for years, while others are brand-new releases that just launched this year. In this post, I’m sharing my personal reviews and insights to help you find the best barefoot loafers for your style and fit.
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What Makes a Loafer Barefoot?
At first glance, a barefoot loafer might look like any other loafer, but the difference is in how it’s built. Traditional loafers often have stiff soles, elevated heels, and narrow, tapered toe boxes that squeeze your feet. Barefoot loafers, on the other hand, are designed to let your feet move naturally.
Here’s what to look for:
- Zero-Drop Sole – No raised heel, keeping your foot in a natural, level position.
- Flexible Sole – Allows your foot to bend and move freely with each step.
- Wide Toe Box – Gives your toes room to spread out instead of being pinched together.
- Lightweight Construction – Keeps the shoe feeling unrestrictive and closer to barefoot.
The goal is a shoe that feels almost like you’re wearing nothing at all—while still looking polished enough to dress up.
Sizing Reference
I share my size for each of these barefoot loafers as a reference. My foot length is 23.3cm with medium width and a higher instep, and I’m typically a size US7.5 or EU38. I usually look for an insole measurement that’s 1.2cm longer than my foot length, so around 24.5cm, but may go slightly shorter on a slip-on style like a loafer.
Now, let’s get to the list of the best barefoot loafers!
Best Barefoot Loafers
Shapen Sheen in Patent Leather
EU35 – 44 | $149 | BFSHOEGUIDE5 for 5% of
The Shapen Sheen loafers are a fun, eye-catching barefoot dress shoe option, but they do come with a few things to keep in mind.
One of the biggest challenges is actually getting them on. The patent leather looks sleek and polished, but it has very little stretch, and there’s no built-in elastic to help with entry. I don’t have especially wide or high-volume feet, but I do have a slightly higher instep, and even for me it takes some wiggling to slide my foot in. If you have extra-wide feet or a very high instep, these might not be the best fit for you.
Once they’re on, though, it’s a different story. There’s plenty of space inside—both in width and overall volume. Because the patent leather is a bit stiff, you’ll feel some resistance over the crease point of your foot, but it isn’t uncomfortable. I personally wouldn’t choose these for a day packed with walking, but they’re perfectly comfortable for regular wear and make a fun statement piece when you want to dress up an outfit.
All versions of the Sheen feature a glossy patent leather base, but there are three styles with added personality: one with a leopard-print panel, one with studs (pictured here), and one with a subtle metallic pattern.
Shapen also offers another loafer style, the Versa, which comes in both regular and wide widths. I found the regular EU37 to be a touch too narrow and low-volume for my liking, but the wide option felt a little too loose and insecure—especially for a slip-on style. That’s based on my foot though; if you have wider feet, the Versa in wide could be a good fit for you.
Fit and Sizing: The Sheen uses the same dotted outsole found on many of Shapen’s sneakers and some of their boots. If you’ve tried those, you’ll likely find the sizing familiar. I wear an EU37, and they fit well both barefoot and with thin socks. The Sheen is only available in one width.
Feelgrounds Loafer in Vegan Leather
EU35 – 44 | $149 | KELLY5 for 5% off
Feelgrounds went for a timeless penny loafer, including a newly designed zero-drop sole that features a subtle faux heel. This detail gives them a more traditional look while still keeping them fully barefoot-friendly.
The sole itself is a bit more structured and slightly stiffer than Feelgrounds’ sneaker soles, but it’s still flexible enough to allow for a natural, comfortable gait. They also include a 3mm removable insole, which adds just a bit of cushion and lets you fine-tune the fit.
Style-wise, these loafers are simple, timeless, and versatile—available in black or brown for easy pairing with both casual and dressier outfits.
The loafers are launching September 25, but you can get early access using the password EARLY2025.
Fit & Sizing
I’m wearing an EU38, which is my usual size in Feelgrounds shoes, and they fit my medium-width feet well. The fit feels very similar to their sneakers. Overall, I find Feelgrounds’ shoes to have a great fit; the width, volume and general shape is always just right for me. Since loafers don’t have laces or buckles to adjust the volume, I get the most secure fit by wearing them with the insoles in place. They’re comfortable to wear either barefoot or with a thin sock.
Groundies Ghent Loafers in Suede
EU36 – 43 | $79 | KELLY15 for 15% off (limited-time coupon code)
The Groundies loafers take a minimalist approach with soft goatskin suede uppers that feel almost like a second skin. With the tan and navy color ways, simple design, and white soles, these loafers have more of a casual vibe.
They’re built on the Groundies’ TrueSense® Street sole, which I’ve found runs a little narrow. The Ghent barefoot loafers don’t come with an included insole, so I added my own to help adjust the volume and get a more secure fit. I styled the Ghent loafers two ways here if you want to check out the video.
Fit & Sizing
I’m wearing an EU38, which feels slightly long and a bit high-volume for a slip-on shoe. Once I added an insole, the fit improved and felt much more secure. I personally don’t want to size down in these as I’ll lose even more width.
Ohne Project Luma Loafer in Vegan Leather or Suede
EU36 – 47 | $175 | KELLY10 for 10% off
Ohne Project seems to be on top of every trend, from sneakerinas to samba dupes. Their Luma loafers can be worn as a classic penny loafer, or you can add the removable tassels for a bit of extra flair. The all-black version leans more formal, while the loafers in grey or butter yellow vegan suede with a white sole offer a casual, playful twist.
Fit & Sizing
These loafers use the same outsole as all of their Project 0X0 sneakers, but due to the design, they tend to run slightly large. While I usually wear EU38 in their sneakers, the EU37 fits me better in this slip-on style.
BeFlamboyant Glow Horsebit Loafers in Vegan Leather
EU 36 – 46 | $181 | KELLY10 for 10% off
BeFlamboyant is a newer brand on this list. They’re based in Spain, and their vegan barefoot shoes are made in Portugal. Their designs tend to lean toward a chunkier, faux-thick sole aesthetic. With the loafers, this can sometimes make the uppers look a little squashed compared to a traditional loafer as the soles sometimes account for more space than the actual uppers. The actual sole on the bottom is only 5mm, but the higher sidewall does make these a little stiffer than some of the other options on this list.
The Glow loafers are available in a few different variations. The black and brown pairs are elevated with fringe and a horsebit detail, while the contrasting versions feature a bold white center panel.
Fit & Sizing: I’m wearing these in an EU37. They also come with a removable insole, but because the shoes have a lower volume fit, I find them more comfortable without it.Ohne Project Penny Loafers in Vegan Leather
These loafers take a bit of effort to slip on—though not as much as the Shapen Sheen.
BeLenka Viva Horsebit Loafers in Leather
EU36 – 43 | $140 | KELLY5 for 5% off
BeLenka offers several loafer styles, though they list them as moccasins on their website. My personal favorite is the Viva, thanks to its minimal sole and the horsebit detail, which give it a more elevated, polished look.
While BeLenka is generally known for their wider fit, the Viva runs noticeably narrower. The Bianca and Rosaluna use this same sole, so they’ll fit similarly. The Viva is still foot-shaped, but if you have very wide feet, you may prefer one of BeLenka’s truly wide loafers, like the Buena or Aphrodite.
These loafers have a thin, flexible sole with very little cupping, so they feel and move much like a traditional barefoot shoe (especially compared to some of the others on this list that are going for the chunky look). The uppers are made from soft nappa leather, and small elastic panels on the tongue make them easy to slip on and off.
Fit & Sizing
I’m wearing an EU38, which is my usual size in BeLenka sneakers. The Viva comes with a removable insole, and I find them comfortable with the insole in place. If you have higher-volume feet, you can remove it for extra space.
Final Thoughts
A good barefoot loafer should look sharp while letting your feet move naturally. With the right pair, you can dress up without sacrificing comfort or foot health. While you might look at style and materials first, it’s most important to consider the fit and sizing tips so you end up with a loafer that’s the right fit for you.
