Magical Shoes Brand Review: Barefoot Shoes with High Flexibility and Ground Feel
If you’ve been around the barefoot shoe world for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the name Magical Shoes. They’re a Polish barefoot shoe brand that’s been doing a lot of things right for years—especially when it comes to flexible soles, simple designs, and quality materials.
Magical Shoes tends to be on the very barefoot end of the spectrum: thin, very flexible soles, zero drop, and foot-shaped toe boxes that work well for medium-width feet without feeling overly narrow. They’re not the flashiest brand out there, but they’re dependable, use high-quality natural materials like leather, suede and wool. Their line includes barefoot shoes for adults, kids and toddlers (they have some of my favorite shoes for my thick-footed toddler).
In this Magical Shoes brand review post, I’m breaking down the styles I’ve worn and tested—how they fit, how barefoot they actually feel, and who I think each pair works best for. I’ll also share sizing notes (note: I almost always size up), material details, and how these compare to other popular barefoot shoe brands. If you’ve been considering Magical Shoes and wondering whether they’re worth it, this should help you decide.
Ordering & shipping: Magical Shoes is based in Poland but offers worldwide shipping starting. If you’re in the U.S., PedTerra carries a limited stock, and offers free shipping and free returns. Use code KELLY for 10% off.
Coupon code: Use code KELLY for 10% off.
Fit and sizing: Magical Shoes can vary between styles, so I included a note for each one. These are based on my medium width feet with a higher instep and 23.3cm foot length. I like a roomier fit, and usually opt for the full 1.2cm of extra space in sneakers.
Magical Shoes Sneaker Reviews
Magical Shoes Explorer 2.0
The Magical Shoes Explorer 2.0 are barefoot athletic shoes with suede and breathable mesh uppers. The outsole is noticeably grippy, making these a good option for indoor workouts or slick surfaces like wood floors. The sole is 6.5mm thick and impressively flexible.
Fit and sizing: I recommend sizing up from your usual size, but definitely double-check the size chart for this model. I went with a size EU 39, which works well for my 23.3 cm foot length. I typically wear a size 38, but according to the Magical Shoes size chart, the 39 measures 24.5 cm—giving me about 1.2 cm of extra space, which is right in my ideal range.
Fit-wise, these work best for medium-width feet. Compared to other barefoot brands, Magical Shoes tends to fall right in the middle. My feet lean slightly narrow, and I have a bit of extra room, but not enough to feel sloppy.
Nova Sneakers
The Nova are a wide toe box dupe for the Adidas Samba. They come in cute bubblegum pink, as well as a bright blue, cherry red, muted green, and purplish-blue, and dark brown.
The toe box is slightly molded and reinforced to help preserve that space, which is great for comfort and long-term structure. That said, because the reinforcement sits a bit back from the very edge of the sole, it can look slightly awkward from certain angles (you can see what I mean in the comparison photo with the Mukishoes at the top of this section).
Fit and sizing: They’re a solid option for medium-width, higher-volume feet, with a roomy feel through the forefoot. Like other Magical Shoes sneakers, I needed to size up. I wear an EU39.
Echo Sneakers
The Echo sneakers are a classic barefoot style with a functional zipper on the outer side of the upper. It’s not just decorative—if you like the look or simply don’t want to re-tie your shoes every time, the zipper is genuinely convenient.
The Echo uses the same 5.5mm sole as the Nova, which is very light and flexible. It does appear slightly thicker thanks to the faux sidewall, but ground feel is still excellent. The uppers are made from natural full-grain leather with a noticeable texture, so keep that in mind if you prefer a smoother, more polished finish. They also come in suede.
Fit & sizing: These fit similarly to the Nova—best for medium-width, higher-volume feet, with a generous amount of space above the toes. I’m wearing a size EU 39.
Merix Wool Sneakers
I love the feel of wool, and these are a true wool-on-wool sneaker. The uppers are made from 100% Portuguese wool fabric with smooth leather accents, and they’re lined with an even fluffier wool for added softness and warmth.
The Merix wool barefoot sneakers use a newer outsole from Magical Shoes with a higher side profile. While it looks chunkier than some of their other styles, the sole itself is still quite thin—the added height comes from a faux sidewall, so you’re not giving up ground feel or flexibility.
I also noticed that this outsole is constructed in two separate pieces rather than molded as a single unit. The bottom sole is one piece, while the higher sidewall is a separate piece. Both are glued together at the base of the shoe, and the sidewall is stitched to the upper. This construction seems to contribute to the shoe’s excellent flexibility.
That said, it’s not a construction method I see often (it’s also used on the Echo and Nova sneakers, though the sidewall isn’t as tall), so it’s worth noting. I could potentially see it leading to durability issues over time, such as separation between the sole and sidewall or moisture getting in. I haven’t experienced any of those issues so far as I’ve only had these for one season, but it’s something I’ll be keeping an eye on.
Fit and sizing: These fit very similar to Magical Shoe’s other sneakers. Even with the wool lining, a size EU39 fits me best.
Magical Shoes Boot Reviews
Monet Boots
These are my favorite Magical Shoes releases in a while. The Monet is a barefoot bootie with the increasingly popular moc-toe design. I love the caramel suede version, but they’re also available with smooth leather uppers. To make them more winter-ready, they’re fully lined with fluffy wool for extra warmth.
This style also features a newer outsole from Magical Shoes with a higher side profile. Even though they look chunkier than other styles, the sole itself is still quite thin—the extra height is a faux sidewall, so you’re not sacrificing ground feel or flexibility. The one thing I don’t love about this sole is the colors; the sidewall is a somewhat transparent gym, while the bottom is a bright orange. It gives the impression that the shoes are almost glowing at the bottom. I personally would prefer a gum sole throughout, and maybe one slightly less transparent.
Fit & sizing: I got these in an EU 40 to account for the wool lining, but in hindsight, my usual EU 39 in Magical Shoes would have been the better fit. They’re not so large that I won’t wear them, but they are roomier than I need. I already have a full thumb’s width of space in front of my toes in my unlined Magical Shoes sneakers in EU 39, so there was enough room to accommodate the thicker lining without sizing up.
Alaskan Winter High Top Sneakers
The Magical Shoes Alaskan is bit of a hybrid between boot and sneaker. They’re full leather uppers and lined with wool, so they’re very warm. Stylistically, they feel and look more like a high top sneaker. If you love lightness and flexibility but don’t want to compromise on warmth, these Magical Alaskan sneakers are the perfect option. They also have a side zip on the inner part, so they’re super easy to get on and off. Note that they aren’t waterproof.
Lupino Boots
The Lupino Chelsea Boots are one of the softest and most flexible barefoot boots I’ve tried. They’re available in sueded leather (grey, black, green, brown, and burgundy) or a black vegan faux leather option. The 6.5mm “Magical Rubber” sole is extremely flexible, and the boots are lined with felt, which adds softness and a bit of warmth without making them feel bulky.
Fit & sizing: I ended up choosing an EU 39, which is one size up from my usual. I tried both the 38s and 39s side by side, which made the difference clear.
Based on length alone, I expected to fall between sizes. The 38s fit my ankles and overall foot shape well, but the extra space ended up in the heel rather than in front of the toes. These boots curve outward at the back more than many others I’ve worn, which pushed my foot slightly forward. On my longer foot (about 23.3 cm), I could feel my toe brushing the front edge of the 38s.
With the 39s, I have a bit more room around the ankles and instep, but I also get proper toe space, room for socks, and a much better overall fit.
Sierra Hiking Boots
I really like the look and overall feel of the Sierra hiking boots from Magical Shoes. They’re made with oiled nubuck uppers and include a water-resistant membrane
Like several of Magical Shoes’ newer designs, this hiking outsole is constructed in two pieces, with the bottom sole and sidewall glued together. That construction gives me some pause here, simply because hiking boots tend to take more abuse than everyday shoes and are regularly exposed to water, mud, and uneven terrain.
While the outsole does have a lug pattern, there’s also a fair amount of smooth surface area, which raises some questions for me around long-term grip on slick or muddy trails. I’ll need to spend more time hiking in these to fully evaluate performance, but these are my initial impressions. Overall, the uppers feel promising and well made—my remaining questions are mostly around outsole durability and traction.
Magical Shoes for Kids and Toddlers
Magical Shoes is one of my go-to brands for toddler barefoot shoes. The Magical Shoes Baloo were some of my baby’s very first shoes (pictured in blue and brown below), and almost five years later, he’s still wearing their toddler and kids styles. Every pair has fit my chunky toddler’s feet beautifully, they’re easy to get on, and—most importantly—he keeps them on without protest.
Their toddler lineup includes everything from summer sandals to cozy winter boots. Most styles use 3.3mm non-slip rubber soles, which I personally prefer over the suede soles common in first walker moccasins. The rubber soles are nearly as flexible, more durable, and don’t collect dirt the same way.
Most uppers are made from very soft leather, though some styles use more breathable fabrics, like the Rico. For a classic sneaker look, check out the Milo. For the cutest fisherman sandals, the Janu is hard to beat.
The ZiuZiu winter boots may look a little chunky, but they feel surprisingly light and flexible, and they’re fully lined with merino wool for extra warmth. Almost all toddler styles feature a wide-openingvelcro strap, making them easy to put on while still providing a secure fit.
Sizing: Starts at EU 18, making these a great option for toddlers with tiny feet who are just learning to walk.
Final Thoughts on Magical Shoes
Magical Shoes is one of those barefoot brands that doesn’t rely on hype, but consistently delivers where it matters most: flexibility, comfort, and truly foot-shaped designs. Across their adult and toddler styles, the common thread is thin, flexible soles, soft uppers, and fits that work especially well for medium-width feet looking for a natural feel without extremes in either direction.
Sizing is the biggest thing to pay attention to. In most adult styles, I’ve found that sizing up is the safest choice, though it’s always worth double-checking the size chart and considering lining thickness. Once you dial in your size, Magical Shoes are easy to wear, easy to move in, and hold up well for everyday use.
And don’t miss out if you have kids or toddlers. After years of real-life wear, they remain some of my most consistently well-fitting and practical barefoot shoes for little feet—durable, flexible, and genuinely easy for parents and kids alike.
