Best Barefoot Boat Shoes for Men & Women (Wide Toe Box + Zero Drop)
Discover the best barefoot boat shoes. All the classic style and true comfort with anatomically-shaped toe boxes and zero-drop soles.
It feels like 2016 is cycling back into fashion in so many was, including boat shoes. I wore my gold Sperry boat shoes into the ground that summer a decade ago, and they ended up as a reasonably comfortable option pre-barefoot shoes (but to be honest, the bar was low at that point).
Classic boat shoes do have a few things going for them: soft, unstructured leather uppers and relatively low stack heights. But most are narrow and tapered through the toe box, with soles that can be surprisingly stiff. My pre-barefoot would have fallen in love with the worn-in leather versions from Miu Miu or convinced myself the Sperry x Aritzia Slim Boat Shoe that was more in my price range was “roomy enough.”
But once you’ve experienced a truly foot-shaped toe box, there’s no going back. If you love the boat shoe look but don’t want to squeeze your toes, here’s a roundup of stylish barefoot boat shoes for both men and women.
If you find a truly foot-shaped version, this is an easy, wearable trend that doesn’t fight your feet. There’s a few great options of barefoot boat shoes below, from thicker soles (like the Dolfie and Lems) to thinner options (like Gaucho Ninja).
What Makes it a Boat Shoe?
First off, what is a boat shoe, and how do the barefoot ones differ?
Boat shoes (sometimes called deck shoes) are basically the laid-back, nautical cousin of the loafer. Think soft, unstructured leather, that classic hand-stitched moccasin toe, and a low-profile shape that sits fairly close to the ground. Most have the traditional 360° lacing system with rawhide laces threaded through metal eyelets, plus a flat, non-marking rubber outsole, often with siping (thin slits) for grip on wet decks.
They were originally designed for function, actual traction on boats, but somewhere along the way they became a summer style staple. Easy to slip on, a little preppy, usually worn sockless, and suddenly everywhere the second the weather warms up.
Barefoot versions keep the aesthetic but change what matters most for your feet. The biggest difference is the toe box. Instead of tapering in at the front, it follows a true anatomical foot shape so your toes can actually spread. They’re also zero drop, meaning no built-in heel lift, and typically much more flexible so they move with your foot.
Some styles only incorporate one or two of these elements and end up looking more like a mildly dressy leather shoe than a true boat shoe. That can make them more versatile. I’ll include a few of those options too so you can decide what works best for your style. Of course, every pair on this list is fully committed to real comfort.
Sizing reference
We’ve tested barefoot boat shoes in both men’s and women’s sizes for this blog post. Most are unisex, so it really comes down to sizing availability.
For reference, I (Kelly) tested the women’s styles. My foot length is 23.3cm with a medium width, higher instep, and narrow ankle. I typically wear a US 7.5 or EU 38 and look for an insole length about 1.2cm longer than my foot—around 24.5cm.
Aaron was our tester for the men’s boat shoes. His foot length is 26.8cm with a medium width and very high instep. He usually looks for an insole length of about 28cm and most often wears an EU43 or Men’s US 10.5/11.
The Best Barefoot and Wide Toe Box Boat Shoes
This first section features the boat shoes we’ve personally tested and loved the most. These are the standouts. Let’s get into it.
Dolfie Paradise Deck Shoes
EU37 – 46 | Leather uppers | 13 mm EVA outsole + 3mm insole | Resoleable | €220 | KELLYDP10 for 10% off
Best for: A premium feel with a chunky look
For the most premium wide toe box loafers with full-grain Italian leather that molds to your foot, look no further than the Dolfie Paradise Deck shoes. Since they completely remade their brand to only feature wide toe box shoes with a zero-drop sole, they’ve been winning over the barefoot shoe community with their premium materials and designs that still have their signature flair.
Some people feel the Deck shoes have a lot going on—the laces, the tassels, the X-stitching over the toe box—but honestly, that’s what makes Dolfie stand out as a brand. If the tassels aren’t your thing, they’re removable. These shoes definitely grab attention, but in a good way.
They feature a 13 mm zero-drop EVA B-Light outsole paired with a removable 3 mm foam insole, giving a total stack height of 16 mm. That’s a noticeable stack for anyone coming from the barefoot shoe world, so while they’re not truly barefoot, they’re still have all the other features I look for in a barefoot shoe.
These aren’t going to deliver strong ground feel, nor are they flexible enough to roll into a ball or feel like a second skin. That said, I didn’t find them limiting or uncomfortable. Flexibility comes down to personal preference—if you’re used to shoes in this range, you’ll know what to expect. For comparison, I’d say they’re slightly more flexible than my Altra Lone Peaks. Since they’re EVA, they have the benefit of softening with wear and keeping them light for shoe that looks a bit chunky.
Dolfie shoes do run on the more expensive side, but it’s representative of their premium materials and high quality construction in Portugal. I have yet to talk to someone that wasn’t impressed when they pulled their Dolfies out of the box. You a use code KELLYDP10 for 10% off. Read a full brand review here.
Fit & sizing: I ordered these in an EU38 and they’re a good fit so far when I wear them in socks. This is perfect for winter right now, but if I do ever want to wear these without socks, then I’ll need to tighten the laces a bit (which is really helpful, these do have more adjustability than a pure slip–on). Because I have a narrower ankle, I may also add a heel grip or an extra insole to fine-tune the fit.
The Heritage Collection includes a single 3mm insole (unlike the sneakers, which come with two, including an 8mm option). If you need to adjust volume, you’ll need to get your own insole (or borrow it from another pair of Dolfies if you do happen be a fan and already have another pair).
Gaucho Ninja
EU36 – 47 | Nubuck Leather uppers | 5 mm rubber outsole + 4mm insole | $139 | KELLY10 for 10% off
Best for: true barefoot feel
For a truly classic, truly barefoot deck shoe, Gaucho Ninja is an obvious choice.
Ideally, a deck shoe is comfortable without socks, and these nubuck leather uppers are soft and flexible—especially around the back of the heel, which can often be a hot spot.
The Gaucho Ninja barefoot deck shoes use a flexible 5mm rubber outsole,
topped with a 4 mm foam-and-suede removable insole. You could technically skip the insole if you like your shoes with maximum ground feel since the shoe is fully finished with the same leather on the footbed, though there is some stitching and a few secured threads, so it’s not perfectly smooth.
As a deck shoe, it has all the classic details: moc-toe stitching and wrap-around leather laces. The wrap-around laces are separate from the functional lacing, but they complete the full style.
These come in navy blue and brown nubuck uppers. They are part of Gaucho Ninja’s Barefoot Pals line, which is slightly more affordable then their premium line. They’re currently on sale for $139.
Fit & sizing: Aaron has fairly high volume feet through the midfoot, and they didn’t feel too tight—even with the insole included. I’d say they work well for medium to high volume feet; if you have lower volume feet, you’ll likely want to swap in a thicker insole.
He’s wearing an EU43 for a 26.8cm foot, which is his usual size.
Lems Mariner
Women’s US6 – Men’s US15 | Leather uppers | 10mm outsole + 3.8 mm removable insole | $145
Best for: Prioritizing a cushier feel
If you were a fan of the original Lems Mariners from a few years ago, good news—they’re officially back as of 2025, and better than ever. This wide toe box boat shoe features full-grain leather uppers and Lems’ signature Injection-Blown Rubber outsole, which is cushy, lightweight, and still flexible.
With a zero-drop platform and a 10 mm stack height (plus the removable cork insole), the Mariner is a great option if you want some cushion without giving up up the natural foot shape. It uses the same outsole as the Boulder Boot, if you’re familiar with that feel.
Stylistically, it stays true to the classic boat shoe look with moc-toe stitching and pairs easily with shorts or jeans.
Feelgrounds Docks
EU 36 – 45 | Cotton Canvas uppers | KELLY5 for 5% off
Best for: Prioritizing vegan or lighter materials
Boat shoes are usually leather, but if you want a vegan option, a breathable material like cotton canvas is perfect for warmer weather. I probably wouldn’t recommend a faux leather here, so it’s great that a vegan brand like Feelgrounds opted for cotton for the Docks, their barefoot boat shoe. When I want a quick, easy shoe that’s a step up from a basic slip-on, the Feelgrounds Docks are a great option.
The ankle has a little extra padding, so they’re comfortable with thin socks—or no socks at all. In terms of boat shoe style, they have a moc-toe and simple two-eyelet lacing, so they’re subtle if nautical isn’t your vibe. The laces are functional, letting you tweak the fit a bit, though I mostly wear them as slip-ons after tying once.
These use the same outsole as most of Feelgrounds sneakers and casual shoes, which is a 5mm flexible rubber sole.
Fit and sizing: They fit medium to wide feet best, with medium to high volume. I have a higher instep and still use the 3 cm cork insole to fill a bit of space for a better fit. I went with my usual size EU38.
More Barefoot Boat Shoes
This next section includes styles we haven’t personally tried yet or that wouldn’t be our top pick. That said, you might find something here that’s a better fit for your feet, your style, or your budget.
I like to share the full range of options so you can decide what works best for you.
Groundies Tide
Xero Shoes Kona
Magical Shoes Galeon
KELLY for 10% off
Final Thoughts
Boat shoes are shaping up to be the shoe of summer, but now, you don’t have to sacrifice toe space to wear them. Whether you prefer ultra-thin and flexible or a little more cushion underfoot, there are genuinely good barefoot-friendly options now. The right pair lets you keep the classic look and happy feet—which is the whole point.
