Buying comfortable, healthy barefoot shoes can be expensive – especially if you’re new to barefoot shoes and try to switch out all the different types of shoes in your closet. Here’s my list of affordable barefoot shoes, plus when and where to shop to find great deals.
Barefoot shoes are great for your feet, but as anyone who’s done some shopping for barefoot shoes knows, they’re tough on your bank account. It’s difficult to find affordable barefoot shoes. And this problems compounds as many of us are not just buying one pair of shoes. If you’re like me, you probably got hooked once you tried your first pair, and realized you now wanted to replace all the shoes in your closet.
After trying to find affordable barefoot shoes for me, my family, and all of you, I’ve got a short list, plus a few different ways to find better deals.
This post isn’t just a list of cheap barefoot shoes, because to be honest, there aren’t that many. I’ve listed the few affordable barefoot shoe brands, but also provided a guide on where to find sales throughout the year, when most sales take place, and where to buy gently used barefoot shoes.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on one of them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Shopping for kids? Check this post on affordable barefoot shoes for kids
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Why are barefoot shoes so expensive?
II. Affordable Barefoot Shoes Under $50
III. Affordable Barefoot Shoes Under $80
IV. Affordable Barefoot Sandals
V. Coupon Codes for Barefoot Shoes
VI. Where to buy discounted, factory seconds, or used barefoot shoes
VII. Barefoot shoe brands with sale sections
Why are barefoot shoes so expensive?
There are a number of reasons barefoot shoes carry a high price tag. One of the biggest contributors to the higher prices is usually volume. Most barefoot shoe brands are newer, smaller companies that are nowhere near the level of production to reach economies of scale. Especially compared to much larger, more established traditional shoe companies. There is also the fact that many barefoot brands use high-quality, sustainable materials. Many European brands also manufacture in places like Portugal, which has a higher wage rate than common manufacturing locations like China and Vietnam.
The barefoot or minimalist shoe market is still fairly niche. It’s grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, but it’s still nowhere near the size of the traditional shoe market. Just to give you a little bit of context, Nike sells over 780 million pairs a year. And to be fair, a lot of Nike’s shoes are still $100+, manufactured in Vietnam and Indonesia, and made from synthetic materials. For a small barefoot shoe brand that’s paying more for materials and labor and often times charging similar prices to these footwear behemoths, I doubt they’re really killing it on the margins.
Affordable Barefoot Shoes Under $50
Saguaro Shoes — $35 to $50
Synthetic Uppers | Sizes US Toddler 7.5 – US Men’s 14 | Code KELLY15 for 15% off on Saguaro.com | Free shipping on orders over $18
Saguaro has an extensive range of barefoot shoes, and many of them hover around the $50 mark with 15% off using the discount code KELLY15. Saguaro is one of the brands with the cheapest barefoot shoes for both kids and adults. Despite their lower cost, the quality of many are very good.
Initially, their styles were limited to mesh trail runners/water shoes like the blue shoes shown below. These retail for around $35. My son has really loved these, and they’ve worked great for running, sports, and warm weather. The soles are foot shaped, flexible and grippy and the uppers are breathable mesh.
Saguaro now offers casual styles, including trendy sneakers and boots. They currently have one of the largest collections of barefoot shoes. The casual knit and mesh barefoot sneakers are very affordable (most around $50), look great, and have held up well for us.
You can see the full line on Saguaro.com, where you can use code KELLY15 for 15% off. A smaller selection of Saguaro’s shoes are available on Amazon, but this is limited to their water shoes.
For orders over $18, shipping is free. These are shipping directly from China, so they have a longer transit time (usually around 10 – 15 business days).
WHITIN Shoes — $40
Synthetic Mesh and Knit or Cotton Canvas Uppers | Sizes Women’s US 6 – Men’s US 13 |Little Kid’s 10.5 – Big Kid’s 5 | Free Shipping and Returns on Amazon
Amazon has several different cheap barefoot shoe brands. I think Whitin shoes are some of the best in terms of looks, fit and durability for the price. The toe box on WHITIN Wide Barefoot Shoes are pretty roomy and the sole is flexible. They have growing number of styles, including sporty tennis shoes, Vans-inspired casual shoe option, and even a HEYDUDE type slip-on.
Most WHITIN Barefoot shoes are $40. They’re a really affordable barefoot shoe option that look good and are reasonably durable. Most people are concerned about quality given the price compared to other barefoot shoe brands. While I don’t find the quality to be on par with some of the other barefoot shoe brands, those are often 3x the price, so I think that’s fair. That said, I’ve still found them to hold up well to regular use. Several of my family members have been wearing them for several years, and are happy with the fit, comfort and durability.
They also have kid’s barefoot shoes for $37.
When you’re shopping Whitin shoes, make sure you’re on their “Wide Barefoot” tab. They also have “Barefoot” tab, but most of these shoes look like conventionally narrow shoes. The only style I would consider on the regular “barefoot” tab is their trail runner.
Since these are sold on Amazon, it is free shipping and free returns in the US.
See more styles and info on fit, sizing and durability in this WHITIN Shoes brand review.
Joomra Shoes — $40
Synthetic uppers | Sizes Women’s US 5.5 – Men’s US 12.5
Joomra makes a pair of wide toe box sneakers very similar to the Whitin ones. They’re usually around $40, but I’ve recently seen them discounted to $20.
Splay Shoes Freestyle and Explore — $40 to $67
Cotton canvas uppers | US Child 8 – US Men’s 13 | Code KELLY10 for 10% off
Splay Shoes is a US-based barefoot shoe brand that has several styles including casual lace-up shoes, slip-ons, and a Velcro option for kids. The Freestyle is their affordable lace-up sneaker made with a cotton canvas upper. Note that these did receive an update in 2024, and I find the toe box to have slightly more of a taper than before.
The Explore is similar in styling, but with Velcro and available in toddler and kids sizes. Depending on the size and style, Splay shoes run from $40 to $67 using the discount code KELLY10 for 10% off. Splay shoes tend to fit lower volume feet best.
See a full review on Splay Shoes here.
Affordable Barefoot Shoes Under $80
Anatomic Shoes — $53
Cotton canvas uppers | US Child 8 – US Men’s 13 | Code KELLY for 10% off on PedTerra
Anatomic are affordable foot-shaped shoes with a wide toe box. They have a thicker sole than the most barefoot shoes, but they’re still flat and pretty flexible. Styles include casual lace ups, slip-ons, and high tops. They’re availabe in the US from the online minimalist shoe retailer PedTerra, which offers free shipping and free returns. Take 10% off your order with code KELLY.
Xero Shoes Kona and Aptos — $65
Cotton canvas uppers | US Women’s 5 – US Men’s 15
Xero Shoes is one of the most popular US-based barefoot shoe brands. Two of their cheapest barefoot shoe option a slip-on canvas shoes: the Aptos and the Kona. The Aptos is more like a Vans slip-on, while the Kona feels more inspired by Hey Dudes. Xero Shoes tend to fit those with narrow, lower volume feet best. As someone with a higher instep, I often remove the insole for a more comfortable fit (though many are still too narrow for me).
LONO Flow — $76
Vegan mesh uppers | EU36 – EU48 | Code KELLY for 5% off
Lono’s goal is to make a pair of reasonably priced, innovatively designed, and sustainably made barefoot shoes. The breathable mesh uppers and athletic design make these a more budget-friendly alternative to shoes like the Vivobarefoot Primus or the Xero Shoes Prio.
Unshoes Terra Vida slip ons — $74
Hemp canvas uppers | US Women’s 5 – US Men’s 13 | Code nomanbefore10 for 10% off
Unshoes has an affordable barefoot slip-on shoe made from hemp canvas. Use code nomanbefore10 to get an extra 10% off at Unshoes.
Origo Shoes Cotton Canvas Sneakers — $79
Cotton canvas uppers | US Women’s 5 – US Men’s 13 | Code KELLY for 10% off
Origo focuses on using sustainable materials in its barefoot shoes, including in the cotton canvas sneakers that cost $79 using the coupon code KELLY. They have men’s, women’s and kid’s sizes. The canvas kid’s barefoot shoes are $54 with the discount code. If they are having a sale, often times this code will stack, so you can get 20% or 30% off the retail price.
Origo’s everyday sneakers have a 6mm stack height, plus they come with an extra insole. Sometimes this little extra cushion can be helpful for those new to barefoot shoes. Overall, these shoes fit narrow to medium wide feet best.
Lems Shoes— $70 to $85 during sales
Canvas and Mesh uppers | US Women’s 4.5 – US Men’s 14
Lems are a bit pricier, but they do tend to have really good sales around the holidays and I think they’re a great brand for those new to barefoot shoes. Lems have a wide toe box , but slightly thicker soles, which can be easier for those that are adjusting to the thinner soles of barefoot shoes.
I’ve seen Lems go on sale for up to 25% off for Black Friday, and they’ve had other 20% off sales throughout the year, like President’s Day in February, Memorial Day in May or Labor Day in September. At 25% off, some of the most popular styles like the Primal 2s, Primal Zen, Drifter and Chillums are $70 to $85. Just a note, if a style is brand new, it likely won’t be included in the sale. So, if it’s a new shoe you really want, I wouldn’t wait for them to go on sale as they may not be included or they may be sold out.
Other affordable barefoot shoe options
- AliExpress: I’ll caveat this by saying I haven’t tried any of the options off AliExpress, but there are what look like cheap barefoot shoe options for about $20. I don’t know the quality, but they are probably very similar to some of the Amazon brands like Whitin or Saguaro. AliExpress items can take awhile to ship since they’re usually coming straight from China. If you try any, let me know how you like them.
- More options on Amazon: A lot of different brands that all look pretty similar often pop up on Amazon. Many of them may be manufactured at the same place, and simply branded differently. I haven’t kept up with all the different Amazon brands, so if there’s a new one you’ve tried that you like, please share in the comments below.
Affordable Barefoot Sandals
If you live where the weather is warm at least part of the year, opting for sandals is a great way to add another pair of affordable barefoot shoes to your closet. I love how light and free my feet feel in sandals, so opt for them pretty often when the weather is warm enough.
Earth Runners Elemental Lifestyle Sandals — $66
I really love my Earth Runners sandals and wear them often, even for hiking. I highly recommend getting the softer lifestyle laces; I found the performance laces too thick and uncomfortable. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off. You can also check reearthrunners.com for gently used or returned sandals at a discounted price.
Xero Shoes Sandals — $20 to $50
Xero Shoes has a few cheap barefoot sandal options, including the Genesis sandal for $43 and the Jessie women’s sandals for $50. They also have a DIY sandal kit for $20 that is a rubber sole and some laces. My personal favorite Xero Shoes sandal is the Z-Trail, which costs $80.
Shamma Sandals Cruzers — $54
Shamma makes some of my favorite sandals due to the simple, comfortable strap systems. They have different sole thicknesses and customization options, but the Cruzers are the lowest cost option. Use code BAREFOOTSHOEGUIDE for 10% off.
Unshoes Wakova Feather — $57
Unshoes makes a simple, lightweight sandals that works for light hiking or casual wear. Use code nomanbefore10 for 10% off.
Coupon codes for Barefoot Shoes
Many barefoot shoe brands offer evergreen discount codes that can be used throughout the year. I have a list of barefoot shoe coupon codes here. These usually give you 5% to 15% off barefoot shoes, depending on the brand. I also list some of the best current barefoot shoe sales at the top of the post, so it’s a good resource to check whenever you’re ready to make a purchase.
Where to buy discounted or used barefoot shoes
Buying used is another way to buy barefoot shoes on a budget. If you’re willing to shop around, you may be able to find a practically new or gently used pair for a pretty steep discount. Here are different places to shop for discounted or used barefoot shoes.
Evergreen discount codes
Facebook Groups
One of the best places to find used barefoot shoes are the buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook. The groups listed below are pretty active, so they’re worth keeping an eye on or putting out a request to see if someone is willing to sell.
Minimalist Shoe Buy/Sell/Trade (USA)
KIDS Minimalist/Barefoot Shoes BUY/SELL/TRADE (USA)
Europe Buy/Sell/Trade Minimalist, Barefoot Shoes
eBay
eBay can be a good place to hunt for used barefoot shoes from individual resellers, but Splay also has an outlet on eBay. The Splay Outlet is for factory seconds, which they describe as like new shoes, but with minor cosmetic defects. The shoes ship without a shoe box and there are no returns, refunds, or exchanges. Prices range from $30 to $45, and standard shipping is free.
REI Outlet
REI sells a few barefoot or minimalist shoe brands, so discounted options can pop up on REI Outlet from time to time. They carry brands like Altras, Lems and Xero Shoes. Used options are typically around 50% off. For a few examples, at the time of this writing, I saw Xero Shoes Tari Boots for $72 (new $135), Xero Shoes Oswego sneakers for $42 (new $100), and Altra Lone Peaks for $68 (new $140).
Sierra.com
Sierra is an online outdoor retailer that shares a parent company with TJMaxx, and operates with a similar model. So similar to TJMaxx (and Marshalls and Ross, etc), they get a lot of their inventory from liquidations or other retailers getting rid of prior season items. I’ve ordered Altras from here for around $60, and also seen a large selection of Vivobarefoot shoes for around $70 (which is over 50% off full retail). You never know what they’re going to have in stock and in may not last long, but it’s definitely worth checking!
Revivo – Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot runs a platform to repair and resell its own barefoot shoes called revivo.com. People can sell their used Vivobarefoot shoes back to the company where they’ll clean, repair, and prep them for resale. Shoes are priced according to condition.
ReEarth Runners
Earth Runners has a separate website called reearthrunners.com where it sells sandals that may be discontinued model, a lightly used return, or feature a cosmetic factory defect. There is a limited selection and availability varies, but you could find some of the most affordable barefoot sandals here. Most people I’ve seen that have purchased from ReEarth Runners have received sandals in really good condition without any significant or noticeable issues. Sandals start at $48 on this site compared to $74 at full price.
Other resale platforms
Check out other popular resale apps for cheap barefoot shoes, like Poshmark and Mercari. The brands I see most often on these apps are Altra, Vivobarefoot, Vibram Five Finger, and Merrell’s minimalist Vapor Gloves line.
Barefoot shoes brands with sale sections
I typically put out a blog post or an Instagram post when large, seasonal sales happen, but a few brands consistently have a sale or discounted section.
Xero Shoes has steep discounts when they are trying to clearance out an old model. Xero Shoes are also available on REI and Zappos, so keep an eye out there for any clearance prices.
Large, seasonal barefoot shoe sales
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
One of the biggest sales throughout the year for many barefoot shoe brands is around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This last year, brands like Lems had 25% off sitewide, while other brands will discount select models. You can see my Black Friday Sales posts to get an idea of the sales that took place.
I did want to note that if you’re in the US and purchasing from some European brands, sometimes an offer of free shipping can be a better option than a 20% or 30% discount around the holidays. I noticed this when a brand offered free shipping earlier in November, and then later offered a percentage discount. However, the shipping was now around €30 due to increased holiday shipping prices. In this example, the free shipping option earlier in the month was a better deal than the discount offered later on. Just something to keep in mind.
A few popular brands did not have Black Friday sales, which is worth noting so you don’t wait thinking they’ll go on sale. They are Vivobarefoot, Mukishoes and Wildling.
Preseason/End of Season Sales
Some brands have preseason or end of season sales. Preseason typically has smaller discounts (like 5 to 10%) for new styles at the start of the season. End of season is typically end of summer or end of winter to clearance out sandals or boots. I share shoe sales here.
Other tips for finding affordable barefoot shoes
1 Keep an eye out when you’re shopping
Occasionally, a traditional shoe company does make a shoe that has all the healthy features we’re looking for, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out. An “accidentally barefoot” shoe can be a really affordable option if you find one. Here’s what to look for in healthy shoes:
Wide toe box — The toe box should be wide, allowing your toes to naturally splay. This means that your big toe can lie straight, so the toe box is either straight or splay out at the big toe. This is one of the most noticeable differences between a barefoot shoe and a conventional shoe, which has a tapered and almost symmetrical toe box.
Flat — There shouldn’t be any heel drop, which can sometimes be hidden in the inner sole. If it’s just the inner lining that’s creating the heel drop, you can always remove it.
Thin — This helps keep shoes light and flexible and allows natural movement .
Flexible — Again, the focus here is allowing the foot to function naturally, so a shoe should allow the foot to easily bend.
2 If you have smaller feet, check the children’s sizes
If you have smaller feet, consider taking a look at the children’s sizes. When I was looking up Altras, I realized that the largest child size goes up to EU39, or about a women’s US 7.5/8. The retail price for the child’s size was about half the price of the adult version. Reima is a popular kids wear brand that recently started making barefoot shoes, and their simple but cute knit Astelu sneakers go up to EU40 (they’re $52 with my discount code BAREFOOT20).
Kid’s shoes (even barefoot or foot-shaped options) can still be narrower overall, so this works best for this with smaller, narrower feet. But, something to look into if that’s you!
3 Buy one type of shoe at a time
If you’re brand new to barefoot shoes, keep in mind that your feet may grow and spread out now that they regularly have more space and you may be utilizing your muscles more. Many people see changes in their feet as they switch to barefoot shoes, and may actually end up needing a larger shoe size later on. So if you keep in mind that a year or so after you switch to barefoot shoes, the first pairs you bought may be too small. While it’s great to go for quality in your shoe purchases, I wouldn’t recommend buying the most expensive barefoot shoes as your initial barefoot shoe purchases. I recommend taking it a season at a time and replacing one or two of your most worn shoes for the period. And remember to remeasure your feet with every shoe purchase, especially at the beginning.
4 Buy what you like and need
Lastly, I just want to encourage you to buy a pair of shoes that you like and that fits your current needs. Even if that means waiting and saving awhile for it.
I’ve been guilty far too often of buying something close to what I wanted, but it wasn’t quite it, only because it was a lot less. If that was all I purchased and it filled my need, then I would’ve saved money. But usually what ended up happening was that I would buy two or three things that were adjacent/similar to what I actually wanted over the months or years….and if I added up the total amount I spent, it was usually around what I would’ve spent if I’d just bought the exact thing I had wanted in the first place.
I know $100+ for shoes are not in many people’s budgets, period. But, if it’s something you can save up for, it may end up saving you in the long run. This is mostly a reminder for me, but hope it helps if you needed to hear it too. 🙂
In closing, I hope that as barefoot shoes become more popular, more affordable options become available. I see this as one the pieces to a healthier life, and would love for it to be more accessible to more people, both in price and buying options. I’m still waiting for stores in the US to carry them so we can try them on in person!
If you have any other tips on finding affordable barefoot shoes, please share below!
4 Comments
[…] an affordable barefoot shoe brand that’s been exponentially growing their line of barefoot styles. They started with a barefoot […]
[…] sizes. In fact, they go up to an EU38 (usually a US women’s 7.5/8, so these can be a great affordable barefoot shoe for adults with smaller feet […]
Thank you for this information. Especially the “accidentally barefoot” characteristics to look for. It seems counterintuitive that minimalist shoes would be more expensive, but I hadn’t considered the volume/scale issue. Makes sense!
[…] a more complete list of affordable barefoot shoes here, as well as tips like when to shop for sales and where to buy gently used […]