Dad Sneakers Go Barefoot: Wide-Toe, Zero-Drop Takes on the Trend
Dad sneakers are trending — but this time, they’re barefoot. Here are the best chunky, retro-inspired minimalist sneakers with natural comfort.
Dad shoes.
That used to be the term for those sneakers that were bulky, white, and unequivocally uncool. And of course, beloved by many a dad in the ‘90s.
But as fashion goes, the shoes you wouldn’t be caught dead in as a teenager are now the newest must-have for your sneaker rotation in your mid-30s.
If you’re hunting for the perfect Dad sneaker, you’re probably after that ‘90s running-shoe vibe with chunky soles and plenty of contrasting overlays that give it that endearingly clunky look.
The problem? Most of them come with a crazy narrow toe box and ridiculously stiff soles. I know plenty of people are willing to tolerate the discomfort for the sake of fashion, but how all those dads once called them comfortable… I’ll never understand.
Luckily, barefoot shoe brands have caught on. They’re proving you don’t need to sacrifice natural foot shape or comfort to get this fun, retro style. These “barefoot dad sneakers” keep the wide toe box. And most of them have even managed to preserve the chunky sole aesthetic but still make them zero-drop and flexible.
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Tariff Note: Keep in mind, tariffs are currently in effect for U.S. customers ordering from brands outside the U.S. If a brand does not include the tariffs at check out, you may be contacted by the delivery company to pay these at a later date.
Barefoot Dad Sneakers
Here are the best barefoot dad sneakers, that are both cool (as of 2025, you know how trends go) and comfortable. Keep in mind, most of these are casual sneakers, they’re not particularly made for running or the gym (except for the Bahé sneakers at the end of the list).
Dolfie Paradise Supersonic
€195 | Code KELLYDP10 for 10% off | EU36 – 47 | Leather | Shipped from Portugal
Dolfie is fully dialed into the wide toe box–meets–chunky sneaker look. They’ve been making sustainable footwear with a laid-back surf/skate vibe since 2007, and over the past two years they redesigned their complete lineup into a more foot-friendly shape to relaunch in 2025.
Even though Dolfie is relatively new to natural foot-shaped design, they’re not skimping on toe space. I have plenty of room for my medium-width foot in each of the Dolfie shoes I’ve tried.
The Dolfie Supersonics are my favorite barefoot Dad sneakers. They nail the Dad shoe aesthetic — lots of layering, bold textures, and a chunky-looking outsole (which actually only tops out at 8 mm without the insole). They flex well at the toes, though there’s a touch more stiffness around the heel than you’d find in a traditional barefoot shoe — expected when aiming for that thicker, structured look.
They’re a great option for beginners, offering a bit more cushion than most barefoot shoes (you can choose between two insoles — 3mm or 8mm), while still maintaining a good amount of flexibility.
Dolfie shoes feel thoughtfully designed and incredibly well made. They’ve recently released a new set of colors, including a bright green suede and a mesh and silver colorway. They’re a premium product, and the price reflects that level of craftsmanship. You can use code KELLYDP10 for 10% off.
Fit and sizing: Fits medium to wide width and accommodates low to high volume depending on which insole you use. I have a comfortable fit with the thinner 3mm insole and my higher instep. Size EU 38 fits my 23.3 cm foot perfectly.
Groundies Starlite 2.0
$150 | Code KELLY15 for 15% off | EU36 – 47 | Leather and Mesh | Shipped from USA (or Germany)
Groundies has been on a roll lately with fun, on-trend styles, and the new Startlite 2.0 was one I was especially excited about. The silver overlays on white mesh are quintessential Dad sneaker and the perfect replacement for a pair of New Balance 530s — retro, sporty, and just the right amount of chunky.
Groundies’ fit tends to vary depending on the outsole, and this pair uses their newer TrueSense GSP outsole, which I found to be one of their widest. Some of Groundies’ soles run a bit narrow for me, but I had plenty of toe space in these.
There’s decent flexibility through the toes, though these feel noticeably stiffer around the heel, even more so than the Dolfie’s. They have a really solid, structured feel… maybe a little too solid for my taste. The outsole is 6mm, so they’re not particularly thick. Most of the stiffness is coming from the faux sidewall.
I love the white and silver colorway, though after wearing them, I do wish the outsole were a true white instead of off-white. Overall, they’ve been very comfortable — and a fun, shimmery way to try the Dad sneaker look in a barefoot-friendly shape.
If you’re in the US, make sure you’re ordering from the Groundies US website to take advantage of the free shipping and avoid a separate tariff bill. Though they don’t have quite as large of a selection as the main Groundies website, they still have a lot of great styles.
Fit & Sizing: These fit best for medium-width feet and medium to high volume. I found them true to size (EU38 for me), with more toe space than I typically find in a pair of Groundies’ sneakers.
Ohne Project Retro Run Sneakers
€169 | Code KELLY10 for 10% off | EU36 – 47 | Vegan | Shipped from Spain
Ohne Project’s take on the dad sneaker feels similar to Dolfie’s, mainly because they use the same outsole. Previously, barefoot shoes brands had to design their own outsoles as a wide toe box was not something offered by outsole suppliers. But as suppliers and shoe factories are seeing the success of barefoot shoes, several are starting to add wide toe box, zero-drop options. An outsole supplier debuted this particular one last year, and a few brands have added it to their collection. It captures the chunky sneaker style well, and with a 5mm base and 3mm lugs, it’s a good balance between flexibility and comfort.
The Ohne Retro Run has its own upper design inspired by the 2000s and uses vegan materials including breathable mesh panels.
Bahé Revive Sneakers
$149+ | Code BAREFOOTGUIDE for 10% off | EU36 – 47 | Vegan | Shipped from UK
Okay, this one might be stretching the definition of a Dad sneaker a bit — it’s cleaner and more streamlined, with fewer overlays — but it definitely leans in that direction. And if you’re after a true athletic shoe you can take to the gym or on a run, the Bahe Revive is your best bet.
I absolutely love these sneakers. They’ve been my go-tos for over two years for anything involving more movement — from workouts and hikes to long travel days. The new “Modes” lineup offers three different cushioning levels, so you can pick your ideal stack height. I personally prefer the Flex or Adapt mode (10mm or 14mm, respectively), but the highest cushion option (the Endurance) is a great choice for running with a 22mm stack height. You can read my full review on the Bahé Modes line here.
In terms of tariffs, these ship from the UK but are made in China. Since tariffs are based on the country of origin, you’ll be charged the rate applicable to products manufactured in China.
Fit & Sizing: Fits medium to wide width and medium to high volume. They come with a 3mm removable insole, and the interior is finished, so you can comfortably wear them with or without it.
Final Thoughts
It’s amazing how far the barefoot world has come! You can finally wear the trends you love without giving up comfort or natural foot shape. These barefoot Dad sneakers nail that chunky aesthetic while staying true to a wide toe box and zero-drop design.
