Want the Birkenstock style, but not the incredibly thick, stiff and structured sole that comes with them? Here are six barefoot sandals like Birkenstocks.
Switching to barefoot shoes can often feel like you have to give up all your favorite brands and styles. Fortunately, as more brands and styles come to the market, we now have a lot of similar styles. Birkenstocks have been a popular sandal for decades, but seemed to experience another swell in demand these last few years.
Are Birkenstocks good for your feet?
This is a frequently asked question, so let’s talk about it.
Birkenstock does two things really well:
First, they have a wider, more naturally shaped toe box that allows the toes to properly splay.
Second, most of the Birkenstock sandals are zero drop, or flat from heel to toe, so they do not alter your natural alignment.
Where Birkenstocks fall short:
When I’m evaluating whether a shoe is good for your feet, I don’t want the shoe to interfere with you natural foot function, meaning it can move naturally, so the foot maintains or improves it’s strength and mobility.
The signature cork footbed in Birkenstocks are thick, stiff, with a lot of contouring and support. This arch support and other foot support acts like a sling or a crutch. It can be helpful during a recovery period, but muscles that don’t get used get weak. If we want our the muscles in our feet to be able to support and stabilize our feet and body, they can’t rely on a shoe.
These very stiff and thick cork foot beds limit your mobility and change your walking gait.
Lastly, many Birkenstock sandals are open back slides, which do not securely attach to your foot. People often compensate by toe gripping or shuffling.
Birkenstocks can be a starter tool as you work towards healthier feet, but ultimately your feet can’t get stronger when they’re supported by shoes. [watch this video about Birkenstocks here]
So, if you’re looking for styles you love that will help you on a path towards healthier feet, then check out this list of barefoot and minimalist sandals like Birkenstocks. Keep the style, but not the parts that are limiting your foot mobility.
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Barefoot Sandals like Birkenstocks
All of these barefoot shoes feature a wide, anatomically shaped toe box and a flat and flexible sole. They range in sole thickness, from moderately cushioned to very thin, so you can find one that best suits your preferences. These are all most similar to the Birkenstock Milanos.
Sofstar Camino Sandals
Leather Uppers | Retail: $130 | Sizes: Women’s US 5.5 – Men’s US14 | Stack height: 11 mm
For a barefoot sandal that prioritizes cushy comfort, look to the SoftStar Camino Sandals. These are inspired by the Birkenstock Milanos, with thick, oiled leather straps.
These have a thicker sole and more cushion than most of the other options on this list. They’re made with an 5mm Vibram outsole, a 6mm Vibram midsole, and topped with a foam and suede footbed that will mold to your foot. You’re giving up some ground feel and flexibility, but they can be a good transition option as they don’t have the stiffness and support you’d find in a Birkenstock.
Posh Panda Sandals
Leather Uppers | Prices start at $107 | Sizes: Women’s US 5 – Men’s US13 | Stack height: 4 to 10mm
Posh Panda Sandals are the barefoot sandals that can be fully customized—chose your sole thickness, buckle color, and from 40 different leather colors and patterns. These are also similar to the Birkenstock Milanos.
The leather on the Posh Panda sandals is thinner and softer. The underside is the sueded side of the leather, so it’s really soft on your foot. My main concern is that it could stretch over time, but so far my pair has held up well.
You can choose from soles that are 4mm to 10 mm. For the most barefoot sandal like Birkenstocks, I opted for the 4mm. It is a very thin and flexible sole. As I’ve mentioned in my other posts on barefoot sandals, sometimes there is such a thing as too much flexibility for a sandal as it increases the risk of the front catching. While I love the feel, I may opt for the 6mm next time just to prevent any issues.
Ruby Barefoot Sandals
Leather Uppers | Price: $84 | Discount code: KELLY35 | Sizes: EU35 – 43 | Stack height: 6mm
Ruby Leather offers barefoot shoes and sandals on Etsy. These also have softer, thinner leather strap and a sole with a total 6mm stack height. These run longer than the size chart. I originally ordered an EU38 which was much too long, so ended up sized down to an EU37. Ruby Barefoot also offers some customization in sizing and shape; you can message them about custom sizing.
Use code KELLY35 for an extra 35% off.
Bioworld Sandals
Vegan Leather Uppers | Price: $88 | Sizes: EU35 – 45
For those wanting a barefoot vegan sandal like Birkenstocks, look to the beautifully made sandals by Bioworld. These sandals are handmade by two brothers in Spain and available on Etsy. The uppers are faux leather or faux suede. They use a flexible, durable Vibram sole.
Shipping is about $30 to the US and returns are only accepted from EU countries.
Other barefoot sandals like Birkenstock
There’s a few more options to check out here:
Butterfly Your World: This is a one-person shop based in the US that periodically opens for orders, with current processing times around 8 weeks. All the sandals are custom. Find more about them on Instagram.
Crupon Sandals on Etsy: These aren’t quite as similar to the Birkenstock Milanos as some of the others, but still have a similar style.
Tara Soles: These are slip-on sandals that only have the two front straps like the Birkenstock Arizona. They do have a flat and flexible sole, but I generally recommend a sandal with a back strap and secure fit that doesn’t impact a natural walking gait.
Find any other barefoot sandals like Birkenstocks that you love? Share in the comments!
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[…] Barefoot Sandals like Birkenstock […]
[…] and structured cork footbed, then I think you’ll be pretty pleased with the Softstar Camino. Check out the full review, along with other barefoot styles inspired by Birkenstocks here. You can also watch a video review […]