These effortlessly cool, retro-style barefoot shoes like the Adidas Samba balance style and comfort.
The Adidas Samba has made waves in 2024 as one of the most popular sneakers on the market. Known for its vintage-inspired design, versatile style, and large selection of color combinations, it’s easy to see why it’s made such a comeback.
However, while the Adidas Samba has a lot to offer in aesthetics, it lacks some of the key features that barefoot shoe enthusiasts look for, like a wide toe box and a zero-drop sole.
A little history on the Adidas Samba
The Adidas Samba was originally released in 1950 as a soccer shoe designed to help players maintain traction on icy, hard ground, making it one of Adidas’ oldest models. You likely wouldn’t equate this first design to the Samba you’re seeing on the streets today—it looked more like a hiking boot with a rubber toe cap than an effortlessly cool sneaker.
Over time, the Samba’s functionality and style transitioned it from the soccer field to the streets, and it became a casual staple thanks to its simple, sleek design and versatility.
Recently, the Samba design of the 1990s has experienced a major resurgence, driven by a growing trend toward retro, minimalist sneakers.
However, despite its popularity, the Samba has common drawbacks. Even those that only wear conventional shoes often complain about the extra narrow toe box, the rigid sole, or the stiff ankle that can cause blisters.
What to look for in comfortable, barefoot sneakers
If you want to balance foot health with fashion, check out these barefoot shoes like the Adidas Samba. All of these barefoot shoe alternatives feature:
- Wide, naturally-shaped toe box
- Flat, zero-drop sole
- Thin, flexible sole
Sizing reference
For most of these shoes, I’ll provide a sizing reference based on my experience with the fit. Read more on measuring your feet for barefoot shoes here.
I’m most often a US7.5/EU38 in my barefoot sneakers and casual shoes. My feet are medium (‘B’) width and measure 23.3cm long with a higher instep and narrower ankle. I typically look for shoes with an extra 1.2cm of space.
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Barefoot Sneakers like the Adidas Samba
These barefoot shoes combine the Samba’s vintage appeal with a more natural fit and feel.
Best Overall: Groundies Panama
Leather and Suede uppers | €130 |KELLY 15 for 15% off through November 20 | Shop Groundies
First up is the Groundies Panama, which captures the look and feel of the Samba the best. The faux sidewall makes the sole appear thicker than it is, so you still get great flexibility out of these barefoot dupes. The uppers are high quality leather and suede, and come in class white, bold maroon, black, and green. These fit narrow to medium width feet best. I opted for a EU38 based on my 23.3cm foot measurement.
Code KELLY15
Best Affordable: WHITIN Suede Patchwork Shoes
Mesh and Suede Uppers | $42 on Amazon | Shop WHITIN
WHITIN is known for its affordable minimalist shoes sold on Amazon. The quality is solid for the price. While you don’t usually see natural materials on these shoes, this Adidas Samba dupe has part-suede uppers. The contrasting mesh does look a bit cheap. The cushion behind the heel feels bulky, and ultimately they don’t feel quite as “barefoot” compared to the more established brands, but they are a great entry-level minimalist shoe. I opted for the US7.5/EU38. These are currently only available in women’s sizes. Read the full WHITIN brand review…
Best for Narrower Feet: Blusun 200W
Nubuck and Suede leather uppers | €140 | Shop Blusun
Blusun is brand new in 2024. This Samba-inspired sneaker immediately caught my eye, especially the minty green and bright sky blue color variations. They’re made with nubuck and suede leather, and use a 5mm, flexible sole that you’d expect from shoes on the “very barefoot” end of the spectrum. These sneakers fit narrower, lower volume feet best. I opted for an EU37. They fit well length-wise, but as they have a narrower fit, I might’ve been better off opting for a size up for more width and volume.
Best for Wider Feet: Bohempia Felix
Hemp Canvas and Vegan Suede Uppers | €139 | Code KELLY10 for 10% off | Shop Bohempia
The Bohempia Felix are great for those with wider feet, and those wanting a more breathable vegan sneaker. The uppers are made with light, breathable hemp canvas and vegan suede. They’ve even been adding more color combos, so you can contrast the white canvas with blue, green and pink faux suede. The Felix are another example of a sidewall that appears higher, while the actual sole is only 4mm. The 4mm removable insole adds more cushion. They come in regular and wide width. The regular is already a roomy fit for my medium width feet, so the wide version can accommodate those with extra wide feet. I opted for an EU38 regular width.
Code KELLY10
Best for Extra Wide Toe Splay/Pizza Feet: Realfoot Copero
Leather and Suede Uppers | €166 | Shop Realfoot
Realfoot shoes are catered to those with “pizza feet:” an extra wide toe splay, but narrower midfoot and ankle. They say they have the widest toe box in the world, and that just might be the case (the toe box is 10.8cm for an EU38). The Copera sneakers are made with leather and suede, and feature the popular T-toe, along with two side stripes. The 4mm sole is very flexible, topped by a 4mm insole that offers shock-absorption and cushion on harder surfaces.
Bonus: Koel Barefoot ILA Napa
Leather Uppers | $151 | Shop Koel
The Koel ILA sneakers have some of the signature features of the Samba like the suede T-toe and side stripes (but here it’s two instead of three). But, they feel somewhat different stylistically as they were also inspired by golf shoes. but they of the Samba, but were more golf inspired, but take most of it’s cues from the Samba. 5mm natural rubber sole.
Which of these barefoot shoes like the Adidas Samba best fits your feet and style?
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