Best Socks for Barefoot Shoes: Toe Socks and Wide Toe Box Socks
What we put on our feet matters, including our socks. Give your toes enough room to naturally move and splay with toe socks or wide toe box socks.
So, you’ve bought some barefoot shoes! Great! And maybe you’ve slipped them on and are enjoying all that extra room in the toe box…until you put on your old socks. Similar to how most conventional shoes are too tight for our toes, so are many socks.
If your old socks are tight and squishing your toes together, you’re not going to get all the benefit that comes from wearing a foot-shaped shoe with a wide toe box.
Can you wear socks with Barefoot Shoes?
If you’ve had this question, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Barefoot shoes are kind of a misnomer because you’re obviously not barefoot, you’re wearing shoes. The term “barefoot” can be a little confusing and make people think that you’re not supposed to wear socks with them. When I use the term “barefoot” with regard to socks or shoes, I mean that they are mimicking the shape of your feet and allowing you to move as naturally as you do when actually barefoot.
You can totally wear socks, it’s really about personal preference. I prefer opting for a breathable shoe and going sockless in my everyday shoes during the warmer months. But in the colder months, or when I’m doing something more active like hiking, I need comfortable, foot-shaped socks to wear with my barefoot shoes.
Get the full benefit of your barefoot shoes with barefoot socks
In order to get the full benefit of the wide, anatomical toe boxes on your barefoot shoes, you need to make sure your socks aren’t squishing your toes inside your shoes. There are a few different variations of barefoot socks, so you can find the kind you like the most.
You can opt for a sock with a wider toe box, toe socks, or tabi socks that just have the big toe separate. These tabi socks are usually made by sandals companies so you can wear socks with your barefoot sandals if that’s your jam.
Some of these are from sock companies, but many are from barefoot shoe brands that also sell socks. Sometimes buying the socks and shoes together can help save on shipping, so you may want to add a pair of socks the next time you buy a pair of shoes.
Table of Contents – Barefoot Socks
Everyday Wide Toe Box Socks
If you’re not into toe socks, don’t worry, there are other options! These socks with a wide toe box look just like your typical socks, but they have more room in the toes. Several barefoot shoes brands have started making their own socks with a wide toe box, and there are several sock brands that offer these as well.
Wide Open Socks | $20 – $25 | Available directly from Wide Open and on REI | This newer brand was created by the founder of Darn Tough socks, specifically to cater to people with wider legs and feet. As someone that wants anatomically shaped socks that doesn’t squish my toes (and doesn’t have particularly wide legs or feet), these are perfect. While they are wool, they aren’t overly thick, and work well as an everyday sock.
Plus12 Socks (sold by Softstar) | $10-$14 | Merino Wool socks | Plus12 socks were created for much of the same reason barefoot shoes were created– the founders realized how much most socks were squished their toes. Plus 12 socks are designed to allow your big toe to lie straight and give you plenty of wiggle room. It’s a European company, but these wide toe box socks are sold by Softstar in the US. They have both adult’s and kid’s socks.
OnlyFootprints on Etsy | $35 for 7 pairs | These wide toe box socks were recommend by a reader, and I had to try them out! They’re handmade in the US from organic cotton. They have a looser fit overall, including both the toe box and the ankle, but I haven’t had any issues with them slipping down my heel. They come in sizes that line up to shoe sizes EU35 – EU50. I got the EU38s (my regular shoe size) and they fit great!
Injinji | $20 – $29 | Hiking and Running socks | Injinji started as a toesock company for hiking, running and other sports, but they’ve expanded and sell wide toe box socks as well.
Icebreaker | $19+ | Merino Wool socks | Icebreaker makes a range of wool socks and clothing, and has a selection of socks with an anatomical toe box. These are usually noted with a “+” in the title, like “Run+” or “Hike+”. They are marked with a left and right sock. For the widest fit, opt for the men’s socks.
Mukishoes | €18 for two pairs of Crew Socks | Code KELLYMUKI for 10% off | These cotton socks are marked with a R for right and L for left as they’re shaped for the anatomy of your feet! These barefoot socks feature a reinforced bottom for extra cushioning or extra insulation.
Ahinsa | €13 | Quarter height bamboo barefoot socks
BeLenka | $9 | KELLY5 for 5% off | Ankle Socks and Crew socks
Feelgrounds | $15 – $20 | Ankle socks and Crew socks | Feelgrounds is a barefoot shoe company that makes socks with a wide toe box to pair with their shoes. They are 80% cotton and the sneaker socks are a great everyday option. I’ve found them roomier in the toe box than conventional socks, but they are not quite as roomy as their shoes, so if your feet take up the full width of the Feelgrounds, you may want a wider sock. One thing I love about the Feelgrounds shoes is that they’re really comfortable to wear without socks, but you can wear these socks with any shoes.
Toe Socks
Before learning about barefoot shoes, the last time I’d worn or really even thought about toe socks was when I had some crazy colored ones in 7th grade. They were, of course, matched to my two-toned Old Navy flip flops (it was a vibe). There are a lot of great toe sock options to pair with your barefoot shoes so you don’t have to worry about squished toes.
Injinji | $14 – $29 | No Shows up to Knee High Socks | Large range of toe socks including everyday, hiking, running, boot, and compression socks .
Injinji was founded as a toesock company, so they have one of the largest selections. If you don’t love the feeling of things between your feet but you’re considering toe socks, then I’d recommend the Injinji liner socks. They’re meant to be a super lightweight liner sock that goes under your thicker hiking sock on super long trails, but I like them as just an everyday warm weather sock. Since they’re thinner, they’re comfortable between my toes, and they’re really soft.
Injinji has option for almost every other activity along with a range of thicknesses and materials so you can find the perfect toe sock for you.
Many barefoot shoe and sock retailers also sell Injinji toe socks, so you can purchase them while you’re buying shoes. Find them at REI and Softstar Shoes.
Creepers Toe Socks | $15 – $17 | Code KELLY for 10% off | Merino Wool blend toe socks. These come in no show, quarter crew and crew length. They have a set of standard colors available year-round, and periodically do special editions color drops. These are thin enough to be used as a liner on a longer backpacking trip, but thick enough to be durable and work well as an everyday sock.
Knitido+ Toe Socks |$20 – $28 | KELLY20 for 20% off | Ankle and mid calf toe socks. The cable knit wool socks are a little thicker, and perfect for winter.
Feelgrounds |$15.90 | Code KELLY5 for 5% off | Ankle and no show toe socks by Knitido+
Decathlon |$10 | Non-slip Yoga Toe Socks Amazon
Amazon | There are any different styles and brands for toe socks on Amazon. Soxsense is a brand I’ve tried and liked.
Vibrams |$18 for two pairs | No show toe socks
Tabi Socks
If you’re not quite ready to dive into full toe socks, tabi socks might just become your new favorite. They separate your big toe from the rest, giving you better alignment and stability. It’s the perfect balance—promoting natural movement while keeping things comfy for your smaller toes.
Earth Runners |$24 | KELLY10 for 10% off | Crew Tabi socks made to wear with sandals
Luna Sandals |$30-$35 | These tabi socks from Luna Sandals are made to wear with sandals, so you can continue running (or walking) in your sandals in colder weather. They’re made with a warm mix of merino wool, washi paper threads, and polyester to give the fabric strength . These come in ankle height and the taller crew height. If you’re on the edge of the sizes, you may want to size up. I usually wear a US7.5 or 8 and went with the small. Most of the sock fits just right, but the pocket for the big toe is really giving me a squeeze, and these socks don’t have too much stretch.
Winter Barefoot Wool Socks
For the winter, I’m all about wool socks. I incorporate merino wool into a lot of my winter wear, especially base layers and socks because it is moisture-wicking, durable and warm. Many merino wool socks tend to be more spacious in the toe box and stretchier, so I’ve found a number of winter socks that aren’t from barefoot shoe brands that are still comfortable for my toes. You can also try sizing up for more space. The space may vary by size and style, but here are some that have worked well for me.
I usually look for at least 70% wool in my socks. Nylon helps with durability, and most have a little bit of something to make them stretchy. Socks that are a wool-blend with lower percentages of wool tend to not be as warm and lose out on some of the helpful benefits of wool, so always make sure to check the material content.
Costco Wool Socks
Costco carries Kirkland signature branded merino wool socks that have been some of the best wool socks I’ve ever purchased. They’re 85% merino wool, super warm and have a roomy, stretchy toe box. They’re $14.99 in-store at Costco for a four pack, but you can also order them online from Costco where they run a bit more at $16.99. They’re women’s one size, and meant to fit women’s 6-10 ½. I’m on the lower end of that range, which may help me out when it comes to having more space. I bought these a few years ago and they’re still holding up great. Unfortunately the men’s merino wool socks by Costco are different, and don’t seem to have as much toe space and don’t have the same merino content.
Wildly Goods Wool Socks
Wildly Goods is another brand of wool socks that we’ve worn a lot and loved. We use these pretty often as hiking socks and during the winter. They’re 80% merino wool. | $16 per pair
BeLenka
BeLenka makes merino wool socks with an anatomical toe box. They’re 70% to 85% merino wool depending on the style. | $19 – $25 per pair | Code KELLY5 for 5% off
Nui Organics
is a brand I’ve loved for years for their merino wool clothes, and they make amazingly thick merino wool lounge socks. These are available for babies, kids and adults. My kids wear them around the house all winter, and they’re great if you have boots that can accommodate thick socks. | $11- $32 | Code NOMAN15 for 15% off
Knitido+ Leg Warmers
Leg warmers are a great way to add more warmth to a winter outfit. Knitido+ offers wool blend leg warmers to pair with barefoot shoes and boots. | $38 – $48 | Code KELLY20 for 20% off
Kid’s Barefoot Socks
Toe socks and wide toe box socks for kids can be a little harder to find. Simply sizing up in regular socks can be a good option for some kids, but here are some good barefoot socks for kids.
Plus12 Socks (sold by Softstar) | $10 | Merino Wool socks | These Plus12 socks come in kid’s sizes. They’re available on the SoftStar website in the US.
Kids Tabi Socks on Ali Express | $11.44 for 5 pairs | These are off Ali Express. It can take awhile for shipping and some Ali Express items are hit and miss. Most kids don’t seem to love toe socks and they can be a little time consuming to put on, so these tabi socks offer a good balance of having a separate big toe.
Cat & Jack Toddler Socks | These cotton toddler socks from Target have a roomy toe box, and go from sizes 6-12 months to 5T. I’ve typically gone up a size or two for my toddler to make sure we have enough space.
Nui Organics | $11- $32 | Code NOMAN15 for 15% off | These are very thick wool socks that work well as slipper-replacements, to wear at night, or in thicker boots (like snow boots!)
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