Best Barefoot Sandals on Etsy: Comfortable and Customizable
Etsy can be a great place to find quality, handmade barefoot sandals, with many shops offering customization options.
Now that sandal season is here, it’s time to take a break from the quest of finding the perfect barefoot sneaker to finding the perfect barefoot sandal.
The difficult part is that “perfect” when it comes to shoes is a combination of fit, style and comfort, which is different for everyone.
That’s why Etsy can be a great place to look for barefoot sandals. Most of them are handmade leather sandals that can often be customized, whether that’s making them a little wider, changing the placement of the toe post, or lengthening the straps. Not every Etsy seller offers customizing, but many do!
I’ve found some of my favorite barefoot sandals on Etsy, and I hope this Barefoot Shoe Guide will help you find some too.
Note: This post contains 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!
Why I wear barefoot sandals
If you’re tired of sandals that squish your toes, press on your bunions and make them worse, are too stiff, or just generally uncomfortable to wear, then check out barefoot sandals! I wear them because I want happy, healthy feet, and footwear that respects both the shape and natural movements of your foot is key to keeping them that way!
Tips for buying for barefoot sandals on Etsy
Sandals are a little bit easier to make in a barefoot version compared to sneakers, though you do still have to watch out for narrow toe boxes, stiff soles, and those little heels. Some sandals are so close to barefoot, and just have a little heel. If you find one like this, it never hurts to ask the seller if they can make them without so that they’re totally flat.
The Etsy shops listed in this post specifically make barefoot sandals, though some make conventional sandals too. When you’re searching Etsy, here are some helpful tips:
- Look for the options with Vibram Soles – while you can clearly see a heel, and may be able to tell if the toe box is too narrow, it’s hard to visually see how stiff the sole is if someone isn’t trying to display the flexibility. A Vibram sole is high-quality, and typically has a good amount of flexibility. There is still a range of flexibility depending on the thickness and type of Vibram sole. That’s not to say that non-Vibram soles aren’t good options; you just have more of guarantee with the Vibram soling.
- Ask about customization options – some sellers note that they’ll make custom changes, like a wider sole, or changing the straps. This can help get a much better fit if you haven’t had much luck so far when bigger brands
- Since most of these are handmade and shipping from further distances, they can take a little longer to get. I would except about a month between order and receipt of the sandals.
Best Barefoot Sandals on Etsy
Nikola Sandals
Leather Uppers | EVA or Vibram Soles | Price: $68 – $88 | Shipping: $16 | Sizes: EU35 – 46
Nikola Sandals on Etsy offers a nice selection of quality barefoot sandals for both men and women. Based in Greece, the shop draws inspiration from traditional Greek styles—most notably in the thicker leather footbeds. While this leather does break in over time, it adds some initial stiffness to the sandals.
They’re also one of the more affordable barefoot sandal options out there, especially if you choose the EVA sole. A $20 upgrade gets you Vibram 8868 Super Newflex soles, which I usually go for since they’re impressively durable yet still flexible.
I’ve been wearing this design, which has thin, adjustable straps that still give a secure fit. I opted for black, but there are 19 strap colors to choose from.
Sizing runs true to their chart. I went with an EU36 based on my 23.3 cm foot length, even though I typically wear an EU37 in sandals and EU38 in sneakers.
Grecian Sandals
Leather Uppers | Vibram Soles | Price: $60 – $86 | Shipping: $14 | Sizes: EU35 – 46
This Etsy shop has a lot in common with Nikola Sandals—both are based in Greece, feature similar minimalist designs, and use the same Vibram sole option for their barefoot styles. The main difference is that the footbed leather on Grecian Sandals is a bit thinner and more flexible right out of the box, making them a little softer underfoot. The 6mm Vibram sole plus 4mm leather footbed leads to a total stack height of 10mm.
The Grecian Sandals shop has a lot of non-barefoot styles, so make sure you double check the description if you’re looking for something flat, flexible and more foot-shaped. I tested two different barefoot sandals: one with a toe loop and another with an over-the-toe strap.
Both had a sole that tapered near the end. Because the taper happens after the big toe joint and the sandals are open-style, it didn’t cause any discomfort or pressure. That said, I did notice that if my big toe stayed straight, it tended to hang slightly off the edge.
I especially liked the look of the gold toe loop style—it’s chic and minimal. But because there’s no anchor point on the inner ankle, they felt a bit floppy, and I found myself using my toes to grip a little while walking. They’re perfect for shorter events where you want something dressy and comfortable, but I wouldn’t pick them for all-day wear.
The over-the-toe style, on the other hand, had adjustable buckled straps, which made them feel more secure and adaptable to different foot shapes.
Sizing runs true to their chart. I’m wearing an EU37.
Laboo Leather
Leather Uppers | Vibram Sole | Price: $108 | Free shipping | Sizes: EU35 – 46
For a strappy sandal, check out the cute Laboo Leather sandals on Etsy. The Tan color is the perfect nude color, but they also come in black, brown, and full rainbow of other shades. You can get this as more of a slip-on version, or one with a longer ankle wrap. I opted for the slip-on version, but the excess strap is long enough for one wrap around the ankle. I found that I wanted a bit more of a secure fit, so left this remaining strap. The EU38 has been a great fit for length.
These sandals used the same Vibram Super Newflex soles as the Nikola sandals, but the leather on the footbed is much thinner and more flexible, so the sandal overall keeps the same flexibility as the Vibram soles.
Laboo Leather is Hungary, so keep that in mind for a little longer shipping times, and note that returns or exchanges are not accepted.
Bioworld Sandals
Vegan Leather Uppers | Vibram Sole | Price: $88 | Sizes: EU35 – 45
For those wanting a barefoot vegan sandal check out Bioworld. These sandals are handmade by two brothers in Spain and available on Etsy and on US retailer PedTerra. The uppers are faux leather or faux suede. They use a flexible, durable Vibram sole.
On Etsy, shipping is about $30 to the US and returns are only accepted from EU countries. On Pedterra, shipping and returns are free, but the sandals have a higher price. Use code KELLY for 10% off on Pedterra.
Ruby Barefoot Sandals
Leather Uppers | Price: $84 | Discount code: KELLY35 | Sizes: EU35 – 43 | Stack height: 6mm
Ruby Leather barefoot sandals 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.
More barefoot sandals on Etsy
- Crupon Sandals
- Feelbarefoot – use code KELLY50
- Astir Sandals
- Daniela HM
- Tread Light Gear
Have you found an Etsy shop that deserves a shout out? Share your favorite barefoot sandals on Etsy in the comments.
One Comment