It wasn’t until I found barefoot shoes that I finally found a truly comfortable travel shoe. Here’s my list of the very best barefoot shoes for travel.
In my earlier years, picking out the shoes I was bringing on a trip was always this pull between looking cute or like I fit in, or packing a kinda ugly, but mostly comfortable pair of tennis shoes. I lost track of the number of times I’ve heard that if you wore tennis shoes while traveling, you’d just look like a tourist. It’s funny the things I used to care about, because what I mostly care about now is truly enjoying my experience, and not having to think anything about my feet and if they hurt or not.
I opted for ugly tennis shoes plenty of times, but still ended up with feet that that were tired, cramping and sore by the end of the day. That is, until I discovered barefoot shoes. Barefoot shoes aren’t a miracle cure, but they put me on a path of strengthening and caring for my feet, and combined with a barefoot shoe, my feet get much less tired less often.
This post covers why barefoot shoes make the best shoes for travel, plus my six favorite shoes to pack when I need an all-around great travel sneaker (+ one sandal).
Why Choose Barefoot Shoes for Travel
Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the feeling of walking barefoot. They allow your feet to move naturally and your body to stay in natural alignment. These key features make them ideal for travel:
Wide, Anatomically-Shaped Toe Box: Barefoot shoes prioritize toe splay, allowing your toes to move freely and maintain their natural alignment. This feature promotes balance, stability, and overall foot health. And if there is one thing that is super uncomfortable, it’s cramped toes!
Flat: A shoe should be flat from heel-to-toe. This allows the body to stand in a neutral position, and all of your joints to work in a full range of motion. With long days on your feet, people often get knee pain or back pain. Some of this can be caused by the misalignment that starts at our feet and the way heeled shoes are forcing us to stand and move.
Flexible: Your shoes should be working with you, not against you! A flexible sole means your feet can move and bend like they do when they’re barefoot.
Thin, but with some cushion: The goal of wearing barefoot shoes shouldn’t be to always wear the thinnest possible shoe. There can be a range of thickness or cushion in the sole depending on your activities. If you’re comfortable in 3mm with almost no cushion all day, then great! I find that if I’m walking multiple miles on hard, flat pavement for several days at a time, I’m going to want a little extra in there. That means either adding a flat insole that’s a few extra millimeters (check out more here), or opting for a minimalist shoe that has a slightly higher stack height, like the ones listed in this post. These sboes provides just the right amount of protection without compromising the barefoot experience.
Breathable: This post primarily focuses on summer travel, so many of these shoes have breathable uppers.
Versatile, Casual Style: In the effort of packing light, I included some shoes that are good for a little bit of everything on here—cute and casual (so not just looking like a gym sneaker), but they’ll be comfortable for long walks in cities, or maybe some light hiking. I also included a pair of sandals that will have you covered for almost everything too!
Best Barefoot Shoes for Travel
Lems Primal Zen
Sizes Women’s US 6 – Men’s US 13 | $120 | Stack Height: 14mm
Made with a breathable mesh upper, the Lems Primal Zen offers a wide, roomy toe box and a lightweight but moderately cushioned sole. Most of Lem’s shoes are a good option for someone looking for the barefoot features, but a little bit more padding underfoot. The Primal Zen also comes in a suede version too.
See this full brand review of Lems shoes, including mini reviews on individual styles and tips on fit & sizing.
Feelgrounds Original Mesh or Knit
Sizes Women’s US 5 – Men’s US 15 | $109 | Stack Height: 5mm + 3mm removeable insole
Feelgrounds make barefoot shoes that have a simple, clean aesthetic, which I appreciate both for every day and especially for traveling. Their minimal designs make them easy to pair with almost anything, so they’ve become one of my favorite barefoot shoes for travel. Plus, the mesh version is the great for warm weather. The knit version is still breathable, but has a water repellant so it could be a better fit if the weather is more unpredictable. If I’m going to be walking a lot, I’ll add in their thin cork insole for a little more cushion.
Fleeters Sneakers
Sizes EU36-47| $159 | 5mm + 3mm removeable insole | Code KELLY for 10% off
Fleeters in a new French barefoot sneaker brand that’s just launching on Kickstarter. They have a great design with 20 different color combos, so you can showcase a little more personal style. These are vegan sneakers that are made with corn leather and recycled materials. I’ve been really impressed with the look, comfort and wear. Just a heads up, the first delivery of these sneakers is for October, so while you won’t be able to wear them for your summer travels this year, they’ll be a great everyday shoe and ready for anytime you need a casual travel shoe after that. Check out my review on Instagram here.
Barebarics Zing Sneakers
Sizes EU36-47 | Stack Height: 9-10mm | Code KELLY5 for 5% off | $179
For anyone that wants a comfortable, classic white leather sneaker, check out the Barebarics Zing. The walled design makes the sole appears thicker to give it more of a chunky sneaker look.
Whitin Sneakers
For one of the most affordable options, check out WHITIN shoes on Amazon. They’re a great combination of looks, fit and durability for the price. The toe box on Whitin Wide Barefoot Shoes are pretty roomy and the sole is flexible. They have a sporty tennis shoe and a casual shoe option. At around $40, Whitins are a really affordable barefoot shoe option that look good and are reasonably durable.
See this full brand review of WHITIN shoes, including mini reviews on individual styles and tips on fit & sizing.
Earth Runners Sandals
Sizes Kid’s 12 – Men’s14 | Stack Height: 7.5 – 10.5mm | Code KELLY10 for 10% off | $89
If you prefer the freedom of open-toed footwear, Earth Runners Sandals are a fantastic option. I use these sandals for hiking, the beach, and everyday walking, so if you can only pack one shoe, this could be it! Earth Runners uses flexible Vibram soles that come in a few different thicknesses, ranging from 7.5mm to 10.5mm. I personally prefer the softer lifestyle laces; I found the performance laces thick and uncomfortable. Use code KELLY10 for 10% off.
Conclusion
When it comes to comfortable and versatile travel footwear, barefoot shoes are a game-changer. With their wide toe box, and flat and flexible soles they offer the perfect blend of foot freedom and protection. Embrace the joy of traveling with comfortable barefoot shoes!
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