Have wide feet? Learn why you’re not finding shoes that fit in the conventional shoe market. Try the best barefoot shoes for wide and extra wide feet that will actually fit!
Have you been looking for the best shoes for wide feet, only to find that your toes still feel cramped? Well, if you have wide or extra wide feet, listen up! This post goes over why you’re not finding shoes that fit in the conventional shoe market, and where you can find the best shoes for wide feet.
Why the “wide” version of conventional shoes still don’t fit
Most conventional shoes have a narrow, pointed toe box. While our toes may eventually get twisted and squished to reflect this, it’s not the natural shape of our feet. Our feet are most functional when the big toe can lie straight, and all of the toes have enough room to properly splay. If your shoes don’t allow this, they’re too narrow.
Unfortunately, even with a wide version of a conventional shoe, the toe box is still tapered. It may be an overall wider shoe which can help, but it isn’t much wider where it matters most: the toe box. If the toe box doesn’t reflect the anatomical shape of a foot, you’re going to feel your toes getting squished, and it leads to poor foot function, weaker feet, and issues like bunions and hammertoes.
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Check out barefoot shoes
The best place to start looking for shoes for wide feet is barefoot shoe brands. Barefoot shoes have a wide, anatomically shaped toe box that allow your big toe to lie straight and enough room for all your little toes.
Barefoot shoes brands are really the best place to look for comfortable shoes for anyone, as even people with narrow or average width feet still get their toes squished in conventional shoes. After trying barefoot shoes, some people even realize that their feet aren’t that wide, they were just incredibly uncomfortably from the artificially narrow pointed toe boxes.
How wide are barefoot shoes?
Similar to conventional shoes, most barefoot shoes are made for average width feet. When I’m referring to barefoot shoes as “wide” I’m talking about a wide toe box. This means the shoe is widest at the toes, just like the natural shape of a foot.
So, if your feet are wider than average, you still may find many barefoot shoe brands overall too narrow for your feet. Some barefoot brands have made wide and extra wide versions of their barefoot shoes to accommodate more feet, because shouldn’t everyone have access to healthy, comfortable shoes? I’ve created this list to take out all of the trial and error so you can find the best barefoot shoe for wide feet.
How will I know if the shoe will fit my feet?
If you’re new to barefoot shoes, you’re probably going to have to get way more acquainted with your feet. While you previously may have been able to shop for shoes in person and determine the right fit by trying on a few different sizes and styles, that isn’t as common for barefoot shoes as most are sold online.
If you’re one of the lucky few near a store with barefoot shoes, then take advantage of that and go try them on (most are located in Europe). But if you need to buy them online, first start by measuring your feet. This means measuring your length, width, and understanding your foot volume. See this guide on how to measure your feet for barefoot shoes for more instructions.
Most barefoot shoe brands provide size charts with measurements for length and width, and I also try to share my fit and sizing recommendations in all of my barefoot shoe reviews.
Many barefoot shoes are unisex, with the same styles and sizing for both men and women. However, some brands (like Vivobarefoot and Xero Shoes) offer separate sizing for men and women, where the men’s sizes are slightly wider. If you’re a woman with wider feet, it’s worth checking out the men’s size chart to see if those will be a better fit for you.
Best Barefoot Shoes for Extra Wide feet
If you’ve already checked out some of my lists of the best barefoot shoes, but didn’t find a shoe that looks like it will be wide enough for your feet, then this list is for you. This first section lists the widest barefoot shoes out there!
1 BeLenka and Barebarics
Fits Wide and Extra Wide | Code KELLY5 for 5% off
BeLenka (and its sister brand Barebarics) shoes are one of the wider barefoot shoe brands. They don’t have a separate wide version, which means all the wide footed people can shop their main line. They make casual sneakers, warm winter boots, and sandals.
BeLenka shoes feature soles that are ultra flexible and minimal, usually measuring about 4mm. The boots are a little thicker due to the lugs.
Barebarics is focused more on making trendy urban designs, and in comparison to BeLenka, they feel bit thicker and stiffer and look more like a trendy chunky sneaker. The sole is 4mm plus a 1-2 extra millimeters for the lugs. They also have an insole that is about 4mm. The walled design makes the sole appears thicker than it actually is.
When I compared the insoles of my BeLenka Eazy to the new Groundies Barefoot Plus shoes, they were super similar. I found the Groundies Barefoot Plus to feel a little roomier as they have higher volume (basically more space from top to bottom).
Use KELLY5 to get 5% off at BeLenka and Barebarics.
2 Bohempia Wide Shoes
Fits Wide and Extra Wide | Starting at 10cm | Code KELLY10 for 10% off
Bohempia makes barefoot versions of some popular sneaker styles using hemp vegan uppers. While their regular barefoot line is already pretty wide and high volume (pictured above), they also have a wide barefoot fit that’s even wider. The wide sizes start at a width of 10cm in EU36 and go up to 11.6cm for size EU47. These fit both wide and extra wide feet.
3 Wyde Footwear
Fits Extra Wide | Width Starting at 10cm in EU36 to 12.2cm in EU47 | $199 | Code KELLY for 15% off
Code KELLY for 15% off
Wyde Footwear is a newer barefoot shoe brand based in Sweden that specializes in extra wide barefoot shoes. They’re exceptionally good for those that have more of a bean-shaped foot vs more of a rectangular foot, where the big toe spreads out and away from the other toes. This extra space around the big toe can also be helpful for those that have bunions.
Wyde offers one model, the Arcus, in a low top and high top model. The uppers come in leather or a cotton canvas. These are also have moderate cushion, with a 10mm sole plus a thicker insole. If you’re used to thinner barefoot shoes, the cushion is noticeable. If you are newer to barefoot shoes or like more cushion for exercise, then these are a great option.
I found these accurate according to their size chart. That meant I opted for an EU39, which is a size up from my usual EU38.
4 SoftStar Primals
Fits Wide and Extra Wide | Starting at 10cm for wide version
SoftStar is another barefoot shoe brand that makes some of its shoes in both regular and wide width. SoftStar’s Primal line are their wide barefoot fit shoes, which include a chukka boot, a mary jane, and an athletic shoe. All of the wide fit Primal shoes have soft leather upper. Most have a 5mm Vibram rubber sole, though you can get the athletic/trail running shoes in a thicker sole with deeper lugs.. The wide versions range start from about 10cm and go up to 12.9cm wide for the Men’s 15, making these some of the widest barefoot shoes.
5 Realfoot
Fits Extra Wide | Starting at 10.2 cm for EU36 and up
For a brand that specifically caters to extra wide feet, check out Realfoot. They dub their barefoot shoes as having the “widest toe box in the world.” And after trying them on, I can say they’re definitely up there. The brand currently offers a causal shoe with a leather upper, running shoes, and winter boots.
Realfoot designs fit those with a “pizza” shaped foot best, meaning a wide toe splay that narrows back to the heel. So if you are narrow through the mid foot and heel, these may be a really good fit for you. I was between an EU37 and an EU38 on the size chart, and opted for the EU37. Because there is so much extra width in the toe box for me (my feet are more medium in width), sizing down was okay. But if you do have extra wide feet, I’d opt for a shoe at least 1.2cm longer than your foot measurement.
6 Ahinsa Extra Wide
Fits Wide and Extra Wide | Starting at 11 cm for Extra Wide Fit Shoes
Ahinsa makes a few styles of their barefoot shoes in an extra wide version, including a low cut casual shoe and a lace up ankle boot. The uppers are soft, high quality faux leather. For the extra wide barefoot shoes, size EU35 starts at a width of 11cm and goes up to 13.4cm for size EU47. If you don’t need a shoe quite that wide, then check out their regular barefoot line.
7 Bahé Revive Running Shoes
Fits Extra Wide and Wide, High Volume | Code BAREFOOTGUIDE for 10% off
The Bahe Revive are easily one of the most comfortable shoes I own. They are very roomy, but don’t appear cartoonishly wide. I like that they have enough volume for my higher instep, even with the include insole. Those with very high volume feet can easily room the insole for more room. These are trail running shoes, and have worked well for causal days, travel, and everything in between.
Check out a full review on the Bahé Revive here.
8 Groundies Barefoot+
Barefoot plus line Fits Wide and Extra Wide | Code KELLY15 for 15% off at Groundies
Groundies is a popular shoe brand known for its on-trend barefoot sneakers, boots, sandals and dress shoes. While they didn’t previously have the widest barefoot shoes, they launched a new line in March 2023 called Barefoot+. The new Groundies Barefoot+ line is a great option for extra wide barefoot shoes.
They’re some of the widest shoes I’ve tried! I compared the outsole on the Groundies Barefoot+ shoes to the outsole on the Groundies regular barefoot fit, and they measured about 1cm wider. This checks out with the size chart, as they show just under a 1cm increase in width in the Barefoot+ shoes compared to the original barefoot fit shoes. This new line works for both wide and extra wide feet.
See more details on the Groundies Barefoot+ line in this review. Use code KELLY15 to get 15% off at Groundies (good through October 2024).
Best Barefoot Shoes for Wide feet
This next portion of the list includes the best barefoot shoes for wide feet. If you looked at the options above and realize you don’t need quite that much room in the toe box, then these options may be a better fit for you.
9 Feelgrounds Shoes
Code KELLY5 for 5% off
Feelgrounds only offers one width, but their sneakers and casual barefoot shoes can be a great option for wide feet. The uppers are all vegan, and I would opt for the mesh or knit fabrics for the most flexible and softest fit.
The Seaside sandal is also an excellent option for wide feet. The sandals are unisex with an in-between-the-toes post and wide cork footbed.
10 Lems Shoes
Shop the widest fit styles: Primal 2s, Primal Zen and Chelsea Boots
Lems is a US based brand with both casual and hiking minimalist shoes in a few different widths. For barefoot shoes for wide feet, stick to the styles that use their widest shoe shape: Primal 2s, Primal Zen and Chelsea Boots. The Boulder Boot is listed as using their “wide” shoe shape vs the widest, but I still find this one pretty wide.
See this Lems Shoes brand review for more information on Lems styles, fit and sizing.
11 Altra Running Shoes in Wide
Shop the Original Foot shape fit plus Wide options
Altra Running was a big mover and shaker in the running shoe scene when they started making shoes with a wide toe box and zero drop sole. They still have quite a bit of cushion so they’re not a barefoot shoe in that sense, but they have the key features of a naturally shaped toe box and flat sole.
Altra Running makes some narrower options now, so stick to their Original foot shape for the best fit for wide feet. In addition, a few of these Original foot shape designs come in a wide version. This means the overall shoe is wider, not just the toe box. See styles like the wide version of the Lone Peak Trail Runners for one of the best barefoot running shoes for wide feet.
12 Shapen Shoes
Fits Wide | Starts at 9.1cm | Code BFSHOEGUIDE5 for 5% off
Shapen makes dressy sandals for women, along with sneakers and boots. The popular Poppy Barefoot Sandal comes in a wide version. The wide version is about 5cm wider than their regular barefoot sandals, with widths ranging from 9.1cm to 10.5cm. Note that not every wide width is the same–for example, on some of their newer shoes, the regular versions are fairly narrow, and the wide versions feel more like a regular for me (as a person with about 9.2cm wide feet). Each style usually has it’s own size chart, so check that first! Read a full Shapen brand review…
13 Luks Barefoot Shoes
Fits Wide | Starts at 9.8cm
Luks Shoes makes leather barefoot shoes, boots and sandals. They offer a wide fit in their women’s sandals, and their regular line can be a good barefoot shoe for wide feet.
4 Comments
[…] with a tapered toe box (avoid this one), the original barefoot line, and the Barefoot+ line for wide and extra wide feet. The original barefoot line is a good fit for narrow […]
[…] wider feet, you can try sizing up to accommodate your width. Many people who classify their feet as wide or extra wide find they do not have enough space in these […]
Does a barefoot shoe imply less cushion on the metatarsal?
Hi Gigi, a barefoot shoe is usually characterized by the following features: a wide, anatomically shaped toe box and a thin, flat and flexible sole. I have a more detailed definition on my FAQ page under the Education tab. You’ll find lots of helpful resources there!