Comfortable (But Still Chic) Barefoot Ballet Flats and Mary Janes
As someone who’s worn barefoot shoes for years, dressy shoes are still where I feel the most tempted to compromise. It’s hard to fully break that mindset when you want an outfit to look a certain way for a special event, and you just haven’t found a barefoot version that feels like it’s doing it justice.
And that’s not because there aren’t a lot of great barefoot dressy shoes now, there are! But it can still feel limiting—especially when you walk through a regular shoe store and see just how many colors, materials, and styles exist. If I wanted a yellow polka dot mesh ballet flat, I could probably find it. I just haven’t seen a barefoot version of that yet.
But that’s exactly how I ended up with a closet full of “cute” shoes in my pre-barefoot life that were pinching, squeezing, and cutting into my feet every time I wore them. And I don’t want to go back to that!
So when it comes to something like ballet flats or Mary Janes, I get why this category feels tricky. Some people want zero compromise and prioritize comfort above everything. Others are looking for better options, but are still okay with a small tradeoff—maybe a tiny heel or a slight taper.
I usually stick to 100% barefoot options so you know that what I’m sharing doesn’t require that compromise. But I know the struggle is real to find what both looks good and feels good for you, so while the first two sections are strictly barefoot styles, the last section includes a few styles I tried that ended up being close, but not quite 100% barefoot. Ultimately, this post is here to help you find better options and figure out what works best for you—not to tell you there’s only one right way to do it.
What makes a ballet flat or Mary Jane barefoot?
A lot of conventional ballet flats have minimal soles, but there’s a few more important things when it comes down to finding footwear that truly allows natural movement.
Here’s what I look for:
- Foot-shaped toe box – This is the big one. Your toes should be able to spread naturally, not taper into a point. Many ballet flats are especially narrow here, even when the rest of the shoe feels soft.
- Zero drop – No heel lift. Even a small heel changes your posture and weight distribution.
- Flexible sole – You should be able to bend and twist the shoe easily. If it’s stiff, your foot ends up doing less of the work.
- Thin sole – Not paper-thin necessarily, but low stack height so you can actually feel the ground and move naturally.
- Secure fit – This is especially important for flats. Since they don’t have laces, they rely on the shape of the shoe, elastic, or a strap (like on Mary Janes) to stay on your foot without gripping or clawing your toes.
That last point is where a lot of barefoot ballet flats fall short. If the shoe isn’t shaped right or doesn’t stay on well, you end up subconsciously gripping with your toes to keep it in place, which kind of defeats the purpose.
Like everything in this space, there’s a spectrum. Some options check every box, while others are just a big improvement over traditional flats. I’ve kept the first two sections as strictly barefoot options, and included some *almost* there options for you at the end so you can decide what feels like the right balance for you.
If you’re looking for options beyond ballet flats and Mary Janes, check out this full list of dressy barefoot shoes for women.
Sizing reference
For reference, my (Kelly’s) foot length is 23.3cm with a medium width and higher instep. I typically wear a US 7.5 or EU 38 in sneakers and look for an insole length about 1.2cm longer than my foot—around 24.5cm. For dressier shoes like ballet flats that often don’t have a way to adjust and are worn without socks, I’ll often times want slightly less space, and sometimes this means sizing down to an EU37. Size is very brand (and even style) dependent, so I included sizing notes for each of the barefoot ballet flats and mary janes below.
Barefoot Ballet Flats
Softstar Ballerines
4mm rubber outsole | 5mm non-removable insole | leather uppers | $185
Best for: someone who wants a polished, cushioned barefoot flat and doesn’t need a lot of toe box height
The Ballerines are Softstar’s take on the classic ballet flat, and they’re easily one of the prettiest barefoot options out there. The leather is soft and high quality, and it stretches and molds to your foot over time.
These are one of the thicker, more cushioned ballet flats out there with the 4mm Vibram Cherry outsole stacked with a 5mm plush (and non-removable) foam insole. Great if you want something more cushioned, but you get a lot less ground feel than with thinner styles.
The Softstar Ballerine comes in 3–4 seasonal colors, or you can customize from over 40 different shades. One thoughtful detail is the small rubber patch on the back of the heel. It’s typically a spot that can get worn out (especially from driving), so this helps them stay looking their best.
Fit and sizing: The Ballerines come in a regular width and wide width. The regular width ballerines are on the narrower side compared to other Softstar styles (and other barefoot shoes in general). It also has a slight taper and can feel a little tight in the toe box. They still have a lot more room than any of my old ballet flats and the leather is very soft, but my toes don’t exactly have room to wiggle. The shoe is also fairly low volume over the toes, so I sometimes feel pressure on my toenails. I have a Softstar size 6 Regular, which is just long enough for my 23.3cm feet.
The wide width Primal Ballerine is a better option for those with wide or extra wide feet, and has a squared off toe shape. It’s still somewhat low volume overall. Even with the added width, it doesn’t feel especially spacious.
Vivaia Nika Round-Toe Barefoot Flats
5mm rubber outsole | 4mm removeable insole | Knit uppers | $139 | Code V10K for 10% off
Best for: someone with narrower feet who wants a casual, sporty ballet flat with a forgiving knit upper
Vivaia is known for their stretchy knit shoes, and they recently released some barefoot options, including Chelsea boots, sneakers, and ballet flats. The brand was founded on the idea that women’s shoes should be as comfortable as sneakers (and while I wouldn’t say all sneakers are actually comfortable), they’ve at least been starting from a place of comfort and “wide-foot friendly” designs (even if that idea is often misguided). But they’re trying, and it does feel like they’re moving in the right direction, especially with these new barefoot designs.
The Nika is a sporty barefoot ballet flat with a stretchy knit upper and slightly lugged outsole (it’s the same sole pattern they’re using on their barefoot sneakers). The contrasting ribbon on the beige and pink colorways add a nice touch of color and style; these also come in all white. Vivaia is new to barefoot shoes, but they made sure that the outsole was thin, flexible and zero-drop, and the toe box is solidly foot-shaped with no significant tapering at the big toe.
Fit and sizing: I opted for EU37 (US6.5); I followed their recommended size based on my foot length. The barefoot ballet flats come with a 4mm removable insole, which makes them feel more cushioned since there’s already about 2mm of cushion built into the shoe. With the insole in, they feel a bit snug on me. When I take it out, they fit a little loose.
It’s kind of a Goldilocks situation where swapping insoles makes a big difference. A 3mm insole worked much better for me in terms of both width and volume, and gave me a little less cushion overall. These will work best for narrower feet, with some flexibility in volume depending on how you adjust the insole.
Groundies Ballet Flats
4mm rubber outsole | No removeable insole | Leather uppers | €120
Best for: narrow feet for the Groundies’ regular fit and wide for for the Groundies barefoot+ fit
Groundies has a few ballet flat styles with different fits and aesthetics.
The Lily has soft leather uppers, a sportier, sneaker-style outsole, and elastic edging that creates a ruched look around the opening. For me, the elastic is much too aggressive, and ends up giving the shoe an overall pinched feeling, from the toes to the back of the heel (especially when you compare it to something like the Alohas Naira flats that have a much more gentle and comfortable ruching).
The newer Sleek ballet flat has a more refined look compared to the Lily, with minimal elastic (just at the heel) for a cleaner shape and less pulling on your toes. It comes in black leather and beige suede and feels like a better option if you prefer something less sporty. These only come in the regular barefoot fit.
Fit & sizing: I tried the Lily flats in an EU37 in the regular barefoot fit, and between the naturally narrower shape and the elastic edging that pulls the toes inward, they felt like they were squishing my feet. This fit works best for narrow, low-volume feet. Groundies also offers a “barefoot+” version, which adds about 8mm of width. I tend to fall in between the two. The regular is too snug, while the wide feels like more space than I need.
In general, I’d recommend sticking with your usual Groundies sneaker size for their ballet flats. Sizing down to an EU37 in this style felt too small for me.
Barefoot Mary Janes
Vivobarefoot Motus Studio Ballet Flats
5mm rubber outsole | Leather insole | Leather uppers | $160 | Code BSGVIVO15 | Code BSGVIVO25 for May 2026
Best for: someone who wants a sporty, gorpcore-style ballet flat with a secure fit and minimal sole.
The new Motus Studio ballet flats from Vivobarefoot have a sporty, gorpcore vibe that ties in with the Motus line.
Design-wise, they’re more substantial than a typical flat with a wavy, sneaker-style cup sole, an elastic strap across the foot and gathered elastic heel.
Even with that chunkier look, the sole is still very minimal (about 5mm total), with a leather footbed and no foam midsole that I can feel.
The leather uppers are soft and look nice. The inner lining on the sides is fabric, which surprised me a bit for this price point (I would’ve expected all leather), but they feel nice to wear.
Sizing and Fit: I sized down to an EU37 since I wouldn’t be wearing socks and there’s no lacing to adjust the fit. But I do feel the tradeoff here where I wish I had a bit more width and volume that I’d get from the EU38. Since I have a higher instep, the elastic strap feels secure…maybe slightly too secure.
These don’t come with a removable insole, but you could add one to adjust volume. For me, that wouldn’t work in the EU37, but I do think an EU38 plus an added insole insole might have been a good combo. I would say these work best for narrow width and low to medium volume.
Shapen Orchid
3mm rubber outsole | Lightly padded, non-removeable insole | Regular and Wide Width | $130 – $180 | KELLY5 for 5% off
Shapen has established itself as one of the best places to start your search for a dressy barefoot shoes, and the Orchid is my personal favorite. These lean more closed-toe sandal than Mary Jane, but if the goal is a comfortable and closed-toe dressy barefoot dress shoe, then the Orchid is a great pick. These come in suede, leather or velvet uppers with a good color selection to match your favorite outfit.
Fit and sizing: This is one of Shapen’s style that comes in a regular and wide width. I’m wearing them in an EU36 regular (smaller than my usual size!). As far as the width on the regular barefoot fit, while my toes don’t feel cramped or squeezed, but I don’t have extra room. I feel like I’m a bit in between on the width—the regular is just enough to be comfortable (but not particularly roomy), but the wide is a bit too floppy. If you have wide or extra wide feet, I would recommend opting for the wide fit on these.
The strap on these run short. I have a higher instep, and wear the strap on the very last notch. If you have both a wide and high volume foot, you may find the strap too short.
Shapen Neeja
3mm rubber outsole | Lightly padded, non-removeable insole | $170 | KELLY5 for 5% off
Best for: someone who wants a dressier closed-toe sandal that leans a little punk
The Neeja is one of Shapen’s newest styles, and similar to the Orchid, it reads more closed-toe sandal than a barefoot Mary Jane.
The quality is nice; the leather feels soft and my Shapen flats from prior years generally hold up well. The pebbled 3mm rubber outsole is functional and flexible and totally barefoot-appropriate, but at this price point, I’d love to see a more refined sole finish to match the quality of the upper.
Fit and sizing: One of the biggest difficulties with Shapen is their sizing inconsistency. On the plus side, they offer both regular and wide fits for many styles (though not this one) — but because both the length and width change between fits, you can’t always carry your size over from style to style. I typically wear an EU 37 in Shapen’s closed-toe flats, so that’s what I went with here, but the Neeja runs longer than other styles I have in the same size. They’re workable, but feel a little big. Maybe I should’ve sized down to the EU36 like the Orchid!
Find reviews of more Shapen barefoot ballet flats and sandals here.
Origo Mary Janes
3mm rubber outsole | 3mm removeable insole | Leather uppers | $130 | Code KELLY for 10% off
Best for: a classic, comfortable Mary Jane with a soft leather upper and a secure, adjustable fit.
Origo now has three barefoot Mary Jane styles: a one-strap, a two-strap, and a t-strap.
The Single Strap Mary Janes are my personal favorite when it comes to comfort. They’re made from a soft, natural leather that feels great from the first wear — no rubbing, no hotspots. One detail I really appreciate is the folded leather edging around the opening, especially at the heel. It adds a soft finish that prevents the kind of heel rubbing I’ve experienced with so many other dress flats.
The 3mm rubber outsole is flexible, but has a harder, more plasticky feeling compared to most rubber oustole. Not a big issue for walking, but worth noting if you prefer something softer and more flexible. These also come with a removable foam insole with a leather top layer, which feels comfortable without socks.
The Two Strap has a sleeker, more polished look with a patent leather upper, but it doesn’t have the same folded leather edging. Because of that, it felt a sharper around the heel and along the opening near my big toe.
Fit and sizing: I opted for a size US 7.5 in these barefoot Mary Janes. They’re a good fit for my medium width and higher instep without the insole included.
Clotsy Mary Jane
3mm rubber outsole | 3mm removeable insole | Vegan uppers uppers | €140 | Code KELLY for 10% off
The Clotsy flats are some of my personal favorite because I think they look great and I don’t feel like I’m compromising on toe space. I’ve worn both the mesh flats and the vegan leather ones, and they have the same fit and feel.
These flats have a removable insole, which allows you to customize the volume and cushion. I have a higher instep, and I was able to wear these comfortably with the insole in, which is not always the case for me. If you have higher volume feet, you can remove the insole for a closer fit, or add a thicker insole for lower volume feet.
A detail I noticed and appreciated is a little bit of structure in the toe box. It’s just enough to maintain the space above the toes so you don’t feel the fabric pulling and pressing down over your toes (something I feel often in barefoot ballet flats), but not so much that they look bulbous.
Fit and Sizing: These fit my medium-width feet very well. They might be a little too tight for wide and extra wide feet. I’m wearing a size EU38, and the overall fit felt true to size for me.
AlbaPluma Friulane Mary Jane
9mm rubber outsole + midsole | 3mm removeable insole | Velvet uppers | €90
Best for: someone who wants a soft, elegant velvet flat with a more traditional Italian look.
The albaPluma Friulane Mary Janes are based on traditional Friulane slippers from Northern Italy, and unlike a lot of the versions popping up lately, these are actually made in Italy in factories that specialize in this style of shoe.
They’re made with soft velvet uppers, gros grain ribbon trim, and a traditional stitched sole construction that keeps them really lightweight and flexible. The brighter velvet colors make these feel a little more special than your average flat.
These wear like a slipper; they’re so soft and comfortable. The stack height is a little more than you’d see on some barefoot flats, but they don’t feel overly thick or overly cushioned. The insole is removable, so you can pair down the cushion if you’d like, and it also gives you more room in the toe box.
Fit and sizing: The EU38 is a good fit for me length-wise, but does feel a little narrow in the toe box with the insole included. If I remove it, they’re a better barefoot fit, best suited for narrow to medium width feet.
Foot-friendly Ballet Flats and Mary Janes (that aren’t 100% barefoot)
Alohas Naira Ballet Flats
Heel drop: 5mm | Lambskin leather uppers | $225
Best for: narrow, low-volume feet that want a fashion-forward (barefoot-inspired) ballet flat with softer, more flexible materials.
Alohas is a stylish Spanish brand that has recently released a few barefoot shoes. I love the designs of their conventional flats and sandals, so I was really excited about these. Alohas typically operates on a pre-order model, so I did have to wait a month or so to get this first pair.
The Naira are thoughtfully designed and on trend with a squared toe box, softly gathered silhouette, and a little metal ring detail at the heel. I wouldn’t say the toe box is tapered, but it is on the narrower end and low-volume, and combined, that starts to feel a little snug over the toes. The lamb leather upper and goat leather insole are both exceptionally soft right out of the box, which does help with the toes feeling a little bit less restricted. Overall, these are foot-friendly for narrower feet. If you’re used to the toe freedom of more dedicated barefoot brands, you’ll probably notice the difference.
These also have a small 0.5cm heel-to-toe drop. They’re labeled as barefoot flats, and partway down the page under the “Barefoot” heading they do claim zero-drop, but the details section lists a 0.5cm heel height. I examined the shoe to figure out which was accurate, and without ripping it apart, it does appear to have that small drop. The rubber outsole is split into two pieces, with the heel section sitting a few millimeters higher than the forefoot. There’s also a small piece of fiberboard running from the heel to the midfoot. It didn’t seem to continue toward the toes, so I’d guess that adds a few more millimeters to the heel drop as well. I don’t have the exact stack height on these, but my measurement is about 12mm in the heel and 7mm in the toes with about 5mm coming from the cushioned non-removeable insole.
Fit and sizing: These are best suited to narrow, low-volume feet. The insole isn’t removable, so there’s limited room to adjust for volume. I went with an EU 38 based on the size chart (listed at 24.4cm) and found them true to size.
Final Thoughts
I hope this helped you find the perfect barefoot Mary Jane or ballet flat for you, and gave you a good idea of what to look out for when it comes to fit and sizing.
Fit here can be harder to dial in compared to most other shoe categories. Small differences in width, volume, and materials can completely change how a ballet flat feels, so it’s worth paying attention to those details and, if possible, trying a couple of options to compare.
If you’re newer to barefoot shoes, this can be a good entry point, especially if you’re looking for something familiar and easy to style. And if you’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for a while, there are finally more options that don’t feel like a major step back in comfort.
At the end of the day, the “best” barefoot ballet flat is the one that fits your foot well and works with your lifestyle.
