Ohne Project Barefoot Shoe Review: Vegan, Retro, and On-Trend Styles

Discover Ohne Project’s fashion-forward vegan barefoot shoes, from retro sneakers to dad sneakers, all with a cool vibe and lots of color options.

Many barefoot shoe brands struggle to find their footing, but Ohne Project started strong right out of the gate with their first release, an ’80s style sneaker. Since they launched in 2024, it seems like it’s been non-stop with new colors and new styles. Now their lineup includes everything from ‘90s retro sneakers and Adidas Samba lookalikes to chunky dad sneakers, sneakerinas, and loafers. They’ve even teamed up with other Spanish brands like Clotsy and NWHR for some really fun collabs.

About the Brand

Ohne Project was created by Manel and Hanna, vegan food bloggers that learned about and fell in love with the barefoot lifestyle. When they didn’t find any sneakers they totally loved, they decided to create their own. Conveniently, they both had backgrounds that were very useful to starting a barefoot shoe company–Manel previously studied footwear design and Hanna worked in textile engineering.

The first sneaker from Ohne is called Project 080. Yes, it’s another white sneaker, but its definitely not boring. I love the 80s vibe, and appreciate that they come with two insoles so you can adjust the cushion/volume.

Ohne Project is based on Spain, and the shoe are handmade in Elche, Spain.

Discount Code

You can use code KELLY10 for 10% off at Ohne Project.

Materials

Ohne Project is a fully vegan brand. They use a variety of materials, but make it a priority to use plant-based and recycled materials. For example, the uppers of the Project 080 are made from corn waste and cotton, and the sole is made from recycled rubber.

Pricing

Ohne Project’s barefoot shoes come in at a higher price point, typically starting near €140.

Shipping and Returns

Ohne only accepts returns from EU countries. That means if you’re in the US, you unfortunately won’t be able to send them back for a refund, so double check all the fit and sizing tips below before you order. If they end up not working out, these will likely be easier ones to resell as they often sell out of styles quickly.

Shipping to the US was $20 for a single pair of shoes, but note that shipping rates can fluctuate throughout the year (and on location, obviously).

Ohne Project Barefoot Styles

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Project 060 | 070 | 080 | 090

I’ll review these all together since they all use the same outsole, and have a very similar fit and feel; it’s mostly just a difference in the upper panels. Ohne has essentially created their own barefoot take on the sneaker of the decade, from the ’60s through the ’90s. They’ve been quickly releasing their shoes in all sorts of different color combos and materials, but if you see one you like, note that they often sell out. The Project 060 are their most simple design, the 070 is reminiscent of the Adidas Samba, the 080 have the look of the 80s Reeboks, and the 90s were inspired classic basketball kicks.

Fit and sizing: Sizing runs from EU 36 to EU46.

Width: Ohne Project barefoot shoes are best for narrow to medium width. Per the size chart, the width starts at 8.9cm for the EU36, and goes up to 10.6cm for the EU46. I have medium width feet (‘B’ width), and they’re just wide enough in my size at slightly over 9cm. The shoes are unisex, so there is no men’s or women’s sizing that have a difference in width.

Volume: The sneakers come with two sets of insoles: 3mm and 5mm. You can use these to adjust for low to high volume and your cushion preference. I have a higher instep, and I’m most comfortable without any of the insoles.

Size: I find that these fit true to size. I originally tried the EU37, which felt a little bit short for my 23.3cm feet. I typically look for shoes with an insole of 24.5cm (1.2cm longer than my foot measurement). When I measured the insole, it came up a little bit shorter than the size chart. Sizing up to the EU38 was a much better fit for my feet.

KELLY10 for 10% off

Retro Run Sneakers

If you’ve been following Ohne Project’s releases, you might have noticed a theme: a sneaker for every decade. Their latest, the Retro Run, nods to the early 2000s with a classic dad-sneaker aesthetic. Despite the chunky look, these are still completely zero-drop. The sole is a bit heavier than other Ohne Project styles and less minimal than what die-hard barefoot purists might prefer, but it offers a nice balance of style and function. Unlike their other sneakers, which feature custom soles, the Retro Run uses a factory-developed sole also found on other barefoot brands (like the Dolfie Paradise Supersonics, another Spanish brand known for their cool, retro-inspired designs and laid-back vibe).

Kima Sneakerina

After the chunky look and feel of the Retro Run, Ohne scaled things back with their newest release and latest collaboration. The Kima Sneakerina is a collab with the barefoot shoe brand Libertas. I’ve been seeing sneakerinas all over fashion magazines, and it’s so fun to see a trend come to barefoot shoes so quickly (usually it feels like it’s at least a full year/season before a new trend makes it’s way to barefoot shoes).

Like the conventional trending styles, these are a combination of a sneaker and a ballet flat, but this time with a wide toe box. The soles on these are zero-drop, of course, with a barely-there outsole and a 3mm insole. These barefoot sneakerinas sold out quickly, but they’ll be launching new colors soon.

Luma Loafers

As a brand that’s on top of the trends, a barefoot loafer is an obvious choice for the first non-sneaker shoe from Ohne Project. The Luma design features their signature chunky-looking sole that’s surprisingly flexible and lightweight, paired with eco-friendly corn leather uppers.

Final Thoughts

Ohne Project has quickly become one of my favorite barefoot shoe brands, and it’s easy to see why. They combine fashion-forward, retro-inspired designs with the comfort and natural feel we expect from barefoot shoes. No matter what decade you’re drawn to, or what color you love, there’s bound to be an Ohne barefoot sneaker you’ll love.

And as a brand that’s staying with the fashion curve, they’ll likely be one of the first to bring some of the freshest trends to the barefoot shoe world. And when they do, check back here for my updated review.