In this Saguaro Barefoot Shoes Review, we’ll explore a full range of affordable barefoot shoes for the whole family.
If you’re looking for affordable barefoot shoes that don’t skimp on comfort or style, Saguaro Shoes might just be what you need. Known for their budget-friendly options, Saguaro offers a wide range of minimalist footwear for all ages, from toddlers to adults. With a focus on providing the benefits of barefoot shoes—like improved foot health and natural movement—at an accessible price point, Saguaro has quickly gained popularity. Whether you’re new to barefoot shoes or a seasoned enthusiast, Saguaro offers a practical, affordable way to make the switch.
Code KELLY15 for 15% off
About the Brand
Saguaro Shoes is an affordable barefoot shoe brand based in China. They make a wide range of styles, including sneakers, boots and water shoes, from EU24 – 48.
Saguaro has a highly responsive supply chain that quickly adapts to customer feedback and design trends. While they started out with a very basic athletic shoe that we loved (especially for kids), they now release a dozen or more new styles throughout the year.
They offer affordable alternatives to in-demand designs from both conventional and barefoot shoe brands. Bestsellers often sell out quickly after release, and are not always restocked.
The brand is pronounced suh·waa·row. In case you were wondering what that is, a saguaro is a tall armed cactus native to my home state of Arizona. If you’ve seen the standard cactus emoji, then you’ve seen a saguaro.
Saguaro Shoe Basics
- Full line of barefoot shoes, including casual sneakers, athletic shoes, boots, water shoes, and rain boots
- Unisex, sizes EU24 – EU48
- Sole 5-6mm, 3mm insole
- Starting at $35
- Based in China, free international shipping available
Where to buy Saguaro Shoes, Shipping and Returns
Like most barefoot shoe brands, Saguaro Shoes are sold online. You can purchase directly from the Saguaro Shoes website. Saguaro Shoes has several different language sites including Spanish, French and Italian. Scroll to the bottom of the page to select from the different flags on the bottom right corner.
A smaller selection fo Saguaro Shoes is also available on Amazon. However, you’ll typically get a better price on the Saguaro Shoes website when you use the 15% off discount code KELLY15.
For orders over $18, shipping is free. These are shipping directly from China, so they have a longer transit time (usually around 10 – 15 business days).
Returns on new and unused shoes are accepted within 30 days, customers are responsible for paying the return shipping fee.
How barefoot are the Saguaro Shoes?
When evaluating just how barefoot a brand is, I look at these features of their shoes:
1) Wide, anatomically-shaped toe box: Saguaro shoes have several different sole shapes, and all of them are designed to let the toes naturally splay.
2) Thin, flat and flexible sole: On a spectrum, most Saguaro Shoes are on the very barefoot end of things due flat and very flexible soles. If the insoles are included, they do have some moderate cushion. Saguaro uses several different soles, which mean a different foot-shape, lug pattern and degree of flexibility; I’ll go over these different types in more detail below.
Sole types at Saguaro Shoes
One of the best ways to which pair of Saguaro shoes would be the best fit for you is by understanding the different sole types. In this Saguaro barefoot shoes review, we’ll go over the brand’s most popular sole types. Overall, the widest and most barefoot options are the toe sole and the cactus sole. Most shoes come with a removable insole, which usually adds about 3mm to the stack height. Some of the shoes also have a glued in midsole that can make the shoe stiffer or more cushioned.
These names aren’t anything official, I titled them up based on their design to make it easier to refer to them.
Toe Sole – Widest Sole | 6mm | I called this the toe sole because it has an outline of each of the spots for the toes, though they are not individually separated like Vibram FiveFingers. This is the outsole used on Saguaros first style, the Smart athletic shoes. The rubber is soft and grippy, which makes them great for all kinds of outdoor activities. Because they are a softer rubber, my son experienced noticeable wear on the soles when he consistently wore them for running and playing on hard surfaces. They still lasted the whole summer for us. Popular styles that use this sole: Smart II, Vitality III, Will II Lite, Vitality, Fast
Cactus sole – Wide Sole | 5mm | This is the sole used for most casual shoes. Aptly named as the stripes are reminiscent of a barrel cactus. When I compared the insoles, these are just slightly narrower than the toe sole. Popular styles that use this sole: Luck I, Agile II, Wish III
Hiking Sole – Medium width sole | 5mm | This sole is used for many of Saguaro’s athletic and hiking shoes. It has a shallow lug pattern to offer grip, but it’s not so intense that it’s used on some casual shoes too. When I compared the insoles, they are the same as the Cactus sole, but they feel noticeably narrower when worn (specifically around the pinky toe). Visually, it looks like there is more of a taper there too. Because of this, it suits those with narrow and slope-shaped feet best. Those with wider feet can try sizing up for more toe space, especially in the boot styles. Popular styles that use this sole: Wish I, Nova I, Rise I Winter boots
Winter Toe Sole – Wide Sole | 5mm | This is a rugged update to the toe sole, with deeper lugs. The insole is the same width as the toe sole, but these have a narrower feel as the shoes are lined with faux fur. I go up one size in these compared to most Saguaro Shoes, considering both the lining and the use of thicker winter socks. Popular styles that use this sole: Will II winter boots
Kid’s Casual | 4mm | This sole is used on many of the kid’s more casual shoes, from summer slip-ons to boots. The summer shoes using this sole are very flexible, but some of the kid’s winter boots have an additional midsole layer glued in that makes them stiffer.
Kid’s Active | 5mm | This sole pattern offers more grip for athletic shoes and hiking boots. Styles that use this sole: Kid’s Brave
Materials and Sustainability
Saguaro exclusively uses synthetic vegan materials. Most of the sneakers are made with mesh, knit, or suede microfiber. The boots use PU leather and suede microfiber. All Saguaro shoes are made in China. They do not provide additional information about materials sourcing or manufacturing.
Durability
Since Saguaro’s shoes are substantially less than a lot of other barefoot shoe brands, a top concern is the trade off in durability and quality. I would say that price is an indicator of quality—it’s hard to expect a $50 have the same materials and workmanship as a $150 sneaker. Overall, we’ve been happy with the comfort and longevity of our Saguaro Shoes. My son has used both summer and winter shoes as his main shoe for the season, and they’ve lasted the entire time. The use of materials like mesh, knit and other synthetics along with manufacturing in a lower cost location helps keep costs down.
Fit and Sizing
Since Saguaro’s shoes are substantially less than a lot of other barefoot shoe brands, a top concern is the trade off in durability and quality. I would say that price is an indicator of quality—it’s hard to expect a $50 shoe to have the same materials and workmanship as a $150 sneaker. Overall, we’ve been happy with the comfort and longevity of our Saguaro Shoes. My son has used both summer and winter shoes as his main shoe for the season, and they’ve lasted the entire time. The use of materials like mesh, knit and other synthetics along with manufacturing in a lower cost location helps keep costs down.I’ll share my fit and sizing recommendations based on my experience. My feet are 23.3cm long, 9.1cm wide, with a higher instep and narrow ankles. If you need to measure your feet, check out this guide.
I most often wear an EU37 in sandals, an EU38 in sneakers and an EU39 in boots, but this can vary among brands and styles. I find that most Saguaro shoes with the Cactus and Toe Sole run true to size, and usually wear an EU38.
Most Saguaro Shoes fit medium to wide width and accommodate medium to high volume. As they’re constantly releasing new designs and new soles, fit can vary between the styles.
Saguaro Barefoot Shoes Review
We’ve worn many barefoot shoes from Saguaro over the years, and here’s a few of our favorites.
Casual Barefoot Shoes and Sneakers
Casual Barefoot Sneakers
All of these casual barefoot shoes use the cactus sole. Most of them have a pretty similar fit and feel, so it’s more about the upper materials or colors you prefer. The styles with knit or mesh uppers are great as breathable sneakers for summer. With the included insole, these have a stack height of about 9mm; this moderate cushion and the affordable price point makes these a great barefoot shoe for beginners.
- Bliss I | $50 | super breathable mesh upper
- Agile II | $50 | stretchy knit upper with sock-like fit
- Wish III | $60 | faux leather and mesh for a sporty sneaker look
- Luck | $50+ | This is my favorite style from Saguaro sneakers (the pink and purple above), but some designs are currently sold out. The uppers are a stretchy knit.
Athletic and Hiking Shoes
Smart II Shoes
EU24 – 46 | Knit Mesh | Toe Sole| $43+
This was the original shoe that introduced us to the brand. Before Saguaro developed a whole line of barefoot shoes, they mainly sold this trail runner with a stretchy knit upper and a soft rubber sole. This toe sole has great flexibility and ground feel. My son wore them the whole summer, and they were excellent for hiking and outdoor play.
The Smart shoes come in adult and child sizes in a large range of colors. These styles have a similar design and use the same toe outsole, but have slightly different upper materials: Vitality and Fast
Nova I Sneakers
EU36 – 46 | Microfiber Suede and Mesh | Hiking Sole | $70 |
The design of these sneakers reminds me of another popular barefoot shoe brand. The Nova barefoot sneakers use the Saguaro hiking sole that has shallow lugs. The uppers are made from stretchy knit and microfiber that creates a sock-like fit. They can still be tightened down with the laces for a more secure fit. They can run a little warm, and as they use the hiking sole, they feel a bit tapered (best for narrow, sloped feet).
Winter Boots
Will II Winter Barefoot Shoes
EU25 – 48 | Microfiber Suede | Faux Fur Lined | Toe Sole | $58+ | Splash-resistant
My son wore these in our cold but relatively dry winter last year and loved them. The Will II barefoot booties are lined with a faux fur that come up over the ankles, so they’re extra cozy. This year, they’ve upgraded to the winter sole with deeper lugs, which should provide even better traction. These are a great pick if you want a barefoot winter boot that’s lightweight, warm, and still has plenty of ground feel and flexibility. They’re available in both kid’s and adult sizes.
Saguaro Shoes labels these as “splash-resistant.” Some of the materials do have some water-repellency, but they they’re not specifically treated and there is no separate membranes. I wouldn’t take these out in heavy rains or snow, but as they say, they can withstand the occasional splash.
Ambition II Winter Barefoot Shoes
EU36 – 48 | Microfiber Suede | Cactus sole | $90
Fully lined with a fluffy faux fur and a taller shaft, the Ambition II are one of Saguaro’s warmest barefoot winter boots. Keep in mind that also takes up some space in the boot, so it can be better to size up, and may make them a tighter fit for those with high volume feet. These have suede microfiber uppers that have some water-resistance, but they’re not fully waterproof. They’re easy to slip-on with a convenient side zipper. I prefer these to the Ambition I boots as this version uses the Cactus sole with a wider and more natural foot shape.
Rise I Winter Barefoot Shoes
EU36 – 48 | Microfiber Suede | Hiking sole | $100 | Waterproof
The Saguaro Shoes Rise I winter boots are a cute and functional option for colder months that come in pastel shades of pink, purple and blue. These mid-calf microfiber suede boots feature waterproof materials to keep feet dry, while the cozy faux fur collar and insulating cotton lining ensure warmth. These use Saguaro’s hiking sole, which left my little toes feeling a little cramped–if you have medium width feet or above, you may need to size up in this style, or look to one of the styles that use a different sole.
Brisk I Rain Boots
EU24 – 45 | Rubber | Unlined and Faux Fur Lined versions | $59+ | Waterproof
These tick all the boxes for a solid barefoot rain boot: they’re fully rubber and they have a taller shaft cinches at the top. They also perfectly align with the criteria I use for a healthy, comfortable boot, including a wide toe box, and a flat and flexible sole. As you’d expect from a rain boot, these are waterproof.
The rubber shaft is waterproof but pretty thin—if you get the unlined version, it’s a little floppy. But if you get the lined version, it’s warmer and has more structure. They recently updated the sole for more tread.
Using the discount code KELLY15, the unlined boot is $51 and the lined boot is $60.
Kid’s Shoes
Many of Saguaro’s barefoot shoes are the same for both kid’s and adults. There are kid’s shoes included in the above, but here are kid’s only styles, or ones where the kid’s version are slightly different from the adults.
Kid’s Agile Casual Shoes
EU25 – 35 | Knit Uppers | Kid’s Casual Sole | $46
These cute and casual slip-ons are the perfect shoes for toddlers. You don’t have to worry about laces, and the stretchy knit uppers are easy to get on and off. The Kid’s casual sole is plenty flexible, and even wraps up around to create a toe bumper. The Agile comes in adult sizes as well, but the toddler and child sizes use the Kid’s Casual sole.
Kid’s Wonderland I Barefoot Shoes
EU26 – 36 | Suede Microfiber Uppers | Kid’s Casual Sole| $60
Idea for shoulder seasons like fall and winter, these barefoot sneakers feature a soft fleece lining. My 9 year-old loves that these look like a cool sneaker, but have the warmth of a winter boot. They’re easy on/off thanks to the side zipper, but if the zipper isn’t secured tightly with the velcro tab on top, it can sometimes come unzipped while being worn.
Kid’s Brave I
EU26 – 36 | microfiber and mesh uppers | Kid’s Active Sole | Waterproof | $70
The Brave boots are a great option for hiking and outdoor play thanks to the waterproof uppers and the use of the kid’s active sole, which has more lugs and grip. They’re easy on/off with elastic laces and a velcro top strap. They fit my toddlers wider, higher volume feet well.
Kid’s Jumpy Boots
EU26 – 36 | microfiber uppers | fleeced-lined | Kid’s Casual Sole | $69
The Jumpy boots are ideal for cold, dry winters. They’re a cozy, fleece-lined boot that uses the kid’s casual sole, which means it has a solid toe bumper. The side zipper also makes these easier to slip on and off. Note these are not waterproof. Since they are fairly thickly lined, they have less space available in the boot, making them better suited to kid’s with lower volume feet.
Conclusion
Saguaro Barefoot Shoes offer an impressive combination of affordability, comfort, and versatility, making them a great choice for anyone looking to experience minimalist footwear without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned barefoot shoe enthusiast or new to the concept, Saguaro delivers quality and durability at a price point that’s accessible for the whole family.
With a variety of styles, sizes, and designs, they cater to men, women, and children, ensuring everyone can benefit from the natural, flexible movement that barefoot shoes provide. While there are higher-end options on the market, Saguaro proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the benefits of minimalist footwear.
I hope this Saguaro barefoot shoes review helps you find a perfect fit for your next barefoot shoe.
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