Comfortable yet stylish – barefoot trainers to elevate any outfit

Comfortable yet stylish – barefoot trainers to elevate any outfit Comfortable yet stylish – barefoot trainers to elevate any outfit

Selecting and Maintaining Barefoot Shoes

Timeless, elegant, comfortable and suitable for any occasion. Find out how to choose barefoot trainers that fit you perfectly in this article.

Trainers stopped being shoes just for the gym or the sports pitch a long time ago. Modern, timeless pairs work with pretty much any outfit – don’t be afraid to wear them not only with a tracksuit for dashing around town, but also with a blazer for the office or even with a wedding dress. All-day comfort in barefoot trainers is a given.

Barefoot shoes for all-day wear? Absolutely

Sore toes, blisters, or rubbed soles. Is that what your feet look like when you finally free them after a full day squeezed into conventional shoes?

Then it’s high time to switch to barefoot shoes, which give your feet plenty of room and allow them to stretch, spread and flex with every step – without pushing your big toe towards the others. Barefoot shoes are also a return to natural walking.

So what does a proper barefoot shoe look like?

  • it’s wide enough at the front – it doesn’t squeeze your toes and lets them spread comfortably as you walk
  • it has a flexible sole – so your feet can feel the ground beneath you
  • it has zero drop (the height difference between toe and heel) – so your body doesn’t shift position as you walk, but stays nicely upright

Size really does matter here

Choosing the right size in barefoot shoes can be a bit tricky. You can’t simply go by your usual size in conventional shoes – you need to measure your feet carefully. As well as length, measure width and don’t forget instep height. The shoe shouldn’t pinch anywhere and should give your foot plenty of free space.

On the other hand, you don’t want your barefoot shoes to feel sloppy either – so choose the right toe allowance (the free space in front of your longest toe). In general, 5–10 mm is recommended for adults and 9–12 mm for children. Then you’ll glide through the day as light as a feather.

Every barefoot shoe is unique

Different brands – and even different models – can vary slightly in measurements and have their own characteristic shape. While some barefoot shoes have an even wider toe box than others (e.g. Rayve or most Angles models), others are noticeably narrower overall (such as leguano or Groundies), and some fit perfectly on feet with a higher instep (e.g. Saltic).

When it comes to sizing, you might be a 38 in one brand and a 40 in another. That’s exactly why you should always check the insole length for the specific shoes – along with other measurements you’ll find in the naBOSo e-shop for each model.

Models for sports enthusiasts

If you’re into sport and hiking and spend more time out on the trails than strolling around town, you’ll definitely love the unisex model XERO SHOES HFS. These shoes have a breathable mesh upper and feel like they were made for you from the very first wear – so light you’ll barely notice them on your feet.

‘I’ve always sworn by LEGUANO shoes and thought no other footwear could beat their irresistible comfort. But it happened. For sports activities, I fell for XERO SHOES HFS W – they’re super light, wonderfully soft, and their treaded sole lets your feet experience the terrain while still cushioning impacts nicely.’ Bc. Hana Tonarová – physiotherapist (www.honeycare.cz)

For sport as well as other leisure activities, LEGUANO BEAT barefoot shoes are another brilliant choice. They suit both men and women, have a non-slip sole and adapt beautifully to any foot. Unique comfort, lightness and freedom of movement for running, CrossFit, tennis and even dancing is exactly what the sporty LEGUANO SPINWYN model delivers.

For an easy overview of all sporty shoe models, we recommend this blog article: Barefoot sports shoes: a comparative test.

A classic you’ll never tire of

When it comes to trainers, our clear winners are the minimalist LEGUANO CITY and their sportier version LEGUANO AKTIV. They’re incredibly versatile, look great on everyone, and we can promise you’ll feel like you’re in slippers all day long.

‘In LEGUANO AKTIV barefoot shoes, I trudged along on our cycling trip to the sea along the River Elbe – from its source all the way to its mouth near Hamburg. These light, packable shoes were more than once a lifesaver when my stiff cycling shoes were starting to get on my nerves.’ Petr Jan Juračka – extreme photographer and traveller (www.petr.juracka.eu)

You also shouldn’t miss the stylish GROUNDIES trainers made from classic or vegan leather, which you can wear in dry weather and in the rain. They’re wonderfully soft, have a wider toe box, and look fantastic with jeans.

‘Barefoot trainers that look like fashionable trainers, yet are comfortable and flexible – that’s exactly what GROUNDIES GREENWICH are. The fine, soft terry lining keeps you warm in cooler weather. The upper material is very durable; even after a year, the shoes look like new. What I appreciate most is the front part, which is wide enough for the toes. As a bonus, they’re vegan.’ Jiří Souček – owner of Angles, Rayve.

You can’t go wrong with trainers from the Croatian brand FRODDO either – at first glance they don’t look much different from conventional shoes, they’re suitable for barefoot beginners, and they’re also very budget-friendly.

All-day comfort in the office

Do you feel at home in the office? Ditch narrow business shoes that pinch and squeeze your feet into an unnatural shape, and slip into the brilliant men’s trainers  ANGLES LINOS 2.0 . They perfectly combine a fashionable, elegant look with comfort.

And you don’t have to compromise on maximum comfort even with classic lace-up shoes. The new ANGLES CHRONOS in the softest premium leather are refined down to the last detail. They blend style, minimalism and top quality, stay comfortable even for all-day wear, and they truly suit any occasion.

Elegant pieces to wear with dresses

Say goodbye to high heels that can lead to pressure points, foot deformities and pain in the neck or knees – and don’t be shy about wearing trainers with a truly women’s outfit. With delicate lace, LEGUANO AMALFI will win you over at first glance. They’re so elegant you won’t hesitate to wear them even on your wedding day.

‘White trainers are a must-have in my wardrobe. For a long time I struggled in classic leather white trainers, until I came across the white LEGUANO AMALFI. They look very delicate and elegant on the foot, and I love wearing them with a skirt too. I also wear them during hospital placements instead of standard hospital slippers.’ Lucie Ternová – healthy movement instructor and physio-fitness trainer (www.mamasport.cz)

With a dress or skirt, you can also wear SALTIC SMART Diva barefoot shoes – thanks to the colourful embroidery, they’ll be the centre of attention on any occasion. But if lace and embellishments aren’t really your thing, there are the simple SALTIC SMART trainers made from suede leather.

Trainers for little ones

We haven’t forgotten about your children either. For the very smallest kids who’ve grown out of first walkers, we offer, for example, the luxurious leather all-year-round shoes RAYVE SPRINGFIELD – ideal for nursery, running around the park and lighter hikes. For all these occasions, PEGRES barefoot trainers are also a great fit, especially for feet shaped a bit like flippers. For narrower little feet, colourful animal-themed models from the German brand AFFENZAHN tend to fit best.

Little and bigger princesses will love the pink CATBOURNE trainers from RAYVE – and so brothers don’t feel left out, we also offer them in blue and black. They’re suitable even for a more dominant big toe, very easy to put on (they have Velcro straps instead of laces), and you can happily send your child to PE in them too.

For little ones, leather shoes from BOBUX are brilliant – they’re beautifully flexible and your child can wear them all year round. And finally, we have more all-year-round options: leather trainers from D.D.STEP. They come in lots of lovely colours, with cheerful motifs (butterflies, flowers and so on), sequins or glitter, and thanks to the Velcro fastening even the smallest barefoot explorers can put them on by themselves. We also can’t forget the popular brand of quality leather and canvas trainers FRODDO. 

Don’t give up on comfort

Barefoot trainers are not only incredibly comfortable, but stylish too. The best thing is that you can wear them practically all year round. Thanks to the flexible sole, you’ll appreciate them whether you’re jogging in the park or sitting at a desk all day – and they’ll be faithful companions on holiday too. All that’s left is to choose your pair.

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