Summer is made for minimalist footwear. Choose your barefoot sandals too

Sandals are the ideal shoes from spring through to autumn. What are your options if you prefer barefoot sandals? Choose from elegant styles and outdoor-ready pairs.

With summer temperatures, most of us don’t fancy sweating in closed shoes. If you’re not quite ready to go completely barefoot, we bet you’ll happily swap your beloved trainers for sandals. But how do you choose a pair that not only looks great, but also does the job properly?

Don’t forget what barefoot shoes should look like 

If you won’t quite have the confidence to head out completely without shoes during summer, sandals are a brilliant choice. Like other barefoot shoes, they’re lightweight, have no heel and follow the natural shape of your foot. Unlike many other types of footwear, you can worry a lot less about your toes being squeezed, because they usually have an open toe. On the other hand, if you choose the wrong size, there’s a risk your foot may slide out of them. 

How to choose the right size

You already know how to measure your foot correctly — but let’s pause for a moment on the toe allowance, which shouldn’t be too big with sandals. For anyone unfamiliar: toe allowance is the extra space at the front of the shoe that lets your foot work naturally as you walk. While a toe allowance of up to 1.5 cm is often recommended in general, sandals are different. Too much allowance can actually be a disadvantage, because it makes it easy to catch the sole and trip. Ideally, aim for around 5 mm. If you’re not sure whether the sandals fit, the simplest thing is to put them on and fully shift your weight onto your foot. If your foot doesn’t slide out, the size you’ve chosen should be just right.

Sandals you can take anywhere

Having a pair in your shoe cupboard that will keep you company through a full day at the office and an evening stroll is simply the dream. 

If you want to enjoy natural walking to the fullest, slip into unisex Czech sandals from BOSKY SHOES. The sole shape and fully adjustable straps work well even with an atypical foot shape, a high instep, a wide foot — or, on the contrary, a very narrow one. It doesn’t matter whether you choose the leather or vegan version: both are great for a relaxed evening walk around town as well as an adventurous trip around the world. And by the way, they dry in no time — so if you get caught in the rain, you’ll be able to wear them again the next day without a fuss.

Elegant styles that work with dresses

Let’s be honest — everyone likes to feel a bit like royalty sometimes. And even if you wear barefoot shoes, you can still choose pretty dressy styles, so you can happily slip into your favourite fitted dress or a floaty skirt.

A beautifully crafted pair, refined down to the last detail, are the GROUNDIES. The VERONA model comes in four elegant colours, and you can choose between leather and a vegan version. These barefoot sandals are incredibly soft, comfortable and stylish — a perfect choice for a work meeting, a summer party or a stroll around town. They won’t rub or pinch anywhere, they let your feet move freely, and the pleasant material adapts beautifully to your foot.

Another great option is GROUNDIES MAYA, available in three colour options. Thanks to the elastic heel strap, they’re easy to slip on and they also stay securely on your foot, keeping every step comfortable. This model combines minimalist design, lightness and that signature barefoot comfort, making it ideal for everyday city wear.

The KOS model is also worth a look. It stands out with its elegant appearance thanks to high-quality smooth leather, available in classic black and brown. The thin, flexible sole lets you feel the ground contact — exactly as barefoot footwear should. Adjustable straps over the instep and around the heel ensure the sandals stay firmly on your foot while still offering maximum comfort. In short — it’s hard not to love them.

A real hit are the leather sandals from the Croatian brand FRODDO. They’re very light, comfortable, and their low price is hard to resist. You can choose the minimalist strappy FLEXY LIA model or the delicate FLEXY FLOWER, decorated with little flowers and so romantic you could easily wear it to a wedding. Thanks to the Velcro straps, they fit beautifully, so you don’t have to worry about them feeling loose.

Looking for guaranteed elegance and delicacy? In models from ANGLES you’ll feel like a goddess. Even though they are fully leather shoes, they’re very comfortable even for all-day wear, they look graceful on the foot — truly divine. Thanks to the adjustable ankle strap, they fit beautifully on standard and narrower feet.

One model especially worth your attention is ANGLES HESTIA, available in sizes 36 to 43 and in elegant colour options: black, pink and gold. These fully leather sandals are ideal for the city and everyday wear. The practical Velcro fastening combined with a buckle makes them easy to adjust and comfortable to put on. Thanks to their cut, they fit medium and medium-wide feet beautifully and will appeal to anyone looking for a blend of elegance, comfort and natural movement.

Another elegant model is ANGLES THEMIS, available in sizes 36 to 43 in timeless black and beige. These leather sandals stand out with an airy design you’ll appreciate especially on warm summer days. Thanks to the buckle fastening, you can easily adjust them as needed, while keeping an elegant look suitable for the city, work and social occasions. They’re ideal for anyone looking for a combination of lightness, comfort and timeless elegance.

Another interesting option is ANGLES DIONE, available in sizes 36 to 43 in elegant black and beige. With a buckle fastening, they’re easy to adjust and comfortable to wear all day. Their advantage is the closed toe, which gives a very elegant court-shoe look without sacrificing breathability and comfort. These leather sandals are a great choice for the city and everyday wear for anyone looking for elegant footwear with plenty of comfort.

And so we don’t forget vegans, here are the barefoot shoes LEGUANO JARA. They’re very elegant, yet also comfortable and practical — and you’ll love them for how light they feel. You can adjust them perfectly to your foot thanks to the ankle strap and the instep strap, which you can easily loosen or tighten with Velcro. And one more little bonus — if they get really dirty by accident, you can safely pop them in the washing machine with liquid detergent.

Barefoot sandals made for the outdoors

If you’re heading off on adventures, it’s definitely worth taking the time to choose the right footwear. And if you’re the kind of hiker who tries to save every kilogram, you’ll appreciate barefoot sandals that you can easily roll up into a small bundle and tuck into your rucksack when needed.

For trips, travelling and summer adventures in nature, BOSKY SHOES sandals are a great fit. They offer low weight, flexibility and detailed strap adjustment, so they suit a wide range of feet and keep every step comfortable.

BOSKY PERFORMANCE Z-TECH are lightweight hiking barefoot sandals with an open toe, available in two colour options. The slip-on design fits a medium foot type well. The open construction ensures breathability and comfort even on longer summer walks, while the flexible build supports natural foot movement and overall walking comfort.

For trips into nature and active summer movement, BOSKY ENDURO 2.0 are a brilliant choice. These slip-on barefoot sandals are designed for a medium foot type and come in black in sizes 36 to 47. Thanks to their secure yet comfortable fit, they stay firmly on your foot even on longer walks, offering confidence and comfort on forest tracks, country paths and all-day outings.

Another option for hikes and everyday adventures is LEGUANO ATTREKKTIVE. These lightweight barefoot shoes have an extra flexible treaded sole that provides maximum ground contact and supports natural foot movement. Thanks to the Velcro fastening, they’re easy to adjust and are available up to size 49. Another unique benefit is the material, which can be washed in the washing machine.

Summer footwear for the little ones

Not sure what to put on your children’s feet during scorching summer days? Take a look at sandals that won’t get in the way thanks to their low weight, so they can run around outside to their heart’s content.

In lots of lovely colours, you’ll find soft leather sandals from BABY BARE. They’re suitable for new walkers too, both outdoors and indoors, and they fit best on medium to wider feet with a medium instep. Older children can go for popular leather sandals from RAYVE or FRODDO with aremovable leather insole. Popular choices also include quality sandals from BUNDGAARD, known for their comfortable fit and child-friendly construction. For children with wider feet — and for parents looking for maximum freedom of movement — GROUNDIES barefoot sandals are also a great alternative, respecting the natural shape of the foot and giving toes plenty of room.

And if you don’t hesitate to head off-road with the kids, you can get them vegan sandals from XERO SHOES or BOBUX with a closed toe. Another great choice are JOMA sandals, which stand out for their lightweight construction, comfortable wear and good support for children’s adventures in nature and in town.

You’ll feel like you’re walking on air

Whether you choose elegant sandals or one of the models designed for hiking in the toughest conditions, you can be sure your feet will be delighted. Barefoot footwear won’t restrict natural movement in any way and will keep you comfortable even when worn all day.

What else might interest you on this topic?

• How to measure your foot correctly and why barefoot shoes need toe allowance
• Barefoot and elegant: it’s time for barefoot ballet flats
• Tips for choosing hiking barefoot footwear: so it serves you well for a long time
• Why choose barefoot footwear, and how to pick and wear it