The Best Wide Toe Box Shoes That Aren't Barefoot | Anya's Reviews (2024)

When it comes to shoes the dialogue can feel a bit extreme. It’s either a total barefoot shoe or a full blown marshmallow strapped to your foot. But what if you’re someone who wants to wear a combination of those two – a wide toe box shoe that doesn’t squish your toes, but that also doesn’t have an ultra thin, flat sole?

I’m here to solve your shoe woes, so here is your guide to shoes that have a natural foot shape but are not barefoot shoes.

The Natural Footwear Spectrum

When it comes to shoes there are two extremes: Maximalist and Minimalist. Maximalist shoes have thickly cushioned soles, arch support, pronation control, and all the doodads possible. And unfortunately, often a pointy narrow toe box as well.

Minimalist shoes are the polar opposite with no cushion or support of any kind, as little shoe as possible so that nothing interferes with the functioning of the foot. And also there’s the foot shaped toe box we love so much.

This is why minimalist shoes are considered to be the most natural – they are simply there for protection and don’t interfere with the natural functions of the foot!

But these are just the two extremes. There is an entire spectrum of shoes that fall in between and still have a comfortable wide toe box. That means you have the option of picking the shoe features that align with your goals, and leaving behind what doesn’t align – without compromising your toe space.

Because depending on your current life situation, your feet might not be able to do all that’s required of them without a bit of help. Here are a few reasons why a person might not want to be in full barefoot shoes all of the time:

• Short term injury – e.g. achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, morton’s neuroma, stress fracture.
• Long term condition – e.g. hallux rigidus, loss of fat pad under foot, severe joint instability, diabetes.
• Working/Living environment – e.g. standing on concrete all day.

And then there’s simple preference. I’m not here to tell you what to wear.

But that’s not to say that anyone with one or more of the above conditions should never try barefoot shoes. Only to say that there might be stages of your life when you need or want different options.

The path to happier, healthier feet is WIDE and there is space for you! If barefoot shoes don’t work for you for whatever reason, I want you to know what your best options are.

And don’t forget that you can make many barefoot shoes less “barefoot” with the use of insoles (either from this list of insoles or your own) AND you can have more than one type of shoe in your closet. Choose the best option for the day or activity!

My guiding principle is to wear the shoes that support the life I want to lead, both in the short term and the long term.

Are These Shoes Still Good For Me?

An anatomically shaped shoe that allows your toes to spread out is ground zero for foot health. So even though there are good reasons to consider true minimalist shoes, you should give yourself credit for taking what I would consider to be the most important shoe feature seriously!

What If I Am New To Barefoot Shoes?

Trying shoes from this list will allow you to experience more toe freedom and can be a good way to get started. However, true barefoot shoes have a totally different feel and if that’s your goal I would recommend starting with my other barefoot shoe resources instead.

If you’re ready to transition and need some guidance, check out my Find Your Footing Workshop to get started!

The Best Wide Toe Box Shoes That Aren’t Barefoot

Now let’s dig into your options for shoes with a natural wide toe box that are not barefoot shoes.

These are listed alphabetically.

Ahinsa Comfort

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Ahinsa Comfort shoes are the same as their barefoot shoes, but with a supportive insole. They are a very nice bridge for people who want a wide toe box, but are not ready to go without support. And if you want to experience the feeling of a true barefoot shoe, you can take out the insole and give it a whirl.

These shoes are still relatively thin and flexible, so if lots of cushion is what you’re after, check out the next option.

Altra Running

Altra Running makes zero and low drop shoes with a much wider toe box than is typically found on athletic shoes, but the cushioning level is high and they offer lateral stability. This is a good brand for ultra runners who log ridiculous miles on concrete and for people who need a more rigid sole – whether that is because of joint arthritis or to hold a supportive orthotic.

I personally recommend their lower cushion options (the high cushion is just excessive for nearly everyone!) and their extra wide fit – the Lone Peak is my favorite.

Baer Shoes

Baer Shoes is a German brand with many beautiful anatomically shaped shoes. The nice thing about Baer is that you can find options for just about every type of shoe you are looking for – they’re “regular” shoes but with a wide toe box. You can check each product description to find the height of the heel drop, type of support, shoe weight, and more.

Barebarics

Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off from Barebarics, or find select styles at Anya’s Shop, including the custom colorway you see above left (not available anywhere else).

Barebarics are more of a barefoot shoe brand than others listed here, but I couldn’t leave them off because they work very well for people who want to add their own orthotic. The sole is wide, durable, and structured so they are quite stabilizing. If you need a supportive shoe and want toe space for days, this is one of the best options (with your own arch support added, because they come with a totally flat insole).

Read an in-depth review of Barebarics shoes here.

Bedrock Sandals

Bedrock sells a variety of models and most have a thick, protective outsole. And if support is what you’re after, the Mountain Clogs and 3d models are lightly molded. You can read our review of the Mountain Clogs here.

Birchbury

Birchbury shoes aren’t very thick, but they do have more cushion than a barefoot shoe. The insole is lightly padded under the heel with a bit of arch support. Birchbury are still pretty flexible and light, so make for a good bridge between traditional shoes and barefoot shoes.

Birkenstock

Birkenstocks are high quality shoes with rigid support for the entire foot. If you want/need a lot of foot support this is a good brand to consider, especially if rigidity is necessary for you due to structural limitations (e.g. big toe arthitis). Birkenstocks last a really long time too! Some closed toes models have removable insoles, so you can experiment with a more barefoot feel if you want to.

I have a long, somewhat tortured relationship with Birkenstocks. But I can’t deny that they saved my toosh when I couldn’t walk due to foot pain!

Chaco

Chaco shoes have a really durable sole with quite a lot of arch support. The sole is mainly rigid, especially in the heel area, but you do get some flex right at the ball of the foot. They do carry models with a conventional toe box and tall heel, so look for options with a flat outsole on models Paonia, Revel, and Ramble. Some sandal models are also available in a wide width.

Conker Shoes

Conker Shoes is a small UK-based sustainable brand making high quality leather footwear that can be resoled for a lifetime. Their made-to-order shoes can be customized a variety of ways and built on many different soles (including zero drop options). You can even be fitted in person at their workshop in Devon! While they don’t offer supportive insoles, they do have a more traditional structure and thickness to them – and you can always add your own insoles if you want to.

Crocs

Oh Crocs! These lightweight foam clogs have become a comfort staple in America because they slide on easily and have ample toe space. While I am not a fan of slide on shoes for long term foot health, I can’t deny that the toe box on Crocs is solid. And if cushion is what you’re after, they are soft and thick under foot.

Duckfeet

Duckfeet shoes has been making naturally shaped footwear since 1975! They all have a wide toe box and a moderate heel. There is no internal arch support, but the veg tanned leather midsole will form to your foot with wear. They’re based in Denmark, and all materials are European-sourced, includingterracare^®leather, making Duckfeet a sustainable and environmentally-friendly option. Oh, and they can be resoled too!

Flux Footwear

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Flux footwear’s Adapt Runner has ample toe space and a mostly flat sole, but they are cushioned and fairly stiff with a rocker effect. This can be useful for people who have trouble bending the big toe – but I wish there wasn’t so much toe spring! They also have a Trainer sneaker, but the toe box isn’t as wide.

Green Shoes

Green Shoes are all handmade in the UK with a variety of custom options – you can even have them fully bespoke to your foot shape! And because you can resole them they can last forever.

Icarus

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Icarus is a fun one because they come with 3 different insole options depending on your needs. I wear mine with a thin, flat insole but you can choose the cushioned option with extra padding under the heel and a bit of support. They’re really comfy and I love the simple styling!

Read my in-depth Icarus review here.

Joe Nimble

Joe Nimble is a spin off brand from Baer shoes that focuses on athletic/outdoor models. These shoes are good quality and function well, with a lovely anatomical shape to them. I like them for people who need a more rigid sole but have wide feet. The support is minimal (light molding around the heel and flared base for lateral stability) compared to a Birkenstock, but you can always replace the insole with your own if you feel you need it.

Keen

Keen footwear was a staple in my life before I found barefoot shoes – they are really durable and long-lasting with a much wider than average shape. We like the water sandals, and also found that their work boots have good toe space (great option if you need a heel for ladder climbing). The product descriptions clearly show each model’s sole thickness and heel-to-toe drop so you can find a model that works for you!

Lems Shoes

You can find the Lems Primal Zen sneakers at Anya’s Shop

Lems are another brand that is well loved in the barefoot shoe community, but really can go either way. Their shoes are fairly thick and cushioned and they can easily hold your own arch support if you want to add it in. If you want a thicker, more supportive feel, I would choose Pursuit, Summit, & Outlander models, but all Lems are cushioned.

The Mesa & Trailhead are the only Lems models that do not have a wide fit and that I would stay away from. Each product listing includes width information.

Read all my in-depth Lems Reviews here

Oesh Shoes

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Oesh Shoes are made with a natural shape, zero drop outsole, and no internal support. They have a more cushioned sole than most barefoot shoe brands and a plant-based recycled knit upper that’s soft and stretchy to fit a wide variety of foot shapes.

Peluva

Peluva doesn’t just have a wide toe box, they have individual toe pockets! You can find trainers and casual shoes for men and women with a stack height of 9mm or 12mm.

Saltwater Sandals

One reason these perennial sandals are so adored is because they are quite wide in the toe box and therefore more comfortable than most cute sandals! As a former Saltwater sandal wearer (who has always hated uncomfortable shoes) I can personally vouch for this. While not supportive, they are stiffer and thicker than most barefoot shoes.

Taos

Taos wool clogs can be used as house slippers or as outdoor shoes. They have a good anatomical shape to them and a molded supportive insole that is removeable.

Teva Sandals

Teva Original sandals are generously shaped as far as most adventure sandals go, and the adjustable velcro makes them comfy even for my wide feet! I also like that Tevas are lightweight and still flexible, despite being cushioned.

Topo Athletic

Topo Athletic has a wide toe box and a low or zero drop sole, but more cushioning and rigidity than any barefoot shoe. The pedorthists at FootRX specifically recommend the Phantom 3 model for people with hallux rigidus (limited to no range of motion in the big toe), because the sole is stiff enough to prevent bending.

Vibae

Vibae shoes have a classic vibe and come with a molded supportive insole. The outsole is flat, and the shape is generously wide so they make for a mostly natural fitting shoe but with some support.