12 Best Barefoot Shoes For Women in 2024 To Look Stylish
Feel every step without the heavy weight of regular shoes dragging you down.
David SurvepalliFFPM RCPS, FRCPodM 
David Survepalli is a podiatrist with 15 years of professional experience. He specializes in heel, knee, and forefoot pain, ankle instability, plantar fasciitis, wound care, and diabetic foot ulcer management. He has vast experience in ankl... more
baishali bhattacharyaMA (English) Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
srijita deMA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
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Minimalist shoes are now preferred over heavyweight, stuffy shoes by most active women. The best barefoot shoes for women are lightweight and have thin soles. They offer a snug fit and have breathable fabrics with a non-slip design. These bestselling shoes are a perfect balance of fashion and function and are also extremely versatile. You can wear them for hiking, water sports, yoga, or as everyday casuals. These do take some time to get accustomed to, but once you get the hang of them, there is no looking back!
David Survepalli, a podiatrist with 15 years of professional experience, says, “Minimalist shoes have significantly increased the incidence of metatarsal stress fractures and forefoot pathologies in runners. I would be very hesitant to include running in the list of activities to do in these shoes. While they are great for casual wear and outdoor strolls in the bush (Merrells) and if on the beach, walking over pebbles (water sport shoes).”
Continue reading to check out the 12 best barefoot shoes for women, and pick your favorites now!
In This Article
12 Best Barefoot Shoes For Women
Best Lightweight:Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Shoes
The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III are lightweight and stylish. These feature a thick rubber outer sole and are relatively wide and flexible for strenuous activities. The inner sole is thick enough to ensure your feet remain flat and comfortable. This stylish pair has the design of a foot to ensure that it fits your feet perfectly to avoid any slip out. It also features a large pull tab for effortless use of the shoes. These fitness footwear are perfect for outdoor activities like running, hiking, trail running, and walks.
- Recyclable
- Easy to wash
- Stable
- Lightweight
- Anti-slip soles
- Not durable
Quick TipBest Breathable:Merell Women’s Vapor Glove 4 Sneakers
The Merell Women’s Vapor GLove 4 Sneakers have a thick rubber sole with deep treads. The treads ensure that the shoe grips the floor to prevent any sliding. Additionally, the outer layer is made from mesh for breathability, while the inner sole is made of high-quality EVA material. This plastic inner sole ensures the foot is comfortable as you exercise, hike, or cycle. These non-slip women’s rubber shoes are highly wear-resistant and feature shoelaces for adjusting the fit. The inner parts of the sneakers have a thick cushioning that safeguards the feet and keeps you going for long. According to reviews, the shoes are comfortable and provides arch support.
- Breathable
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Dries fast
- Comfortable
- Flexible
None
Best Flexible: L-Run Athletic Walking Shoes
The ultra-light L-Run Athletic Walking Shoes are suitable for walking, jogging, running, yoga, and exercise. The classic five-finger design does not squeeze your toes. Thanks to its mesh and leather-based fabric, the shoes are breathable, quick-drying, flexible, comfortable to wear, and feel like socks. The thick rubber outsoles protect your feet from blunt objects, while the honeycomb design helps maintain grip on the floor. The inbuilt elastic lace is designed to adjust the shoe size to fit different foot sizes.
- Quick-drying
- Flexible material
- No-slip design
- Odor-free
- Lightweight
- Ventilated
- Adjustable shoe strap
- Don’t hold up for ling
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 16,177 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
Best For Wide Feet:Seekways Water Sports Shoes
The Seekways Water Sports Shoes have a stretchy upper material and are made from elastane and rubber. They feature a thick outer sole with anti-slip treads for better grip. It also has several tiny holes at bottom to drain the water and a relatively sturdy toe cap on the front section to protect your toes from potential injuries. The beauty of these shoes is that they are elastic and thus can fit wearers with wider feet. They mesh upper layer prevent excessive foot sweating and keep the feet dry to prevent contact with salty water as it may cause chaffing. It is perfect for boating, swimming, or snorkeling with your friends or relatives.
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Dries quickly
- Durable
None
Quick TipBest Quick-Dry:Watelves Water Shoes
These durable Watelves Water Shoes feature perforations to ensure quick drainage for faster drying. Additionally, the sports shoes are breathable with a thick non-slip sole. These have elastic laces for quicker tying and a smooth and breathable fabric to knit the outer part of these water shoes. Each shoelace features a lock close to the padded tongue for safety reasons. This pair also features thick paddings in the inner parts to provide more foot support to enhance your natural stride. Each shoe has a toe cap to shield the toes against impact, and is perfect for activities like sailing, surfing, rowing, or riding. According to reviewers, the shoes are anti-slip, sand-resistant, and have good traction.
- Durable construction
- Non-slip
- Good traction
- Breathable
- Looks stylish
None
These shoes are made with flexible soles that allow the muscles to move naturally and protect your feet from stress. They have a wide toe box design to provide optimum toe freedom and a comfortable fit to your toes. For a more barefoot feel, you can remove the insoles during a leisurely walk. The upper mesh design enhances the breathability of the shoes.
- Non-elevated sole
- Adjustable hook and loop closure
- Removable insole
- Vegan-friendly
- Not durable
Best Elastic:SAGUARO Women’s Minimalist Barefoot Running Shoes
These lightweight running shoes by SAGUARO feature a colorful rubber sole with well-designed treads to prevent slipping. These running shoes have a thick cap on the front to cushion the toes. The mesh-like fabric makes these running shoes extremely breathable and provides foot flexibility. They also feature a soothing removable inner sole and have a foot-like design that grips the feet firmly to prevent any sliding. Every shoe has a wide toe box that provides enough space for all five toes. These lightweight shoes are excellent for climbing, surfing, and hiking. This statement footwear is perfect for those who love style and adventure.
- Absorbs sweat
- Stylish
- Toe protection
- Slide-proof
- Suitable for wide feet
- Wear-resistant
- Absorbs shock
- Flexible
- No inner cushioning
- May trigger blisters
Best For Lounging: FitKicks Barefoot Water Shoes
These shoes are designed with Flex Form Sole Technology and are soft and stretchy. They have an ergonomic design and provide full movement potential and a barefoot feel. The insoles are well cushioned to reduce stress on the feet, and the convenient pull tabs allow for easy wear. The pull tabs have a wide grip for easy and quick on/off. You can wear these shoes for traveling, yoga, lounging, or dancing.
- Stretchable
- Foldable
- Easy to wear and remove
- Ergonomic design
- May not be suitable for flat feet
Best Anti-Slip: Weweya Barefoot Shoes for Women
The stretchable, ultra-light fabric of these shoes provides extreme comfort while walking. These barefoot shoes from Weweya offer an excellent and comfortable fit. The breathable mesh design of the upper allows maximum absorption of sweat and keeps your feet dry. The shoes come with an adjustable elastic lace whose locking mechanism keeps you away from the trouble of tying a shoelace. The toe box finger design gives enough space for your fingers to wiggle.
- Lightweight
- Arch support insole
- Wide toe box
- Durable
- Anti-slip rubber sole
- Adjustable shoe tongue
- Breathable fabric
None
Best Ballet Studio Design: FitKicks Crossovers Barefoot Shoes
These soft and comfortable shoes from FitKicks have high-quality rubber soles for extended comfort. The soles are designed with shock-absorption performance to protect your feet from getting hit by sharp objects. The easy slip-on design with ballet studio-inspired look with crisscross straps makes them easy to wear and take off. The shoes are made with spandex fabric that provides good stretchability for a snug fit. The fabric is smooth and breathable, making these shoes perfect to wear on sand, land, or water. If you follow shoe trends and want something classic, this is for you.
- Flexible
- Durable
- Unique design
- Comfortable
- May not be suitable for thin feet
Oranginer Women's Barefoot Shoes
These shoes from Organginer are made with protective soles and a broad toe design to stimulate the barefoot experience to the maximum. They are ideal for running, walking, training, gym workouts, and sports activities. You can customize the width with elastic shoelaces for a comfortable fit. The upgraded outsoles are more wear-resistant and provide anti-skid protection. The fabric is smooth and breathable and offers a comfortable fit.
- Non-slip sole
- Breathable
- Flexible
- Easy to wear and remove
- Bulky
Xero Barefoot Shoes
These functional and fashionable zero-drop shoes from Xero give your feet much-needed support and comfort. They have low-profile soles with non-elevated heels to offer proper balance and agility and enhanced posture. The insole is just 2 mm thick to provide a bare minimum feeling of a shoe. The shoes feature a flexible design that allows your feet to bend and move as per your choice.
- Lightweight
- Vegan eco-friendly materials
- Cruelty-free
- Not durable
These shoes are not only functional but also improve your mobility, foot proprioception, and overall foot health. In the section below, we will guide you about the impact of the features while you make a purchase from one of the numerous barefoot shoe brands.
How To Choose The Best Barefoot Shoes For Women
Look for the following factors:
- Lightweight: These shoes must be lightweight to reduce the impact on the feet and calves.
- Thin Soles With No Elevated Heels: Soles with heels force our body to adjust its balance, leading to incorrect posture. Minimalist shoes come with thin soles that do not impact your posture and alignment. They should be twistable and easy to bend so that they does not control your posture.
- Easy Wearability: Slip-on and lace-free designs are more convenient to wear as they require minimum effort.
- Wide Toe Box: Ensure that the shoes have a roomy interior that does not cramp or curl the toes.
The Bottom Line
Barefoot shoes are not just lightweight, breathable, and fashionable but also extremely budget-friendly and comfortable. You can wear them for your yoga sessions, swimming lessons, or professional surfing events. Barefoot shoes are easy to slip on while being convenient to carry and store wherever you want. For strenuous outdoor activities, try the minimalist Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Shoes that offer flexibility and protection. For breathability and comfortable cushioning, opt for the Merell Women’s Vapor Glove 4 Sneakers. Go for the Watelves Water Shoes if you need thick paddings and thick non-slip sole for your water activities. Their cushioned insoles are made to efficiently absorb shock and help you while running or walking faster. The shoes are also quick-drying, and have a good exterior design that helps in maintaining a good grip on the floor. However, you should steer clear of shoes that do not come with adjustable straps and have little to no ventilation.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is a fashion enthusiast who writes research-based product reviews for StyleCraze. She has a good knowledge of fashionable footwear and came up with the above list of the best barefoot shoes for women after thorough research and considering their merits like flexibility, durability, and lightweight material. These shoes come with anti-slip soles and are endorsed by numerous users through their reviews on trusted online platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are barefoot shoes good for seniors?
Yes, barefoot shoes benefit seniors because they improve postural and dynamic stability in older adults.
Can you wear barefoot shoes every day?
Yes, you wear barefoot shoes every day since they help to put the body into natural alignment, which can result in improved posture and less strain on all of your joints. Plus, they are pretty comfortable for walking and jogging.
What happens to your feet when you wear barefoot shoes?
The most typical observable changes are toes spreading out and the entire foot widening and lengthening. The flat sole of a barefoot shoe benefits the arch muscles and helps it in getting stronger, and some people may notice a visible arch where none previously existed.
Should you wear socks with barefoot shoes?
Yes, you can wear socks with barefoot shoes.
Can I wear barefoot shoes with plantar fasciitis?
Yes, barefoot shoes help in foot strengthening and promote muscle health which is beneficial for plantar fasciitis.
