The Best Barefoot Shoes, According to Footwear Experts

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests all types of footwear, from the most effective recovery shoes to running shoes, hiking boots and comfy dress shoes. When selecting the best barefoot shoes, we relied on our decades of expertise in testing in this category and reviewed the specs, materials and construction of each pair.

For this story, our analysts and Good Housekeeping Wellness Lab fitness experts tried out barefoot shoes while exercising, noting their function, fit, durability, comfort and aesthetics. While we haven’t tested each pair featured above in the Lab, our top picks are based on testing notes of models or brands we've been hands-on with, feedback from consumer testers and our many years of expertise evaluating footwear.

Though you may find various definitions of barefoot or minimalist shoes online, a study by the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that 95% of participants agreed with the following definition: “Footwear providing minimal interference with the natural movement of the foot due to its high flexibility, low heel to toe drop, weight and stack height, and the absence of motion control and stability devices.”

In other words, barefoot shoes are the closest you can get to being barefoot without putting your feet at risk of getting dirty or hurt thanks to their thin layer of protection. According to Emma Seymour, Senior Textiles Product Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, “Barefoot shoes encompass footwear that’s designed to feel like you are walking barefoot with minimalist features and usually zero heel drop.”

If you’re just getting started with barefoot shoes, we recommend taking things slow. “It can take some time to adjust to wearing minimalist shoes, especially if you have worn traditional sneakers with support in the past,” Sassos warns. Before purchasing a pair, you should try them on first to ensure the right fit, if possible. “As with any sneaker, the shoes should feel comfortable right away if they are the right shoes for you,” Seymour says. “If they are pinching or hurting on first try-on, then they likely aren’t the right shoes.”

Once you’ve picked the right pair of barefoot shoes for your feet, Sassos recommends starting slowly with no more than 30 minutes a day at first of gentle activity such as walking. “As you get more comfortable and acclimated to this style of shoe, you can extend the duration that you wear them and the intensity of the activities that you wear them during,” she says. If you experience any new pain or discomfort, check in with a podiatrist. It’s also extremely important to consult your podiatrist “if you have any specific foot or joint conditions before trying barefoot shoes,” Seymour says, as they may cause more harm than good if they’re not right for you.

Whether barefoot shoes are right for you is ultimately based on personal preference and guidance from your podiatrist. “There isn’t enough robust scientific research at this time to support the purported benefits, though long-term trials are currently underway,” Sassos says. While one study found “no definitive conclusions can be drawn on the risk or benefits to running barefoot, shod or in minimalist shoes,” other research concludes that “toe flexion strength increases by nearly 60% after using minimal shoes for daily activities for six months,” which can have benefits for athletic performance, foot health and more. Another study found that “walking with minimalist shoes was overall associated with better gait performance than walking barefoot.”

When transitioning to barefoot shoes, it’s best to listen to your body and look out for any signs of discomfort or pain. While these shoes may feel great to some users, they’re not the right choice for everyone. “After regular use, I have personally found barefoot shoes to minimize my lower back pain on walks and light jogs,” Sassos says. “I’ve also felt enhanced strength in my feet and calves.” But again, our pros stress that every experience is unique to the individual and their feet.

✔️ Consult a doctor. Whether you have any known foot or joint conditions, have suffered an injury or are unsure what’s best for your feet, we recommend discussing any questions or concerns with a podiatrist or orthopedist before making a purchase. Discussing options with a professional can help you find which shoes are best suited for your feet specifically and whether barefoot shoes are the right choice.

✔️ Try them on. There’s no one-size-fits-all. Try on a few pairs and various styles first to find the barefoot shoes that feel most comfortable when walking around. Each brand and style will vary in size and fit, which can impact your foot. Once you’ve found a pair that feels right, wiggle your toes around to make sure the shoes aren’t too tight, and avoid shoes that cause any pinching or squeezing when moving.

✔️ Comfort is key. Always listen to your gut when shopping for shoes, and don’t purchase a pair just because you think they will be good for you. While barefoot shoes might take some getting used to, they should never feel uncomfortable. Avoid any shoes that cause painful rubbing or make your toes feel cramped as this will only get worse with use.

✔️ Go with the design you like most. When it comes to barefoot shoes, you'll typically have the choice between a traditional design vs. a five-toe or five-finger design that separates your toes. We suggest trying on five-toe models first to see if you like them as these may take some getting used to. If you prefer a more classic look and feel, look for brands like Xero that offer the benefits of a traditional design combined with a minimalist shoe.

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has been a leading expert on footwear. Senior Textiles Product Analyst, Emma Seymour, oversees Lab and consumer tests for a variety of footwear and fitness products, including orthotic insoles, walking shoes, running shoes, hiking shoes and more. With a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience, particularly focused on athletic wear.

Stefani Sassos is Good Housekeeping's on-staff NASM-Certified Personal Trainer who also contributed her expertise to this story. She holds a certification as a Women's Fitness Specialist and is a registered dietitian and director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab as well. Not only has Sassos tested a variety of barefoot shoes, but she uses her exercise science knowledge to create informed fitness content for the Good Housekeeping Institute.

GH Institute analyst Olivia Lipski closely collaborated with Seymour and Sassos to write this guide based on the Textiles Lab's most recent testing data. As someone who suffered from bunions on both feet for years, she’s a huge advocate for finding the best footwear to reduce pain and increase comfort.