I have collected these budget barefoot shoes from international barefoot groups. Wherever I have personal experience, it is mentioned. Most of these solutions present some sort of a compromise, as quality barefoot shoes are typically available at prices closer to the premium category.
If you have suggestions on what else to include, please get in touch. I will react as soon as I can.
BTW, as far as I can see, there are logical reasons behind the relatively high prices:
– barefoot companies cannot take advantage of mass production in order to diminis auxiliary costs (yet – but we are working on that! 🙂 )
– they need to design and create their own lasts instead of using the unnatural but easily available standard ones, and that is a very costly process
– they tend to use carefully chosen, high quality, often organic raw materials, that are not cheap
– many barefoot companies invest in specific research into new materials/constructions in order to offer better solutions
– most of them organize production locally, providing work opportunities in our communities
– many of them take great care to offer fair work conditions to their employees and avoid exploitation in any form
Table of Contents
AVAILABLE IN HUNGARY
Aldi barefoot hiking shoes
Available periodically, price: 6.000 HUF in summer 2021. I tried them on, see my review on Facebookon here
Anatomic sneakers & casual shoes
For more details see below in ‘AVAILABLE ABROAD’
10-20.000 HUF in 2022, some models are available here: https://barefootfamily.hu/termekek
❤️ Use discount code Barefootbudapest7 to get 7% off – not only Anatomic but all shoes in this webshop! ❤️
Decathlon Forclaz Trek barefoot sandals
Price: 7.990 HUF in summer 2021
https://www.decathlon.hu/szandal-trek500-id_8506214.html
Unisex. Bought them, use them, see my comparison to Xero Z-Trail here
Skinners shoesocks
Price around 18.000 HUF in 2021
Available from Sanasport & 4camping online shopsThis is something in between socks and shoes, ideal for hiking (if combined with waterproof socks, then also in rainy weather), not so comfy for walking on concrete. Grants extreme ground feel and foot mobilization, I’m a huge fan!
AVAILABLE ABROAD
Ahinsa online outlet
Last pairs, overrun as well as second rate products at a 30-60 % discount
https://walkfree.cz/factory-offer/index.php?lng=cs#sizingSelect
Aliexpress barefoot shoes
- summer ballerina / house shoe (for ladies): vízicipő
- TipsieToes (you may need to size up by 1 or 2 sizes compared to your usual barefoot size)
Anatomic sneakers & casual shoes
Between 18-60 EUR in 2022
Quality shoes with a bit thicker and heavier soles, ideal for cycling or transitioning. If you are after maximum ground feel, they are not for you.
Their recently introduced new models called Natural have a thinner, lighter sole, with better ground feel, more suitable for everyday use, and they also come in a faux leather version, not only canvas! (Actually, my daughter lives in those.)
Careful – sizing may vary for different models!
I own a pair, and so do others in my family. Very good value for money.
Video reviews:
Anatomic Natural vegan leather barefoot budget shoes
Anatomic Starter water resistant canvas barefoot sneaker
Amazon’s best known budget barefoot brands:
- Whitin, Saguaro
I tried one model by each. One of them even seemed quite comfortable, if not for the inconsistent sizing (they turned out small).
Generally, it seems that their canvas models are more comfy than the synthetic ones which tend to be on the stiff end.
You can stumble upon good finds with some luck, especially if your feet are not very sensitive, but remember to remove the usually not at all barefoot insoles. Both quality and sizing are rather unreliable. Some people in the international barefoot groups seem to like them though, especially for gardening purposes.
- Amazon Vifuur water shoes
Also mentioned in barefoot groups, super cheap, also chosen mostly for doing garden chores.
Amazon Nufoot ballerina, 20 USD, hardly breathable and who knows how durable, but comes in really fun colours.
Video reivew: Futsole Nufoot Lycra Ballerinas
- Amazon Dream Pairs sandals
23 USD in 2021 – not very wide but looks flat enough, the elsatic laces may make them comfy, comes in tons of colours
Baer Wave water shoes, good for outwork, 30 EUR
https://www.baer-shoes.com/wave-1051-100-3/
Body Glove barefoot water shoes
https://www.bodyglove.com/pages/search-results?q=barefoot
Some people reportedly like running in them.
Bohempia outlet (US)
https://bohempiausa.com/collections/outlet
Czech brands of less fame
This is a specific shop in Europe but you can find them elsewhere, too:
https://www.littleshoes.cz/celorocni-damske-barefoot-boty/?order=name
From cheaper to more expensive: Beda, Fare, Froddo (up to size 40), Pegres. They are popular and non-compromise, although mostly not meant for wide feet.
Czech brands, mostly for kids, although some are available also in adult sizes:
(this is a specific shop in Europe but you can find them elsewhere, too)
https://www.barefoothedvika.sk/en
Fare Bare, Protetika, Froddo, Jonap adult models. They are popular and non-compromise, although mostly not meant for wide feet.
Enix huarachi style sandals
In different widths and with different soles, from everyday use to hiking, with beautifully coloured stripes, 35-70 EUR in 2022
The edge of the EGS footbed lints! The stripes are not long enough for really high volumen feet.
Etsy, Grecian Sandals made of leather
https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrecianSandals?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1174976468
Prices between 20.000 & 30.000 HUF in 2022. You need to ask for the barefoot sole and I am not sure whether it can be attached to any model, but for these two definitely (*source of information: Anya’s Reviews):
Etsy, Labooleather leather sandals
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LabooLeather?search_query=barefoot
Between 21.000 and 28.000 HUF in 2021, different models in various colours, custom sole offered for 20 USD but the soles are not explicitly flexible
Fitkicks
https://fitkicks.com/collections/fitkicks-active-lifestyle-footwear
25 USD in 2021 – not breathable, otherwise liked by many.
Monk sandals
200 zlotyi = approx. 15-16.000 HUF in 2021, was praised in a Hungarian barefoot group
Revivo – Vivobrafeoot outlet & second hand ❤️
Hardly or not at all used Vivobarefoot shoes, professionally restored, with a serious discount. Very popular, and I have yet to see any complaint. Much bigger choice than in the normal Vivobarefoot stores, with lost of discontinued models.
Shapen elegant shoes with small cosmetic defects
https://www.shapenbarefoot.com/en/c/SecondChance
Shoes with almost invisible defects, having failed the strict quality control. Available in limited sizes, at an approximately 40% discount.
Ursanina felt ballerinas, custom made
Ursanina.si/ballerinas Barefoot Friendly