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The literal translation of Tabi is self-explanatory — “footbag.” While it features enough room for your toes, it stands out among other barefoot choices, namely, with its split of the big toe from the others. According to the Marugo Tabi Company, a leading producer of the best Tabi shoes, your toe strength may increase by 30% only after a month of wearing such footwear.
Are you ready to explore a new foot freedom, functionality, and health paradigm? This guide will walk you through some of the most exclusive Japanese Tabi shoes. Onwards!
Why Choose Tabi Shoes?
This is traditional footwear in Japan, commonly worn by kinds in elementary schools and beyond. Depending on the materials used, it can become a great choice of indoor and outdoor footwear, promoting natural foot health and development. Take a look at the table below to deepen your understanding of what makes the best Tabi shoes so peculiar.
| Feature | Benefit |
| Split-toe design | Enhances toe mobility, promoting better balance and stability, while also increasing foot awareness and triggering neural feedback to improve agility |
| Sweat-wicking material | Keeps feet dry by wicking away sweat while maintaining natural skin moisture, reducing foot odor, and improving overall foot hygiene during prolonged wear |
| Zero drop & posture support | Promotes correct body alignment by encouraging natural foot positioning, helping improve posture, and reducing strain on the lower back and joints |
| Wide toe box & bunion prevention | Allows toes to spread naturally, reducing pressure on the big toe and helping to prevent bunions (hallux valgus) |
| Thin, flexible sole | Offers excellent ground feedback and strengthens foot muscles, particularly in the arches, improving overall foot function and supporting better posture |
| Natural proprioception | Enhances sensory awareness of the ground, encouraging greater foot control and improving coordination in daily movements |
| Lightweight design | Reduces foot fatigue, making it ideal for long-term wear, and encourages a more natural gait, which strengthens muscles and supports overall foot health |
| Core and muscle engagement | It helps engage core muscles and strengthen the intricate foot muscles, which is particularly beneficial for improving posture and alleviating lower back pain |
Editor’s Choice: Exclusive Japanese Tabi Shoes for Any Taste
We’ve tested several Japanese Tabi shoes in the market and come up with a list of top-notch choices for any taste and budget. Let’s get it started!
1. Martial Arts Ninja Indoor Suede
Price:
$39
Score:
4.7
5.0
4.2
4.8
5.0
Pros:
- Durable and flexible
- High-quality materials
- For indoor use and training
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
- May be non-suitable for people with large calves
These shoes from Playwell are a nice opportunity to broaden your outlook on training shoes. They are made of durable canvas and feature a leather sole, guaranteeing a firm grip and preventing mat burns and other injuries. This classic Japanese design is updated with velcro fasteners for simple adjustment. While its long shaft is for aesthetic and functional purposes, it does reduce the range of people who can slip in them effortlessly.
2. Marugo Men’s Training Shoes
Price:
$101
Score:
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.8
4.7
Pros:
- Minimalist walking experiences
- Multifunctional training shoes for yoga, running, fitness, and training
- Zero drop
Cons:
- May run small
Don’t let this pair’s visuals trick you — they are more functional than it might seem at first. Their design is a combination of Japanese and Egyptian styles, which leads to an interesting fusion of features as well. The sole is rubber, while the upper material is 100% polyester. On top of indoor experiences, these best Tabi shoes work for runners. Without any cushioning, they will help you check your form. This model from Marugo isn’t completely barefoot beginner-friendly, but it prevents any pain and discomfort in knees, hips, and ankles during active movement.
3. Hattori Hanzō Ninja Tabi Boots
Price:
$999
Score:
4.6
4.0
4.2
5.0
5.0
Use code BBRANDS10
for 10% off
Pros:
- Handmade in the UK
- Manually stitched
- Blake-welted
- Vegan
Cons:
- The most expensive pair on the list
This pair is all about luxurious comfort and fashionable daily wear. These handmade high boots feature a lot of redefined Japanese elements, which provides a new aesthetic definition to Tabi barefoot shoes:
- Svig rubber soles;
- Kohaze clasps;
- vegan tan leather, etc.
You will also need to stick to the Japanese size system to get the right size, which may increase the risk of mistakes and imperfect fits. Don’t hesitate to contact the team if you want to place a custom order.
4. Marugo Tabi-type Shoes
Price:
$59
Score:
4.4
4.2
4.0
4.8
4.7
Pros:
- Great for jogging, yoga, and other training sessions
- Available in a wide range of colors and sizes
- Machine-wash-friendly
- Highly breathable
Cons:
- Prices vary, depending on the chosen fit and style
We aren’t usually fans of big words, but here we are — these Marugo shoes are designed to change the way you walk. They make you more aware of how you move and how your toes take part in the process. This awareness drives your experience to the next level, increasing your agility and stability. From an aesthetics perspective, it is also cool — a pair of grey (or another chosen design) ankle boots with black laces for comfortable wear.
5. Marugo Sports Jog III
Price:
$65
Score:
4.4
4.0
4.2
5.0
4.2
Pros:
- Excellent aesthetics
- A convenient lace-up closure type for tailored fit and comfortable wear
Cons:
- Non-water-resistant
- Not the thinnest sole ever as for barefoot shoes — 1.5 cm
6. Marugo MATSURI Jog
Price:
$59
Score:
4.6
4.9
4.4
4.8
4.2
Pros:
- Sneaker–shaped design
- Cushioned outsole for shock absorption and added comfort
- Improved mobility and breathability thanks to 100% cotton exterior
Cons:
- Possible difficulties in choosing the right size
This style is similar to Martial Arts Ninja Indoor Suede but designed for outdoor wear. The pull-on mechanism may not be the most convenient one, especially if you aren’t sure what size to choose. Nonetheless, despite the shopping decision-making being far from intuitive, you’ll be satisfied with how these Tabi shoes feel on your feet once you get a great fit.
7. Marugo Sports Jog II Unisex
Price:
$59
Score:
4.6
4.7
4.2
4.8
4.7
Pros:
- Unisex running shoes
- Lace-up comfort and tailored fit
- Rubber sole for non-slip efficiency
Cons:
- Available in a few sizes only
- Attention to detail to take correct measurements
This pair of the best Tabi shoes is also great for in-house training — yoga, running, and other activities. However, we want to highlight how awesome the ground feel that they deliver is. It is an excellent example of footwear for sand, letting your feet be comfy and secure while enjoying all the textures beneath. The design itself is well-made — no visual inaccuracy at all.
8. Marugo Japanese Cushioned Tabi Shoes Air Jog
Price:
$58
Score:
4.5
4.8
4.0
4.8
4.7
Pros:
- Comfortable and durable
- Lightweight and flexible
- A great Tabi footwear style
Cons:
- Non-water-resistant
- They may run large
These are super comfy and feel like socks on feet — only barefoot and breathable. Made out of cotton, Marugo Japanese Cushioned Tabi Shoes Air Jog are more suitable for people who aren’t accustomed to having shoes with split toes. It would be great to gain Velcro closures for more convenience, though. Otherwise, make sure to order calf extensions to avoid any misfit if you have thicker calves or ankles. Please note that you can buy those separately.
9. Marugo Tabi Action Shoes Split Toe Breathable Sneakers
Price:
$46
Score:
4.4
4.7
4.0
4.7
4.2
Pros:
- Sneaker-shaped Tabi shoes for daily wear
- Flexible and slip-resistant rubber sole
- Soft and comfy thanks to the mesh and knit upper
Cons:
- Non-water-resistant
It will replace flip-flops and Tabi socks for sure. We like how comfy Marugo Tabi Action Shoes are without restraining your movement. Unlike other models, this has an arch support section, which is a modern take on classic oriental footwear. The only thing is that we suggest it for indoor wear only. Otherwise, it could get damaged pretty easily.
10. Tabi Hightop Women
Price:
$179
Score:
4.5
3.8
4.2
4.8
4.9
Pros:
- Available in a few basic colors for fashionable daily outfits
- A durable construction
- Hightop shoes for ladies in several sizes
Cons:
- These tend to run small, so opt for a size-up
This design features an EVA outsole, an Ortholite insole, and a flexible and breathable upper, made of tencel knit and spandex. We like that it is suitable for outdoor adventures, letting you explore barefoot walking with a new perception of natural toe splay. Our only negative impression is that the bottom of the shoe is made quite sturdy. So the model feels a bit stiffer than the alternatives on the list.
11. Tabi Ballet Flats
Price:
$60
Score:
4.5
4.7
4.2
4.9
4.0
Pros:
- Elegant flats for ladies
- Available in different colors and sizes
- Customization features at your disposal
Cons:
- These aren’t fully zero-drop since they feature a 1 cm heel
You are welcome to select the style you need, personalizing their fit with an adjustable strap and matching ribbed Tabi crew socks. Tabi ballet flats from Raboesy are simple to put on. They are travel-friendly, too, — convenient and compact for packing. Created for all-day wear, this choice for women is great for its breathability, charming aesthetics, and minimalist comfort. Despite the small heel this model features, it is foot-shaped and allows for comfortable toe splay.
12. Tabi Babouches
Price:
$890
Score:
4.3
3.8
3.8
4.8
4.7
Pros:
- Made from soft nappa leather
- Branded packaging
- Breathable and comfy
Cons:
- These come at an expensive price
- They aren’t exactly slip-on
If you are up for another elegant masterpiece, feel free to visit the Maison Margiela store and check how Japanese Tabi shoes look in the form of moccasins. Available in four colors (nude, white, grey, and black), they are a perfect match for office clothing or casual streetwear with a personalized take on polished outfits. In terms of comfort and efficiency, they are also pretty decent. Nonetheless, they don’t have special features like being shock-absorbing or waterproof.
Final Thoughts
What pairs are the best Tabi shoes in your opinion? To make the right choice, ensure you narrow down the presented palette of options by understanding your needs first — whether you require footwear for indoor or outdoor wear, for athletic purposes, running errands, and so on.
Share your dos and don’ts when selecting a great model of Japanese Tabi shoes — leave a comment below!
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