In This Article
What can be easier than ordering a pair of shoes you like? In practice, lots of people have no idea that they have never bought the right one. It is high time to change this statistical data.
For those seeking a stunning opportunity to stabilize their arches and contribute to the comfort and health-related side of walking and running, natural shoes will be a huge discovery. Modern fashion rules don’t necessarily consider foot shape parameters in their anatomically correct beauty — they play with sizes, fits, and designs to pursue commercial trends.
You will be the only one to suffer from the lack of knowledge and attention to detail. In this guide, we’ll discuss why delving deeper into how to select the right pair of natural shoes is a worthwhile concept for all.
How to Define the Right Size of Natural Shoes
The general approach to choosing the best-fit foot shaped shoes involves two major steps — measuring your feet and identifying what size will work based on the brand’s chart recommendations. As practice shows, people may have issues with both.
According to the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, the majority of the survey’s participants had trouble selecting what they required and wearing incorrectly sized shoes as a consequence:
- Over 60% of participants tended to select way narrower shoes than needed.
- Over 70% of participants obtained the wrong fit with poor accommodation to their foot lengths or widths. One of the causes is forgetting about the impact of calluses, toe deformity, and other imperfections on the shopping strategy.
In this guide, let’s solve such issues and define what approaches will serve you well to get a perfect pair of natural shoes. Onwards!
Best Foot-Measuring Practices for Successful Results
Trial and error is what owners of different types of feet have to deal with during offline shopping. It is great when you can put on several pairs and see how each works. Although this practice doesn’t require preparations and defining the right size in advance, the overall procedure is frequently time-consuming and nerve-wracking for most men.
That’s why online shopping strategies win fashionistas’ hearts with their simplicity and hassle-free experiences. On the other hand, that’s when knowing how to measure feet correctly is of high importance. Here is how to achieve prominent results from the first try:
- Take a piece of paper, a pencil, and a tape measure.
- Take a natural position. Do not put your weight on the other leg, as this may result in inaccurate measurements.
- Trace the silhouette of the outside area of the foot while holding a pencil vertically. If you angle it, you will either increase or decrease the correct measurement — another pair of shoes with an incorrect fit in your wardrobe.
- The length of the foot is the distance between the longest toe and the end of the hindfoot.
- The width of the feet is the most extensive area, which is exactly the under-toes zone.
Here are a few bonus suggestions to make things work advantageously and tailored to your requirements:
- Don’t hesitate to ask another person for assistance.
- From an anatomical perspective, having two different sizes in foot length or width isn’t a once-in-a-blue-moon occasion. Given that, we recommend focusing on the larger size when selecting the right fit of footwear.
- Take measurements on a hard floor. Otherwise, you might get it wrong because the paper might slip, the pencil might damage the paper, etc.
- To get the most precise measurement possible, don’t stick to rules with inches only. Paying attention to sizes in centimeters opens new opportunities in the global arena, letting you choose from a larger selection of products.
- Another tip is the best time to get accurate measurements. Waiting for the evening will be a more well-thought-out strategy, especially for all-day-wear footwear. If you define the size in the morning, the fit might feel painful and cause irritation by the end of the day — your legs tend to swallow by the end of the day, and the foot zone isn’t an exception.
- Depending on what type of natural shoes you want to purchase, it is a commonly good idea to put your socks on. This way, you can avoid slightly narrower or smaller shoes that bring discomfort to your daily walking.
Although you can measure your favorite shoes with the proper fit to define what size you require, it isn’t a panacea — too many variables related to different types of feet and unique manufacturing techniques to focus on footwear dimensions instead of foot length and width parameters.
How to Read Size Charts
Once you know the length of your feet, the challenge isn’t over. The typical problem with selecting the best-fit foot shaped shoes lies in the wrong interpretation of data provided by brands and manufacturers. There are also different metric systems available, which seems quite misleading to many.
For more details, you can check shoe size chart and compare the dimensions and their numeric markings U.S., the U.K., and Europe. Here are some popular conversions to be aware of:
- Men’s shoe sizes range from 7 to 12 on average, which corresponds with the US metric system.
- The difference between the U.S. and U.K. approaches is minimal, but it can turn out to be a huge disaster and the wrong fit if you neglect it. It’s always 0.5 per size — 9.5 in the UK will be 10 in the USA and so on.
- In Europe, common sizes for men’s footwear fall between 41 and 46, while in Japan — between 24 and 28.
Women’s (US) | Men’s/Youth (US) | UK | Euro |
4 | 2 | 1 | 34 |
4.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 34.5 |
5 | 3 | 2.5 | 35 |
5.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 35.5 |
6 | 4 | 3.5 | 36 |
6.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 36.5 |
7 | 5 | 4.5 | 37 |
7.5 | 5.5 | 5 | 38 |
If you don’t know how to read the target size chart, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer or consult with expert third parties. We don’t recommend approximate measurements without consideration of the foot type and other special conditions you might have.
The Correlation Between the Type of Feet and Kind of Shoes
Both scenarios are valid:
- Shoes can narrow the forefoot in the long run. It is the result of the wrong layout of footwear for the target type of feet.
- Feet can harm the state of footwear, changing its shape. It is a common case of supination. Since the weight isn’t distributed as it should be, the sides of the foot shaped shoes may start wreaking and cause breaking in other zones.
To get the most precise results possible, interested parties can measure the foot length, width, heel width, and other parameters and match their particular fit-related requirements with a pair of custom shoes.
When it comes to mass-market products, defining the foot length and type of feet isn’t enough. You also have to consider the quality of cushioning and how lightweight and flexible this or that pair is. For all-day wear, your purchase has to be data-driven.
Stay tuned to see how your foot shape influences your comfort and decision-making for the most trending products in the market.
Taking a Sneak Peek at Different Types of Feet
There are several classifications to describe distinctive foot categories. If you feel pain while wearing your favorite pair of shoes, the most common cause is the wrong selection of footwear that doesn’t match your physiological characteristics. In the best-case scenario, enthusiasts should align the hints these groupings provide.
The first popular classification boils down to:
- Egyptian — that’s what people commonly refer to as the perfect foot. In this case, the length of the toes is evenly distributed — with big toes as the largest and pinky toes as the shortest ones, correspondingly.
- Greek — the most prominent feature of this shape is the second toe, which is the longest one among the five. It is another widespread genetic trait around the globe, which is typical for both men and women.
- Roman — although this type of foot is a pretty rare occasion in the world, it is common for thousands of people. Such an emperor-like vibe comes down to the length alignment of the first three to four toes. In turn, the two remaining toes follow behind based on their length.
- German — here is another rare foot shape, where four toes are aligned in length and the big toe becomes the main focal point of the “layout”.
- Celtic — without a doubt, it is the most complex silhouette in the division. Only the last two toes are aligned in length, while others come in different sizes with the second toe as the largest, followed by the great and middle toes, respectively.
As you see, there is no such thing as American or South African feet. What’s more, diving deeper into this science reveals interesting facts — for instance, the leading orthopedic attribute in Japan is Egyptian toes, which has influenced the local footwear manufacturing strategy a lot. Discovering genetic traits is an appealing but demanding journey.
Based on our readers’ experiences, defining the right footwear fit is simpler if you understand your type of feet based on the two categorizations below. Navigating through the connection between foot shape ancestry and science might be quite tiresome and confusing for beginners.
Getting to know about the footbed styles isn’t less crucial than understanding how the toe shapes influence the choice of footwear:
- Normal — it is the most classic scenario where the functionality and “design” of the forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot don’t compromise the laws of human physiology and is a global standard.
- Flat — the name is self-explanatory, meaning all or the major part of the foot touches the ground while walking. The reason for that is an extremely low arch or its complete absence.
- Hollow — it is the opposite version of flat feet. If you feel hyper-pressure during walks, it might be the result of an excessively high arch.
The modern approach to distinguishing different types of feet is as follows:
- Slope — in other words, that’s what people call Egyptian feet. See a list of shoes for this foot type.
- Mountain — that’s when one of the toes is a peak among the others. The most common version is Greek toes. See a list of shoes for this foot type.
- Plateau — there are several versions of plateau feet, but the main concept is to have two to three first toes of the same length and a gradual decrease in size for others. See a list of shoes for this foot type.
- Square — the base of a person’s toes is extra wide, here is the name. If you are the owner of this type of foot, we advise you to pay attention to Barefoot Dress Shoes. They are ideal for wide feet due to the shape of their toe. See a list of shoes for this foot type.
Proper Footwear for Your Needs
Let’s roll straight into promising styles of shoes to consider and feel comfy while walking. If you consider what issues you have to handle, you will be able to achieve stability and reduce pressure on the footbed:
- Motion-control shoes will pay off for individuals with pronation. Since such feet are commonly overly flexible, this footwear helps gain control over your body. It functions similarly to stability shoes, adding extra support in the midsole zone and limiting the foot maneuverability.
- Take into account the purpose of footwear. It is a nice decision to opt for professionally designed solutions for running. Options with thick cushioning around the heel are worth considering, especially lightweight and durable versions.
- Flexible and soft midsoles with a high cushioning layer are must-haves for those with high-arched feet.
- Most cleats, loafers, sandals, and clogs will only work for people with neutral feet, while they will be extremely uncomfortable for owners of high-arched and flat feet in the long run.
- People with Roman toes will benefit from square- and round-shaped box shoes. For those with Egyptian feet, oblique styles can also work great. In the case of Greek toes, almond and pointed shoes can function as a unique compliment to this specific foot shape.
In practice, an individual feet scenario might deviate because of frequent pathologies. The choice of comfortable natural shoes will be more demanding if you suffer from:
- Plantar fasciitis — without delving deeper into terminology, it is a condition predetermined by an inflamed tissue at the bottom of a person’s feet. It is a widespread problem for owners of flat feet, and selecting ill-fitting shoes will only worsen the feeling of discomfort and other negative consequences.
- Fungal infections — scaly skin and burning sensations between the toes are the primary symptoms of the so-called Athlete’s foot. In this case, a narrow toe box will become your worst enemy, increasing the skin’s inflammation.
- Gout — common for more mature people, this condition has signs of arthritis and damages the state and functionality of joints in feet. Enthusiasts will benefit from wide-toe-box pairs of shoes with extra depth.
- Pump bump — also known as Haglund’s deformity, this disease results in a surplus bone growth in the heel bone area. Based on our audience’s experience, options with soft cushions or no back at all will suit people suffering from this condition the most.
Tips and Recommendations on Selecting Foot Shaped Shoes
All things considered, there are two must-have rules to follow if you desire an advantageous purchase of the product that will serve you for ages:
- Zero drop vs. heel drop — podiatrists recommend a happy medium between the two for standard use cases. However, if you have any special conditions to cater to, it is better to consult with your therapist first. As a rule, the range from zero to seven millimeters in the drop is suitable for most people.
- Foot-shaped and wide-toe box vs. narrow-toe box — narrow shows are the number one reason for reduced circulation, swollen ankles, and other issues with pairs that provide excessive support to the foot. Your toes should preserve their motion ability, which makes wide-toe box products the winner of the competition.
Barefoot Shoe Enthusiast’s Advice: The Best Barefoot Shoe Brands
Our team boasts hands-on experience in selecting natural shoes. Believe it or not, we are lucky to compare how differently the same pair fits since we have the owners of Roman, Egyptian, Greek, and German feet on board. Let’s delve deeper into the results of our research from someone who knows the nuances of barefoot shoe designs not merely by paperwork.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Plateau & Square Feet
Those who have the distinguished type of foot would benefit from companies with extra wide-toe box designs. Without a doubt, this area in the layout functions as the most essential parameter of well-fit footwear. Let’s delve deeper into the assortment of sustainable and top-quality offers for the challenge:
- Ahinsa shoes — this collection stands out with its ethical and vegan production policies. What’s more, every model is tailored to high-end minimalist footwear standards — verified by Masaryk University. Its Chelsea barefoot boots for men and women are the best overall solution on the website and our team’s favorite. They are typically true to the size, so you won’t have to order bigger models to ensure your square and plateau feet are as healthy as possible when walking barefoot in these shoes.
- Aborigen Sandals — we love how secure and comfy the brand’s footwear is. You can order an extra strap to ensure the right fit and enjoy amazing nature-exploration experiences. Aside from wide toe box areas, the use of durable and high-resistance tapes advances this offer compared to competitors.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Slope Feet
Along with orthotic-friendly designs, suitable products have to be made from resistant and breathable materials to ensure the highest comfort possible. Given the peculiarities of this foot type, you can afford unisex models (especially for hiking and athletic purposes) without any health-related issues.
Naturally, barefoot standards will let you feel maximally comfortable:
- Vivobarefoot — natural footwear with zero-drop designs is our premium suggestion, and that’s exactly what this brand is about. We like how it offers marvelous models for the entire family and helps everyone move as planned by evolutionary processes. One of the latest releases is 100% wool slippers for extra warmth and barefoot comfort indoors.
- Hedley Field — minimalist models for children are of the greatest importance since they don’t disrupt their natural growth. With no harm to a kid’s health, offers from Hedley Field will work for people seeking cute and functional styles of moccasins and baby shoes — from travelers to urban options.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Mountain Feet
Specialist footwear for mountain feet is perfect when it strikes a balance between the product’s length and width. It is crucial to get a pair of barefoot shoes that maintain natural walking and suit the target foot type’s peculiarities. However, that’s exactly the case when no compromise for slightly too small or too big models is possible.
Here are exclusive service providers to check first:
- AVO — its assortment is extremely attention-grabbing. Casual and adventure sandals of this brand are easy to repair and prolong their life cycle for new epic times in the wild.
- Bearfoot Athletics — the company’s name is self-explanatory and explains its mission and values to the full. Owners of well-built and chunky feet will be extremely happy to see its selection of models and big sizes with extra wide-toe boxes.
- Bobux — barefoot shoes for toddlers are easier to find than it might seem. From our practical understanding, the soft and breathable materials this brand prefers are second to none. Boots, sneakers, sandals, dress shoes, and other kinds of footwear will suit any taste.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Low Volume Feet
Zero-drop, flexible, and wide-toe-box models are the best friends from this perspective. Owners of narrow heels, flat arches, and slender feet will benefit from such projects:
- Luks Shoes — upon request, the store will customize the model you like and make it a more lucrative decision for your objectives. Although its catalog offers casual shoes mostly, its dress and sports designs in leather will also draw you into the brand’s atmosphere of barefoot sensation. Our team values its minimalist moccasins in beige, black, green, red, brown, and other colors for men and women.
- Jenon Leather — numerous barefoot deals in the industry look pretty alike, but this store has chosen a different approach. It combines the natural movement and freedom minimalist footwear guarantees with personalized designs. From thermal properties to genuine lining quality, Jenon Leather is an award-winning company to rely on.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for High Volume Feet
The list of the most widespread issues for people with the distinguished type of foot includes the lack of design adjustability, non-comfy closures, poor variety of width options, and tight instep. The following companies embrace high-volume feet in their barefoot models:
- Zaqq — this factory is what we love about the modern barefoot footwear market. It establishes new handcraft standards and performs every stick, sole bonding, seal, etc. precisely and consistently.
- Conker Shoes — since 1977, it has produced and delivered thousands of handmade shoes. Those those interested in manufacturing standards that have stood the test of time, it is a nice brand to support.
- Enix Sandals — this vendor also creates orthotic-friendly solutions in a highly efficient and sustainable manner. Enjoy comfortable straps and reduced risk of slippage thanks to the wise combination of durable materials and advanced technologies.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Narrow Feet
If you think that owners of such feet are among the luckiest on the list, our team will soon prove you wrong. The challenge becomes even more complicated for those with no idea what they want and require. Slipping out of any pair of slim and elegant shoes or clutching toes while walking are two traditional pain points for this category of end users.
The brands highlighted below have several great models with the perfect fit you’ve been longing for:
- Angles Fashion — an impressive assortment of shoes for men and women with distinctive models like high and ankle shoes.
- bLIFESTYLE — choose freedom for your feet! Selecting barefoot shoes is a lifestyle, and the collection of footwear at the store will present sustainable shopping journeys for children, women, and men.
- Birchbury — in our experience, this shop guarantees impressive fit and focuses on top-notch quality rather than quantity. With minimalist footwear in dress and leather sneaker styles, your wardrobe will obtain a versatile tool for casual and official looks.
Barefoot Shoe Brands for Extra Wide Feet
No need to describe how disappointing it is to buy footwear with wide-toe boxes and see how poorly they fit — owners of extra wide feet will confirm that. That’s when the expertise of the following service providers is so precious:
- Comfylux — the ultimate guide to the most cloud-like movement in slippers.
- Grafters Industrial — taking value and reliability for money to the next level with professionally designed minimalist footwear for gentlemen and ladies.
- SoftStar Shoes — customizable layouts for lovers of simple designs in leather.
- Shapen — diverse collections for any demand, including all-year, boots, ballerinas, and other models.
- Calla Shoes — versatile solutions for your imperfections, including bunions and heel pains.
- Cheaney — innovative layouts that represent the footwear production heritage of Britain.
- Ahinsa — handmade comfort for extra wide feet, any weather, and style.
- Groundies — improved natural posture with these lightweight minimalist shoes.
- Poco Nido — extra comfortable natural shoes for children.
- Lems Shoes — wide toe box goodies for any foot shape and size, accompanied by free shipping and user-friendly returns if ever needed.
- Whitin — incredible for enthusiasts looking for top-quality water shoes at a nice cost.
Major Barefoot Shoe Brands for Average Width Feet
The traditional barefoot universe is pretty crowded and showcases several staple manufacturers around the world. Get acquainted with the offers of the brands below for more details:
- Beda — exactly what children and their parents want, especially when it relates to their membrane-boots (love them!)
- FeelGrounds — the right solution to boost your foot strength and overall walking stability and balance.
- Xero Shoes — unforgettable hiking, running, and other sports-related experiences instantly at your disposal.
- Pegres — awesome for any number of adventures and disasters adults and kids might experience during the day.
- Froddo — amazing for the sensitive feet of little angels.
- Baby Bare Shoes — exclusive Italy-based manufacturing of 100% natural footwear for children with high demand for personalization and cuteness in shoes.
Custom Barefoot Shoe Brands
If your feet fall into one of the categories we’ve explored in this guide, considering ready-made minimalist solutions won’t be Mission Impossible. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. While some require extra-extra wide-toe boxes, others might have different-sized feet — anatomical peculiarities possible are endless.
For those who have already managed to despair, the brands below will be game-changing:
- ZlaTush — we can’t help but suggest its custom process. In our experience, this brand is one of the richest in terms of the palette of colors, styles, and designs it offers.
- The Drifter Leather — advanced shape and size customization for characteristics like calf, low volume, wide heel, bunions, and so on.
- Fyous — 3D printing technologies for custom and orthopedical-approved sports shoes.
- FaeMoon Wolf Designs — functional moccasin designs for comfortable and secure walking.
Final Thoughts: The Benefits of Natural Shoes
The evolution from walking barefoot to wearing shoes is insane, but it doesn’t mean you should compromise your comfort and health for radical decisions. With contemporary barefoot shoe brands and their deals, you will survive walking in any season and on different grounds without negative long-term consequences for your feet and overall well-being.
Take your time to discover the secrets of foot-measuring and deciding on the right footwear to drastically decrease the risks of injuries, discomfort, and pain, Share your experiences in the comments — let’s learn from each other’s shopping journeys!
I want a supportive shoe shaped like my Egyptian shaped feet. Done with corns and other foot issues, I don’t understand why it’s an issue in 2024
Any Barefoot shoe with a wide toe box will suit your feet. Depending on your needs, here are some lists
Hiking Shoes
https://barefoot-brands.com/best-barefoot-hiking-shoes-and-boots/
Affordable Barefoot Shoes
https://barefoot-brands.com/best-cheap-barefoot-shoes/
Enjoy!