On those rushed mornings when you have to run right out the door, a pair of slip-on shoes can be a lifesaver. You don’t have to wrestle with zippers or laces, just put them on and go. You’re looking for some barefoot slip-on shoes, but so far, you haven’t had much luck. What are some recommended slip-ons in barefoot style?
We like the following barefoot slip-on shoes:
- Be Lenka Eazy
- Fitkicks Men’s Edition
- Freet Talus 2
- Vivobarefoot Ababa II
- Vibram CVT
- Feelgrounds Droptop Knit
Keep reading for reviews on each of these six great barefoot slip-on shoe options for men and women. Later in this article, we’ll also answer all your most burning questions on wearing and maintaining barefoot slip-on shoes. You won’t want to miss it!
Our Recommended Barefoot Slip-on Shoes
Be Lenka Eazy – Best Barefoot Slip-on for Everyday Use
Let’s start with a pair of barefoot slip-ons for the fellas and the ladies, the Be Lenka Eazy shoes. These European-produced shoes are made with TPU (the sole) and brushed leather (the outer). It’s like Be Lenka says, “human feet are naturally built for unrestricted movement.” You’ll enjoy more foot freedom than ever in the Eazy shoes.
These barefoot slip-ons feature a flexible sole that’s only 4 millimeters. From the softness of the grass or sand beneath your feet to the toughness of concrete, you’ll experience it all in the Be Lenka Eazy barefoot shoes. The lack of toe spring and heel elevation also boosts the ground feel.
The toe box of these slip-ons is wide, as expected, but also designed in the shape of your foot for a more natural walking experience. You can select from all sorts of great colors for the Be Lenka Eazy shoes, including white, black, sandy, blue and white polka dots, light blue, and navy blue. These slip-ons cost $159.
Fitkicks – Best Barefoot Slip-on for Under $30
If you’re searching for a great pair of barefoot slip-on shoes on a budget, look no further than the Fitkicks Men’s Edition shoes. Available for $21.99, you won’t believe the quality of these shoes for such a low price. The shoes feature an elastic strap (which does not adjust) that Fitkicks say they included for fashion and better grip.
Completely foldable, the portability of these barefoot shoes is awesome. You’ll love the thin sole and foot flexibility as well. The upper is gentle on your feet since it’s so stretchy. Go on, lift some weights at the gym or take a stroll around your office park in these barefoot slip-ons. They’re good for the above activities as well as just about anything in between.
The olive green color is appealing, and the green accents are a nice compliment. Fitkicks says even women with larger feet can fit into these shoes.
You can choose from four sizes for these inexpensive barefoot slip-ons. Small fits US men’s sizes 7 through 8, medium is for shoe sizes 8.5 to 9.5, large fits a 10 or 11, and extra-large is for a US men’s shoe size 11.5 to 12.5.
If your Fitkicks get dirty, you can wash them by hand or put them in your washing machine on a cold wash setting. Let them air-dry.
Freet Talus 3 – Best Barefoot Slip-on for Sports
You probably play sports or hit the gym in a pair of athletic sneakers with laces, right? Yet laces are a constant risk. You don’t want to trip over your laces when trying to beat a weightlifting record, or–worse yet–get your loose laces stuck in the treadmill. That’s why the Freet Talus 3 are such a great pair of barefoot shoes for athletic endeavors.
Made with Freet’s own FreetMesh, Freet says the slip-on Talus 3 shoes are built for all sorts of activities, including everyday tasks as well as multi-activities in warmer conditions. However, avoid “extreme use.”
The stack height of the Talus 3 barefoot slip-ons is 5 millimeters with insole; 2.5mm without insole. Besides being streamlined, the outsole also boasts great grip. You won’t have to worry about slipping and tripping on gym mats in these shoes. A ConnectMax EVA midsole in the footbed boosts your sensory feedback for great groundfeel. The BreatheMesh upper–another Freet exclusive–promotes breathability.
The forefront of the Talus 3 is asymmetrical so it better matches the shape of your foot. Oh, and did we mention these shoes are vegan too? The Freet Talus 3 barefoot slip-ons are $91.
Vivobarefoot Ababa II – Editor’s favorite!
A comfortable slip-on barefoot shoe for the whole family? You’ve found it in the Vivobarefoot Ababa II. The men’s version is here, the women’s version is here, and there’s even a kid’s version here.
Trendy and modern, the Ababa II barefoot slip-on shoes feature wild hide leather that’s sustainably sourced from small-scale, free-roaming cattle. Beneath the spiffy outer is an Ababa Sole.
The sole has a footprint embedded into the material for awesome traction and groundfeel. Vivobarefoot was inspired by the Tanzanian Laetoli when designing the Ababa Sole. It’s 4 millimeters and hand-stitched to each pair of Ababa II barefoot shoes.
This shoe features no insole so there are only 4 millimeters between you and the ground. You’ll want to walk everywhere in these barefoot shoes!
Vibram CVT – Best Barefoot Slip-on with Toes
Ah, the FiveFinger barefoot shoe style. You either love these shoes or hate them, as there is no in-between. If you’re a fan of Vibram barefoot shoes, wait until you treat your feet to the CVT men’s barefoot slip-ons.
Each shoe weighs 3.45 ounces with a 2-millimeter EVA insole featuring BioDewix technology, which lessens foot odors. The CVT shoes have an NZYM sockliner as well.
The outsole is VI-LITE with Vibram’s XS TREK technology. Vibram’s outsole makes no marks and has shock-absorbing qualities so you can save more energy as you walk. The XS TREK technology also lends the CVT barefoot slip-on shoes awesome comfort, stability, and traction.
A leather upper feels luxurious, but Vibram uses sweat and salt-resistant leather, so feel free to play around in these shoes without worrying about destroying them. You can buy the Vibram CVT barefoot slip-on shoes in only black, and they cost $115.
Feelgrounds Droptop Knit – Best Vegan Barefoot Slip-on
When shopping for barefoot shoes, you care about what they’re made of as much as you do their comfort and price. The vegan Feelgrounds Droptop Knit check off all your boxes. Not only are they great for the earth, but they’re reasonably priced at $98 and feature premium but not overly expensive materials.
The heel lining is microfiber, the sole is made of recycled thermoplastic elastomer or TPE, and the lining and upper of this shoe are recycled polyethylene terephthalate or PET. You can recycle the TPE when the time comes to replace your barefoot slip-ons.
These unisex shoes are breathable and water-repellant. The spacious toe box gives your feet lots of room to wiggle and move naturally. Maintain the quality of the knit upper by using a shoe brush for dusting off loose dirt. If your shoes have a stain that’s a little hardier, combine a cleaning solution (only mild products, please) with lukewarm water and then rub with a soft brush. Blot any leftover moisture and let the shoes air-dry.
Feelgrounds suggests misting the Droptop Knit barefoot slip-ons with a waterproofing spray since water-resistant treatments don’t last forever. Do this the first time you wear the shoes as well as after any water exposure.
Your color options for the Feelgrounds Droptop Knit are black with a black sole, black with a white sole, cloud grey with a white sole, gum graphite (dark gray) with a tan sole, off-white with a tan sole, and olive green with a black sole.
Barefoot Slip-on Shoes FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Regular Slip-on Shoe and a Barefoot Slip-on Shoe?
There are several differences between regular slip-on shoes and barefoot slip-ons. The biggest difference by far is the sole. Non-barefoot slip-ons have a standard sole. Between that and the often thick outer–which may be one uniform thickness or high-heeled depending on the slip-on–you can’t feel the ground at the same depth in which you can when wearing barefoot shoes.
Non-barefoot slip-on shoes don’t always have a wide toe box. In a loafer style, the toe box is square-shaped, constricting foot movement and even squishing your toes. Barefoot slip-on shoes feature the sizable toe box you’ve come to know and love.
You can’t fold up a pair of regular slip-on shoes. Although not all barefoot slip-on shoes can fold and compact, many can! That’s another huge difference.
Last but not least, barefoot slip-on shoes will always have a zero-drop sole while regular slip-ons may not. Loafers are zero-drop too, but a slip-on shoe like Vans does not have such a slim sole like barefoot shoes.
What Makes a Comfortable Slip-on Shoe?
Here are the factors that make a slip-on shoe–barefoot or not–comfortable to wear all day:
- Proper fit
- Breathable fabric so sweat doesn’t get trapped within the shoe
- Cushioning inside
- Durable sole with grip for traction
How Should Barefoot Slip-on Shoes Fit?
When you put on a pair of barefoot slip-ons, what should you expect of the fit? The shoes, being new, might be a little tight at first. That’s especially the case if your shoes are made of real leather. The uppers will relax and stretch the more you wear your barefoot shoes, so try to be patient. Until you break in the shoes, we recommend limiting the time you walk in them. This will prevent blisters and pain.
Can You Wear Socks with Barefoot Slip-on Shoes?
To minimize odors, you’d like to wear socks with your barefoot slip-on shoes. Can you? Certainly, but we would suggest wearing barefoot socks. These socks are thin enough that you can still easily fit your foot into the slip-on shoes. Also, you can enjoy the sensations of the earth around you in a barefoot sock + shoe combo.
Are Barefoot Slip-on Shoes Good for Walking Long Distances?
You’re planning to walk a few miles today after work and you’re not sure which shoes to wear. Can your new barefoot slip-ons handle that much distance? Sure they can, especially the Vibram CVT shoes with their XS TREK technology for walking on all sorts of uneven terrain.
As for the other shoes we reviewed, we think the Feelgrounds Droptop Knit and Vivobarefoot Slyde leather shoes are probably the worst for long-distance walks. The Slyde shoes are meant for office and formalwear occasions while the Droptop Knit shoes don’t clean super easily, so you won’t want to get them dirty if you don’t have to.
Can You Wear Barefoot Slip-on Shoes in Winter Weather?
You bought a pair of barefoot slip-on shoes from the list above. Can you wear them outside on a blustery winter day?
More than likely, no. Freet says specifically that their Talus 2 barefoot slip-ons can’t handle “extreme” weather, and many of the other barefoot shoes we reviewed mention spring and summertime use. You’re better off buying a pair of barefoot winter boots.
How Long Do Slip-on Shoes Last?
It’s hard to say how long slip-on shoes will last, as it depends on factors such as the quality of the shoe, how much you use it, and if you use the shoes as intended. Let’s say you spend about four hours per week walking in your barefoot shoes. In that case, you’ll probably need a new pair of barefoot slip-on shoes in six or seven months.
To make your barefoot slip-on shoes last longer, always follow the care instructions from the manufacturer. You especially want to avoid putting your barefoot shoes in the dryer unless allowed. Have several pairs of barefoot slip-ons rather than one so you can spread usage across several shoes. This prolongs the life of each pair of shoes.
Conclusion
Barefoot slip-on shoes promise all the comfort and convenience of regular slip-ons but without the thick sole. The shoes we recommended are great picks to start or continue your barefoot shoe collection. If you’re new to barefoot shoes, check out this brand page.