If you’re on the hunt for barefoot shoes in the UK, you’ll likely find that there are very few physical stores offering them. When you do find a shop, it’s usually an independent stockist, often specialising in children’s footwear. The barefoot shoes might even be mixed in with conventional shoes, and the shop staff may not always know that the brand they’re selling is barefoot.
This can make it difficult to find what you’re looking for unless you’re already familiar with barefoot shoe brands, which isn’t the case for most people.
Barefoot-Friendly Brands in Traditional Stores
Interestingly, some mainstream retailers like Clarks and Start Rite offer shoes that are barefoot or barefoot-friendly, particularly in smaller infant sizes. However, be cautious—while some of their infant shoes respect the natural shape of growing feet, this all seems to go out the window beyond an EU24. Once sizes exceed this, the shoes become hard, rigid, and tapered, which can hinder healthy foot development. A lot of the adult and larger kids’ shoes from these brands are simply awful for foot health.
To be considered barefoot-friendly, shoes need to have several key attributes:
- Flexible Soles – The shoes must allow the foot to bend and flex naturally.
- Zero Drop – There should be no elevated heel to ensure the foot is flat and balanced.
- Wide Toe Box – To give your toes plenty of room to spread and move.
- Lightweight – Barefoot shoes should be as lightweight as possible, allowing natural foot movement.
Independent Stockists and Smaller Stores
Although they can be harder to find, there are a few independent stockists in the UK offering barefoot shoes. One example is The Walking Hub in Kington, Herefordshire, which stocks brands like Xero Shoes, Vivobarefoot, and Freet Footwear. However, since these stores are usually smaller, they may not carry a vast range of styles or sizes. It’s always a good idea to check directly with the shop or the brand’s website for stockist details.
I also want to give a special mention to Wild Soles, who have been particularly helpful with sizing. They even offer a handy printable size guide for their made-in-England sandals, which can make the whole process much easier!
Vivobarefoot’s Flagship Store in London
The UK’s leading barefoot shoe brand, Vivobarefoot, has its own dedicated store in Covent Garden, London. This is a great option if you already know that Vivobarefoot shoes suit your feet, as their models can be relatively narrow and lower in volume, which may not work for everyone. But if they do fit, this store is a barefoot shoe lover’s dream.
Worth a Look: High Street Stores
Surprisingly, high street stores can sometimes have barefoot-friendly options. I’ve found some hidden gems at Asda and Decathlon, especially for things like water shoes and casual sneakers. It’s always worth having a quick look when you’re out shopping. I’m continually checking out high street stores every season to spot the best barefoot-friendly options, and I recommend you do the same!
Online Shopping is the Best Bet
For the most variety and availability, shopping online is still your best option for finding barefoot shoes in the UK. While this does mean taking extra care with sizing—measuring your own feet and consulting size charts—many barefoot shoe shops offer excellent customer service and free returns, making it easy to buy a few options and return what doesn’t work.
For help with sizing, you can read my foot measuring blog or watch this guide video on Instagram.
Here are a few recommended places to shop online for barefoot shoes:
- Vivobarefoot (UK Brand)
- Freet Footwear (UK Brand)
- Happy Little Soles (UK Stockist)
- Bubbly Toes Barefoot (UK Stockist)
If you’re looking for easily accessible options like wellies, winter boots, water shoes, or casual sneakers, check out my Amazon Storefront where I’ve curated a collection of barefoot shoes.
For more UK-based barefoot shoe brands and stockists, you can visit my UK Brands page.
Barefoot Shoe Try-On Events in the UK
If you prefer trying before buying, you’re not completely out of luck! Every year, Happy Little Soles hosts a try-on event, and this year’s event was held in Dudley, West Midlands. It offered a fantastic opportunity to try on a range of barefoot shoes and find what suits your foot shape.
If you missed that, don’t worry—next year, I’ll be hosting the UK’s First Barefoot Shoe and Foot Health Expo in 2025. This will be the ultimate chance to see a wide variety of brands, learn more about foot health, and discover the best barefoot options for you. You can find all the details here.
In summary, while the availability of barefoot shoes in physical UK stores is limited, you can still find a few stockists if you know where to look. But for the best range and fit, shopping online is the way forward. And remember, getting the right size is key—take your time with measurements and make use of the free return policies offered by many barefoot shoe retailers.
Happy barefoot shopping!
Brit👣