A genuinely accessible gateway into barefoot shoes on the British high street.
Barefoot footwear is built around a simple idea. Shoes should work with your feet, not against them.
What makes the Wynona interesting is that it brings that idea into a space most people can actually access.
The Wynona 06, part of the new Josef Seibel Barefootwear collection, is a fantastic entry point into barefoot shoes. I’ve been testing this model over the past few weeks, and in this review I’ll share my honest thoughts on how they feel underfoot, how they compare to true barefoot footwear, and how they fit for sizing.
What Josef Seibel Are Doing Here Matters
Before we even get into the shoe itself, it is worth acknowledging this huge shift in the barefoot industry.
You can now walk into a shop and try on a foot-shaped shoe. Selected John Lewis stores, along with a growing number of independent retailers across the UK, now stock JOSEF SEIBEL barefoot styles. Not all JOSEF SEIBEL stockists carry the barefoot range, so we recommend checking availability before making a special trip. You can find your nearest stockist using our store locator here.
It’s new, and genuinely exciting. Barefoot shoes are no longer just an online, distant or misunderstood concept. You can now walk into a shop with your family and say, “See, they are real!” I know this means that barefoot shoes are about to be taken a whole lot more seriously!
Barefoot footwear has spent years being largely online, niche and often confusing for beginners. If you have read my article on the growing barefoot movement in the UK, you will know that accessibility is one of the biggest barriers for people.
Josef Seibel is changing that, but they are not trying to compete with the most minimal barefoot brands. They are doing something different. They are making barefoot principles visible and available to the everyday consumer.
This is the shift that will truly drive awareness in the barefoot industry. Independent brands have laid the foundations, but barefoot shoes were never going to reach the mainstream on their own. What has been needed is now starting to happen: established, high street brands stepping into the space and bringing these principles to a much wider audience.
Fit, Shape and Sizing
Toe box shape
The Wynona has a noticeably more anatomical shape than standard footwear.
The big toe is not forced inward in the same way you would expect from conventional shoes, and there is a clear attempt to follow a more natural outline. That said, the taper line of the big toe could come slightly later for those with very square feet.
For most people, especially those with Egyptian or Greek foot shapes, this will feel like a significant improvement.
For my own square Roman feet, it is a good effort, but not perfect.
Width
I measured the insole at 9cm in an EU40, which places this firmly in the average width category.
However, it does feel wider than many mainstream options, and importantly, it does not feel restrictive in the way conventional shoes often do.
This is a shoe that will suit:
- average width feet
- slightly wider feet if they are not high volume at the forefoot
- Egyptian or Greek foot shapes particularly well
Volume
One of the more pleasant surprises is the volume.
There is noticeably more vertical space than many comparable shoes, which means the foot does not feel compressed from above.
My feet measure 24cm x 10cm, and while I do have a tailor’s bunion (10.5cm), I did not feel suffocated in this shoe, which is often my biggest issue.
That said, the bunion area is slightly snug. Without that, this would be a very comfortable fit.
Context on Fit (important)
It is important to add some context here, because my foot shape is not representative of most people. I have very wide, square feet, which sit outside of what many brands design for. So when I talk about areas like width or the toe shape feeling slightly snug in places, that is not a criticism of the shoe itself, but a reflection of how it interacts with my particular foot type.
For the majority of people, especially those with Egyptian or Greek foot shapes and average width feet, this is likely to feel like a very comfortable and well-proportioned fit.
Sizing
I would consider these true to size in length, but the shape plays a role.
I usually take a 39, but sized up to a 40 because the 39 felt too narrow.
This does leave me with extra space in front of the toes, but that is more a reflection of my square foot shape than the shoe itself.
Lacing System
The Wynona comes as standard with pre-tied elastic laces, which are often favoured in barefoot footwear as they allow the shoe to move more naturally with the foot and make them very easy to slip on and off.
In the box, Josef Seibel also include a pair of traditional laces, which is a really thoughtful addition. This gives you the option to adjust the fit more precisely, particularly if you have lower volume feet or want to reduce excess space through the midfoot.
It is a small detail, but one that adds flexibility depending on how you want the shoe to feel on your foot.
Insole
The insole is simple and, importantly, flat.
- no arch support
- no shaping
- 4mm foam + 0.5mm leather
This is exactly what you want to see in a great barefoot shoe.
Sole, Flexibility and Ground Feel
The sole is one of the strongest elements of this shoe.
It feels nicely thin underfoot, allowing a good level of ground feel without being overly minimal. For someone new to barefoot shoes, this is likely to feel comfortable and reassuring rather than extreme.
There is also a really nice design detail here, combining their branding with the shape of a foot, with grip.
There are no harsh right angles in the sole. Everything is curved and smooth around the edges, which allows the foot to roll and move more naturally through each step.
When looking more closely at the construction, the sole is not completely flat, with a very slight and gradual difference in thickness through the footbed. This is subtle in wear and, for many people coming from conventional footwear, will likely feel familiar and comfortable rather than noticeable.
Flexibility
The shoe performs well here:
- bends easily front to back
- twists side to side
- allows natural movement through the stride
There is a slight stiffness in the heel, where the material is thicker, but this does not interfere with overall flexibility.
Real Life Wear
I have been wearing the Wynona casually as a smarter alternative to trainers.
They sit nicely in that space where you want something:
- more put together
- still comfortable
- easy to wear day to day
For my feet:
- slightly snug over the tailor’s bunion
- comfortable across the rest of the foot
- wearable for extended periods if not for that specific pressure point
Without that, these would be an easy all-day shoe.
Style and Design
This is where Josef Seibel Wynona really shine. These do not look like “typical” barefoot shoes (minimal, sporty). They look like a well-designed, thoughtful, everyday shoe.
Details like:
- the subtle stitching at the heel
- the layered materials
- the colour choices
elevate them beyond “basic”.
Of course, you know I’d love the green, and the pink and yellow options feel perfect for spring.
They work well with:
- jeans
- chinos
- casual dresses
This is not a formal or office shoe, but it is an excellent elevated casual option.
Accessibility Is Everything
This is the part that genuinely excites me. The fact you can walk into a shop, try these on, and experience a foot-shaped shoe for yourself means everything.
It gives people:
- confidence
- understanding
- a real-life reference point
Barefoot shoes are no longer just something you read about online.
They are becoming visible.
And Josef Seibel are playing a big role in that shift.
If you are new to barefoot shoes, I would strongly recommend reading:
Final Thoughts
Though the Josef Seibel Wynona 06 is not a purist barefoot shoe, due to a slight rise in the sole, it still represents a really positive step in bringing more natural footwear to a wider audience. It offers a foot-shaped design and flexibility that many people will not have experienced before, while still feeling familiar enough for those new to barefoot shoes.
Options like this really matter. Barefoot footwear is not about perfection from day one. It is about progress, and giving people accessible ways to move away from conventional footwear.
And for many people, this will be the shoe that starts that journey.
Summary
Biggest strength:
Accessible, foot-shaped design available on the high street
Most important thing to be aware of:
Not a fully minimal, purist barefoot construction
Best for:
Average width feet, particularly Egyptian or Greek foot shapes, and anyone looking for an accessible entry point into barefoot footwear
More on Josef Seibel
If you would like to explore the brand further, you can read more here:
https://barefootbrit.co.uk/josefseibel/
Brit 👣