There's something about hot weather that makes us want to get close to the ground. Like, really close. That's where barefoot shoes come in – footwear that hails back to the prehistoric era and embraces the power of walking through the world barefoot. Except this time round, there's a thin layer of material that adapts to the foot and protects it. A scroll through TikTok will quickly confirm that we're amid a true barefoot renaissance, so take this as an opportunity to embrace it and join in. The best part? Your options aren't limited to just outdoorsy styles. For summer 2026, this philosophy can be applied to any style of flats out there, including fashion trainers and ballet flats.
Combining the experience of walking shoeless with traditional designs, barefoot footwear is truly having a moment. Once imagined as only a practical piece imagined by specialist brands through simplistic shapes, their popularity has resulted in this approach to expanding throughout the fashion industry. Their functionality has therefore become an aesthetic, which some purists might roll their eyes at, but we definitely encourage. The result is an expanding category of footwear, including trendy pieces like fishnet flats, toe ring sandals and even granny espadrilles. And the more the choices, the happier we are.
What is barefoot footwear?
The simplest way to define barefoot shoe is one that imitates the sensation of going barefoot, with several different elements of design being considered in the process, including the shape of its toe cap.
- Wide toe box. The last of the shoe is key for this type of footwear. The idea is to allow the foot to move and adapt to the terrain, allowing the toes to expand and separate while walking. This also helps with improving stability, balance and posture, creating a stable support base, as well as favouring the natural alignment of the body.
- Thin sole. A sole that is lean and flexible is a must, as it promotes ground adaptation and embraces the natural arch of the foot, without excessive cushioning. The quickest way to know that a shoe meets this requirement is to be able to bend and twist it completely.
- Flexible materials. This is something that's key with any type of shoe, but especially in the case of barefoot ones, as it allows the foot to move and adapt without restrictions.
Benefits of barefoot shoes
The first and most obvious benefit is a sense of liberation, similar to the feeling you get when you get home and take your shoes off. Except it follows you throughout the day! As soon as you try on a pair, you will notice the ultimate feeling of comfort, although they may take some getting used to. However, where barefoot-friendly footwear really shines is in the long run, as they help activate your musculature, strengthen the foot, improve balance and posture.
Barefoot brands you need to know
The list of brands speacialised in barefoot shoes is getting longer by the day, including brands lik Koops, Hune or Groundies. In addition, there are quite a few Spanish heritage labels that have entered the arena, including Gioseppo, Victoria, Mustang or Pretty Ballerinas. One of the most recent developments came courtesy of espadrille brand Toni Pons, who developed a barefoot take on the ultimate summer shoe.
Scroll to discover some of our favourite barefoot shoes across different categories.
A version of this article originally appeared in Glamour España.
