Barefoot shoes are a footwear concept that continues to gain popularity among the fitness and health community, and are now mainstream. What are barefoot shoes? This term describes shoes that are specially designed to provide a close-to-barefoot experience. Thin soles, suitable for natural foot movement, lack of cushioning, heel or arch support encourage the inner muscles of the foot to strengthen and work naturally.
Barefoot shoes are also wider than regular shoes to accommodate the natural shape of the foot, which is part of what distinguishes them from special ‘fashion’ shoes. The wide range allows your toes to spread naturally, and not be confined to the taper of the shoe, promoting a natural fit, which is one of the main arguments why barefoot shoes can be good for you.
However, barefoot shoes can cost more than high street styles, with an average pair costing around £70-£100, up to £200 from barefoot brands such as Vivobarefoot. So, when I came across Zara’s barefoot trainers for just £35.99 online, I knew I had found a gem. If you wanted to try barefoot training, this is the most accessible way to do it.
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Shop Zara Youth Barefoot Trainers
Zara
Barefoot Suede Trainers
And Homes Homes ecommerce editor, Laura Honey is a fan of barefoot shoes, and she’s thrilled with Zara’s affordable selection.
“I didn’t realize how much my regular shoes were hurting my feet until I switched to barefoot shoes six years ago. The wide toe box feels like slippers, which means I never feel the need to take off my shoes to let my feet “breathe” or “relax”.
“You actually get a very different experience of walking. Thin soles mean that you really feel the ground under your feet – waves and all – which, in my opinion, makes you less likely to stumble and walk. I used to wear my shoes on walls and stairs, but with my bare shoes, I feel stable and confident: since you were walking, how would you feel when you were walking.
“I already added a pair from Zara to my basket. Some brands start at least three or four times the price of bare shoes. Now that Zara is on the market, I can start saving some serious money.”
Shop Barefoot Trainers from Zara
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Compare Barefoot Trainers
With the same width, functional toecap, minimal height difference between the heel and the forefoot, and a flexible, rubberized sole as all Zara trainers barefoot, this pair has a fashionable, retro-inspired look and is done in a versatile, neutral brown.
Zara
Mesh Barefoot Trainers
Mesh cutouts add a playful, textural touch to these barefoot trainers, and there’s a lot of fun to be had when it comes to the sock options here. Stick to a neutral look with simple socks, or add pops of color and pattern.
Zara
Barefoot Combined Leather Trainers
The sleek, low-profile design gives these barefoot trainers a subtle look, their neutral color makes them versatile while the material mix adds textural interest to the style.
According to Zara, the trainers have ‘barefoot features’ and offer a ‘natural step thanks to their wide and functional toecap, which allows free walking.’ This is reflected in their beauty, with a broad and rounded toe giving them a striking appearance. But it’s still very tricky, and the shoes are easily mistaken for any old trainers like plimpsoles, mainly because of their rubber sole, which Zara says is “flexible” and helps make the difference between the heel and the front, which distinguishes the shoe as a shoe.
In addition to being an affordable option for barefoot shoes, these trainers are made of 100% leather, and the neutral color is as versatile as the best white trainers. Also, with their slim, low-profile silhouettes, they’re even playing casually as trainer trends for 2026.
Thinking of trying barefoot shoes? Laura has this advice, “My one word of warning would be to transition gently to bare shoes. Modern shoe designs protect and control the way we walk so that when you walk barefoot, you will notice that you hit the heel on the ground or push your foot in. Usually all brands recommend walking in them for 20-30% of your walking time so that you be able to build up during your first week, and your first period can ruin your first period. back to a natural, healthy way for me, barefoot feels like I’m really taking care of my body and my feet.
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