All Women's Styles

How do barefoot shoes differ from standard footwear?

Barefoot-style shoes (also referred to as “minimalist shoes”) have a thin, flexible sole that allows you to feel the ground beneath while providing your just the right amount of protection.

They’re actually more like the shoes people wore prior to the invention of thick, stiff, padded, motion-control shoes.

The Benefits You’ve Been Missing With “Normal” Shoes

The features of women’s barefoot shoes help your feet – and body – do what they’re made to do naturally, in a way that “normal” shoes don’t.

Natural comfort. Barefoot shoes have wider, foot-shaped toe boxes. Instead of squeezing your toes like “normal” shoes with pointy toe boxes do, barefoot shoes allow your toes to spread and splay naturally.

Proper posture. Normal shoes with raised heels for your body into an unnatural posture, tipping you slightly forward, and putting strain on your ankles, knees, hips, and back. Barefoot-style shoes have a flat, “zero drop” design that positions your feet level with the ground, allowing for natural posture.

Balance. Barefoot shoes are low to the ground, which is good for balance. The wider, foot-shaped toe box allows you to use your toes, which also helps with balance. With no elevated heel or unnecessary padding, barefoot shoes make it easier for your feet to contact the ground, getting the feedback you need to adjust and shift effortlessly as you walk and move.

Foot strength. If you want to make any part of your body weak, you keep it from moving. To get stronger, you move (think about having your arm in a cast versus doing bicep curls). The stiffness of regular shoes is like wearing a cast — it restricts movement. Barefoot shoes have thin, flexible soles that let your feet move naturally and build strength.

Lightweight. Barefoot shoes are a lightweight option for women, so you expend less energy than when wearing heavier “normal” shoes. They are so light, it feels like you’re not wearing anything – yet, they have a strong layer of protection. And with less weight, they’re perfect for travel.

Agility and Mobility. Your soles have more nerve endings than anywhere but your fingertips and lips – and there’s a reason for this: it’s so your brain can tell what you’re stepping on or stepping in, and then control your body to handle the terrain. Barefoot shoe soles that give you the traction and protection you want, but also let the nerves in your feet safely FEEL the world beneath you, help you move more efficiently, effectively, and enjoyably.

People often think of barefoot shoes as a category of running shoes, when, in fact, there are several types of barefoot-style footwear.

Xero Shoes has casual and performance shoes, boots, and sandals for all of your favorite activities and occasions:

Barefoot Running Shoes for Women

Barefoot shoes provide female runners the balance and comfort needed to train daily, improving their strength, agility, and mobility. Our women’s barefoot running shoes are lightweight and foot-friendly for road running and trail running.

Oh, and did we mention durability? Xero Shoes have a 5,000-mile sole warranty for runners logging miles, while traditional running shoes typically need to be replaced between 300-500 miles. Read reviews from runners.

Barefoot Hiking and Trail Shoes for Women

For women who enjoy conquering the great outdoors, our barefoot hiking shoes and boots are comfortable and lightweight.

The thin, flexible, yet protective soles allow you to safely FEEL the trail beneath your feet in a more stimulating way. After a long day on the trail, your feet will just as good as when you started the hike.

Women’s Water-Friendly & Waterproof Footwear 

Xero Shoes has women’s barefoot shoes, sandals, and boots for river sports, water activities, and wet weather.

Waterproof footwear from Xero Shoes have fully seam-sealed linings and water-resistant membranes. Water-friendly shoes, like our Aqua X Sport, are made to get wet and then dry fast.

Whether in the ocean, crossing a river, or trudging a muddy trail, our waterproof and water-friendly shoes and sandals let you keep moving and having fun.

Women’s Casual Footwear

With barefoot casual footwear, you can look great in the office or on a night out while still enjoying natural comfort. Our women’s casual shoes, boots, and sneakers are stylish, and ultralightweight, with a non-elevated barefoot design.

They are so comfortable that we wouldn’t be surprised if you told us you forgot to take your shoes after you get home. In fact, we’ve heard from customers who said they accidentally went to bed still wearing their Xero Shoes!

Transitioning from normal to barefoot can be an adjustment for newcomers. After all, you’ll probably be using muscles, ligaments, and tendons that were “switched off” from wearing “normal shoes.”

What we’ve seen with millions of women, is that switching to walking or running in barefoot shoes takes just a little bit of time to get used to.

And, the amount of time it takes to get used to barefoot shoes can be tiny compared to the benefits you’ll then experience for the rest of your life.

Learn more about how to make the transition to barefoot shoes here.