Quickstart Guide to Barefoot Brands
As part of our efforts to continue educating our customers about barefoot shoes that best suit their needs, we have compiled a list of all the barefoot brands we carry in the store, with new additions being added regularly.
The list will inform customers about the origin story of each brand, how long they have been part of the industry, their manufacturing practices, sustainability missions, which foot shape they fit best, and finally, our top seller from each brand.
As always, customers are encouraged to reach out to us with questions about the brands; however, we hope this serves as a starting point to guide your purchases and ensure you get the shoe that is right for you.
$ = Low Price Range
$$ = Medium Price Range
$$$ = High Price Range
1. Vivobarefoot $$$
Origin Story
Vivobarefoot is one of the leading barefoot brands in the barefoot industry launching their business in 2012. Founded by two seventh generation cobblers, Galahad and Asher Clark, Vivobarefoot aims to create shoes that are regenerative to human health.
Headquarters
Originally based in the UK, Vivobarefoot has taken the international market by storm, with stores located all over the world, including Germany, Slovakia, Czechia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, South Africa, Taiwan, and many others, including our home, Canada.
Sustainability Practices
They are well known for their sustainable manufacturing practices for both vegan and non-vegan products, sourcing only the finest and highest quality materials. However, this is just the beginning of their production process. Vivobarefoot provides a transparent view of their practices, clearly stating their goal to design products for circularity, ensuring a longer lifespan for their products, eliminating the use of non-regenerative virgin materials, and much more, which can be found on their website. While taking steps toward these goals, such as the launch of the Revivo project, Vivobarefoot remains honest about their actual standing in the process.
Fit
Vivobarefoot tends to fit customers with slope-shaped feet, which means having a prominent big toe with subsequent toes declining in length. They are also best suited for customers who have lower-volume feet.
Topseller
Our topseller from Vivobarefoot is the Primus lite III.
2. Xero $
Xero is the brainchild of the husband-and-wife team, Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, who launched Feel the World Inc. in November 2009. Inspired by "Born to Run," Steven crafted his first pair of huarache running sandals. After generating interest from other runners, the original name, Invisible Shoes, was established. Over the next few months, the business became their full-time endeavor, and the company began connecting with lead designers from Nike and Reebok. As a result, the brand expanded, and Xero Shoes was born with its signature FeelTrue® outsole.
Since then, the company has grown significantly. After gaining major exposure on "Shark Tank" in 2013, Xero Shoes garnered enough support and sales to establish a headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, in 2015, initially selling predominantly open-toed shoes. In 2016, they expanded their product line and introduced their first closed-toe shoe, the Hana.
Xero utilizes a combination of vegan and non-vegan materials in the construction of their shoes, with production facilities located in the United States and Europe. However, despite listing that production facilities are located in the
Xero's sustainability initiative is founded on three guiding principles: built to last, using less, and sourcing better. Xero has integrated these practices into their model, Zelen, which incorporates recycled materials in the upper construction of the shoe. Xero has been open about its practices and continues to be transparent about how it will incorporate its sustainable plans in the coming years.
Fit
Xero tends to fit individuals with mountain feet, where the second toe is the longest. Additionally, Xero's standard shoe shope is similar to a rectangular shape and so the width from the toe box to the heel is roughly the same width making them ideal for customers with narrower toe boxes but wider mid foot and wider heel. The volume of most Xero Shoes is average to high volume.
Topseller
Our topseller from Xero is the Prio Neo.
3. Lems $$
Origin Story
Lems began as a passion project spearheaded by Andrew Rademacher in 2008. After struggling to find a shoe that fit the natural shape of his foot, he began dissecting and modifying his favorite running shoe to eliminate unnecessary material and create something more minimal. This experience motivated Andrew to learn the art of shoemaking, studying fitting, construction, and pattern in order to design a more minimalist shoe.
After three years, in 2011, Andrew launched the first Lems shoe, the Prima, which has since expanded to include the Primal 2 and 3 series as well as the Primal Zen series (for information on how these two differ, check out our blog). Since then, Lems has broadened its range of models and is now based in Boulder, Colorado, continuing to create shoes that focus on providing customers with naturally fitting footwear that allows for freedom, just the way nature intended.
Headquarters
Lems headquarters are based in Boulder, Colorado with most of their production being based in China.
Sustainability Practices
Lems aspires to primarily use vegan and recycled materials. Although not all of their products contain vegan or recycled materials, they do offer some fully vegan models and have introduced the Chukka Canvas, which is made entirely from recycled materials.
Fit
Lems is designed for individuals with plateau feet, characterized by the first three toes being of equal length and tapering off at the end. Additionally, Lems is suitable for those with square feet, where the toes are the same length across and the toebox is wide. In terms of shape, Lems has a wider toebox and begins to taper off in the heel for a narrower fit. Lems also accommodates individuals with average to high volume feet.
Topseller
Our top seller from Lems is the Primal Zen.
4. Altra $$
Origin Story
With a focus on runners and a passion for finding a running shoe that fits the natural shape of the feet, Golden Harper began modifying shoes in hopes of learning more about designing a better performing shoe, specifically one that would be zero drop. Along with co-founders Brian Beckstrand, Quiri Hansen, and Jeremy Howlett, Golden attempted to present their ideas to various footwear companies but met with little success. This sparked their desire to create their own company in 2009, called Altra, which derives from the Latin word “altera,” meaning to fix or mend something that is broken.
From there, the company was acquired by Icon Health & Fitness in 2011 and has changed ownership several times since, finally being taken under the parent company VF Corporation in 2018. Other brands such as Timberland, Icebreaker, The North Face, Vans, JanSport and Eastpak are also under VF Corporation.
Headquarters
Altra is based in the Logan, Utah and has over 1500 retailers selling their shoes all over the world.
Sustainability Practices
As an official statement from Altras Senior Product Director, Andrew Conley, Altra states that by 2023 they are committed to making 100% of their materials regenerative, responsibility sourced, renewable and recycled in addition to achieving a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to their 2018 baseline.
In the meantime, Altra has a certificate in CHEM IQ chemical screening which helps prevent substances of concerns entering their supply chain as well as having their shoeboxes consisting of 85% post-consumer waste.
In terms of the materials used for models, Altra uses a mix of vegan and non-vegan materials and does not openly claim any model to be fully vegan since they can't guarantee absolutely no animal products are involved in the manufacturing process such as dyes, finishes and adhesives. More can be found on their website.
Fit
Altra tends to best fit people with plateau toe box shapes with low to medium foot volumes. Altra is also a great option for customers looking for something with more cushion and a higher stack height.
Topseller
Our top seller from Altra is the Escalante 4.
5. Be Lenka $$$
Origin Story
Be Lenka was founded in 2017 by Lenka Cenigová and Juraj Fehervari. There is limited public information available regarding Be Lenka's story and the beginnings of the brand.
Sustainability Practices
In terms of sustainability, Be Lenka has always been known for its commitment to slow fashion, emphasizing the investment in high-quality materials to ensure a longer-lasting product.
To uphold its sustainability practices, Be Lenka relies on local sources, with most of its production taking place within the European Union, specifically in Slovakia, Portugal, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, there has been recent expansion into Vietnam, aimed at offering customers products crafted using the latest state-of-the-art technology. While this does make Be Lenka a pricier option, the company promises high quality. Overall, Be Lenka aims to provide sustainable shoes with the lowest possible impact on the environment.
After the production process and before the shoes reach customers, Be Lenka inspects every shoe it produces, with skilled shoemakers identifying any visible flaws that the human eye might miss, thus ensuring some of the highest quality barefoot shoes.
Headquarters
Be Lenka is a Slovak brand.
Fit
Be Lenka shoes typically have a bean-shaped toebox that provides extra room, particularly on the sides. However, around the midfoot and heel, Be Lenka shoes tend to narrow. In terms of volume, Be Lenka is generally suitable for individuals with lower volume feet.
Topseller
Our top seller from Lems is the Prime 2.0.
6. Ahinsa $$$
Origin Story
Ahinsa was designed by Czech physiotherapists, specifically by Lukáš Klimpera, whose practice focused on teaching clients how to walk in a healthier manner. However, he discovered that after sessions, most of his clients would revert to wearing constricting shoes that minimized natural movement, which led him to believe that footwear is the larger issue. This realization sparked Lukáš's mission to create better footwear that would be healthy for the feet, of high quality, and cruelty-free, with the first-ever Ahinsa shoes made for his three-year-old son. From there, the company has grown and resulted in the brand we now know as Ahinsa.
Most of the Ahinsa shoes are made in the Czech Republic and Croatia, where Lukáš's colleagues, Goran and Štefica, come from families that have worked in the shoemaking craft for decades. They create shoes that are ethically sourced, completely vegan, and handmade to ensure the highest quality.
Sustainability Practices
Ahinsa exclusively uses vegan materials, making their barefoot shoes some of the most sustainable on the market.
Most of the models from Ahinsa that we carry at Cool East Market are made with CF+ material, which is a cruelty-free leather. CF+ consists of 90% polyamide and 10% polyurethane, and at first glance, it looks exactly like real leather. It is expected to last for a long time, making it highly durable, and is designed to mold to your feet over time, much like real leather.
In addition, their high quality vegan leather is water resistant making it ideal for fall or any wetter seasons as well as scratch and scuff resistant ensuring that the look of the shoe is not compromised.
For more information on the different types of materials used by Ahinsa, feel free to visit their website.
Headquarters
Ahinsa started in a small workshop based in Moravia, Czechia and they continue to be based in Czechia with some shoes being made in Croatia.
Fit
Similarly to Be Lenka, Ahinsa features a more bean-shaped toebox, making it suitable for individuals with wide toeboxes; however, it tends to fit narrower around the midfoot and heel. Ahinsa is also most suitable for people with average to high volume feet.
Topseller
Our top seller from Ahinsa is the Chitra Trek & Trail.
7. Vibram Five-Fingers $$
Origin Story
Vibram's main focus as a company is to produce high-quality rubber soles for each of their products, which have been utilized by various other shoe companies to create durable and long-lasting items.
Designed by Vitale Barmani in Italy, the first rubber sole was created over 80 years ago for mountaineering purposes, providing durable material for outdoor adventuring, work safety boots, and leisure activities, with its yellow octagon becoming a trademark logo.
The first Vibram FiveFingers was designed by Robert Fliri, a design student from Vinschgau, Italy, in 2005, who aimed to discover a way to move around in nature. The Vibram FiveFingers gained immense popularity as one of the first "barefoot" shoes on the market, recognizable by its separated toe caps.
Sustainability Practices
Vibram is committed to continuously researching new solutions that respect the environment and to producing more sustainable products.
Vibram's first sustainability project was initiated in 1994 and was named the Vibram Ecostep Recycle, featuring its first pioneering eco-compound made from globally recycled rubber. Vibram now continues to develop eco-compounds, such as Ecostep Recycle and Ecostep Recycle EVO, which are made with a minimum of 30% recycled Vibram rubber.
Additionally, Vibram aims to incorporate more vegan materials in the production of shoes to reduce the use of animal products. More information on Vibram's sustainability practices can be found here.
Headquarters
Vibram's first factory was opened in Albizzate, Varese, which was a former cotton mill and one of the first hubs of production and administration. With Vibram's growing popularity, the business is now present in 120 countries and has manufacturing, research, and representation bases in the USA, China, Japan, Brazil, and Italy.
The first North American headquarters were opened in 1964 by the Quabaug Rubber Company, which has now become the exclusive licensee and manufacturer of Vibram soles in North America.
Fit
Due to the unique shape and separated toes of Vibram FiveFingers, they are not suitable for every foot shape and can be difficult to fit. They are most suitable for individuals with the same foot shape and tend to work best for those with low to average foot volume.
Topseller
Our top seller from Vibram is the FiveFingers KSO EVO.
8. Gaucho Ninja $
Origin Story
Sustainability Practices
Gaucho Ninja offers some of the best sustainably made barefoot shoes, with all their leather sourced from six artisan tanneries in Spain, ensuring that all materials are by-products. This approach minimizes waste during the production process.
All Gaucho Ninja workshops, both in Spain and the United Kingdom, are committed to eco-friendly practices, such as utilizing all leather scraps in local educational initiatives to reduce their environmental impact.
Headquarters
Gaucho Ninja was originally based in Spain when it was founded in 2015, but has since begun operating in the United Kingdom starting in 2019.
Fit
Our topseller from Gaucho Ninja is the Barefoot Pals.
9. Bohempia $$
Origin Story
Bohempia is a fast-growing company founded in 2015 by Tomáš Rohal. Based in Prague, Bohempia is committed to providing the barefoot community with exclusively vegan shoes made solely from sustainable materials such as hemp and the advanced microfiber Ultrasuede®.
However, barefoot shoes were not what initially launched the company, as Tomáš initially focused on producing more sustainable clothing, such as shirts, denim, and socks, aiming to distance himself from fast fashion practices. In 2013, he discovered hemp as an untapped sustainable resource and invested all he had into producing hemp-based clothing. His products achieved considerable success, except for a few that did not fare well in the market. Left with an excess of hemp fabric, Tomáš explored the possibility of making sneakers, and with the combined funds obtained through crowdfunding, he was able to produce a new product. From this point, the Bohempia brand began to take off as we know it today.
Sustainability Practices
Bohempia implements the most comprehensive sustainability practices throughout its shoe production process, beginning with the materials used, continuing through the chemical free dyeing process, and culminating in the actual construction of the shoe using 100% solar energy
The majority of the shoe's construction is made from hemp, which is known for its ability to grow and reach maturity with minimal effort and at an extraordinarily fast pace. Additionally, cultivating hemp does not deplete or remove any of the existing nutrients in the soil and requires less water to grow than other materials, such as cotton.
As part of Bohempia's ongoing commitment to producing sustainable footwear, the company began planting its own hemp harvest in 2020 in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Institute in Šumperk to ensure the highest quality of hemp materials.
Not only does Bohempia utilize sustainable materials, but its manufacturing process is also entirely ethical, aligning with its mission for slow fashion. Bohempia is also part of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) which is a European Union regulation that aims to protect human health and the environment.
Headquarters
Bohempia's headquarters are based in Prague, Czech Republic with most of their production factories being based throughout the EU.
Fit
Topseller
Our topseller from Bohempia is the Hoska 2.0 Wide.
10. Shapen $$
Shapen's journey started with the founder, Mia Štepanovská's, search for her daughter's first pair of shoes. Mia happened to stumble across barefoot shoes, and after noticing her daughter's ease of movement with them, she decided to try a pair for herself in hopes that it would alleviate some of her lifelong struggles with grade III scoliosis, hypermobility, and flat feet.
After seeing massive improvements in her feet but a lack of variety in stylish barefoot shoes, Mia decided to launch her own line of shoes in 2017 with a commitment to high-quality products with style. Despite Mia's determination to find reliable shoemakers and designers, there were many challenges in finding someone who could recreate her vision, as many shoemakers lacked experience with barefoot shoes and their production.
However, after much work, Mia launched her first e-shop in 2019, operating exclusively out of her home and handling every step of the customer communication and ordering herself.
In 2021, Mia opened her first ever Shapen store in Karlova Ves, Bratislava, which increased the growth of her customer base and gave customers the opportunity to try the shoes on in person. Today, Shapen has a new facility in the heart of Bratislava, located in the Eurovea shopping center, and an ever-growing customer base worldwide.
As of now, there is little information on Shapen's exact sustainability practices, but they do offer a list of materials they to construct their shoes with a range of vegan and non-vegan materials.
In addition, some of their leather tanning practices utilize sustainable procedures, such as using vegetables to tan their leather.
Shapen is a Slovakian brand that initially had all its products based there, but in 2022, its production was transferred to Portugal since Slovak shoemaking did not meet the level of quality Mia had envisioned. With some financial backing provided by crowdfunding, Shapen developed a new collection of stylish sneakers and boots that marked the start of production in Portugal.
In addition, some models are also beginning to be produced in Poland, providing some of the highest quality and reliability.
Shapen tends to fit people with more plateau-shaped toeboxes and, in general, suits people with relatively narrow feet. Similar to Lems, Shapen has more of a triangular shape with a wider toebox and tapers at the heel.
Our topseller from Shapen is the Feelin Uni.
