How to choose the right size of barefoot shoes?
Barefoot shoes need to fit like a glove, or they lose a big part of their superpowers. And so do you. But finding the perfect fit doesn’t have to mean visiting a physical store where you can try them on in person. All it takes is a bit of measuring, some numbers, and a few clicks, and you'll have barefoot shoes almost custom-made for you delivered to your door.
Pssst: And if they pinch a little here or feel too roomy there, you can simply exchange them. You’ve got a generous 14 days to try them out at home to your heart’s content.
But now, let’s get to the measurements…
Before you dive into action, keep these three important points in mind:
- In winter barefoot shoes, you'll need to account for thicker socks and possibly a cozy insole. Both reduce the available space.
- Measure your feet either barefoot or wearing socks of the thickness you’ll typically wear with the shoes. For example:
- Buying barefoot ballerinas that you’ll wear barefoot? Measure your feet barefoot.
- Buying summer shoes that you’ll wear with thin socks? Measure with thin socks.
- Buying winter barefoot shoes? Measure... well, you know the drill.
- Feet naturally expand under the weight of daily activities. Start measuring in the second half of the day, ideally in the evening.
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Minimalist barefoot shoes INCA are perfect to wear from spring to autumn
Let’s get started. Prepare:
- A4 paper
- A pencil
- A ruler
A few simple steps to measure the right size for barefoot shoes:
- Place the edge of a sheet of paper against a wall and stand on it with your heel touching the wall. Relax and distribute your weight evenly across your foot.
- Mark the longest point of your foot. Note that it might not necessarily be your big toe.
- Measure the distance between the edge of the paper and your mark. Voilà, this is the length of your foot.
- Repeat the process to measure the width of your feet.
The Secret of Extra Space
Extra space is the small additional room your feet need to move comfortably inside the shoes – to stretch and contract while walking, balance, and perform other movements. It acts as a safeguard, giving your feet enough room to do their job. For barefoot shoes, this is usually 8 to 12 mm. This measurement should be added to the final length of your foot.
A personal question: Are you barefoot beginners, or have you been stepping into this world for a while now?
If you’re beginners, we recommend adding around 1 cm of extra space. If you’re on the edge of two sizes and unsure which one to choose, our advice is: go for the larger size. Your foot will gradually strengthen and grow slightly (just a bit! Don’t worry…), so you’ll eventually appreciate the extra room.
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Those of you with more experience likely already know what extra space feels best for you. We recommend sticking to at least the lower limit of 8 mm.
For winter barefoot shoes, add an extra 5 mm on top of the usual extra space. This accounts for the lining, as preserving its thermal properties requires that it isn’t compressed. What’s flattened doesn’t insulate, and what doesn’t insulate leaves your feet cold.
In our size charts, you’ll find the exact measurements without extra space. These are available for every model – especially for kids’ barefoot shoes, where the right fit is just as essential.
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Well-fitting children's barefoot shoes
Step into the right size
See? That wasn’t so hard. Now you can dive into the more exciting part of buying barefoot shoes – choosing the type, model, color, women’s or men's variant... And trust us, you’ve got plenty to choose from! Whatever shoes you’re in, we wish you many happy steps in them! 🤍
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