Barefoot-adjacent shoes that actually look decent?

I know barefooot shoes aren't popular here, which is understandable since they almost always look like clown shoes. But are there any better-looking alternatives which have similar characteristics (minimal drop, extra wide toe box, somewhat flexible and thin sole) even if they aren't explicitly marketed as barefoot? I'm thinking about getting the barefoot Jim Green African Rangers from the first two pics, but I still can't decide whether they are too clown-like or not. I've been running in Vivos for the past few years and also have their Gobi boot shown in the last pic. It's very comfortable, but it's exactly the kind of frankenshoe I'm trying to get away from. I'm aware of Lems and most other actual barefoot brands, and honestly they all look pretty bad. But since I started wearing them, my foot is now wide enough that anything with a restrictive toe box like my old Palladiums can actually be painful to wear all day. Are there any other boots or casual shoes in general which offer extra width and less restriction in the toe box with a low stack height and drop? I'd probably be willing to compromise on overall height so long as they are still roughly zero drop and the toe is wide enough.
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76 Replies
raisinpie
raisinpie8mo ago
Those don't look clowny to me
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
it kind of depends on the angle
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
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interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I haven't seen them in person though
raisinpie
raisinpie8mo ago
Idk they look like shoes to me
awburkey
awburkey8mo ago
Vans an similar will be like zero drop but the anatomical toe box is really the hallmark of barefoot shoes and I think that’s key to avoiding that clown shoe look you’re talking about which of course largely defeats the purpose of barefoot shoes
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Xero, flux, groundies all have some 'normal' looking shoes
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
you need to add a few extra quotation marks around the word normal out of those, groundies are maybe not atrocious but still have the general clown shape to some degree
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Lol Yeah I don't know if you can really get away from the shape but at least they look a little less obviously like barefoot shoes
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I have a pair of xeros that I occasionally play tennis in, they aren't bad shoes I just wouldn't wear them for much else a lot of the barefoot options look pretty great in profile but that view from overhead always ruins it maybe I should try getting a normal shoe with fairly minimal drop and getting like a EEE or whatever the widest size they have?
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Yeah I know what you mean. Have you considered maybe a non-barefoot brand but in a wide size? Ha! Great minds
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
you read my mind, but I wonder if I'd be sliding around in them since it's the toe splay that is the actual issue, the midfoot might be too loose if the whole thing were that wide I have some ancient CDBs that I bought in the wrong size that are kind of like this, and it's comfortable but probably not great for doing a lot of walking maybe size up on width and add pads on the inner sides? around the midfoot I mean
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Hmm that's an idea. Can't imagine that would be super comfy though
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I imagine a decent cobbler could come up with a pretty solid solution, but at that point it might cost nearly as much as having them make the shoe for you
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Probably, yeah. It'd solve your problem but I'm sure it'll cost way more than it's worth
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I bet I could make a pair of these pretty cheap https://youtu.be/tnPqcG9sYj0?si=mfYoqdMtP72c4bEi
What's Trending
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TikTokers Cut Soles Out of Shoes to Walk BAREFOOT in Public
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Carney
Carney8mo ago
This is also an option
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interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
although that's probably more expensive than a shoe unless you can tattoo yourself at home
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Amortized over the rest of your life, it could easily be the cheapest route Imagine never having to buy another pair of shoes ever again
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
you could apply the same logic to all clothes tbh just get full sleeves that look like a dress shirt and never wear a shirt at work again
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Genius. Tattoo a whole suit and you're set for life Lol
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
that could have worked in the 2012 skinny suit era maybe yeezy pods are the answer
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Worth a shot for $20
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
actually already ordered them because I was going to buy some sock shoes to use around the house anyway but they seem to be delayed, also I'm not convinced they are properly barefoot approved since the sole pads might be too narrow they're also not properly shoes more generally, so there's that too
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Combine those stickers with the cutout shoes and you're good to go
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I don't see how the foot pasties would solve my problem of not wanting to look like a clown exactly I'm convinced most of these people just have a fetish at this point those things are like lingerie to appeal to foot guys
Carney
Carney8mo ago
I mean, not my thing personally but whatever makes them happy I guess 🤷🏻‍♂️
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I don't mind either l, but somewhat annoying when it leaks into other spaces, ie people posting carefully posed feet pics with no real context endlessly on the barefoot running subreddit
Carney
Carney8mo ago
How about just really leaning into the whole barefoot thing and getting some vibrams They're not really clownish, just... weird
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
they actually make a knit pair now that I was almost tempted by but I still feel like if I wore them out for more than running I would need to get a matching fedora I don't know though, if crocs could be rehabilitated it seems like toe shoes could be due for a critical reappraisal
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Never know. And if you get em now you'll be ahead of the curve
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
so far ahead that it might not catch up in my lifetime I could see them fitting with some of the edgier y2k looks that were popular a while back, maybe pair them with the weird over the head oakleys kind of surprised balenciaga or vetements hasn't made a fucked up version of vibram five fingers at some point tbh
Carney
Carney8mo ago
If that ever happens I'll be really glad I'm not really into following all the new trends
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I'm trying to decide if I could pull off tabi boots
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Imo tabis either just look like water shoes or you're doing some ninja cosplay Neither of which is necessarily a bad thing if that's what you're into
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I guess you're right unless maybe they're like the margiela ones in the context of something much higher end than I would be attempting what if I got the pants to match though?
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
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Carney
Carney8mo ago
I mean, that's pretty cool
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
legitimately yes
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Seeing these giant pants gives me an idea: Stick with the clown shoes and get pants that are wide enough to cover them completely
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
this is starting to be like the meme where the guy slowly turns himself into a clown first the clown shoes then the huge pants then suspenders to hold them up, then an oversized tie to balance it out then a flower in your lapel that squirts water and a red nose
Carney
Carney8mo ago
As long as you stop before the rainbow wig you'll be fine
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
they'll never know I am still thinking about the japanese construction pants though and if there is maybe a more subdued version of that style I guess parachute pants are kind if similar but not nearly as cool
Carney
Carney8mo ago
They kinda have a harem pant look
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
maybe that too but a bit more rugged
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Yeah they do look like a material that has a little more substance
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
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interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
these would actually work with the yeezy pods too
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Yeah that would be a cool look
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
so to make it work you can just do basic relaxed workwear top half and ninja genie bottom half? is it really that easy?
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Easy enough for these guys
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
one weird trick to go from basic bastard to dangerous rogue by changing only half your outfit I think you would need to factor in charisma too
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Oh for sure. That dude would probably look that cool in anything. Clown shoes even
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
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Carney
Carney8mo ago
Can't say I like this as much, but he seems ok with it
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
he definitely has charisma, even though he looks like a henchman that is about to be killed here's the other guy from the second photo's complete fit
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
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Carney
Carney8mo ago
Definitely giving off low-to-mid-level thug vibes
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I think this guy's shoes have articulated armor plating
Carney
Carney8mo ago
It's weird. I feel like I should hate it but the whole thing is just kind of badass for some reason
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
charisma it's mostly because these plants are a lot nicer than the weird tapered ones, although the other pieces are also better than the ones from the low-level thug fit too not sure about the pirate belt buckle, although maybe it's to enhance his johnny depp vibe
Carney
Carney8mo ago
I'm into it
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
if he was white, you would assume it came from hot topic or spencer's
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Well obviously Japan thing > non-japan thing
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
unless japan thing is american, like their rockabilly guys are arguably less offensive than ours, but they still suck by association
Carney
Carney8mo ago
Which gives me a new idea: Japanese clown shoes
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
it's finally come full circle
Carney
Carney8mo ago
As all things inevitably do
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
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Carney
Carney8mo ago
He messed it up by wearing normal looking shoes
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
with white socks no less
Carney
Carney8mo ago
I do find it amusing that someone actually thought, 'i want to dress as a genie clown'
interpassivity
interpassivity8mo ago
I think it's a dragonball thing, which is only slightly less embarrassing
Carney
Carney8mo ago
And then actually went through the effort of making at least part of the costume Ohh ok that's not quite as bad
Spuck
Spuck8mo ago
I have kicked that guys ass in Yakuza
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