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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Those don't look clowny to me
it kind of depends on the angle
I haven't seen them in person though
Idk they look like shoes to me
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
Xero, flux, groundies all have some 'normal' looking shoes
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
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
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?
Yeah I know what you mean. Have you considered maybe a non-barefoot brand but in a wide size?
Ha! Great minds
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
Hmm that's an idea. Can't imagine that would be super comfy though
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
Probably, yeah. It'd solve your problem but I'm sure it'll cost way more than it's worth
I bet I could make a pair of these pretty cheap
https://youtu.be/tnPqcG9sYj0?si=mfYoqdMtP72c4bEi
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TikTokers Cut Soles Out of Shoes to Walk BAREFOOT in Public
These TikTokers cut the soles out of all of their shoes, just so they can go incognito barefoot in public.
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This is also an option
although that's probably more expensive than a shoe unless you can tattoo yourself at home
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
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
Genius. Tattoo a whole suit and you're set for life
Lol
that could have worked in the 2012 skinny suit era
maybe yeezy pods are the answer
Worth a shot for $20
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
Beach Foot Pads Barefoot Adhesive Invisible Shoes Stick on Foot Pad...
Beach Foot Pads Barefoot Adhesive Invisible Shoes Stick on Foot Pad Stickers Stick on Soles Anti-Slip Waterproof Silicone Unisex Footing Pad For Surfing Yoga Swimming 6 Pack Black Blue 9.5-12 Size
Combine those stickers with the cutout shoes and you're good to go
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
I mean, not my thing personally but whatever makes them happy I guess 🤷🏻♂️
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
How about just really leaning into the whole barefoot thing and getting some vibrams
They're not really clownish, just... weird
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
Never know. And if you get em now you'll be ahead of the curve
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
If that ever happens I'll be really glad I'm not really into following all the new trends
I'm trying to decide if I could pull off tabi boots
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
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?
I mean, that's pretty cool
legitimately yes
Seeing these giant pants gives me an idea: Stick with the clown shoes and get pants that are wide enough to cover them completely
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
As long as you stop before the rainbow wig you'll be fine
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
They kinda have a harem pant look
maybe that too but a bit more rugged
Yeah they do look like a material that has a little more substance
these would actually work with the yeezy pods too
Yeah that would be a cool look
so to make it work you can just do basic relaxed workwear top half and ninja genie bottom half? is it really that easy?
Easy enough for these guys
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
Oh for sure. That dude would probably look that cool in anything. Clown shoes even
Can't say I like this as much, but he seems ok with it
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
Definitely giving off low-to-mid-level thug vibes
I think this guy's shoes have articulated armor plating
It's weird. I feel like I should hate it but the whole thing is just kind of badass for some reason
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
I'm into it
if he was white, you would assume it came from hot topic or spencer's
Well obviously Japan thing > non-japan thing
unless japan thing is american, like their rockabilly guys are arguably less offensive than ours, but they still suck by association
Which gives me a new idea: Japanese clown shoes
it's finally come full circle
As all things inevitably do
He messed it up by wearing normal looking shoes
with white socks no less
I do find it amusing that someone actually thought, 'i want to dress as a genie clown'
I think it's a dragonball thing, which is only slightly less embarrassing
And then actually went through the effort of making at least part of the costume
Ohh ok that's not quite as bad
I have kicked that guys ass in Yakuza