Choosing the right shoe size barefoot is essential to enjoy comfort, freedom of movement, and foot health. An incorrect size can cause chafing, cramped toes, or discomfort when walking. In this easy guide, we show you how to measure your feet at home, what margin to consider, and the most common mistakes when buying barefoot footwear.
Problem: why is choosing the wrong size so common?
Many people buy barefoot footwear using their usual size from regular sneakers, and shortly after they feel discomfort:
- Toes touching the tip of the shoe
- Heels slipping, sliding...
- Lack of stability when walking
You shouldn't rely on the size you use in conventional footwear, because in those shoes your foot is compressed and doesn't feel anything, but with barefoot footwear you will feel everything. That's why themain mistake is relying on the size and not measuring your feet correctly or assuming that all footwear brands follow the same sizing. Every foot is unique and barefoot footwear requires a precise fit to allow freedom of movement without compromising safety.
How to measure your foot at home
Measuring your feet correctly is simple and you don't need professional tools. Follow these steps to get accurate results:
Materials
- A4 size paper sheet
- Pencil or pen
- Ruler or measuring tape
Steps to measure
- Place the paper sheet on the floor against the wall.
- Rest your heel against the wall and stand with all your weight on that foot.
- Mark the longest point of your toe with the pencil.
- Measure the distance from the wall to the mark. That distance is your foot measurement.
- Repeat on both feet and use the measurement of the longer foot.
💡 Tip 1: always measure at the end of the day, when your feet are slightly more swollen, to ensure a comfortable fit.
💡 Tip 2: Use this same method to measure the metatarsal width, which is the widest part of the foot, to know if the shoe last you are looking at will fit you well in width. At SHUU Barefoot we have two lasts.
Recommended margin for footwear barefoot
Shoes barefoot should allow your toes to move freely. We recommend:
-
Length: add between 0.8 and 1.2 cm to the foot length measurement. This is the ideal margin, but it will also depend on whether the footwear is closed or open sandal. For closed footwear, I recommend a minimum margin of 0.8 cm, but for open sandals you could have a margin of 0.5 cm if you feel comfortable, since the toes are exposed.
-
Width: The shoe should fit the contour of the foot, but without lateral pressure. Our footwear, for example, offers more width than the insole, as it is made with a board sole and very soft leather; the shoe gives way and adapts to the foot like a glove. Our BIG footwear provides 5-7mm more width than the insole.
-
Instep volume: this measurement is also important to consider to know which models suit you best. To measure it, place your foot on the ground, take a measuring tape or a piece of string (which you can then measure with a ruler) and wrap it around the instep at the highest point, going all the way around including the sole, because we need to know the entire circumference length as if it were a circle.
This margin ensures comfort and freedom of movement, preventing the foot from slipping or being compressed inside the shoe.
Common mistakes when choosing the size
- Buying your usual size without measuring your foot
- Measuring only one foot. You should measure both and always consider the longer one
- Ignoring the width of the foot and the natural shape of the forefoot
- Measuring while sitting instead of standing. Always measure and try them on standing up.
- Not considering the thickness of the sock you'll wear
If you're looking for loafers, compare the guide for each model in our collection of Loafers and Boat Shoes barefoot for women.
👉 Size and product guide barefoot
To make sure you choose the right size and discover the models that best fit your feet, check our size guide or explore our collection of shoes barefoot women, designed for maximum comfort and freedom of movement.
We have two types of lasts, BIG and BIG+, to fit all feet with our feminine, elegant, and stylish designs. Health and fashion united in footwear.
How to choose the right size in barefoot footwear (EASIED GUIDE)
Choosing the right shoe size barefoot is essential to enjoy comfort, freedom of movement, and foot health. An incorrect size can cause chafing, cramped toes, or discomfort when walking. In this easy guide, we show you how to measure your feet at home, what margin to consider, and the most common mistakes when buying barefoot footwear.
Problem: why is choosing the wrong size so common?
Many people buy barefoot footwear using their usual size from regular sneakers, and shortly after they feel discomfort:
You shouldn't rely on the size you use in conventional footwear, because in those shoes your foot is compressed and doesn't feel anything, but with barefoot footwear you will feel everything. That's why themain mistake is relying on the size and not measuring your feet correctly or assuming that all footwear brands follow the same sizing. Every foot is unique and barefoot footwear requires a precise fit to allow freedom of movement without compromising safety.
How to measure your foot at home
Measuring your feet correctly is simple and you don't need professional tools. Follow these steps to get accurate results:
Materials
Steps to measure
💡 Tip 1: always measure at the end of the day, when your feet are slightly more swollen, to ensure a comfortable fit.
💡 Tip 2: Use this same method to measure the metatarsal width, which is the widest part of the foot, to know if the shoe last you are looking at will fit you well in width. At SHUU Barefoot we have two lasts.
Recommended margin for footwear barefoot
Shoes barefoot should allow your toes to move freely. We recommend:
This margin ensures comfort and freedom of movement, preventing the foot from slipping or being compressed inside the shoe.
Common mistakes when choosing the size
If you're looking for loafers, compare the guide for each model in our collection of Loafers and Boat Shoes barefoot for women.
👉 Size and product guide barefoot
To make sure you choose the right size and discover the models that best fit your feet, check our size guide or explore our collection of shoes barefoot women, designed for maximum comfort and freedom of movement.
We have two types of lasts, BIG and BIG+, to fit all feet with our feminine, elegant, and stylish designs. Health and fashion united in footwear.