The Best Barefoot Dress Shoes for Men

Yes — classy men’s barefoot dress shoes really do exist!
Once you experience the freedom of a wide toe box, it’s tough to go back to cramped, narrow dress shoes. Luckily, there’s an ever‑growing range of barefoot dress shoes for men you can wear to the office, church, weddings, or any occasion where you want to look your best.

In this guide, you’ll find our top picks for men’s barefoot dress shoes, plus over 30 more options at various price points and from brands available around the world.

Why Barefoot Dress Shoes?

Dress shoes are notorious for being uncomfortable. I was constantly kicking off my tight, pinchy shoes before I found an alternative. And if you need to wear dress shoes often, it’s more than just comfort at stake – your standard heeled pointy dress shoes can actually lead to foot issues over time. It doesn’t need to be so!

Thanks to barefoot dress shoes, you don’t have to suffer anymore. The wide toe box, heel-less sole, and soft flexible fit make for a much more comfortable day. But they still have a dressy look that is appropriate for professional and fancy environments.

• The Best Women’s Barefoot Dress Shoes
• Kids Barefoot Dress Shoes

Now let’s take a closer look at our top picks for men’s barefoot dress shoes!

The Best Men’s Barefoot Dress Shoes

These men’s barefoot dress shoes cover everything from business casual to upscale professional and even black‑tie events. We’ve worn them to countless formal occasions over the years — and most people never even realize they’re barefoot shoes because they look so close to classic dress styles!

Be Lenka

Leather | Sizes EU 36-47 | Ships from US or EU

These are our testers’ personal favorites for dressing up. The Cityscape (above left) has a slightly more sophisticated, dressy look, while the Synergy (above right) works beautifully as a versatile casual‑to‑dressy shoe. Both offer generous toe space for wide feet and all‑day comfort, and the Synergy even comes in a fleece‑lined option for colder months.

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Groundies

Leather | Sizes EU 40-48 | Ships from EU or US

Groundies men’s dress shoes have a refined look and come in two widths to fit even extra‑wide feet. They’re lightweight, flexible, and deliver a true barefoot feel. One of our testers even wore the Groundies Palermos as a groomsman and found them so comfortable the rest of the wedding party wished they had them too!

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Zaqq Peaq

Leather | EU Sizes EU 38-48 | Ships from US or EU

Zaqq Peaq Business Shoes

Zaqq dress shoes are incredibly soft, with a thin, flexible outsole that feels great underfoot. They’re simple, elegant, and check all the barefoot shoe boxes. Best suited for average‑wide feet and medium volume, some styles run a bit tapered — but the Peaq model has a more foot‑friendly shape.

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Vivobarefoot

Leather | Sizes US 7-15 | Ships from EU/UK

Vivobarefoot Dress Shoes

Vivobarefoot was our first pick for men’s barefoot dress shoes, and they remain one of the more refined options available. They look quite traditional but feature a wider toe box and a thin, flexible sole. We’ve found them to be high quality and durable over the years.

Vivobarefoot generally has a medium‑wide fit with a sloped toe shape. The exception is their Made in Ethiopia line, which offers a squarer, roomier toe box — a better option for those with long toes or extra‑wide feet.

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Carets

Leather | Sizes US 7-14 | Ships from US

Carets Dress Shoes

These are beautifully made, very dressy shoes. Don’t be misled by the faux heel or seemingly pointed toe — they’re cleverly crafted to mimic classic dress shoes while still meeting barefoot shoe standards.

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Lems

Leather & Canvas Options | Sizes US 3.5-15 | Ships from US

Lems offers several models that can easily pass as dress shoes. While they may not be the most formal option here, they pair nicely with slacks for work or church and are incredibly comfortable. Some styles come in their Widest shape, which is very spacious, while the Wide shape fits well but isn’t quite as roomy for extra‑wide feet.

One thing many people appreciate about Lems is the added cushioning — more than most barefoot brands — which makes them especially comfortable for long days on your feet or for those easing into barefoot shoes.

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Birchbury

Leather | Sizes EU 39-49 | Ships from US

Birchbury Men’s Shoes

These are more of a middle‑ground barefoot shoe option — they feature a much wider toe box than typical men’s dress shoes while maintaining a classic, mainstream look. They also come with a lightly cushioned, supportive insole.

One of our testers really likes the Brenston (above left) for its dressy toe‑cap design that’s deceptively wide, plus it includes both elastic and regular laces. The Carnforth (above right) is a stylish suede Chukka boot with an anatomical toe box. Both are classy and comfortable choices.

The Bramford leans more toward an elegant sneaker style — great for workplaces that allow casual shoes, though it’s not as formal.

With soft leather uppers, these shoes have become a favorite among readers who want more toe room without going fully barefoot, or who need a bit of extra cushioning.

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Tomás Sullivent

Leather | Sizes EU 39-48 | Handmade in Spain | Ships from US

Sullivent Shoes

Sullivent creates beautifully crafted dress shoes that include all the refined details you’d expect from luxury footwear — but with a genuinely wide toe box. They also offer classic styles rarely found in barefoot brands, like patent leather finishes and monk strap designs.

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Xero

Leather | Sizes US 6.5-15 | Ships from US or EU

Xero’s dressier barefoot shoes aren’t the most formal options out there, but they’re versatile enough for many occasions. The Glenn and the Denver are two favorites among our testers — they suit certain foot shapes well and have broken in to become even softer and more comfortable over time.

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Aintap FeelBarefoot

Leather | EU Sizes 34-50 | Ships from Turkey

Aintap FeelBarefoot

FeelBarefoot offers a wide range of oxford styles in various colors and an extended size range — and you can even request larger sizes if needed. It’s a great option for anyone who struggles to find dress shoes that fit, and they’re also more affordable than many barefoot dress shoe brands.

The outsoles can feel a bit stiff at first, but the high‑quality leather softens nicely with wear and holds up well over time. They do have a fairly high‑volume fit, so they may feel loose if you have low arches or flatter feet.

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Using Insoles in Barefoot Shoes

One of my favorite fit hacks is using insoles. You can add, swap, or remove them to tailor the fit to your needs. Want Birchbury shoes to feel roomier and more barefoot? Just remove the insole! Prefer a bit more cushion in your Groundies? Pop an extra insole in!

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More Shoe Options!

Depending on your location or foot shape, you might find a better match here. Below are even more stylish and dressy barefoot shoes for men.

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And there you have it — plenty of barefoot dress shoe options to explore! 😀 If you can stick to wide toe box, zero‑drop shoes all the time, your feet, knees, hips, and back will thank you. Which barefoot dress shoes are your favorites?