5 Best Barefoot Shoes for Soccer Players to Buy in 2025

As an advocate of barefoot soccer training, I’ve been in search of the best barefoot shoes for soccer players for years now, because it should be no surprise that taking care of your feet is one of the most important things you can do for your overall performance on the field and recovery off it.

As a soccer player, trainer, and graduate of Kinesiology: Rehab: Science, I can confidently say that your feet are your foundation when it comes to anything soccer-related, technical skills, ball control, balance, agility, power, running, literally anything. One of the best ways to improve foot strength, control, and regain full foot function is by wearing the right footwear on and off the field.

On the field, you want to be wearing comfortable soccer cleats that offer a snug, secure fit, but that allow your feet to move naturally while still providing the traction and protection needed for the demands of the game. Off the field, you want to be wearing a flat shoe with no raised heel, no extra cushions, and a wide toe box, instead of a narrow toe box, to give your toes the freedom to spread naturally.

These types of shoes are called barefoot or minimalist shoes, and they promote natural foot mechanics, strengthen intrinsic foot muscles, improve balance and proprioception, and allow your feet to function the way they were designed to, unrestricted and fully engaged with the ground beneath. Barefoot shoes won’t magically make you a better soccer player or get you in better shape, but they will restore natural foot function, strengthen your foundation, and support long-term performance and injury prevention when worn consistently off the field.

In this guide, I will go over the best barefoot shoes for soccer players that are actually worth your money.

What are the Best Barefoot Shoes for Soccer Players?

Best Overall Barefoot Shoes: Xero Shoes

One of my personal favorites, the Xero Barefoot Shoes, is one of the highest-quality barefoot shoes on the market that offer a wide toe box, a flat zero-drop sole, and an ultra-thin sole that maximizes natural foot movement. These shoes are built with durable, premium materials that hold up to daily wear while still allowing your feet to bend, flex, and strengthen naturally with every step.

What sets Xero apart is its combination of durability, comfort, and affordability, making it an accessible option for soccer players looking for barefoot footwear without breaking the bank. The pair of shoes in the image above are shoes that I had for years, and they were able to last me a really long time before they started to wear out.

Best Barefoot Grounding Shoes: Bahe Shoes

For soccer players who are serious about reconnecting with nature and maximizing recovery, Bahé barefoot shoes feature conductive materials in the sole that allow direct grounding contact between your feet and the earth, which reduces inflammation, improves sleep, and enhances physical performance. These grounding shoes combine all the benefits of barefoot footwear, a wide toe box, a drop sole, and natural movement, with grounding therapy, which has a ton of healing benefits.

These shoes are one of a kind and one of the only, if not the only shoes that combine barefoot technology with Grounding Therapy.

Best Minimalist Shoe: New Balance Minimus

The New Balance Minimus shoes are not completely barefoot style shoes, because they are minimalist shoes, but they’re a great way to begin your transition from conventional shoes to barefoot shoes. Known for its zero-drop design and breathable upper, the New Balance Minimus is a go-to choice for those looking to maintain natural foot movement without compromising on a modern style and functionality.

Best Hiking Barefoot Shoes: Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Runners

If you’re a soccer player who loves hiking but doesn’t want to ruin your everyday athletic shoes on rough trails, the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Runners are the perfect barefoot-style solution. These barefoot shoes are built specifically for rugged terrain with durable materials, aggressive traction, and puncture-resistant soles that can handle rocks, mud, and uneven ground.

Best Post-Exercise Recovery Footwear- VKTRY Recovery Clogs

While these aren’t technically barefoot shoes, the VKTRY Recovery Clogs are an excellent choice for soccer players who need to give their feet a break after spending hours in tight soccer cleats. These clogs feature a wide forefoot and flat design that allows your feet to relax and recover naturally without the constriction of traditional footwear, and they’re perfect for post-training recovery, casual wear, or slipping on between sessions.

Final Thoughts

For soccer players looking to maximize their foot health, barefoot shoes offer many benefits off the field by encouraging natural foot movement, improving balance, and strengthening the feet in many ways. On the field, however, traditional cleats are recommended due to their snug fit, which is key for the agility and control needed on the soccer field.

In this guide, I went over the best-rated barefoot shoe options as well as explained the benefits of spending time barefoot, the benefits of wearing barefoot shoes, and I also explained the role of barefoot shoes in soccer performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best shoes to wear when playing soccer?

The best shoes, or cleats, to wear when playing soccer are cleats that give you excellent traction and feel comfortable. In my opinion, the best shoes are wide soccer shoes made out of soft leather, such as the Nike Tiempo Legend line or the Puma King line.

Is playing barefoot good for soccer?

Yes, playing barefoot is one of the easiest ways to improve as a soccer player because it has a positive impact on everything related to performance, relationship with the ball, foot strength, balance, proprioception, agility, and overall touch and control. When you play barefoot, you develop a deeper connection with the ground and the ball, strengthen intrinsic foot muscles that conventional shoes weaken, and improve your ability to feel subtle movements that make you more coordinated and injury-resistant.

Do True Barefoot Cleats work for soccer players?

Barefoot shoes should only be worn off the field for casual wear or training, not during actual soccer play, because the game requires the snug fit of regular cleats to move fast and freely in any direction with proper fascial tension, engaged arches, and retracted toes. While companies like Natur Athletics and Dagda Barefoot are developing minimalist or barefoot cleats, they likely won’t work for competitive soccer because most barefoot cleats are too bulky and lack the streamlined fit needed for optimal performance.

If you have wide feet or your cleats feel too tight, the best solution is to wear custom cleats or wide soccer cleats made from soft leather that will naturally mold to your foot shape. With that being said, I have not tried true barefoot cleats yet, but they could potentially work for casual pickup games or light training sessions. Just don’t expect them to replace traditional cleats for serious match play.

What are the best soccer recovery options for players?

The best soccer recovery options for players include high-quality soccer recovery equipment, effective injury prevention tools, and structured habits built through following consistent routines, from training routines and daily routines to morning routines that support performance and longevity. It is also important for players to invest in off-field recovery tools and in-game protective gear, such as compression gear, shin guards, supportive footwear like barefoot shoes, extra recovery accessories such as EMF protection for soccer players, and foundational support from soccer supplements to help the body recover, adapt, and stay resilient throughout the season.