Minimalist / barefoot work shoes for women

What the heck are minimalist shoes?

Or, more realistically, what does Round Runner mean by the phrase minimalist shoes?  It's pretty simple in concept, but hard to get to in practice:

• No lift at all in the heel of the shoe
• Very flexible sole
• Thinnest shoe sole you can get
• Shoe design that allows for full range of motion in your forefoot and ankle

Most shoe manufactures who market their products as minimalist shoes are targeting the running  community due to the surge in popularity of barefoot running.  It's more difficult to find shoes meeting the criteria above for working in an office job.


Terra Plana has an awesome collection of casual shoes that fit the definition above to a T in their vivobarefoot line.  One of the best things about vivobarefoot shoes is that in style and quality they look like regular shoes and won't draw any unwanted attention to your footwear.  They are pretty awesome (I have the Lucy and Kali styles), but price out between $110 - $160 a pair.  You can often find good coupon codes for vivobarefoot shoes by searching the net.

Softstar shoes are a well-regarded minimalist shoe company.  Their product has a rougher quality to it than the vivobarefoot shoes, but some people swear by them.  Each pair is custom made, and the prices run around $75-$90.


Merrell is starting a barefoot line due out February 2011.  Since they are a large shoe manufacturer I assume that the shoes will conform to their usual quality standards.  I have no idea what the price range will be.

Camper has a line out called Peu that seems to be a minimalist/barefoot line.  The shoes look great and I'd love to try them, or hear from anyone who has.  The price range seems to be around $130 - $150.

Keen has the Roatan water shoes that look great, and may work well as a minimalist shoe.  I've notice that a lot of water shoes might be able to make the jump to minimalist work wear.  I have some questions about neoprene for comfort during the summer, but in the winter I bet it would be grand.

Nike has the Sneakerboat II, which is another aqua sock style shoe, but it looks great and would be totally wearable in a casual work environment.

Sockwa has several lines of aqua socks and yoga shoes that could work for some in the workplace.  As I get older I am getting bolder in my footwear sensibility.

Feelmax produces minimalist shoes with a very European sensibility, and are sold online but only out of the EU.  Some of the styles are quite cute, in my opinion.

Kigo is another aqua sock vendor who shoes work well for minimalist purposes.  Unlike some of the other aqua sock companies, Kigo seems focused on style as much as function.  They have some uber-cute Mary Jane style shoes as well as some nicely funky yoga-shoe looking styles.

SodHoppers is a fairly high end custom moccasin manufacturer.  I lust after these shoes.  I think it's possible to get a pair that doesn't make you look like a refugee from a Renaissance fair, but why would you want to?  They are on the priciest end of the shoes listed here, easily into the $200 - $500 territory.  But how cool would they be to wear to work?  And I bet they are the most comfortable shoes you will ever own.

Dance shoes

Dance and gymnastic shoes are the original minimalist shoes because those athletes need great freedom to move their feet in performances.  Here are a few shoes that may work in the workplace.

Capezio Freedom
Capezio Breeze
Gymnastic Shoe
German gymnastic shoes


Ballet flats from various companies that seem like they might be good for minimalist work shoes (assuming that they don't crunch your toes too much)

French Sole
Born
EMU Australia
Blowfish (some of their boots and booties also look like likely candidates for minimalist shoes)