My first barefoot shoes are finally here! It has been a journey to find the right ones. I’m not going to lie – I shed some tears, had desperate moments, and doubted whether it would ever happen to me. Keep reading to see how the story of finding barefoot shoes for wide feet ends!
Plot twist: not my first barefoot shoes
Okay, I did lead you on a bit – these Peerko Triangle shoes are not my first pair of barefoot shoes. I bought my very first pair this spring (it’s autumn now). They were the BeLenka white sneakers. However, I didn’t get to wear them much and experience the real barefoot shoe life, so I am declaring these Peerko barefoot shoes my official first pair. :)
Read the full story and review on BeLenka sneakers here!
Let’s talk about my feet!
It is weird and feels a bit TMI, but to understand my struggles with finding the right shoe and to give you the full picture, I need to share some info about my feet.
If you have already done some research on barefoot shoes you know that several parameters determine what shoes will fit you. Here they are:
- Foot type – foot type is more like “toe type”. It is described by how your toes look (long or short, all the same size, spread like a fan, etc) and how they are attached to the foot.
- Foot volume – shows how high your arch is. The higher it is, the bigger the foot volume.
- Foot width – from narrow to wide (compared to the average foot).
- Foot length – how long your foot is.
Info about foot parameters: Anya’s Reviews
So, back to my feet. I am not sure about my foot type yet, but I know I have quite a high volume and my feet fall more into the wide part of the spectrum when it comes to width.
Difficulties finding shoes for wide feet
I will be honest with you, having a wide foot has been a struggle my whole life. Now when I am getting into the barefoot universe, it still feels like a struggle. A lot of barefoot shoes accommodate wide-toe boxes but still lack the inclusion of wide feet in general. Plus, of course, I want to wear cute shoes not just shoes that fit me!
But that said, I am positive that I will find good brands and shoe models that fit my feet very well and even look nice. And if your feet are similar to mine (I know I am not the only one who struggles to find barefoot shoes for wide feet!) let’s stick together and share the best brands and shoe-finding tips and tricks!
In search for the right barefoot shoes for wide feet
After the white sneaker fiasco, I was feeling quite defeated. Fortunately, it was summer time and I already had more or less barefoot-friendly sandals. So, I could put off the search for new barefoot shoes till autumn.
During that time, I scoured the internet and found some options. I decided to skip the in-person store and go for an online purchase since I could choose from more models and styles that way. The only downside was that I couldn’t try the shoes on, but I was hopeful that it would turn out fine.
In the end, a shop called Mugavik Barefoot caught my eye.
Side note! This is NOT a partnership with Mugavik Barefoot. Just sharing my opinion and experience.
Mugavik Barefoot – barefoot shoe paradise
Many online shops offer barefoot shoes (once you start looking) and you can even get barefoot shoes on Etsy. But I landed on the Mugavik store because:
- It ships from my neighboring country (but they also have worldwide shipping!)
- It looked like they had a variety of models I could choose from and find what I need
- The barefoot shoe collection looked fashionable and comfy
- The shop’s overall design felt easy to navigate
- And I was able to favorite products once I made an account
Customer support in the Mugavik Barefoot online store: review
I know I wanted to have a consultation before I buy the shoes. My foot length can correlate with sizes 38–39 while my foot width seems to be more suitable for sizes 40–41, so I wanted to ask a specialist what they suggest for my case.
I wrote a message in the chat box and got a very detailed answer for which I am grateful!
The key takeaways from the chat:
- They wanted to clarify if I had a bunion because in that case, they would recommend certain brands that can accommodate that. For regular wide feet, they would recommend other brands.
- Since I didn’t have a bunion, they recommended two brands for wide feet – BeLenka and Peerko.
- They also suggested that some people with higher instep (foot volume) choose to wear shoes without insoles to have more room.
- And lastly, they commented that the shoe measurements are made from the insole, meaning that the actual shoe is a little bit wider than the measurements.
I found the last two points especially helpful and insightful! I appreciated the brand suggestions as well since they helped me to know in which direction to look.
Bonus points for the Mugavik Barefoot store
After I made my purchase, I was very pleasantly surprised to get an e-mail from the Mugavik Barefoot store explaining how to transition from regular shoes to barefoot shoes if this was my first time.
I felt very taken care of!
There were suggestions (amongst others) on how to walk correctly, that I should incorporate daily foot massages and foot exercises to get ready for full-time barefoot life, and lastly that I should take it easy and start with 10–30-minute walks to adjust to the new lifestyle.
Why I chose Peerko 2.0 Classic Triangle Barefoot Shoes
Before chatting with the Mugavik Barefoot store, I already had some options picked out, and luckily both were Peerko shoes. Because I wanted something easy and safe, lace-up shoes seemed like a good pick.
I had my eye on Peerko Smart Boss and Peerko 2.0 Classic Triangle. I chose the latter because:
- They have more of a feminine feel.
- I wasn’t sure about the polished leather on Peerko Smart Boss and how the folds would look after wearing.
- Peerko 2.0 Classic Triangle looked like they were made from soft leather and it felt like a good call.
That said, I am still considering purchasing the Peerko Smart Boss as a good model for modern looks with androgen-style shoes.
Something like this:
Choosing the right size for barefoot shoes for wide feet: my experience
My foot measurements are:
- Length: 24–24.5 cm (my left foot is 0.5 cm longer)
- Width: 10 cm.
Based on the measurements provided in the shop for the Peerko 2.0 Classic Triangle shoes I chose size 39. Here are the measurements for the barefoot shoes:
- Length: 25.5 cm
- Width: 9.8 cm.
It is recommended to have at least a 1 cm free space for the length. As for the width, I was hopeful that what the customer consultant said about the shoe being wider than the insole was true, and that 9.8 cm would fit me fine.
Peerko 2.0 Classic Triangle Barefoot Shoes: First Impressions
And now finally it is time to see the shoes! When I received the package I was both nervous and excited.
The first impression – they looked much cuter in real life than in pictures! One point for the shoes. At first glance (needs more testing and walking!), they look very well made – another point for the shoes.
One thing to mention though, they look more like black fancy sneakers than formal shoes. That’s something to keep in mind if you are thinking of wearing them to a formal office setting.
I followed the recommendations about how to try on shoes at home. Here’s how the Mugavik Barefoot store describes it:
For the right of return to apply, the purchased items should not be used for any other purpose than necessary for understanding the nature, features, and functioning of the product in the same way as it is allowed in a physical shop.
So, I unrolled a little (not red) carpet (to make sure the soles stayed clean) and tried them on.
Drumroll, please…
….
…
They fit perfectly!
They felt comfortable from the first step. Soft and roomy.
For full disclosure, I tried them on without the insoles, because insoles were in a separate bag and I didn’t want to put them in if I was not keeping the shoes.
But even if I had to wear the shoes without insoles to have more room (as the Mugavik Barefoot customer service suggested) that’s also fine!
So.
I am keeping the shoes and going for a walk once the weather becomes cooler.
Review After Wearing Peerko 2.0 Classic Triangle Barefoot Shoes
All is good! I have now worn them for about two months. The leather is soft and, therefore, has visible creases and signs of wear, but nothing you wouldn’t expect of shoes. They still look fresh and good-looking.
Did I have to wear them in?
Short answer – no. Long answer, a little bit. Hear me out.
The first walk in these Peerkos was comfortable. I felt like walking on a cloud. My toes had space (even with regular socks on), and the insole felt a little bit fluffy and bouncy (in a good way!).
Somewhere around the second walk, I started to feel a bit of rubbing on one of the pinkies. It wasn’t as awful as with the BeLenka sneakers, but it was still noticeable.
The next time when I wore the shoes, I wrapped a bandaid around the pinkie, and it was fine.
After a few more walks, the rubbing disappeared. I guess after a few walks, the shoe adjusted to my foot shape, and the leather got worn in a bit more. I suppose one of my feet is just a tad wider, or I have an uneven walk that results in more pressure on one side of the foot (that’s why I got the rubbing on just one foot).
Of course, with barefoot shoes, you expect no rubbing and a perfect fit from the first wear. But since my foot is quite wide and it is already a struggle to find a brand that accommodates it, I have come to the conclusion that even if I have to wear the shoes in for a while, I still get more toe space and more anatomically foot-shaped shoes – even if they are not perfect for my feet.
That said, I have already purchased my next Peerko shoes – autumn booties. So, stay tuned for another review!
But for now, here’s a gallery of Peerko 2.0 Classic Triangle shoes out in the wild!
Peerko – would I recommend?
Even though I haven’t worn the Peerkos for long periods yet, for now, the first impressions are very good! I am already considering purchasing other models (I will soon need boots!) from the Peerko brand, so it is definitely a good sign.
It looks like the Peerko brand is a good fit for a similar foot to mine – quite wide and with high or high-ish volume. It is also important to mention that I have relatively short, more or less the same length toes and I feel like the Peerko shoe shape accommodates these features well.
People with narrow feet and long toes might find Peerkos too roomy on the sides and too tight in length. But that is just my opinion – it is best to work with the measurements and try out different models yourself!
But overall, from me – a big thumbs up and five stars to Peerko for having great barefoot shoes for wide feet!
Your turn!
Even though I am happy with my Peerko purchase, I know there is much more to explore in the barefoot universe. If you have suggestions for the best barefoot shoes for wide feet + high-ish volume, don’t be shy, share in the comments! As well as I am so interested to hear your barefoot shoe discovery and buying stories!
✨Energy exchange! If you enjoyed this content, support me with a virtual coffee! If not today, maybe leave a sweet comment or just the footprints emoji
? It helps me tremendously!
or
Leave a comment! ⬇️
