Sizing For Barefoot Shoes

Here is a question that a lot of new barefoot shoe enthusiasts struggle with - 
what size should I get for my barefoot shoes?

Barefoot shoes are usually sized a little differently, unless the manufacturer has already accounted for what goes in the market today.

There is a good chance that the shoes you're been wearing are a size or two bigger than your actual natural size.

You see, most shoes are narrow at the toes. Which means, you have to leave a little space in the front to ensure you have space in the width of the shoe so your foot fits. 

Also, as you jam your foot in a narrow shoe, your arch muscle ends up elongating as it is not engaged. Arch muscle engagement requires heavy big toe action, but with narrow shoes, the big toe ends up being "dead".

So over time, your foot elongates even more.

With barefoot shoes, when you have space, one, you realize your foot can travel much farther forward into the toe box without being pinched from the sides.
Two, as you wear barefoot shoes, your arch muscle gets better at contracting, and as it gets stronger, the foot length decreases and the muscle is now able to contract.

With both these factors, the size for barefoot shoes ends up being a size or two shorter than your usual.

Other than that, ofcourse, the material of the shoe and the kind of fit you prefer will dictate what size works.
Unfortunately, there is no set standard for how shoe sizing is done. Every brand has their own norms based on their production. 

It is best to measure your foot out and compare it with the sizing guide of a brand. 

For Zen Barefoot, we take into account your usual size and adjust it so you can get the size you usually do for your other brands. It works for 95% of all cases.