At Bprimal, we believe your shoes should adapt to your feet — not the other way around. Finding your perfect barefoot fit starts with the right shoe size chart and size guide advice, plus a proper understanding of your foot shape as well as shoe length, width and volume.
Getting it right ensures long-term comfort, natural movement, and better foot health. Whether you’re checking a Vivobarefoot size guide, comparing a women’s shoe size chart, looking up children’s shoe sizes, or wondering how your Australian shoe size to EU conversion works, this guide will help you find your perfect barefoot fit.
Why Fit Matters in Barefoot Shoes
Traditional shoes often squeeze the toes, lift the heels, and limit natural movement. Over time, this can lead to poor alignment, bunions, and discomfort.
Barefoot shoes, on the other hand, are built to restore and support natural foot function — but only if you choose the correct size to allow for natural movement and toe splay. A pair that’s too tight restricts movement, while one that’s too loose can cause rubbing or slipping. The “just right” fit allows your toes to spread naturally and your arches to engage properly with every step.
Understanding Shoe Width, Toe Box Space & Volume
1. Width, Volume & Foot Shape
Each barefoot shoe brand has a slightly different overall fit. For instance, Vivobarefoot offers narrow-medium designs, while other brands like Be Lenka and Barebarics provide a wider fit and generous toe boxes ideal for wider or “square” foot shapes.
If you have a broad forefoot, select models with extra width in the toe box. You can also adjust the fit by removing insoles or experimenting with lacing techniques.
Ready to find your unique foot shape? Use our Find Your Perfect Guide, which includes the barefoot brands recommended for your foot shape, plus detailed shoe sizing advice.
2. Toe Box Length (Wiggle Room)
Allow approximately 6 -12 mm of space from your longest toe and the shoe’s end. Too little space (under 6 mm) can cause pressure and rubbing, while too much (over 18 mm) may make your foot slide.
3. Heel & Midfoot Fit
Your heel should stay secure but never feel compressed. Barefoot shoes should “hug” your heel and midfoot without being so tight they feel uncomfortable or limit natural movement. If you have a high instep or arch, choose shoes with more internal volume (see our recommendations in our Find Your Perfect Fit Guide).
4. Material & Flexibility
The flexible and breathable materials used in the construction of barefoot shoes help accommodate slight changes in foot shape during the day. However, don’t rely on shoes to “stretch out” — if they feel uncomfortable when you first try them on, the fit likely isn’t quite right for you.
How to Measure Feet for the Perfect Barefoot Shoe Size
If you’ve ever wondered how to measure your feet for shoe size, but you’re unable to get your feet professionally measured, you can follow these quick steps to get an idea of the length of your feet:
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Stand on a flat surface with your heel against a wall.
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Place a sheet of paper under your foot and mark the end of your longest toe.
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Measure the distance from the wall to that mark — that’s your foot length.
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Repeat for both feet (one is often slightly larger).
*Important: This measurement is a guide only. Manually measuring your feet can be inaccurate and lead to the wrong size being chosen — we always recommend combining a couple of different methods to help determine your perfect size:
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Use the Printable Size Guide on our product pages (if you have a printer) - click the ‘Size Guide’ link above the add to cart button.
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Try the Strutfit Online Sizing Tool - click the blue ‘What is my Size’ button (this tool is available on our product pages for most of the brands we stock).
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Use the Sizing Chart on our product pages for the insole length & width - click the ‘Size Chart’ link above the add to cart button. You can compare these with a pair of shoes that fit you well, or with size charts from other models/brands you know your size in.
Head to STEP 3: CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE in our Find Your Perfect Fit Guide for more detailed information on our top 3 recommended methods for finding your perfect barefoot shoe size.
Understanding Bprimal’s Shoe Size Charts & Size Guides
Each product page on our website includes a detailed shoe size chart, listing the insole lengths and (typically) widths to make comparison easier. Depending on the brand, the sizes may be listed in EU, US/AU or UK sizes. Some brands, like Lems, Shapen and Altra, include conversions for the EU, UK and US sizes.
If you’re between sizes, we typically recommend sizing up — a little extra space helps support natural toe splay, but not having enough space can limit your natural movement and cause pressure points.
Example: Using a Vivobarefoot Size Chart (Women’s & Children’s Sizes)
Check the Vivobarefoot size chart and ideally, print the brand’s printable size guide available on the product pages (be sure to print at “actual size” to avoid scaling errors).
Below are examples of Vivobarefoot shoe size charts for women’s sizes and children’s shoe sizes:
Converting Australian Shoe Size to US & EU Sizes
We stock brands that use US, UK and EU sizes. Typically, your Australian (AU) size is the same as your US size. You can use the shoe size charts on our product pages to compare EU, UK and US/AU conversions before ordering. For Lems shoes, refer to our LEMS Sizing Info page for the conversions.
If you have any questions about sizing, reach out to our friendly team for support and guidance.
Brand-Specific Fit Notes
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Vivobarefoot: Narrow to medium fit. Use the Vivobarefoot size guide for accurate measurement.
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Lems: Medium to wide with adjustable volume (remove the insole for more space).
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Be Lenka & Barebarics: Wide fit with spacious toe boxes perfect for natural toe splay.
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Freet: Ideal for wide or extra-wide feet, with stretchy, forgiving uppers that conform well to high volume feet..
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Bprimal: Wide fit that’s great for bunions, however low volume so may not be suitable for high volume feet.
Checking the Fit of Your New Shoes
✅ Good Fit
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6–12 mm space in front of the toes.
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Secure heel without slipping.
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No pressure points or rubbing.
❌ Too Tight
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Less than 6mm of space in front of the toes.
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Toes touch the front.
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Tingling or numbness.
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Expecting it to “stretch.”
❌ Too Loose
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Noticeable foot movement inside the shoes.
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Heel lifts or folds appear.
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Over 18mm of space in front of the toes.
If the fit doesn’t feel 100%, here are a few things you can try before exchanging sizes:
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Try wearing them with thinner or thicker socks.
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If they’re feeling a little tight, try removing the insole for a little extra volume inside the shoes.
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If they have laces, try adjusting the lacing to loosen or tighten the fit.
Transitioning into Barefoot Comfort
Even with the right size, barefoot shoes may feel different at first — your feet need time to adapt as muscles strengthen and posture improves. Start by wearing them indoors, then gradually increase your use outdoors.
With proper sizing and fitting advice from our Find Your Perfect Fit guide and the shoe size charts and size guides for each brand and model, you’ll notice better balance, stronger arches, and more freedom in every step.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Fit?
Shop our full range of barefoot shoes online, or visit us in-store at Bprimal Sydney (Neutral Bay) or Bprimal Melbourne (Northcote) for professional fitting advice and assistance finding the right brand and model for your foot.
Visit us in-store or contact our teams at:
👉Bprimal Melbourne (Northcote)
Your feet deserve natural movement — start your barefoot journey with the right fit today.
Shoe Size Chart & Fit FAQs
How do I know if my shoes are too tight?
Shoes are too tight if your toes touch the front, feel compressed, or if you experience tingling, numbness, or pressure points. In barefoot shoes, lack of natural toe splay is one of the clearest signs of an incorrect fit.
A quick way of checking is to remove an insole and stand with your foot on the insole — if your toes or foot extends over the edges of the insole, it’s an indication that the shoes are too small. There should be some space between the end of your toes, and the front edge of the insole.
How much space should be in front of my toes?
We recommend 6 -12 mm of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Less than this can cause pressure and tightness; more than 18mm may feel unstable.
Should I size up in barefoot shoes?
If you’re between sizes, sizing up is typically recommended. Some brands, like Lems, run on the small side and it’s usually recommended to size up — refer to the Sizing & Fit Guide information on our product pages for brand and model-specific sizing advice.
Do women’s shoe size charts differ from men’s?
Yes. Unlike size charts for unisex shoe models, women’s shoe size charts typically account for narrower heels and lower foot volume. We always recommend checking the brand-specific size chart and insole measurements, rather than relying on generic sizing.
Are children’s shoe sizes different in barefoot shoes?
Children’s barefoot shoes need extra room for growth and toe splay. Sizing can differ between brands, so we recommend following the same sizing steps and guidelines as for adults — keeping in mind their feet may quickly outgrow their shoes.
Why do barefoot shoes feel different even in the right size?
Barefoot shoes remove heel lift and cushioning, and allow your toes to splay naturally, which can feel unfamiliar at first! This is normal — correct sizing combined with gradual wear helps feet adapt safely.
