Why your feet hurt

Your shoes have been working against your feet

Tap a spot to see why it hurts.

A woman standing in the Anchor shoes, side view showing her hips, knees, ankles and the ball of her foot
  1. When your feet are tilted all day, everything above them adjusts to compensate.

    In AnchorYour weight spreads across the whole foot instead of the ball.

Nothing pressing. Nothing tilting.

What you get with Anchor

A light everyday sneaker you can stay in from morning to night

1

Room across the front all day long

Built on a wide last with a widened toe box.

2

You stand the way you do at home

The sole is zero drop, so heel and toe sit level.

3

Feet stay cool through a warm afternoon

Breathable knit and canvas over a soft cotton lining.

4

Confident footing on polished floors

Gum rubber outsole with a triangle tread.

5

Less weight to lift, seven thousand times

Around nine ounces a shoe, with EVA foam underfoot.

6

A shoe that bends where your foot bends

The free flex build moves and rebounds with every step.

The details, if you want them

Style
Minimalist barefoot walking sneaker
Shoe type
Walking and everyday sneaker
Best for
Walking, light jogging, everyday wear, travel
Upper material
Breathable knit and canvas
Lining
Soft cotton
Insole
EVA foam
Outsole
Wear resistant gum rubber, triangle tread
Sole profile
Zero drop
Toe box
Wide last, widened toe box
Closure
Lace up
Season
All season
Care
Spot clean, air dry

What to expect

The first two weeks

Your feet need a few weeks.

  1. Day one, wearing the Anchor indoors on a wooden floor

    Day 1 to 3

    A couple of hours

    Around the house.

  2. Stepping out of the front door in the Anchor for a short errand

    Day 4 to 7

    Half a day

    Short walks outside.

  3. Sitting on a park bench in the Anchor after a longer walk

    Day 8 to 14

    Most of the day

    Take them out on grass one afternoon.

  4. Walking easily along a path in the Anchor

    Day 15 on

    All day, every day

    Wear them anywhere.

Why it works

What Anchor actually does for your feet

Overhead view of the Anchor showing its widened toe box

Built roomy, not just barefoot

Wide at the toes, in a wide fitting.

Side view of the Anchor showing its level zero drop sole

You stand level, not tipped forward

Flat from heel to toe, all day.

Three quarter view of the Anchor showing its flexible gum sole

Your foot moves instead of being held still

Bends and rebounds with every step.

The weight

You do not wear your shoes. You lift them, about 7,000 times a day.

A normal sneaker adds a few ounces. Multiply that by 7,000.

11.5 oz per shoe

Weight you stop lifting, every day

0 lb

One shoe per step, at 7,000 steps a day.

Why this pair

Anchor next to the sneaker you own now

In real use
Anchor
An ordinary cushioned sneaker
Across the toes
Anchor✓Wide toe box
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Tapered
Standing still
Anchor✓Level
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Raised heel
On pavement
Anchor✓Bends each step
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Stiff plate
Warm afternoons
Anchor✓Knit, cotton lined
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Traps heat inside
Polished floors
Anchor✓Gum rubber grips
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Smooth foam slides
Weight per shoe
Anchor✓Around nine oz
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Ounces more
A light jog
Anchor✓Soft rebound
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Absorbs your push
Packing for travel
Anchor✓Folds into a bag
An ordinary cushioned sneaker✗Bulky, holds shape

Fit and anatomy

Shaped like a foot, not a wedge

Your toes should sit inside the outline, with room to spread.

Overhead view of Anchor showing its wide barefoot toe box

Put your foot on the insole. Your toes should sit inside the outline with room to spread.

It gives where your foot needs it to.

Room across the front, so nothing squeezes your toes together.

  • Foot shapedtoe box, room to splay
  • Zero dropheel and toe sit level
  • True to sizelace up, adjustable fit

No seam across the top, so nothing digs in.

  • 5 stars: 66 (80%)
  • 4 stars: 16 (20%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.
R
Robert Sanders
Perfect everyday sneaker

These have become my go-to shoes for everything. Comfortable for walking, look good with jeans or casual pants, and my feet feel great in them. Best all-around shoe I've owned.

L
Linda Price
Love the clean design

These look so much better than typical barefoot shoes. I can wear them anywhere without looking like I'm trying too hard. Comfortable and stylish.

M
Michael Bennett
Great for daily wear

I wear these every day for work, errands, and walks. They're comfortable from morning to night and go with everything in my wardrobe.

P
Patricia Wood
Comfortable and versatile

Perfect shoes for retirement. I wear them for everything from walking to lunch with friends to running errands. Comfortable and appropriate for any casual occasion.

J
James Perry
Good but sizing runs large

Love the look and comfort of these shoes. Only issue is they run about half a size large. Had to size down from my usual size.

M
Mary Powell
Best casual barefoot shoe

I've tried several barefoot brands and these are the best looking ones I've found. Don't sacrifice style for foot health with these.

D
David Long
Perfect for travel

Just got back from a two week trip and these were the only shoes I brought. Worked for everything and packed easily. Great travel shoe.

B
Barbara Patterson
Great for my wide feet

Finally found barefoot sneakers that don't look weird and fit my wide feet perfectly. The toe box gives my bunions room to breathe.

R
Richard Hughes
Comfortable all day

I'm on my feet all day and these keep me comfortable. My feet don't hurt at the end of the day anymore. Simple but effective.

J
Jennifer Flores
Love the beige color

The beige color is perfect - goes with everything. Shoes are very comfortable and I appreciate the barefoot benefits without the weird look.

T
Thomas Washington
Perfect for walking

I walk 3-4 miles daily and these are ideal. Lightweight, breathable, and my feet feel natural in them. Great walking shoe.

S
Susan Butler
Great everyday shoe

These work for everything I need to do. Comfortable, look decent, and my feet feel better than in regular shoes. Very happy with them.

C
Charles Simmons
Stylish and comfortable

I was hesitant about barefoot shoes because most look strange. These look like regular sneakers but feel so much better. Perfect combination.

M
Margaret Foster
Good but mesh shows dirt

These are comfortable and I like them, but the mesh upper shows every speck of dirt. Need to clean them frequently. Otherwise great shoes.

J
Joseph Russell
Perfect casual sneaker

Exactly what I was looking for - barefoot benefits in a normal looking shoe. Wear them everywhere and get compliments on them.

N
Nancy Griffin
Great for my plantar fasciitis

My podiatrist recommended barefoot shoes and these have really helped my heel pain. Plus they look good enough to wear to casual events.

R
Robert Diaz
Comfortable from day one

No break in period needed - these were comfortable from the first wear. Lightweight and my feet feel free in them.

L
Lisa Hayes
Love these shoes

I'm 67 and these are the most comfortable shoes I've owned. Easy to put on, comfortable all day, and they look nice too.

W
William Myers
Perfect for retirement lifestyle

I'm retired and active. These work for morning walks, lunch dates, shopping, and everything in between. One shoe does it all.

K
Karen Ford
Good shoes with minor flaws

Overall very happy with these. Comfortable and look good. The laces could be a bit longer but that's a minor issue.

D
Daniel Hamilton
Great looking barefoot shoe

These don't look like typical barefoot shoes which is exactly what I wanted. Comfortable and stylish - best of both worlds.

B
Betty Graham
Perfect for daily activities

Wear these for everything - walking the dog, grocery shopping, meeting friends. They're comfortable and appropriate for all my activities.

M
Mark Sullivan
Comfortable and breathable

The mesh keeps my feet cool even in warm weather. Very breathable and comfortable for all day wear.

S
Sandra Wallace
Great for casual wear

Perfect shoes for casual occasions. Look good with jeans or khakis and are so much more comfortable than my old sneakers.

S
Steven Woods
Love the low profile design

These don't look chunky or bulky like some barefoot shoes. Nice slim profile that looks modern and clean.

C
Carol Cole
Perfect for my needs

I needed comfortable shoes that look decent for casual outings. These fit the bill perfectly. Very satisfied.

P
Paul West
Great for walking meetings

I walk during business calls and these are perfect. Professional enough looking and incredibly comfortable for long walks.

D
Donna Tucker
Helped my foot pain

I have arthritis in my feet and these shoes have reduced my pain significantly. The wide toe box makes a huge difference.

G
George Norman
Good but not for narrow feet

I have narrow feet and these are a bit loose even with tight laces. Comfortable otherwise but better for people with normal or wide feet.

Questions

Anchor questions, answered

How do I choose the right size in the Anchor?

The Anchor fits true to size for most people. Since barefoot shoes can run slightly short, size up half a size if you are between sizes or have wider feet. These are US sizes, and women and men have separate sizing you switch with the Women and Men buttons at the top of the page.

What are they made of and what are they best for?

The Anchor pairs a breathable mesh upper with a lightweight flexible sole. It is a versatile all day shoe made for everyday wear, running errands, work, and casual outings. It is the kind of pair you reach for on repeat.

What does the zero drop and wide toe box feel like?

Your heel and forefoot sit level, which keeps your posture natural, and the wide toe box lets your toes spread and grip. Many people feel more grounded and free once they adjust, all under a clean minimalist look.

Do I need to break them in?

The Anchor is comfortable early thanks to the soft mesh and flexible sole. If you are new to barefoot shoes, start with shorter wears and build up so your feet and lower legs adapt to the thin sole.

How do I clean the mesh upper?

Wipe the mesh with a damp cloth and mild soap to lift everyday dirt. For a deeper clean, use a soft brush and lukewarm water, then air dry away from direct heat. Skip the dryer, since high heat can affect the materials and shape.

What is the difference between the women's and men's Anchor?

The style and materials match across both. The sizing and proportions differ, so use the Women and Men buttons at the top of the page to pick the right fit.

What is your return policy?

You are covered by a 30 day money back guarantee. If the Anchor does not work for you, contact us within 30 days for a full refund. We ship to the US and CA.