Grounded Footwear › Sizing guide
Updated October 2026
Barefoot-style shoes are designed to give your toes room to spread, so the right size can be a little different from your usual trainers. The good news is that you can get it right first time with a ruler and five minutes.
Barefoot shoes should leave a little space in front of the toes so they can move as you walk. A common rule of thumb in the barefoot community is an insole about a thumb's width (roughly 0.4 to 0.6 inch) longer than your foot.
The Freedom is the model with the widest toe box. Insole measurements from the brand's product page (October 2026):
| US Men | US Women | Insole length | Insole width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 6 | 8 7/8" | 3 3/8" |
| 5 | 6.5 | 9 1/8" | 3 3/8" |
| 6 | 7.5 | 9 1/2" | 3 3/8" |
| 6.5 | 8 | 9 5/8" | 3 1/2" |
| 7.5 | 9 | 9 7/8" | 3 1/2" |
| 8.5 | 10 | 10" | 3 5/8" |
| 9.5 | 11 | 10 1/4" | 3 5/8" |
| 10 | 11.5 | 10 1/2" | 3 5/8" |
| 11 | 12.5 | 10 5/8" | 3 3/4" |
| 11.5 | 13 | 10 3/4" | 3 5/8" |
| 12 | 13.5 | 11 1/4" | 3 3/4" |
| 13 | 14.5 | 11 1/2" | 4" |
The Evolve has a snugger, "foot-hugging" fit and a narrower insole than the Freedom at the same size:
| US Men | US Women | Insole length | Insole width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6.5 | 9 3/8" | 3 1/8" |
| 6 | 7.5 | 9 1/2" | 3 1/8" |
| 6.5 | 8 | 9 5/8" | 3 1/8" |
| 7.5 | 9 | 10" | 3 1/4" |
| 8.5 | 10 | 10 1/4" | 3 3/8" |
| 9.5 | 11 | 10 3/8" | 3 3/8" |
| 10 | 11.5 | 10 5/8" | 3 1/2" |
| 11 | 12.5 | 10 3/4" | 3 1/2" |
| 11.5 | 13 | 11 1/8" | 3 5/8" |
| 12 | 13.5 | 11 1/4" | 3 5/8" |
| 13 | 14.5 | 11 3/8" | 3 5/8" |
| 14 | 15.5 | 11 5/8" | 3 3/4" |
Notice that the size steps are not the usual half sizes, and the men's and women's columns share one size. Pick by the insole length, not by the number printed on your current shoes.
Your longest foot measures 9 3/4 inches. Add about half an inch of toe room and you want an insole of roughly 10 1/4 inches. In the Freedom chart that is men's 9.5 / women's 11. If you normally wear a women's 10.5, that is the "half a size up" many reviewers recommend.
Either works. The brand leaves it up to you, and several long-time wearers say thin socks make the shoes comfortable all day and help the insole last. If you plan to wear thick winter socks, measure your foot wearing them and allow for the extra volume.
A good fit feels roomy at the toes and secure at the heel, and the upper softens slightly after a few days of wear. If your toes touch the front when you walk downhill, the little toe rubs or the heel slips, try the next size or the other model; the checkout offers free size exchanges.
Your calves may feel a little tight in the first week or two, because zero-drop shoes stretch the calf more than shoes with a raised heel. That is normal and usually fades; see how to switch to barefoot shoes safely.
The special-offer checkout advertises free size exchanges. Contact support at (888) 996-7910 or [email protected] with your order number before sending anything back. See price, guarantee and returns for the full process.
Choose your size at the checkout
Many buyers find the best fit half a size up. Measure your foot and choose by insole length; if you are between sizes, go up.
If you are between sizes, yes. The brand recommends the larger size, and reviewers often report needing half a size up.
The Freedom has the widest toe box. The Evolve has a snugger, narrower fit.
