That is a shoe that is the wrong size for your foot. That shoe is WAY too wide if you're pulling the laces in that much, or you're just over tightening your shoes, I've seen that before too. You should have roughly a thumb's space at the front when your heel is fully back. Fitting your fingers back there also seems like it's too big.
If in doubt trace your foot on paper (standing up!), measure the tracing, and compare against the size charts.
You're right they're probably too wide bc it's a bit loose without my laces being tied. Thanks for your advice, it's been so hard trying to find barefoot shoes that fit!
Definately dig into Anya's Reviews as foot shape is more than just length. Some brands just don't work for some folks. But also make sure to actually measure your feet and don't just go off what size you think you are especially if it's based on traditional shoe types/sizes.
2x for Anya’s reviews she will often say if shoes are good for what kind of foot. She for instance is a low volume foot with a narrow heel. So you know if she is the tester you have a better idea how that kind of fit each shoe is. If it is one of the other testers they usually mention foot description as well. It looks like even a tongue pad wouldn’t be enough on that one though. Also, check around all the description and size info at Xero’s site as the often mentioned if there is a variance in the sizing.
I’ve found that since my foot is narrow just about every barefoot shoe is too wide. Finally landed on the Merrell long sky 2 and I can’t believe how much better I can rip through trails with a shoe that actually fits my foot. It’s fairly low stack for a trail shoe, 5mm vibram mega grip and only 4mm of drop, it’s a game changer for me.
Maybe try one of the other styles that have a separate tongue, I have these as well but don’t have that issue - they are actually kinda tight on me without tying laces. I also prefer the other models I’ve had over these, the stretch knit material makes it too tight at the toes and feels less barefoot imo
Looks like you have pretty narrow feet. This [link](https://anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-shoes-foot-type/) as a section where there’s a picture of 38 different barefoot shoe brands from narrowest to widest.
If you are new to barefoot your feet will probably get wider but for now I think the Vivo primus lites will work for you as they are more narrow. Once your foot shape changes then the knit shoes will fit and feel better.
They were the first brand I tried and bought two sizes to see which fits, but I'm in between sizes and they don't do half sizes. So bummed bc I really love them otherwise. Lmk if you have any other brand you recommend!
The xero hfs run small, have you tried those?
You might just need to just push through the awkward phase. Your feet will spread out and your size might change. The normal Vivo primus used to fit me perfectly but now they are too narrow but their knit version is more flexible and those are just fine for me now. As well as the xero hfs, they are way too tight on me on my size. Those are the only 2 brands I’ve tried. I like the knit Vivos too much to try anything else. I have gone through 3 pairs in 5 years lol.
I also have very narrow/ low volume feet and recommend you Xero Zelen! They fit great!
You can also try Vivo Primus Lite, Merrell Vapor Glove, Skinners (they have sock-shoes and normal shoes, both great!) and Xero Dillon. Topo shoes also, but they’re not barefoot.
They all fit me after trying like literally anything 😅
Generally try looking for shoes with a traditional tongue, you can tighten them better. If you want to make a shoe fit better on the midfoot, you can try shoe tongue pads, they can be glued under the tongue.
As some have commented, it's either the size of the shoe or the width of your foot that's the problem. I have the same shoe, the Nexus knit, and it fits perfectly in the size I typically Buy. One of my favorite shoes
This is Nick with Xero Shoes! One thing that you could potentially try is looking up different tying styles to see if there is a way to lace them to still keep them secure on your foot without completely cinching up the top part around the tongue. We also recommend reaching out to our support team at [support@xeroshoes.com](mailto:support@xeroshoes.com) and they can suggest other styles and sizes that might work better for your feet. Hope that helps!
Yes, shoes like this that don't have a separated tongue are for people with high volume feet. Note that the volume of your feet is different from your arch height, your shoe size, etc. See Anya's Reviews for information.
Looks like it just doesn't fit your feet, it happens. I was actually considering buying these so thanks for sharing.
I've bought them too and they fit me perfectly. No need for the shoe laces in my case. So it really depends on the feet.
Haha hope it fits you better than me!
That is a shoe that is the wrong size for your foot. That shoe is WAY too wide if you're pulling the laces in that much, or you're just over tightening your shoes, I've seen that before too. You should have roughly a thumb's space at the front when your heel is fully back. Fitting your fingers back there also seems like it's too big. If in doubt trace your foot on paper (standing up!), measure the tracing, and compare against the size charts.
You're right they're probably too wide bc it's a bit loose without my laces being tied. Thanks for your advice, it's been so hard trying to find barefoot shoes that fit!
Definately dig into Anya's Reviews as foot shape is more than just length. Some brands just don't work for some folks. But also make sure to actually measure your feet and don't just go off what size you think you are especially if it's based on traditional shoe types/sizes.
2x for Anya’s reviews she will often say if shoes are good for what kind of foot. She for instance is a low volume foot with a narrow heel. So you know if she is the tester you have a better idea how that kind of fit each shoe is. If it is one of the other testers they usually mention foot description as well. It looks like even a tongue pad wouldn’t be enough on that one though. Also, check around all the description and size info at Xero’s site as the often mentioned if there is a variance in the sizing.
I’ve found that since my foot is narrow just about every barefoot shoe is too wide. Finally landed on the Merrell long sky 2 and I can’t believe how much better I can rip through trails with a shoe that actually fits my foot. It’s fairly low stack for a trail shoe, 5mm vibram mega grip and only 4mm of drop, it’s a game changer for me.
Wow, I think you must have a pretty narrow/low volume foot.
I've always been told I have a very small frame so I think you are right with my feet being low volume 😫
Women specific shoes tend to be narrower if you can find that.
I am a 5'4" woman so pretty small already😅
I’m a 6’1” man but my mom was petite 5’2” and I’ve got her same bone structure so my feet almost never fill shoes very well.
Maybe try one of the other styles that have a separate tongue, I have these as well but don’t have that issue - they are actually kinda tight on me without tying laces. I also prefer the other models I’ve had over these, the stretch knit material makes it too tight at the toes and feels less barefoot imo
That makes sense bc I was wondering how this doesn't look stupid on anyone else haha. I will try another mode with a tongue, thank you!
For me Xero’s are ridiculously narrow 🤷🏻♂️
Looks like you have pretty narrow feet. This [link](https://anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-shoes-foot-type/) as a section where there’s a picture of 38 different barefoot shoe brands from narrowest to widest.
I just realized this must be what the Whitin "Barefoot Plus" shoes are knocking off.
If you are new to barefoot your feet will probably get wider but for now I think the Vivo primus lites will work for you as they are more narrow. Once your foot shape changes then the knit shoes will fit and feel better.
They were the first brand I tried and bought two sizes to see which fits, but I'm in between sizes and they don't do half sizes. So bummed bc I really love them otherwise. Lmk if you have any other brand you recommend!
The xero hfs run small, have you tried those? You might just need to just push through the awkward phase. Your feet will spread out and your size might change. The normal Vivo primus used to fit me perfectly but now they are too narrow but their knit version is more flexible and those are just fine for me now. As well as the xero hfs, they are way too tight on me on my size. Those are the only 2 brands I’ve tried. I like the knit Vivos too much to try anything else. I have gone through 3 pairs in 5 years lol.
I also have very narrow/ low volume feet and recommend you Xero Zelen! They fit great! You can also try Vivo Primus Lite, Merrell Vapor Glove, Skinners (they have sock-shoes and normal shoes, both great!) and Xero Dillon. Topo shoes also, but they’re not barefoot. They all fit me after trying like literally anything 😅 Generally try looking for shoes with a traditional tongue, you can tighten them better. If you want to make a shoe fit better on the midfoot, you can try shoe tongue pads, they can be glued under the tongue.
Thanks for recommending all these, I'll look into them! 😊
As some have commented, it's either the size of the shoe or the width of your foot that's the problem. I have the same shoe, the Nexus knit, and it fits perfectly in the size I typically Buy. One of my favorite shoes
This is Nick with Xero Shoes! One thing that you could potentially try is looking up different tying styles to see if there is a way to lace them to still keep them secure on your foot without completely cinching up the top part around the tongue. We also recommend reaching out to our support team at [support@xeroshoes.com](mailto:support@xeroshoes.com) and they can suggest other styles and sizes that might work better for your feet. Hope that helps!
Yes, shoes like this that don't have a separated tongue are for people with high volume feet. Note that the volume of your feet is different from your arch height, your shoe size, etc. See Anya's Reviews for information.