I’m a bit fashion-obsessed, which means I’ve definitely sacrificed comfort for style more times than I’d like to admit, especially when it comes to shoes. But before heading off on a city break to Seville, where I knew I’d be spending most of the trip walking about, comfort suddenly became a non-negotiable.
Orthopaedic shoes and sandals have always existed, but glamour hasn’t exactly been part of the package. That’s slowly changing, though. More and more brands are realising people want shoes that support their feet without looking overly practical, and the result is a wave of styles that are much more wearable day to day.
Brands like Skechers and Birkenstock already offer supportive sandals that are ideal for beach holidays and relaxed summer days. I already own a pair of Birkenstocks, and while they’re undeniably comfortable, they’re not waterproof and, because they’re slip-ons, I find my arches start to ache after hours of walking.
Lately, though, I’d been hearing more and more about “barely there” sandals. These shoes are designed to feel almost like walking barefoot while still protecting your feet. Some brands lean fully into a specific aesthetic, like Vibram’s Five Fingers Glove Shoes, which are highly rated but definitely make a statement. As the name suggests, they fit almost like gloves for your feet… including finger-like compartments.
I was after something simpler and more understated, so when I came across the Xero Shoes Genesis Sandals, I was instantly drawn in. They looked chic, incredibly lightweight and, importantly, affordable. At first glance, they don’t immediately read as an orthopaedic shoe, although the hiking sandal influence is definitely there. They sit somewhere between a sturdy walking sandal and one of those trendy rope sandals that seem to be everywhere this summer.
Maybe the best part, though, is the price. They’re available for £55 on Amazon and at Next, and currently even cheaper at Schuh, where they’re on sale for under £35 — although the discounted price is only available in limited sizes.
As a bit of background, Xero Shoes started in 2009 as a tiny DIY sandal company founded by a husband-and-wife duo. The brand’s roots are in barefoot running, inspired by founder Steve Sashen’s own experience, and the original design took cues from traditional Mexican huarache sandals. Since then, the company has expanded into running shoes, hiking shoes, boots and fitness footwear.
The Genesis sandals are one of the brand’s original designs and follow a very simple philosophy: use as little material as possible so the foot can move naturally. Wearing them honestly feels a bit like not wearing shoes at all – except you still get a sturdy sole with impressive grip, making them genuinely great for walking and hiking. They feature a zero heel drop and lightweight polyester cord straps that can be tightened or loosened to suit your foot. For me, the only downside has been not being able to tighten them quite as much as I’d like, despite the sole fitting perfectly, though I do have small, narrow feet which could be why.
The sandals also have a toe-post design. Usually, that’s a dealbreaker for me because toe-post styles almost always cause blisters, but the softer cord material here meant I had no issues at all.
What makes these feel different from more traditional orthopaedic shoes is that they’re not trying to correct or overly support your feet. Instead, the idea is that your feet naturally do most of the stabilising work. That does take a little getting used to. At first, it feels strange not having the cushioning you’d expect from most walking shoes, but I actually found it made long days exploring the streets of Seville far more comfortable. The city’s pavements and terrain constantly change as you move around, and the sandals adapted surprisingly well throughout the day.
I was also genuinely surprised by how sturdy the sole felt, given how lightweight the sandals are. I walked across everything from smooth pavements to rougher terrain without any problems. Cobbled streets took a bit of adjustment – not because they hurt, but because you can really feel the texture beneath your feet, which is an unusual sensation at first.
They’re well rated on Amazon too, with a 4.2-star customer satisfaction rating. One shopper said: “These are fantastic, grip well, even in wet, can adjust the fit, even lent them to a friend whose feet were two sizes bigger when her shoes started to rub, and she loved them too. These are now my go-to sandals.”
Another person added that they are a great everyday minimalist sandal. They continued: “Comfortable huarache style, minimalist sandal. Needs some playing with to get laces right for you (and will need regular adjustments as you go), but great once you find the sweet spot. Feels like there’s nothing there, but protects your foot from anything sharp or too rough.”
The sandals come in a few different colours too. I went for the classic black because it works with almost everything, but they’re also available in a stone colourway and a brighter red option. And for £55 (or £34.99 if you’re quick), I’m seriously impressed by their durability,