10 Best Yoga Shoes in 2021

Yoga has become an incredibly popular practice, observed by many people globally. For many, yoga is more than a workout and is instead a way of life. Yoga is a departure from many extreme workouts, which are tough on the
body, and is more introspective than other forms of exercise, relying on and strengthening one’s inner strength and perspective.

However, even though much of yoga’s focus is internal, it still requires some special equipment to help you practice successfully. Yoga is traditionally, and perhaps most well known, practiced barefoot; however, as the practice has
evolved, so have the requirements. In our modern world, it’s sometimes not possible or recommended to wear lightweight footwear when practicing. Yoga shoes and/or socks are lightweight footwear that allows you to experience
everything you’d feel while barefoot without putting yourself at risk.

We have scoured the internet, using customer reviews and brand knowledge, to find the ten best yoga shoes in 2021.

Related: Shoes for Zumba class.

View the Best Yoga Shoes, Below.

• VIFUUR Barefoot Yoga Shoes
• Vibram Women’s VI-B Fitness Yoga Shoe
• L-RUN Unisex Barefoot Water Shoes
• Ahnu Women’s Yoga Flex
• Ozaiic Non-Slip Yoga Socks
• Sanuk Women’s Yoga Sling 2 Print Vintage
• Tucketts Toeless Yoga Socks
• New Balance Women’s 118v2 Training Shoe
• Skechers Women’s Meditation-Studio Kicks
• LA Active Grip Yoga Socks

1. VIFUUR Barefoot Yoga Shoes

These shoes were initially designed to be used in the water, but their flexible design and thin material make them suitable for other activities. These shoes are waterproof, which would make them great for the humid temperatures of a hot yoga class. The foam arch makes them incredibly comfortable, while the rubber sole provides a strong grip needed when practicing yoga. These yoga shoes are incredibly flexible as they are made from elastic materials, making them easy to put on or take off. These shoes come in a range of patterns, colors, and sizes.

These yoga shoes are incredibly flexible and comfortable, as they are made from waterproof elastic materials.

2. Vibram Women’s VI-B Fitness Yoga Shoe

Do you want the freedom of feeling barefoot but also need protection for your feet? If so, these are the yoga shoes for you. They are made from open textile material and have separate toes, allowing you to feel secure and balanced on the yoga mat, plus the rubber sole provides an essential grip. These yoga shoes are incredibly lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for exercise, but their ballet-inspired minimalist design is attractive for wearing them elsewhere. Plus, they have a vast size range for all women.

These yoga shoes are lightweight, breathable, and designed to replicate barefoot movements.

3. L-RUN Unisex Barefoot Water Shoes

These yoga shoes are incredibly lightweight and flexible, making it easy to wear them every day. These yoga shoes also have a soft lining, which makes them comfortable. They have a non-slip design which can help support you when working on yoga poses. As they have a form-fitting design, these yoga shoes are very supportive and comfortable to wear.

These yoga shoes come in a vast range of colors and patterns to suit everyone's tastes. They are waterproof and lightweight, which makes them versatile. As well as wearing them for yoga, you can wear them at the beach, in the pool or during other workouts.

These yoga shoes are incredibly lightweight and flexible, making them versatile for all yogis.

4. Ahnu Women’s Yoga Flex

These yoga shoes are incredibly flexible and breathable, which is why they are ideal for working out. They are made from 100% mesh, which allows air to pass through and keep your feet cool. The sole is made from Spider Rubber, which offers excellent traction, providing you with balance and support when trying new yoga poses.

These yoga shoes have a memory foam footbed, which is incredibly comfortable. This footbed supports the natural contours of your foot, giving the illusion that you are barefoot. These yoga shoes are incredibly lightweight, providing you with a lot of balance.

These yoga shoes are lightweight and flexible as they are made from mesh, which is a breathable fabric.

5. Ozaiic Non-Slip Yoga Socks

If shoes are too restrictive for your yoga routine, then you should try yoga socks instead. They offer the protection you need but are more lightweight and breathable than some shoes. These yoga socks are versatile, since they can also be worn with yoga shoes, and their ballet-inspired details also make them suitable for barre classes. They have a ballet band across the foot to keep you secure and feature silicone grips.

These grips will aid your movement and keep you balanced when trying new yoga poses. They are available in a range of neutral shades and are very comfortable to wear.

Yoga socks can be preferred to yoga shoes as they are lightweight, thin and more comfortable to wear.

6. Sanuk Women’s Yoga Sling 2 Print Vintage

These yoga shoes are a thong flip-flop that can be worn everyday or when working out. They have a textile upper which is available in a range of different patterns, and the footbed is yoga-mat soft. These yoga shoes are breathable as they have an open design and can be worn to the yoga studio and beyond. These shoes are simply attractive, making them versatile.

These yoga shoes offer light support to your feet due to the rubber sole. They are made to be durable, ensuring that they will last you a long time and withstand repeated use. These yoga shoes are incredibly comfortable, making them an excellent investment.

These yoga shoes are incredibly comfortable and breathable as they have an open design.

7. Tucketts Toeless Yoga Socks

These yoga socks are ideal for a range of different exercises, as they allow you to move your feet freely without risk of damage. They have a toeless design that allows you to balance naturally when trying yoga poses or even doing other workouts. They have sticky silicone pads on the footbed, which can help keep you steady on the floor.

These yoga socks have a soft strap and supportive heel to protect your feet while you still experience the benefits of being barefoot. These socks are made from eco-friendly materials that are moisture-wicking to keep your feet cool and comfortable.

These yoga socks are incredibly comfortable as they are made from moisture-wicking materials with silicone grips.

8. New Balance Women’s 118v2 Training Shoe

These training shoes are ideal for yoga, dance, ballet, pilates, and other barefoot exercises. They are thin enough to provide the feel of being barefoot without the risk of damaging your feet as they protect the skin. These training yoga shoes have straps across your feet to provide an accurate fit. They provide style and cushioning to aid your workout.

These yoga shoes have a rubber sole that provides grip and balance when working out or trying new yoga poses. As they have an open design, these yoga shoes are breathable and very stretchy, which is very comfortable to wear.

These yoga shoes are breathable and comfortable as they have a rubber sole.

9. Skechers Women’s Meditation-Studio Kicks

These yoga shoes are sandals which are incredibly comfortable and versatile.  They can be worn during yoga classes or simply every day. They have a stretchable jersey upper that is comfortable and soft against the skin. The footbed is made from yoga foam, which molds to the natural contours of your foot. This allows you to experience being barefoot without actually having to expose your feet.

These yoga shoes have a simple and chic design which can be worn for a range of locations. They are available in a variety of different colors to suit everyone's tastes. The sole is rubber which provides an excellent grip and balance when in the yoga studio.

These yoga sandals are incredibly comfortable and versatile, allowing you to wear them when working out or every day.

10. LA Active Grip Yoga Socks

These socks are lightweight, flexible, and comfortable, making them ideal for a range of exercises, including but not limited to yoga. They have PVC grips on the sole to provide you with balance and offer full coverage to your feet, for excellent protection. They have a superior fit thanks
to the stretchy material, and they provide cushioning to sensitive areas. These yoga socks are made from a high-quality cotton blend that is breathable and comfortable. They have a strap across the top of the sock to keep them secure on your feet. These are an excellent option for people who want to feel close to the ground, without the risk of actually going barefoot.

These yoga socks are comfortable, supportive, and breathable, making them ideal for a range of exercises.

Buyer’s Guide To Yoga Shoes

Yoga is an exercise that is traditionally performed barefoot. However, in modern environments, this sometimes isn’t possible or preferred, which is where yoga shoes or socks come in. These kinds of shoes are designed to replicate the feeling and movement of being barefoot while keeping your feet protected. This means that they will be thin, lightweight, and breathable in order to aid natural movement.

Yoga shoes may seem like an unnecessary purchase to someone who does yoga at the gym or even at home, but they can help you be hygienic and protected. Being barefoot in shared spaces is a way to spread bacteria or infections, which is something wearing yoga shoes can prevent. Some people are more comfortable wearing yoga shoes in general. In order to find the best yoga shoes for your needs, there are some factors you need to consider.

Comfort

Comfort is perhaps the most important thing to consider when shopping for any kind of shoes, but especially when looking for yoga shoes. The more comfortable the shoes are, the more often you will wear them, making your purchase better value. Being comfortable in yoga is very important as this can be quite a strenuous workout for your muscles and feet.

Some yoga shoes, such as the New Balance Women’s 118v2 Training Shoe, have light cushioning and padding in the footbed. This can help your workout as they support the natural shape of your foot and encourage you to move correctly. If you are going to wear yoga shoes every day, then it is very important that you find a pair that is comfortable for you.

When considering how comfortable your yoga shoes or socks will be, you should look at the material. Yoga socks are typically made from a cotton blend which is breathable and flexible. Some yoga shoes are made from textile or other synthetic materials as these are just as breathable.

Flexibility

Yoga is a workout that requires a lot of flexibility and movement, so these are things you should expect from your yoga shoes. Your feet need to be able to bend, fold, and move freely when you do yoga, which is why many people choose to do it barefoot. However, yoga shoes are made to replicate these movements while offering protection.

You can consider the flexibility of your yoga shoes by checking the material. Many shoes throughout this review use lightweight materials. Consider how much elastane is involved in the shoes, as these will be incredibly flexible. This is why yoga socks are sometimes preferred as they are made from elastic materials, giving you more room to move when wearing them.

Support and Balance

One benefit of wearing yoga shoes is the grip and balance they provide. Sure, your bare feet are equipped to keep you balanced when walking or working out, but if the floor is slippery or you become warm, this might not always be the case. Yoga shoes and socks typically have either rubber soles or silicone padding to keep you balanced when working out and trying new yoga poses.

Yoga shoes like the Vibram Women’s VI-B Fitness Yoga Shoe have a rubber sole. This sole is thin enough to give you the experience of being barefoot, while still providing grip and balance on surfaces. This is a great way to practice being barefoot and working out this way.

Lightweight

As yoga shoes are designed to replicate being barefoot, they need to be lightweight. This is something you can easily determine when shopping for yoga shoes in person, however online it may be a little more tricky. Nonetheless, most yoga shoes throughout this review are made to be thin and lightweight. Look out for lightweight materials such as mesh, cotton, and textiles. These materials are also breathable, keeping you cool and comfortable when working out.

Why Wear Yoga Shoes?

It has been mentioned a few times throughout this review that yoga is a sport that is typically performed barefoot. This can mean that many people are reluctant to buy yoga shoes, as it can seem unnecessary. Here are a couple of reasons you may want to consider wearing yoga shoes:

Comfort

Being barefoot can be uncomfortable for most people, as we spend the majority of our time wearing padded shoes. In order to feel comfortable when working out, people may want to purchase yoga shoes as they can be padded, cushioned, or simply made from soft materials.

Hygiene

If you are working out indoors, you may not think that yoga shoes are necessary. However, they offer a layer of protection to your feet, keeping infections and other bacterias at bay. This may not be necessary if you workout at home, but if you go to a yoga studio, then this is something you will want to consider. Whenever you share yoga mats or other equipment, you are being exposed to bacterias and other peoples infections. Keep yourself protected with good quality yoga shoes.

Balance

Yoga shoes offer grip on the soles, which may be a great reason to consider using them next time you workout. This is great for beginners to yoga, as you will be unsteady on your feet so any additional support will be greatly appreciated.

Finding The Right Size Of Yoga Shoes

Yoga shoes need to fit you accurately in order to support your movement as you workout. As these kinds of shoes are lightweight and thin, it may seem like they need to fit a certain way. Luckily, yoga shoes and socks operate with the same sizing system as every other shoe that you could purchase.

It is possible to measure yourself for shoes, or you can get yourself professionally measured. Most yoga shoe manufacturers will have dimensions of their products so you can get an accurate fit. The more precise the fit, the more comfortable and supportive the yoga shoes will be.

AreYoga Shoes the same as Aqua Shoes?

Some of the yoga shoes throughout this review are also considered to be aqua shoes. This means that they can be worn while swimming in the pool or at the beach, as they are lightweight and waterproof. In most cases, there is a lot of crossover between yoga shoes and aqua shoes because they are lightweight, thin, and offer enough grip to keep you balanced.

How to wash Yoga Shoes?

Yoga shoes should be washed regularly in order to keep them in a good, wearable condition. If you are using your yoga shoes or socks for working out, then it is recommended that you wash them after use to prevent odors or bacteria from building up. Most yoga shoes can be washed in a washing machine, but it is recommended that you use a cold wash and gentle detergents.

This is due to the fact yoga shoes are thin and lightweight, which means it will not take much to damage them. You can wash your yoga shoes in the sink using warm water. No matter how you wash them, it is recommended that you allow your yoga shoes to air dry rather than tumble dry. This is because tumble dryers can cause damage to your clothing, and you want your yoga shoes to last a long time.

Are Yoga Shoes just for Yoga?

Some of the yoga shoes throughout this review may be best suited to a gym or yoga studio, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be worn elsewhere. There are several models of yoga shoes throughout this review, typically sandals or flip flops, that can be worn every day.

This is an excellent option for those who find that they have issues or pain with their feet, as yoga shoes are very comfortable. They replicate the natural movement and support the contours of your foot, preventing further damage.

Conclusion

Yoga shoes are a great way to keep yourself protected, whether you are in a gym, studio, or out in nature. They are thin and lightweight shoes that replicate the natural movement or shape of your bare feet. Yoga shoes can be incredibly versatile, and some may be worn every day due to the support they offer.

The best yoga shoes will be those that are comfortable, flexible, and breathable as this will aid your movement when working out. Pay attention to the materials used on the upper and sole, as this will determine how supportive the shoes will be. Rubber soles are the most common throughout this review because they offer grip and support to your feet, while still providing a barefoot feel. Yoga can be done barefoot, but this is not ideal in modern environments.

Did You Know?

Yoga is one of the oldest forms of exercise of physical discipline that is still being used today.

Expert Tip by Alexis DeSalva Kahler

Yoga has become a universal practice, and while it’s most commonly done barefoot, there are a variety of footwear options that can aid any yoga practice, as well as other similar activities. To find what’s best for your needs, consider the type of yoga you practice. If you practice hot yoga and are prone to sweaty feet that slip on your mat, a durable, waterproof shoe may be best. If you prefer a gentle yoga flow, or even Pilates or barre, a sock – toeless or not – would be best. Before you commit to a purchase, be sure to check the product descriptions to ensure the attributes will best suit your needs.