The third Golden Toe Awards · 2026
Golden Toe
Awards 2026.
Chosen by you.
The barefoot community’s awards are back. Vote for the shoes you actually wear, the brands you trust and the shops you’d recommend to someone else.Plus a chance to win one of 15 barefoot prizes, from shoes to gift vouchers.
With support from our Golden Toe Partner
Voting opens 19 October and closes 15 November 2026.
Want a reminder when voting opens?
Leave your email and we’ll send you one message when voting opens. That’s it.
Chosen by the people wearing them
The shoes, brands and shops people actually recommend.
The pair that goes everywhere. The trail shoes you trust. The shop that finally got your fit right. Golden Toe gives those favourites a moment in the spotlight.
This is the third Golden Toe Awards, after 2021 and 2023. You choose the winners. Sponsors help make the event possible, but they don’t get extra votes or a say in the results.
How to make your vote count
01
Pick your favourites
Vote for pairs you own or have worn. Skip the categories you haven’t tried. If your favourite is missing, add it.
02
Give your favourites some love
Help other people find shoes worth wearing, and give the brands and shops you trust their moment. Check your picks, then send your vote.
03
Your vote could win you a pair
Fancy a chance to win? Choose to join the free giveaway when you vote. Then check your inbox and click our link to confirm your vote. Giveaway entry is optional and for ages 18 and over.
Ten community-voted categories
What gets your vote?
Vote from firsthand experience: pairs you own or have worn, shoes your children wear, and brands or shops you’ve dealt with directly. Skip the rest. One favourite is plenty.
Everyday / Casual
The pair you reach for most.
Road Running
Your go-to pair for road miles.
Trail / Hiking
The pair you trust off-road.
Fitness / Training
Your favourite pair for the gym or training.
Winter / Wet Weather
The pair you rely on when it’s cold, wet or both.
Smart / Work / Dress
The barefoot pair that works when trainers won’t.
Sandals
The pair you live in when it’s warm.
Kids
The children’s pair you’d happily buy again.
Favourite Barefoot Brand
The brand you’d recommend first.
Best Barefoot Retailer
The shop you’d send a friend to.
Voting opens 19 October.
A little something for your feet
Your next favourite pair could be on us.
15 prizes, from barefoot shoes to gift vouchers, thanks to these Prize Sponsors. Choose to enter when you submit your vote.
Icarus Footwear
Shoes, toe spacers and toe socks.
A little more room for your toes, from your shoes right down to your socks.
Barely Barefoot
One in-stock pair of your choice.
Your choice, on the house. Pick an in-stock pair from a British brand built on traditional shoemaking expertise.
Bearfoot
A US$100 gift card.
For feet that lift. Put it towards Bearfoot’s roomy, flat-soled training shoes—or explore the rest of the range.
Carson Footwear
One free pair of shoes.
A small Oregon maker doing things its own way: running shoes built by hand, one pair at a time.
Cool East Market
A CAD$200 gift card.
The pleasure of a proper shoe browse: explore a specialist barefoot and tabi shop, with worldwide shipping included.
Kingdom of Wow
One pair of Original Classic Wool Slippers.
For the moment the outdoor shoes come off. Handmade wool slippers bring a little luxury to staying in.
Nallu
Two vouchers for pairs of sandals.
Less shoe, more summer. Two winners get a pair each, including one made to their own foot measurements.
PaperKrane
An AUD$200 voucher.
Barefoot doesn’t have to mean beige. Bring some colour and playful pattern to your next pair.
The Drifter Leather
A US$200 gift card.
Leather shoes with a more personal fit. Explore handmade styles, with custom sizing among the options.
The Last Shoemaker
One free pair of shoes of the winner’s choice.
A pair made by an independent shoemaker with a long history in the barefoot community.
Tomar Creation
Three €33 vouchers.
Small-workshop character for your next pair. Three vouchers contribute towards Tomar’s handcrafted barefoot footwear.
Xero Shoes
One pair of Xero Shoes Prio shoes.
One pair for gym sessions, everyday miles and whatever comes between. The Xero Shoes Prio keeps things flexible and fuss-free.
Free entry · 18+ · No purchase needed
Some sponsor links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy.
Prize details and giveaway rules →When to vote—and when to see the winners
Voting opens on 19 October and closes on 15 November. We’ll check the votes on 16–18 November and aim to announce the winners around 19 November.
- 19 October
- Voting opens
- 15 November
- Last voting day
- 16–18 November
- Vote checking
- Around 19 November
- Winners announced
A few things worth knowing
Do I have to vote in every category?
No. Vote for pairs you own or have worn, shoes your children wear, and brands or shops you’ve dealt with directly. Skip any category where you haven’t got firsthand experience. You can edit your choices before submitting.
What if my favourite isn’t listed?
Add it yourself. Search first, then use the missing shoe, brand or retailer option. We’ll check the details so it gets counted under the right name.
Why do you need my email?
To confirm your vote and keep repeat entries out. Click the link we send after you submit. You can choose to receive the Golden Toe results by email; voting doesn’t sign you up to the newsletter.
How does the Kids award work?
There’s one Kids award covering children’s barefoot shoes. Pick your favourite pair, then optionally tell us the age group and whether it’s used for school. Those answers help us understand the vote; they don’t create separate awards or add extra votes.
Can sponsors buy a win?
No. Voters choose the winners. Sponsors help support the awards and giveaway; they get no extra votes and no say in the results.
What am I agreeing to, and how will my answers be used?
By submitting, you agree to the Voting, Research & Giveaway Rules. We use your vote to run the awards, and any optional answers to understand barefoot footwear choices and improve Minimal-list recommendations. Grouped findings may also be used in research for brands. We don’t share identifiable votes or answers.
When do we find out who won?
Voting runs from 19 October to 15 November. We’ll check the votes on 16–18 November and aim to announce the winners around 19 November.