Head-to-Head
Be Lenka vs Shapen
Two barefoot brands compared on specs, scores, and use case. Here's which one we'd buy and why.
Slovakia
Be Lenka
The barefoot brand your non-barefoot friends will accidentally compliment.
Ground feel7.0
Toe-box width9.0
Durability8.0
Style9.0
Value7.0
Overall8.0
Slovakia
Shapen
Slovak sister project to Be Lenka, sharper on women's lifestyle.
Ground feel8.0
Toe-box width9.0
Durability8.0
Style9.0
Value8.0
Overall8.4
Specs
| Be Lenka | Shapen | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Slovakia | Slovakia |
| Category | barefoot | barefoot |
| Drop | 0 mm | 0 mm |
| Toe box | wide | wide |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Family-tested | Yes | Yes |
Winner by category
| Ground feel | Shapen |
| Toe-box width | Tie |
| Durability | Tie |
| Style | Tie |
| Value | Shapen |
| Overall | Shapen |
Which should you buy?
Buy Be Lenka if: Switching from conventional shoes without looking 'weird'.
Buy Shapen if: Women wanting barefoot ballet flats and boots that look like real shoes.
Our take
Shapen edges out overall (8.4 vs 8.0). Be Lenka is still the right call for the use cases listed above.
Where to buy
Shop Be Lenka →Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.
Where to buy
Shop Shapen →Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.