Startups Are Going Barefoot—And It’s Not Just Metaphorically

Why the Barefoot Move Is Gaining Ground

Some startups are moving beyond casual Fridays and turning off the shoes entirely. At these companies, footwear is optional—no strict dress codes, no suit-and-tie anxiety, just a sense that comfort and authenticity matter as much as innovation and hustle.

The trend reflects deeper shifts in startup culture:

• Founders want environments where people feel safe being themselves, not performative or stiff.
• Comfort becomes a form of signaling—if you’re comfortable, you’re not spending time managing your look, you’re focusing on product and mission.
• It’s also symbolic: shedding shoes means shedding old assumptions about what work “should” look like—less formality, more fluidity.

This barefoot ethos isn’t about fashion—it’s about prioritizing mindset and values over appearances.

A Culture That Walks Its Talk

When companies literally take off their shoes, they’re also laying down a marker: we trust our people, we lean into authenticity, and we believe culture is more than perks. In this quiet little shift lies a bigger message about what work can feel like.