Barefoot European Shoe Fair expands in Offenbach with 121 brands and 26‑country presence

The second Barefoot European Shoe Fair took place in Offenbach from 24 to 26 July 2026. The exhibition hosted 102 exhibitors representing 121 brands from 26 different countries, nearly doubling the number of participants compared with the inaugural show.

More than 600 trade visitors – about half of them from abroad – attended the first two days, and the fair opened to the public on Sunday, drawing roughly 700 private visitors. In addition to product displays, the event featured scientific lectures and talk sessions organised by the HDS/L and the German Shoe Institute, highlighting the growing relevance of barefoot footwear for children and adults.

HDS/L managing director Torben Schütz highlighted the segment’s potential, noting that barefoot shoes now account for roughly 13 % of spring/summer collections in 2026, up from 6 % a year earlier. Fair director Arnd Hinrich Kappe announced that, from 2027, the trade fair will be held twice a year, cementing its role as a key international platform for the barefoot‑shoe industry.