From AI unicorns like Cursor and Speak to a growing number of small tech firms, startups are embracing an unconventional workplace policy: no shoes in the office. The movement, which encourages employees to leave their footwear at the door, is gaining traction in the name of comfort, creativity, and company culture. Advocates argue that the practice fosters a more relaxed, collaborative atmosphere—while critics warn it risks eroding professional boundaries and exposing some questionable sock choices.
For years, startups have been known for redefining office culture, replacing cubicles and formality with beanbags, coffee bars, and open layouts. Now, the latest twist on workplace perks is less about amenities and more about attire—or the lack thereof.
At Cursor, a $9.9 billion AI coding company, the no-shoes rule is already the norm. “I’ve only worked at startups that have a no-shoes-in-office policy,” said staffer Ben Lang in a viral X post that drew more than 1.1 million views. The trend has spread to other high-profile companies as well. Andrew Hsu, cofounder of Speak—an OpenAI-backed AI language app valued at $1 billion—says his team has long embraced the approach. Gen Z–Z-founded Whop follows the same practice.
According to Lang, more than a dozen companies have adopted some form of no-shoes policy. Substack and Notion are among those that have previously experimented with the idea. The shift, some experts say, could have tangible benefits.
“Creating a space where employees feel greater comfort can bring real advantages for creativity and innovation, as well as help build stronger interpersonal relationships,” said Anita Williams Woolley, professor of organizational behavior at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. “In an era when workplace anxiety is reaching record levels, those advantages can be significant.”
That sense of ease may prove particularly valuable in Silicon Valley, where long, intense schedules—such as the “996” work culture of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—remain common. Still, the shoeless trend is not without drawbacks.
Woolley cautions that greater comfort can blur important professional boundaries. “The intimacy that comes from such policies can be a double-edged sword,” she explained. “It may undermine clarity in workplace relationships and expectations.” Hygiene and inclusivity are also concerns: what feels casual to some may feel unprofessional or uncomfortable to others.
The policy reflects a broader push by employers to entice workers back into physical offices. Companies are investing heavily in unique perks and environments designed to encourage collaboration. Walmart’s 350-acre Arkansas campus includes pools, pickleball courts, and childcare centers, while JPMorgan Chase’s new Manhattan tower offers a 19-restaurant food hall and a building-wide signature scent. Epic Systems in Wisconsin has gone further still, designing themed office buildings inspired by everything from The Wizard of Oz to Harry Potter.
For now, the no-shoes policy remains a niche experiment largely confined to small, fast-growing startups. But as businesses continue to test new strategies to reinvigorate in-office culture, the definition of “business casual” may soon make room for socks.