What Are Barefoot Shoes and How to Make Your First Steps in the Barefoot Journey?

Footwear construction isn’t any less crucial for your market research than its price or style. With barefoot shoes, you can overcome the limitations of traditional footwear with extra gains for your foot health. Here are some of the topics we’ll back up with expert insights in this guide:

• Common mistakes in choosing the right pair of shoes;
• What sets classic and barefoot (minimalist) footwear apart;
• Transitional barefoot shoes — what they are and how they help beginners;
• Benefits of barefoot shoes for adults and children, etc.

Let the exploration begin!

What Are Barefoot Shoes?

Minimalist shoes are designed to mimic walking barefoot, hence a must-have selection of features:

• A wide toe box;
• A zero drop (flat) sole;
• A thin and flexible construction;
• A lightweight build.

Altogether, these allow for natural foot movement and a better ground feel. They will come in handy for those focused on increasing foot muscle size, strength, and overall maneuverability. According to a 2021 study in Nature, wearing barefoot shoes for just half a year can improve balance and gait, resulting in an average increase of over 55% in participants’ foot strength.

Top 5 Reasons to Say “No” to Traditional Footwear

Let’s bet — you’ve always made these five mistakes and selected your shoes incorrectly, don’t you? Here are the design elements that customers tend to overlook when seeking the right pair of shoes.

1. Stiff soles

Although they seem trustworthy at first, their rigid nature won’t work beneficially for your feet in the long run. Despite how convenient it may feel, especially if you aren’t accustomed to walking barefoot, it may enhance the probability of injuries and foot conditions — it doesn’t guarantee natural and reliable foot placement. That’s why we don’t recommend shoes with stiff soles.

2. For narrow feet only

Although fashion trends vary a lot, the preference is commonly given to silhouettes that make your feet look smaller and more delicate. However, this tactic doesn’t place you in a good position. Several models, designed traditionally, don’t stick to the anatomical peculiarities of the foot. This neglect doesn’t only cause immediate and long-term discomfort, but it can also hinder the propulsive ability and flexibility of your foot.

3. High heel

Whether you want to seem higher or just like the way such designs make you act and feel, they do promote dysfunctional and unnatural walking manners. While the lack of ground response might increase the risk of injury, it also harms your body’s stability and mobility overall. Wearing heels too much leads to an increase in postural effort and load, which may exacerbate existing issues like bunions or ingrown toenails and lead to arthritis and stress fractures in the worst-case scenario.

4. Massive and cumbersome

Heavyweight boots aren’t the only types of shoes that fall into this category. Take a closer look at modern fashion catalogs. You will see such silhouettes everywhere — from sneakers to dress shoes. Unlike barefoot models, they might result in repetitive strain injuries and a lack of maneuverability in the feet. If you spend a lot of time wearing such designs, you may end up uncomfortable walking barefoot.

5. Arch support

It is the most controversial parameter in this list. While people commonly see nothing wrong with extra support, it is a slow-acting disaster. According to several professional physiotherapists, this footwear changes the biomechanics of your body by default, leading to long-term consequences like improper body balance and the loss of elasticity and flexibility in movement. On the other hand, we don’t say that they are completely ineffective — they might be efficient tools if you already have certain foot conditions. Still, while custom-molded orthotics can help you treat flat feet, providing a massaging effect on them, over-the-counter analogs provide little to no positive effect on how you move.

Why Choose Barefoot Shoes?

When it comes to minimalist models, relying on famous brands like Vivobarefoot or Xero Shoes isn’t enough. Broaden your outlook on what barefoot designs are all about.

1. Flexible soles

The benefits of this feature come down to improved blood flow, increased stability, and development of the foot neural connections and arch muscles. Compared to shoes with thicker soles, your movement will be natural and flexible in this case.

2. Wide toe boxes

With wide toe boxes, your feet will be able to move freely without discomfort and painful sensations. Of course, they also allow for natural toe splay — no toe deformation risks. Since they provide better balance, they also work for toddlers and children as they grow. Based on a 2022 study in PLoS One, minimalist footwear features promote healthier posture and natural biomechanics from early walking stages.

3. Zero-drop

Such shoes allow for proper foot alignment and won’t overcompensate for natural foot efficiency and function, unlike products with heels and arch support. Not only do they enhance your physical performance and promote more natural body posture, but they will also allow for stronger foot muscles and more developed neural connections. Zero-drop models will maintain your foot health and minimize the risk of foot conditions, supporting your entire musculoskeletal system.

4. Lightweight

A huge benefit is that minimalist footwear can be easily rolled up — so flexible they are. It helps your feet breathe. With other premium features combined, their lightweightness just helps you move freely longer without pain and discomfort.

5. No arch support

In the long run, shoes with arch support may lead to foot deformities and injuries caused by inefficient movement and weakened foot muscles. Extensive arch support may also harm the spring-like function. Barefoot models are a healthier alternative to products that have been on the market for ages. Shoes without arch support are great for potential pain relief, opting for increasing foot flexibility, sensory feedback, and boosting foot strength.

NB. Consult a podiatrist to stay on the safe side — an active injury or specific foot conditions (like flat feet) may be a prerequisite for a custom orthotics recommendation to boost the healing and treatment process.

Key Takeaways: Conventional vs. Barefoot Shoes

Given these five fundamental differences between traditional and barefoot shoes, the latter category is way more advantageous for men and women from a long-term perspective. In our expertise, since natural shoes provide enough space for your foot without being too bulky, they can prevent ingrown toenails, mallet toes, bunions, and other problems.

Transitional Shoes

If you transit from standard to barefoot models, shoes with flexible and thin soles may require time and effort to get accustomed to. If you’ve only worn high heels or heavily cushioned models so far, the ground feedback will be intense.

Transitional shoes are still better than conventional models — they don’t restrict your foot movement that much. You may come across a transitional barefoot shoe in the market. They are designed for those who switch from conventional to minimalist footwear, which is why they bear the characteristics of both categories. In most cases, a typical pair of transitional shoes of any type, be they boots or sneakers, will come with the following features:

• more flexible sole, compared to traditional footwear;
• medium to low volume;
• a little toe spring, contrary to completely flat barefoot products, for ideal foot alignment;
• not extremely wide toe boxes, compared to minimalist shoes with designs up to extra wide toe boxes and above;
• a little to no arch support in the heel zone of the shoe.

Adding a new link in this transition process is for the better: it puts your Achilles tendon and calf muscles under less pressure, letting them adapt to the shift more easily after years of heel elevation. 

If you aren’t careful enough and put on barefoot shoes on rough terrains, this sudden load may cause various injuries:

• Metatarsal stress fractures;
• Soreness and discomfort;
• Achilles tendonitis, etc.

It’s a great tactic to rotate between minimalist and transitional shoes until the adaptation stage is over. We also suggest sticking to even and soft surfaces for a gradual and safe transition.

Listen to your body’s response: small walks daily in such pairs should be prolonged steadily but carefully. Advance your routine with foot and calf strengthening exercises and stretching: wearing shoes alone might not be enough.

If you are just getting acquainted with barefoot culture, you will find our guide about transitional barefoot shoes useful. Also, take a look at the selection of women’s barefoot dress shoes, carefully selected by our experts.

Barefoot Shoes Explained in Answers and Questions

For those who’ve always wondered what minimalist shoes are and wanted to dive deeper into crucial decision-making peculiarities, this chapter is for you. Keep on reading to find out more about barefoot shoes — from unexpected points of view, as well.

How to distinguish classic from barefoot shoes?

In a nutshell, all five parameters have to match up to ensure you get what you want — a reliable and durable pair of minimalist footwear. Let’s summarize these parameters once again:

• thin and flexible soles;
• no arch support and heavy cushioning;
• lightweight and breathable materials;
• zero-drop models;
• wide-toe boxes that are foot-shaped and more anatomically advantageous.

If any feature is between the lines, it’s most likely that you’ve encountered a transitional model.

What is the right size to choose?

Two strategies are leading to a prominent outcome: precise measurements and attention to the brand’s recommendations. Some companies suggest taking a size up, but other manufacturers design models that fit true to their sizes. On the other hand, taking measurements may be a complicated challenge to overcome. Check out our guide to select the best pair of barefoot shoes possible. 

There is no such thing as an ideal foot, but numerous markets introduce shoes to confuse their target audiences. The role of minimalist shoes is to ensure your natural manner is qualitatively supported. When choosing the right pair, take into account not only the target model’s length but its width as well. Don’t hesitate to contact brands to discover the details that matter.

What popular minimalist footwear brands would you recommend?

Several brands are shining in their specific categories. We’ve prepared a few detailed reviews about dress shoes for men and Chelsea boots, for instance, so you won’t make a mistake by choosing the likes of BeLenka, Vivobarefoot, Koel Shoes, Feelgrounds, Groundies, and Xero Shoes. When selecting the target brand, pay attention to the following:

• Expertise — it doesn’t mean the company that relies on it should be a pioneer in the barefoot shoe industry. Check its approach to production technologies. We recommend manufacturers with eco-friendly, foot-friendly, and sustainable innovations and techniques.
• Customer feedback — although you may be lucky and get a four-leaf charm right away, shopping for the right pair of shoes isn’t typically that simple. Since you can’t try on such shoes when buying them online, see what other customers think about this or that model.
• Barefoot agility — stick to companies that are strong in their principles. To avoid any confusion, it is better to focus on brands that provide their audiences with barefoot shoes only. Otherwise, you can always use this guide as your quick cheat sheet to distinguish conventional from minimalist products in the industry.

Can minimalist shoes be high heels?

No, minimalist shoes cannot have a heel, as it contradicts the very concept of this type of footwear. A zero drop is one of the advantages of barefoot shoes, ensuring a natural foot position relative to the ground and promoting normal musculoskeletal function.

If you are looking for more elegant alternatives to classic heels, our team can’t help but suggest dress shoes manufactured by Shapen, loafers from Anya’s Shop, and ballerina flats from Softstar Shoes and BeLenka.

Are barefoot shoes safe for children?

Yes, barefoot shoes are safe for a child’s feet. However, don’t start wearing them too early. A child’s feet should be sufficiently strengthened before wearing any shoes. Barefoot shoes can be helpful for developing your child’s natural posture and stabilizing muscles. However, transitioning to this type of footwear should be done gradually. Consulting a podiatrist is also recommended if your child has any special foot conditions.

In practice, natural shoes are created to:

• minimize the risk of injuries;
• eliminate the risk of foot and toe deformation;
• improve body posture;
• strengthen foot muscles;
• provide high-ground feedback and connection to the surrounding environment;
• accelerate the development of neural connections and the musculoskeletal system as a whole;
• promote a wide range of foot movements.

Based on research, early shoe-wearing experiences may increase the risk of flatfoot and other issues, given how they may limit natural foot proprioception and strength, which highlights the importance of barefoot walking for kids. Minimalist models can increase stride length and stance time without reducing sensory feedback and cadence.

From a practical standpoint, you won’t face trouble trying to locate slippers or rain boots for small kids — everything to support their comfort and let them have fun safely and healthily both indoors and outdoors. Check our platform for more expert tips on the best shoes for toddlers and individual product reviews.

Is minimalist footwear universal for different terrains and climates?

We’ve seen numerous year-round models out there and checked several collections from the leading manufacturers — you won’t be disappointed. Of course, to get the most out of the deal, narrow down the palette of options and specify your requests in advance:

• Not all barefoot models are waterproof or water-resistant. Even when you navigate through rain boots, double-check if this feature is valid for the target pair or not — it isn’t an axiom for any footwear for fall to be 100% waterproof.
• We enjoy barefoot shoes for their multifunctionality. There are suitable models for hiking, running, walking, water and winter sports, and other activities.
• Don’t expect that a certain category of shoes will correspond to all the labels you have in mind. The variety of high-ankle and easy-slip-on boots might be less inspiring than the abundance of minimalist sandals or Chelsea boots.

Prioritize your needs when shopping for an ideal pair of barefoot shoes:

• Casual wear — a wide toe box, a breathable upper material, and a thin sole are your perfect match.
• Trail & hiking — a durable leather upper with reinforced features and a grippy tread pattern to preserve your flexible and stable movement on wet and rocky surfaces.
• Beach & water activities — quick-dry efficiency and elevated slip resistance are a must. Drain holes will also be helpful.
• Cold weather conditions — depending on your climate, choose the best insulated lining with a high-traction outsole to keep your feet warm and comfy.
• Rainy weather — a waterproof membrane with quick-dry materials will be for the better.
• Hot climates — lightweight and breathable materials with a moisture-wicking insole to prevent overheating and odor buildup.

Wrapping It Up

With barefoot shoes explained in this guide, you can now make knowledgeable decisions about your shopping choices. Minimalist models can work great for any member of the family, regardless of age and gender, thanks to their flat soles, wide-toe boxes, lightweights, and other advantages. Check out our list of affordable barefoot shoes. You’re sure to find a pair for any purpose.

What are your expectations for barefoot comfort? Do you have any concerns before transitioning to barefoot shoes? Let us know in the comments!