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

Choosing the right pair of shoes is more challenging than it might seem at first. Footwear construction isn’t any less crucial for your market research than its price or style. Let’s bet — you’ve always made these five mistakes and selected your shoes incorrectly, don’t you? Once you know what these top five factors are, you will also answer the question “What are barefoot shoes?” and explore their role in your foot health. Stay tuned for more!

What Are Barefoot Shoes?

Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic walking barefoot. They typically have a wide toe box, zero drop sole (flat), and thin, flexible construction to allow for natural foot movement and a better ground feel.  People wear them to improve foot health and strengthen the muscles in their feet. 

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.

However, before analyzing the alternative to classic products, let’s see the top five footwear 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.

Stiff Sole of Conventional Shoes
Stiff Sole of Conventional Shoes

2. For narrow feet only

Let’s be honest: we’ve all been there when trying on a few pairs of shoes, the preference was given to the one in which our feet look smaller and more delicate. However, this tactic of suffering for the sake of beauty and fashion standards doesn’t place you in a good position. A lot of contemporary 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.

Narrow Toe of Conventional Shoes
Narrow Toe of Conventional Shoes

3. High heel

Whether you want to seem higher or just like the way shoes with high platforms 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.

High Heel of Conventional Shoes
High Heel of Conventional Shoes

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 this footwear 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. We don’t say that they are completely ineffective — they might be efficient tools if you already have certain foot conditions. However, on average, this feature is unnecessary since it rips your foot muscles from the chance for challenge and improvement. In turn, long-term consequences may be drastic — from improper body balance to the loss of elasticity and flexibility in movement.

When it comes to barefoot shoes, the aforementioned list is just the opposite — that’s what minimalist shoes 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.

Flexible Soles of Barefoot Shoes
Flexible Soles of Barefoot Shoes

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, our team is glad to recommend barefoot shoes for toddlers and children as they grow.

Wide toe Box of Barefoot Shoes
Wide toe Box of Barefoot Shoes

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 food conditions, supporting your entire musculoskeletal system.

Zero-drop of Barefoot Shoes
Zero-drop of Barefoot Shoes

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 boosted foot strength.

As you can see, given these five fundamental differences between conventional and barefoot shoes, the latter category is way more advantageous for men and women from a long-term perspective. We strongly advise you to consult with your orthopedist first, especially if you suffer from foot conditions. 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.

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 the 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.

Still, you may come across a transitional barefoot shoe in the market. We recently wrote a complete guide to transitional barefoot shoes. 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 their 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.
Conventional-vs-Transitional-and-Barefoot-Shoes
Conventional-vs-Transitional-and-Barefoot-Shoes

If you transit from standard to barefoot models, shoes with flexible and thin soles may seem a torture tool, but we admit that — the ground feedback will be intense. At the same time, they support natural movement and help your feet get stronger, faster, and more maneuverable.

Transitional shoes are still better than conventional models — they don’t restrict your foot movement that much. Nonetheless, our team has experienced short-term and long-term health benefits after wearing barefoot shoes longer. Luckily, numerous brands in the market support this concept. You can locate a vast diversification of natural shoes — from flats and dress shoes to sneakers, loafers, and boots of different kinds.

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 to rely on 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 put on such shoes when buying them online, see what other customers think about this or that model.
  • Barefoot agility — stick to companies who 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?

Please don’t get it wrong — the term “minimalist” doesn’t have a style-related meaning as we see it in the fashion or interior design industry. It isn’t that minimalist shoes come with a few accessories and are rather simple. On the contrary, this description perfectly signifies the lack of excessive construction elements — no arch support, no high volumes, no narrowed footbeds, and so on.

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?

The answer is straightforward — this is the best type of footwear you can find for your toddlers and older kids. The thing is that barefoot shoes aren’t styled to take the power and disrupt the way the foot grows and moves naturally. The earlier you introduce a child to such shoes, the better.

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.

Once you see your child experiencing these benefits in real life, it is a truly second-to-none experience. Our team can’t help but find it amazing to find new models arriving in the market regularly. 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.

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.

Wrapping It Up

Starting walking barefoot in modern and durable natural shoes from renowned brands in the market has become one of the best decisions for our team. We can clearly see how stronger our feet have become and how it is easier to be active for hours in a row without knee, heel, or hip pain. That’s why we want to share our expertise and let other people know more about this easily accessible yet still underestimated type of footwear — barefoot shoes.

With barefoot shoes explained in this guide, you can now make knowledgeable decisions about your shopping choices. The best thing is that minimalist models will 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.

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

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