What is a Barefoot Shoe?

Myth 1:Barefoot shoes do NOT refer to shoes that can be worn without socks

Myth 2:The only kind of barefoot shoes are the ones with those 5 distinct toes that people often wear to gyms

Myth 3:These are just thicker socks….

Here is simply what barefoot footwear is - footwear that is designed to mimic the feeling of being barefoot while still providing a layer of protection from the ground.

They typically feature:

• • • A wide toe box to allow your toes to splay naturally and not be compressed like it happens in traditional footwear that are narrow and pointy in the front.

    • A thin sole with zero heel-to-toe drop for maximum ground feel compared to highly cushioned traditional footwear with thick bottoms and an incline from heel to toe.

    • Flexible shoes that allow the feet to flex and perform their natural functions thereby also building foot strength and muscles. 

Many people experience several benefits from wearing barefoot footwear, including:

• • • • • • • Improved foot strength and flexibility:
              Allowing your feet to move naturally can strengthen the intrinsic muscles. The foot isn’t a passive structure. It’s a biomechanical marvel made of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. 

• • • • • • • Enhanced balance:
              Feeling the ground helps improve your body's awareness of its position.

• • • • • • • Better posture and alignment:
              A natural foot position can positively impact your overall body alignment.

• • • • • • • Increased sensory feedback:
              Experiencing the textures of the ground can be a more engaging and natural experience. The nerve-endings in your feet are meant to give you sensory feedback for the body to react accordingly. 

• • • • • • • Potential reduction in foot and posture problems:
              Users find relief from issues exacerbated by traditional footwear impacting the entire posterior chain – ankles, knees, hips, pelvic floor, glutes. Essentially, moving to a natural gait with barefoot footwear can help reduce pains caused by a disoriented gait.