A barefoot shoe is considered to be a shoe of a different design from regular shoes, which is characterized by distinctive features (wide toe, thin sole, etc.). Although there are no official standards or legal norms that precisely define barefoot shoes, manufacturers, retailers and users generally agree on the key parameters by which they recognise barefoot shoes.
Content of the article
- How to identify barefoot shoes?
- What is a barefoot?
- Why should you wear barefoot shoes?
- Where to buy barefoot shoes?
- How to choose barefoot shoes?
How to identify barefoot shoes?
100% barefoot shoes should meet all of the following characteristics:
- Wide toe - in the toe section the shoes are wide enough not to squeeze the toes together, but provide space for the fin shaped foot
- Flat sole - no heel or other raised heel and toe
- Flexibility in all directions - especially the soft and fully flexible sole, no heel counter
- Thin sole - the height of the sole does not exceed 5 mm, usually its thickness is around 3 mm
- Insole without moulding - does not support the arches of the foot
- Low weight
If a shoe fits only on certain points, we call such a shoe a compromise shoe.
What is a barefoot?
Barefoot means "bare feet" in English. Barefoot shoes, by their design, try to minimize the limitation of the foot by footwear, to approximate barefoot movement, but at the same time sufficiently protect the foot from injury. Maintaining natural movement patterns positively affects the healthy functioning of the feet and the rest of the body.
Why should you wear barefoot shoes?
Wearing barefoot shoes pays off because they are comfortable and healthy at the same time. For children, they help the natural foot development, for adults, they bring relief from the burden.
Compared to regular shoes, barefoot shoes have the advantage of better construction:
- thanks to the space in the toe area, the weight can be distributed to the toes and the toes actively engage in movement, no toe deformities occur
- the flat sole keeps the centre of gravity in an optimal position where it does not overload the rest of the body by leaning forward or leaning backwards
- flexible materials allow gradual unwinding of the stride and adaptation of the foot to uneven terrain
- thin sole helps to improve surface sensation and stimulation of the sole of the foot
- the non-shaped insole allows the foot to actively work, thus strengthening the foot arches
- thanks to the low weight, you hardly feel the shoe on your foot, so the foot experiences a feeling of freedom
Where to buy barefoot shoes?
At the Footic e-shop you will find the widest range of barefoot shoes for children, women and men of all ages.
- Customer-tested e-shop
- Over 30 thousand pairs of shoes in stock
- Easy returns up to 21 days
- Loyalty discounts and other benefits
- 10 years of experience selling barefoot shoes
How to choose barefoot shoes?
Check out our shoe selection guide for all the essentials on how to choose the right barefoot shoes. We recommend that you measure your foot size carefully first, and then use the filter tool (marked in green) in the top menu to help you choose. The latest comparison reviews will also help you to find your way around the barefoot brands when making your first purchase.