I gained six health benefits when I switched from regular shoes to barefoot style shoes, but it also came with one risk that I want to talk about. We’ll start off with the benefits. Number one, the widest part of the foot is supposed to be at the toes. Traditional shoes don’t respect that with the widest part being at the midfoot, squishing the toes to a point. Barefoot shoes, on the other hand, accommodate the natural alignment of the toes with the widest part being at the forefoot. The second benefit is improved posture. The regular shoes have raised heels which changes the position of the foot and since the foot is the foundation of the body, all the joints upstream are affected as a consequence. Barefoot shoes have zero drop soles which keeps the feet flat in neutral allowing all the joints upstream to remain in good alignment. The third benefit is increased foot strength. Each foot has 29 muscles which can only be strengthened through movement. Regular shoes are stiff and rigid, which restrict motion through those 29 muscles, so they start to get weak over time. Barefoot shoes solve that with their flexible soles, allowing all 29 muscles to move freely. As a consequence, they get stronger over time. The next benefit is improved ground feel. We rely on the data we receive through our sense of feeling in order to make good movement decisions. Regular shoes with their thick slabs of EVA foam block much of that data which makes our movement suffer as a consequence. Barefoot shoes on the other hand are thin allowing most of their data to come through so we can respond to our environment with better accuracy. The result of this extra feeling is most evident in the way we run. Research shows that those in cushion shoes tend to heel strike. The problem with heel striking is our foot collides in front of our body center of mass which applies breaking forces. But if you try to heel strike in barefoot shoes, you’ll feel a massive jolt up your body. So barefoot shoe runners tend to forfeoot strike, which allows the foot to collide right underneath the center of mass, eliminating braking forces, which is way more efficient. So when you have good toe alignment, improved foot strength, better ground feel, and your movement patterns are better, your foot becomes more stable and is less likely to get into compromised positions like over pronation, which is our sixth and final benefit. Now, it’s not all sunshine and roses. All this extra muscle stimulation and changes in movement patterns brought on by barefoot shoes can overburden the foot structures, which can lead to overuse injuries like plantto fasciitis. To mitigate this risk, research shows that you should transition to barefoot shoes slowly and add foot strengthening exercise to your routine. This is no different to somebody starting out in the gym who needs to take it slow at first and have a good program with accessory work that addresses their weaknesses. If you want our help with this, then visit our academy at bfs.fit.
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What about if you're flat feet????
Benefits to barefoot shoes = all benefits possible lol
Downside to barefoot shoes = you shouldn’t transition to barefoot shoes AT ALL without having an entire program around doing so. Got it lol
Thanks so much for this, I feel like I can finally put it into words now.
I've worn barefoot shoes for over 2 years now. I have felt many of these benefits as well as no more knee pain. However, my feet at times hurt badly after a long day at work. Seems like I have to add those foot strengthening exercises mentioned in the video.
Just go around barefoot at home. You only need shoes when you go out in public because animals defecate everywhere so there are a bunch of germs.
Do they make "barefoot" cowboy boots?
I use barefoot for prolonged standing at my job, listing, and running simple errands
If I'm going walking/running for more than a mile and roaming around running errands that keep me on hard, concrete floors for too long, I'll wear cushioned running shoes
My balance was already good but it has gotten better and my calves have certainly grown
I thought I had bad calf genes but naw I'm benefitting more from the barefoot shoes than I did working out lol
I guess this is what they call functional strength training
Just wear flip-flops it's cheaper
Seeing as your walking more naturally would they also help people with a shallow hip?
So when we run, we are not supposed to use our heels but our foot sole instead to brece impacts?
But when we're walking it's heel to toe?
Has my feet have become stronger w going more barefoot, my toes ( first my pinky, & now my third toe) have suffered some swelling, and minor sprains, where they will swell and hurt when barefoot, hoping this will subside- have you heard of this?
Get me some for around the place, I'll try training in them but I think Adidas & Nike would know if there shoes was wrong shape
Sensing the ground is a real one, especially when hiking
I used to wear thin-soled shoes since I was a kid (also grew up hiking) all the way up to my mid 20s, when I had to switch to sports shoes to do several foot injuries (even then, I am very limited on which shoes I can wear, which pretty much only means some [not even all] Nikes and Birkenstocks with an added pad. Literally the only ones, anything else will make my injuries worse, and these two are the only ones that helped my feet rehab almost entirely). Anyway, it felt so weird not to feel the ground beneath me, and I felt so unsafe when hiking (especially as I hike in very rocky mountains) because I couldn't feel the ground. Now I've finally gotten used to it, but I still have some extra precaution compared to hiking in thin-soled shoes. And I wear flexible sports shoes (as flexible as a non-thin soled ones can be).
It's beyond me how so many "experienced" hikers tell people they have to wear "hiking" boots. Not to mention how unhygienic it is to wear them in hot or even warm weather (which is mostly when people hike). Hiking boots are worn for winter hikes (and still look different and are warmer than the usual "hiking" boots). And next to that, your ankles get a lot more exercise without being covered (that's why e.g. pro basketball players ditched high tops). Literally the only scenario where you'd be safer in hiking boots than sneakers is if you're hiking in an area with frequent or highly possible bigger rocks falling on your feet. L i t e r a l l y the only scenario. Otherwise, you're much safer in sneakers, and waterproof sneakers also exist if you need to cross mountain streams. And please note the only comparison here is boots vs. sneakers. Please don't go hiking in sandals, slides or anything of the sort.
And yes, I know Nikes aren't really an ethical brand, but my only other option is for my injuries to worsen and I'm not able to walk (yes, it was that bad)
Tbh i get pain on my heel and atrain on my akilis. I notice its hard to get drive when i run. But i for sure have stronger feet
I always thought I was odd for toe running, I just found the alternative uncomfortable. Wouldn't the lack of cushion also cause problems from hard pavements?
barefoot shoes or vibrram 5 fingers??
how ironic that wide-toe flat shoes are highly recommended for anyone suffering from plantar fasciitis……😳
What are the best barefoot shoes for persons suffering with
Morton’s neuroma and metatarsalgia both cause forefoot pain, especially under the ball of the foot. For people with these conditions, walking fully barefoot is usually not recommended.
I started with a cushioned wide toe, zero drop shoe about six years ago. But would workout barefoot (wearing socks) when I could. Over the last two- three years, I've been wanting less and less cushion. I don't have a true barefoot shoe yet, but (budget permitting) I will likely get one the next time I buy
I feel so much better in barefoot shoes.
As everyone has said, thank you and this is the best explanation.
Love the feeling of glass going into my foot
I've been walking in flip flops my entire life, I believe I can just use this
What about barefoot shoes for overpronators?? Is it available?
Concern: I live in the frozen north where winter is about 6-9 months, and severe.
I have been walking around in ballet flats for many many years and I like shoes with thin leather soles and of course pointy pumps (leather sole is a must). Because I live in Sweden we take our shoes off when inside the home/other peoples home. So most of the time I am barefoot in side walking around on hardwood floors. I don’t have problems with my feet. I run in race shoes that has thinner soles and if I have pointy shoes I always exercise my big toes when back home = put an elastic hair band on your big toes and pull. Problem solved = you can walk around and be fashionable without destroying your feet. 👣I also exercise my feet.
As a former cross country runner, our trainer shoes were either barefoot or as close to barefoot as possible. Even the racing shoes.
I jumped from cushioned to barefoot in parkour a year and a half ago. I’m so cooked 😅
I am currently using Altar shoes so I can transition to Barefoot shoes. I spent barefoot while inside the house, use toe spacers so I can train the muscles on my foot gradually.
Does it have copper for grounding?
A 3min short video first time to see.
the biggest benefits for me is that it helped with my winged scapula since the posture changed i still have it but not the same and it have been years since i switched to barefoot shoes zero drop and to barefoot sandals
It's really not that complicated if you don't want it to be, just take em off if you're hurt
If it's making injury what about people who don't wear shoe/slipper and walks barefoot for their lifetime
And what happen when you will keep your feet on nails in minimalist sole
Everything good except the thumbnail
Ever since buying barefoot shoes, I don’t have any issues in my left knee anymore. ❤ I’m hoping my ankles will become more mobile soon, too!
Edit: I noticed that I don’t trip over uneven floors anymore. I would have that problem all the time at work because I couldn’t feel the ground!
I'd also add make sure you have good dorsiflexion ankle mobility otherwise plantar fasiaitis risk increases