Do you suffer from back pain, headaches, knee pain, deformed toes from classic shoes and are you looking for a way to fix it? Choose barefoot shoes and your problems will gradually subside.
If you're hesitant about trying barefoot shoes and are wondering if it's a step in the right direction, we’re here to tell you – don't be afraid. It's fair to say that barefoot shoes are experiencing a boom. More and more people are coming back to the roots, and it makes us happy. Everyone has their own reasons why they want to try barefoot shoes. The most common one is looking for solutions to their health issues that come up during walking or running. That is quite logical, considering the fact that conventional shoes offer only a little room to the foot.
Barefoot shoes provide enough space so that the foot can move properly, including the thumb. Long gone are the days when barefoot shoes made a strange or funny impression. The current product range is wide and includes a plethora of shapes, materials and brands, from athletic shoes to formal ones.
A Room for Feet, Flexible Sole and Right Drop
When the foot lands on the ground, it naturally stretches, expands and. Try standing barefoot with your feet side by side and bend one leg at the knee. Can you see the difference between your foot on the ground and the one in the air? Feet need room to move naturally. Regular shoes don't allow that. They're usually very firm, narrow and have heels.
A narrow shoe not only prevents the foot from extending laterally but also unnaturally pushes the big toe against the other toes, leading to bunions. It's a widespread problem and, what's more, quite painful. The big toe is the core of correct walk. You'd be surprised to know that a misaligned thumb can lead to spine-related headaches.
Another problem is a stiff and inflexible sole. The foot has no contact with the ground, it doesn't respond to stimuli, it stops developing. The feet are stiff and numb at the same time. The brain doesn't receive enough information about the surface on which we move on and the body doesn‘t adapt.
Another important difference between conventional shoes and barefoot shoes is the drop. That is the difference in height between the toe and heel. What happens when we put a wedge, even a small one, under the heel? Our whole posture changes completely. We push our knees forward, we tuck our pelvis, and we stick our head out to balance ourselves. It's a common posture, but not a natural one.
It causes health issues; but that's a topic for a different article. If your knees hurt when you run, take a look at your shoes. Your heel is probably higher than your toes; even a centimetre can cause increased stress on the menisci and ligaments in your knee.
Barefoot shoes provide room for all your toes and allow your foot to expand on footstrike. They feature a flexible sole, that allows us to feel the surface we are walking on, and a zero drop. By switching shoes, you affect several factors that contribute to a healthier posture and a more natural gait. And that's worth a shot, at the very least.
Choosing Your First Barefoot Shoes
Have you decided to give barefoot shoes a try and now you're wondering what's the first step? Changing your entire shoe collection might be expensive. We recommend that you take it slow. If you have worn regular shoes your whole life, switching to barefoot shoes might require acclimatisation. Get shoes for leisure activities that you don't spend all day in. You'll look forward to putting them on.
When choosing, don't go by your current shoe size, but measure your foot size correctly.
Remember that the shoe should have enough room for your foot.
Leave room in front of your big toe.
Take measurements of your foot width as well. You may have a narrow or wide foot and take this into account when choosing the most suitable brand.
The shoe has to fit – don't let it be too big or too tight.
Watch out for your instep height.
It must feel good the first time you put the shoes on.
First Steps in Barefoot Shoes
The walking and running mechanics are different. At first, you may consider your gait to be contorted, unnatural and uncomfortable. Yes, you have to learn how to walk properly. Remember not to heel strike. Barefoot shoes don't have cushioned soles and have zero drops, which means that all shocks caused by impacts hit the knees and ankles directly.
We recommend you to train your feet on unstable surfaces, by self-massages, special rugs or walking barefoot in natural terrain. If you're feeling lost send us a message. We are here to help with switching to barefoot walking and running.
Benefits
Some changes you will feel immediately, others will start to manifest themselves gradually. You may experience pain in your feet, ankles, calves or knees after you switch to barefoot shoes. This is because you are starting to use your feet to their full extent. It can be quite a shock to your "lazy " muscles and ligaments.
The change in posture is visible immediately, and if you include a little stretching, bringing your shortened muscles into their original form will be easier. You will start to feel the pain in your knees and lower back disappearing. Take your time. Healthy and pain-free walking and running are great benefits of barefoot shoes.
For Sports or the Office
Long gone are the days when only a certain type of people wore wide, strangely-looking shoes. Thanks to the large, expanding product range, you can choose shoes for any activity while looking trendy. Choose according to your life values; some brands use recycled materials, others prefer leather, and you can find vegan shoes as well.
You can even put your little ones in barefoot shoes and support the healthy development of their feet. By purchasing barefoot shoes for your little ones, you can promote the healthy development of their feet.
Whether you want to go to the opera or jump over puddles, you will definitely choose.