What are Barefoot Shoes: features and benefits

1. What isn't barefoot footwear?
2. What are barefoot shoes?
3. Features of barefoot footwear
• Anatomically shaped wide toebox
• Thin, flexible sole
• No drop or heel strike
4. Main benefits of barefoot shoes
• Improved body posture and reduction of discomfort
• Strengthening of muscles and tendons
• Increased proprioception
• Reduced risk of injury
• Increased comfort

When you finish reading this article, you will know more about footwear than the vast majority of the population and, of course, you will be clear (FINALLY) about what this barefoot footwear trend is and what benefits it will bring you.

Sometimes, to understand what something is, the best thing to do is to be told WHAT IT IS NOT.

Here we go.

What isn't barefoot footwear?

Let's see: narrow toes, heels, cushioned trainers, sandals with no grip, trainers with stiff soles, heavy boots... In short, almost all the conventional footwear that people wear in their daily lives.

Traditional footwear (as opposed to barefoot) usually includes cushioning, heel or toe lift, rigid materials and considerable weight. Their design responds more to aesthetics or fashion, without much thought to the functionality of the foot. Other times, it seeks to transform the natural gait of the foot, doing part of the work for it (as is the case with super cushioned shoes).

What is barefoot footwear?

Now yes, with the above information, you will understand this better.

We could say that barefoot is a return to the origins. It takes advantage of everything that is good in the modern world, but it recovers the connection with our environment and, above all, with our body.

Barefoot shoes are designed to respect the natural shape and function of the foot. It allows the foot to expand without constriction, to move freely, as close as possible to your natural gait pattern. This way, every step strengthens your muscles, aligns your body and takes care of your health.

In short, barefoot protects the foot while accompanying it in its natural movement. Its mission is to unleash your body's natural potential, not limit it.

 

Features of barefoot shoes

To be barefoot, a shoe must meet three basic requirements:

Anatomical shape or respectful width

Barefoot shoes are designed to respect the shape of the foot and give the toes enough space. This allows them to expand and fulfil their function of providing balance and propulsion with each stride.

When choosing your next pair of shoes, you have to know that there are only two options: to have a barefoot shoe or to keep squeezing your foot into the shape of a slipper (an option chosen by most adults until now).

Without a doubt, the first option is the better idea.

 

Thin and flexible sole

There are no compromises here. A thin, flexible sole is essential to allow the muscles of the foot to work freely and to make your stride as close to barefoot as possible, but with protection.

Soles can be more or less minimalist, depending on the degree of proprioception you want to experience. Thinner soles connect you more with the ground, allowing you to feel every change in the ground. The important thing is that the sole moves with the foot, without stiffness hindering natural movement.

This flexibility allows the foot to maintain its natural cushioning and adaptive function, strengthening every muscle and tendon naturally.

 

Zero drop or heel tilt

Barefoot keeps the foot level with the ground, without raising the heel. This, known as ‘zero drop’, encourages a natural body posture. Without heel strike, weight is better distributed, helping to avoid imbalances that can affect the back or joints. With the foot in balance, pressure is optimally distributed and the body finds a healthier alignment.

 

Main benefits of barefoot shoes

We already understand its features, so here are the benefits of barefoot shoes.

 

Improved body posture and reduced discomfort

By allowing your feet to remain in their natural posture, barefoot shoes help improve balance and overall body alignment. This reduces tensions and imbalances that often cause pain in the joints, lower back, back or neck.

 

Strengthening muscles and tendons

Barefoot makes the muscles of the foot and leg work, activating and strengthening them. With conventional footwear, many of these muscles become ‘lazy’ and weaken. Anything that is not used atrophies.

After about two months of wearing barefoot, you will notice that your feet and legs start to get stronger.

 

Increasing our proprioception

Proprioception is the body's ability to locate itself in space. With barefoot, proprioception improves as the foot senses the terrain better, adapts to the environment and adjusts its stride.

The foot has an intimate connection with the brain, which registers every step and learns from the terrain. Don't sever that connection: the better you feel the ground, the better your balance and agility.

Let your feet tell you things.

 

Reducing the risk of injury

Adopting a more natural posture and stride technique strengthens your muscles and reduces the risk of injuries such as sprains and plantar fasciitis.

 

Increased comfort

Proprioception, natural balance and respectful width are synonymous with comfort.

Barefoot is pure comfort: with a lightweight design and a shape that respects your foot, you feel agile and free. There comes a time when, wearing barefoot, you don't even remember you're wearing shoes.

Besides, being lighter than conventional shoes, walking barefoot makes you feel more energetic and dynamic, because your feet are there to bear weight, not to carry it.

Undoubtedly, the best thing about this footwear concept is that whoever tries them, repeats.

 

Since your overall well-being starts with your feet, there is no easier way to take care of yourself than to wear the right shoes.

After all, who doesn't want to be a better version of themselves?