Esther Pedro investigates the allure and science of barefoot shoes.
Barefoot shoes, or minimalist shoes, are designed to protect your feet while allowing you to walk or run like your ancestors.
Barefoot shoes are fundamentally very different from regular shoes. To emulate the feel of walking barefoot, the shoes have thin & flexible soles with little-to-no cushioning, which allows you to feel the ground beneath your feet. The heel and toe are at the same level, which makes for a “zero drop shoe”. The front of the shoe is wider and squarer, enabling for the toes to spread out naturally. Long-term use can actually cause the foot to expand, meaning that barefoot walkers often have to increase their size when returning to regular shoes.
People normally walk with a heel strike, but barefoot shoes require you to walk on the front or middle of your foot and shorten your stride. The design encourages a more natural walking style and engages different muscles, leading to a more controlled and efficient movement pattern. New barefoot shoe wearers can feel as though they have worked their calves like never before. Some wearers also feel that their knees and joints are less stressed because the impact of walking and running is absorbed by the calf instead.
The shoes are also known to strengthen the muscles and bones within the feet. Without the cushioning and restriction of regular shoes, ligaments and tendons in the foot are better engaged, increasing strength and flexibility and potentially reducing injuries.
While there are amazing benefits to making the switch, it is not something to do overnight. It will take your feet time to adjust to the lack of cushioning and more freedom of movement. It is advisable to start slowly with short walks and build up gradually to prevent injury.
People choose barefoot shoes for various reasons, ranging from improving foot health, posture improvement and enhancing athletic performance. Some simply enjoy the novelty of feeling like a caveman. We are way past the period in which barefoot shoes were only available in the form of ugly toe-gloves. Design-wise there are different types of options to choose from - there are options that resemble typical runners, converse, and even boots. You can enjoy a barefoot lifestyle without looking like bigfoot.