Two pairs i bought just arrived. Im LOVING them! My slippers aren't this comfortable. My only gripe is why did i have to pay so much for a shoe so minimalistic
* Ive realized i need to add pictures to show people what they are. Its not so much a brand , as a type of shoe. It has to do with a very flat, thin, (no heel rise), flexible sole so you use all your foot muscles. And a wide toe bed for toes to spread out and do their thing. These are basically shoes that offer protection from the ground but enable close to a barefoot feel. There are so many styles its basically unlimited:
Be aware that walking in these requires one to go from a strong heel strike to a more even, flatter, softer strike with your feet, otherwise you might injure yourself.
Shoes today are designed with raised padded heels and even curved footbeds to make walking smoother and easier. Which seems good untill you realize it means we aren't using the full activation of our feet muscles. Long term use of such shoes leads to foot weakness and often toe and bone deformity.
Our whole dody rests on our feet. Keeping them in good condition is paramount.
@Heartlander i got mine from a site called "Pain Free" that sells orthopedic and support wear. But ive been googling and they are everywhere. Id recommend places like Temu, Shein, Amazon etc. they arent a complex shoe and i saw mine on Temu for 1/3 of the price i paid. You can find handmade leather versions, sneakers, boots, all types. The key features are wider toe area and thin flexible soles that allow you to properly use your foot muscles. They are very bendy - these are mine:
@Heartlander i get foot fatigue sometimes from work. And i didn't understand why as i spent $250 on top end Asics sneakers custom fitted to the needs of my feet. But on my days off i csn walk around all day with no shoes on, and im fine Go figure.
I wore these the other day and it was fantastic. My feet felt great. No sore calf muscles, no aching feet - i felt vitalized. Wish i had bought these years ago !
@SwampFlower i wouldn't reccomend going for a 'brand' . They are very much a "basic shoe". Id truly recommend going somewhere cheaper as i found mine (afterwards🙄) on Temu for 1/3 of the price i paid. (And i got a deal by buying two....dammit). The things you need to look for is wide toe space and flexible, no heel, thin soles. Mind you - there are HEAPS of styles if you Google it, so maybe check what style your kid is after as there are heaps out there. There are even ones with 'toes" in them.
@catastrophecarnival They are very thin soled, wider toed shoes. They come in many forms, easy to google. Very 'bendy':
Id truly recommend somewhere cheaper like Temu or Shein or Amazon as there isnt much to them. Im really loving them. I wondered if id get foot fatigue, but luckily i didn't. I only wear shoes when i have to and i wonder if they are what make my feet ache.
These have been a godsend.
They are often in sneaker form, but a look around shows there are various types from handmade leather, to dress styles to even ladies shoes.
@Coralmist no, there are many many brands, (dont buy them - they are overpriced) Its a type of shoe. Its wider toed and more thinly soled than most shoes. The idea being that modern shoes offer too much support, too much heel and not enough room for the toes to do what they are designed to do - resulting in cramped toes, bunions and weak feet. Leading to foot probelms.
Barefoot shoes allow all these things for the feet. The toes can spread out, there is no heel and the soles are thin yet protective. This means you use your foot naturally.
For barefoot walkers like me means i can now have the feel or bare feet and all the balance amd dynamics that go with that, while confirming to work and social standards of footwear. And the comfort it gives me.
For others it offers the chance to strengthen their feet while also keeping them protected .
They are very flexible shoes, you can rill them up they are that flexi:
@NOS4R2 Nice I would really enjoy that. I enjoy being barefoot at home most of the time and I hate heels. I wear flats or sneakers out. Is that the back part of the shoe?
