Barefoot Shoes

I too am tempted with barefoot shoes and my physio says they are fantastic When weather warm enough I go barefoot inside. I also like to try before I buy
I have read that if you are not used to going barefoot that you should take time to get used to them as you use different leg muscles to when you wear hells

Can you explain what these are, Curtaintwitcher? I've not heard of them.

Chocolatelovinggran

Can you explain what these are, Curtaintwitcher? I've not heard of them.

Google is your friend.

Google - they’ve very thin and lightweight. Hard to describe really.

I am sceptical not least because my podiatrist has absolutely forbidden me to walk around barefoot at home (plantar fasciitis) but to wear eg Birkenstocks or supportive shoes with orthotic insoles.
These would defeat the object for me.

I thought you needed a good sole to a shoe? For walking outside? After all we walk on pavements now not on grass. One of my DD’s walks around barefoot nearly all the time indoors and it’s made her feet spread.😲

I have always walked around inside and sometimes outside barefoot. The podiatrist says my wide feet are inherited and bad shoes or going barefoot makes no difference to them.

How would a podiatrist know what you had ‘inherited’ ?
My DD never had wide feet in the past, even she bemoans it happening.

RosiesMaw

I am sceptical not least because my podiatrist has absolutely forbidden me to walk around barefoot at home (plantar fasciitis) but to wear eg Birkenstocks or supportive shoes with orthotic insoles.
These would defeat the object for me.

Me too. It's fine most of the time but in the height of summer, when everyone is wearing pretty sandals, it's very difficult to know what to wear.

If they're what I think they are, they look rather creepy! I can't look at the adverts for them. But that's just me.

I've just started wearing these to work, doing 12 hr shifts, very comfy , stretches your whole foot and legs , but I'm always barefoot at home .

They seem to be lightweight and just suitable for dry weather and indoors. There are very mixed reviews on Amazon, some say they're brilliant and others that they're dreadful and cause hip pain. I would definitely try using for an hour or two for the first few days, then just the morning, so your feet can get used to them.

If you google plantar fasciitis and barefoot shoes it says they're good! So anyone with PF should maybe ask their foot specialist/podiatrist about this.

You must have very warm homes to go barefoot at home in this weather. I'm still in my fleecy winter slippers!

I did buy some 'house' sandals from a charity shop to wear on warm day or when outside. They have a small heel.

For years I wore flat shoes or went barefoot in the house but now my ankles are caved in so wearing a raised heel feels better for me.

I wouldn't buy or wear these for that reason. No more flatties for me!

It sounds like a gimmick to me. My flat is fully carpeted except for mini kitchen and shower room. It feels quite luxurious to walk barefoot. In the right weather it's lovely to walk barefoot over a freshly mown lawn. Why spoil the sensation by wearing soled shoes?

Walking barefoot on cobbled streets ? No thankyou

Thanks for your responses. I'm still undecided. I walk everywhere and need comfortable shoes.

If they're what I think they are, they don't look very supportive to me.

If your feet are strong and would appreciate a workout I'm sure they'd be fine but not for me. 🙂

barefoot 'trainers' are minimalist footwear so not for the feet of the elderly foot which may have problems! That is my opinion having just googled and looked at various types.

anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-minimalist-shoe-brands-beginners/
To be considered a true barefoot shoe, it must have all of the following characteristics:

Wide Toe Box – Toe freedom supports the movement of your entire body.
Flat – No arch support or heel rise (zero drop) for stable, functional movement.
Flexible – So your feet can bend like they would if barefoot.

so not for me.

Definitely not for me, with both plantar fasciitis and neuropathy. I need something with good soles that I can feel on my feet. I lose my balance if I try to walk with bare feet.

I would imagine not suitable for the obese either, as their weight will put added strain on the tendons of the feet. Maybe for the young and fit they would be okay.

I’ve got some, for PF. I cannot say they’ve improved it and on some surfaces eg large gravel it’s painful to walk! I wouldn’t recommend them.

I bought a pair on-line. Very disappointed with them. No support , and when walking on uneven surfaces I felt I was going to fall. Wore them about six times but found them uncomfortable. Gave them to charity shop last month, Hopefully someone else will get some use from them.

Best thing since sliced bread!!! I have a number of them and they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. The toes can spread out, the contact with the ground is great and they make walking a joy!

I have been wearing them last winter after foot surgery and I don’t think I could have gone out if I hadn’t bought them as I certainly could not get ordinary shoes and boots on.

Yes, they were purchased online through Amazon but if you get the right size for you first time - I did not encounter a problem.

These are the ones I lived in last winter. Not flimsy at all, my whole foot felt very supported without being cramped.
I do not have Plantar Facilitis btw.

There was a fashion for Scholl sandals(wooden soles) and I wore them for about two years. My feet spread out and went up from a size 5 to 6 !! Be careful with your feet- fashions can cause damage like pointy toed stiletto shoes did !