Barefoot Shoes

I have read that walking barefoot stimulates a nerve in the foot that helps with balance and there are suggestions that people who walk barefoot all the time have less risk of falls. I don't know if there is good evidence for this.

As a diabetic I am not supposed to go barefoot but maybe these shoes would be good for me, though I do like to have a fairly thick sole under me. I wear shoes with a very low heel, almost flat, but maybe completely flat would be good for me.

'Barefoot' shoes should never be worn by anybody who has plantar fasciitis because they have no arch support - they will just make the pain worse.

I've just bought a pair of Reikers Less Stress shoes, they feel.like walking on rubber matting, so comfortable and very shock absorbent

A member of our family is an extreme very long distance runner (deserts and mountains and such). He has been using barefoot shoes for a long time and I recall that he bought them from specialist shops catering to runners. He rated them highly.

Given the Harvard article highlighting going barefoot heightens arches those shoes are not for me. I have found the double strap sandals popular this year are awful as the top strap is too high and tight on my feet having high arches already.

I would never wear them because need supportive boots with arch supports . My daughter in law got some then a pair for my son . They look awful - ugly and not very weatherproof in my opinion for someone who lives where it rains nearly every day . Each to their own !

DS wears barefoot shoes, and finds them wonderful!
He works mainly from home these days though, so is actually barefoot most of the time. On days when he's 'in the office' he's always properly 'suited and booted' though!
The only thing he doesn't like about 'barefoot' shoes is he feels as though he occasionally nudges the clutch pedal as he touches the brakes!

I put in insoles and wore mine for a whole day sightseeing in NYC. They are fantastic. I got the cheapies from Temu. About £10

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oh stupid me" I'll delete

Oreo

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

I think it is highly likely wide feet are inherited. I’ve had wide feet and bunions since my early 20’s. Both my DD1 and DS have the same problem and they are both slim people. DD2 has narrow feet with no hint of bunions at all (takes after her father). How the rest of us envy her.

I'd not be able to wear them, I need high arch support, strong no-bend soles (Birks, Mephisto, Seibel, etc). I'm usually pf-free, but I must be careful.

I wore them for a few months and developed a bunion! Don't ask me how, it makes no sense. My son wears and swears by them but he's young, very slim and active. I'm overweight and have recently been walking 7-9000 steps a day and I would never be able to do that in flatfeet shoes. I have flat feet and plantar fasciitis so definitely need good arch support.

I sent away for some over a year ago n they never arrived! No more online shopping for me.i

Callistemon21

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.

Me 3
The biomechanics podiatrist gave me new insole supports along with a leaflet identifying to best footwear. Hokka came top, I bought a pair and foot,knee and hip pain significantly reduced. He stressed the need for a strong sole

I had plantar fasciitis about five years ago and was advised to wear supportive shoes, which I now do. I haven’t worn sandals recently either as on two occasions I have stubbed my toes and broken a toe, at home wearing slippers, so now I take extreme care of my feet.
These are not for me.

Everyone has different size and shape toes. I cant see how these could work. Not for me anyway. They seem like a gimmick and I like birkenstocks or other arch support shoes

I have flat feet to these would be a no-no for me..

I would caution people against using a company called peak footwear. I sent off for some, silly me, they look horrible, so I want to send them back. However they are based in China and I have to pay for the return! It will be a lot of money. Should I just re gift and put it down to experience?

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I wear Crocs at work, very comfy.