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Barefoot Shoes

(47 Posts)
Curtaintwitcher Fri 14-Jun-24 07:09:35

Has anyone here tried the current trend for barefoot shoes? They are supposed to help with all sorts of foot problems. I'm very tempted to buy a pair, but they only seem to be available by post. I like to try shoes on before I buy.

Oreo Wed 21-Aug-24 09:08:23

I wear Crocs at work, very comfy.

Johnn1 Wed 21-Aug-24 07:37:37

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Sallywally1 Wed 14-Aug-24 23:53:17

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?

Shinamae Wed 07-Aug-24 18:44:09

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

OnwardandUpward Wed 07-Aug-24 00:20:32

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

Cabbie21 Tue 06-Aug-24 21:24:18

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.

Iam64 Tue 06-Aug-24 12:30:07

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

farmgran Tue 06-Aug-24 11:40:08

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

Buttonjugs Tue 06-Aug-24 10:24:35

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.

Norah Tue 18-Jun-24 21:53:02

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.

glammagran Tue 18-Jun-24 21:48:28

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.

lemsip Tue 18-Jun-24 20:42:02

oh stupid me" I'll delete

lemsip Tue 18-Jun-24 20:41:28

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JRTW2 Tue 18-Jun-24 20:25:17

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

Juggernaut Tue 18-Jun-24 18:40:49

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!

sunglow12 Tue 18-Jun-24 18:29:07

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 !

4allweknow Tue 18-Jun-24 16:20:30

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.

Lettice Tue 18-Jun-24 15:29:34

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.

Ktsmum Tue 18-Jun-24 14:19:35

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

Alison333 Tue 18-Jun-24 14:11:42

'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.

jocork Tue 18-Jun-24 12:53:42

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.

BrandyGran Tue 18-Jun-24 11:51:04

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 !

TillyTrotter Tue 18-Jun-24 11:49:17

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.

TillyTrotter Tue 18-Jun-24 11:42:20

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.

Annsan Tue 18-Jun-24 11:36:24

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!