Not all barefoot shoes are created equal: what to look for and why it matters

Barefoot shoe specialist Lisandro Serra Delmar, founder of Gaucho Ninja, explains the benefits of barefoot shoes and what to look for when buying your first pair…

“When you look at the newborn baby, and you see the foot open, it looks like a sort of fan, right? It has a very open shape. And that is the human shape. That’s the natural shape of our foot. However, modern shoe designs constrict our feet and are designed for us to feel as little as possible as we move around. Barefoot shoes, by contrast, offer a close-to-natural experience as possible – as if walking barefoot, but with protection.

This concept is finally gaining traction. We’re witnessing an exciting surge of new brands and barefoot shoe options thanks to our shift in consciousness, a change in aesthetics, and our growing desire to reconnect with the natural world.

The benefits of wearing barefoot shoes

My passion for barefoot shoes runs deep. Wearing them evokes a sense of freedom, connection, and, I would go as far as to say, an ancestral feeling. 

There are practical benefits, too. Barefoot shoes encourage natural movement, and this can help to strengthen foot muscles and improve foot mechanics.

Wearing barefoot shoes is also known to increase ‘proprioception’, which is our body’s ability to sense its position, motion, and equilibrium. Essentially, as we feel the ground more acutely, our body can make more precise adjustments to our stride, balance, and posture.

This can also promote improved posture and better alignment of the spine. In many cases it can contribute to reducing back, hip, and knee pain associated with misalignment and improper gait patterns.

Three key principles essential to barefoot shoes

When our feet are unshod, they enjoy unrestricted freedom, which allows for complete expansion, contraction, flexibility, and movement – much like our hands. To create this freedom for our feet, there are three key principles that essential to barefoot shoes:

1. Thin and flexible sole

A thin and flexible sole allows for natural movement. The thinness enhances your ability to feel the terrain underfoot, contributing to better natural foot movement and a heightened sense of contact with the ground. They are lightweight and flexible, which allows your foot to bend and move freely and naturally.

2. A wide toe shape

A wide toe box accommodates the asymmetrical shape of the human foot. This design feature is crucial for enhancing balance and stability, and for allowing the toes to spread naturally.

3. A flat ‘zero-drop’ sole

This means the heel and toe are at the same level, which helps to maintain a natural alignment of the spine and promotes a more natural foot position. Conventional shoes, even trainers, with elevated heels encourage heel strike rather than a more natural mid-foot or forefoot stride. As such, a ‘zero-drop’ sole reduces the risk of injury when walking or running.

Gaucho Ninja’s best-sellers:

Goodyear Welted Barefoot Chukka Boots

£285

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Sneaky Ninjas | Barefoot Retro Trainers White

£129

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Sneaky Ninjas | Barefoot Safety Trainers

£169

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‘Barefoot’ shoes to avoid

Naturally, there is huge variation in the market and not all shoes marketed as ‘barefoot’ uphold these principles. Two aesthetics to avoid are designs with wide, pointy toe caps or faux zero-drop heels.

These designs hold onto the traditional notion that shoes must be pointy and elevated to be considered ‘proper’. But, these compromises can detract from the health benefits of genuine barefoot shoes, which should primarily enhance well-being and comfort.

Conscious footwear is all about balance

Additionally, barefoot shoes should be breathable, crafted from natural materials, and offer a protective layer to safeguard the feet.

At its best, the barefoot philosophy extends beyond the human benefits. By selecting shoes made from eco-friendly, ethically sourced materials, we can exist in ecological balance, too.

At Gaucho Ninja, we opt for vegetable-tanned leather sourced from artisan tanneries, where hides are often obtained as by-products of the meat industry. I love this type of leather because it is durable and ages beautifully. More than this, buying the leather from artisan tanneries helps to preserve traditional tanning methods and cultural heritage. As such, the shoes I craft are connected to the land and the people. They are also designed to be repaired and resoled, so they will accompany you on adventures across your lifetime.”

Main image: Gaucho Ninja Barefoot Pals