Barefoot shoes are in trend! They are the new health shoes. And as they become more and more popular, so does the range. There are now countless manufacturers and models. How should one decide. Especially since the shoes are quite expensive, you want to get something for your money.
Exactly for this my barefoot shoes test is. It should help you with your decision. So don’t throw your money away. Trust in our experience.
There are countless barefoot shoe tests on the Internet. Among other things there are real and fake ones. The real ones really test the shoes. So real people try out the barefoot shoes. And then there are the black sheep. They talk about tests, but have never held a barefoot shoe in their hands. Because these sites just evaluate Amazon reviews.
So that speaks specifically for our barefoot shoe test:
Not all that glitters is gold. There’s gotta be something negative on this side. And yes there is:
Here you can find out what is important to us in a barefoot shoe. If other things seem important to you and you miss it, write us an e-mail.
The first impression counts! It’s the same with people and things. We always judge the appearance first.
For us the appearance of a shoe is just as important as the rest. With a beautiful shoe the wearing comfort changes completely. Because it is a pleasure to wear beautiful things.
For us, processing is one of the most important points. Not only for shoes. But especially for expensive barefoot shoes you want to get something for your money.
We look at how the stitching is processed. But also how the sole was glued. Because for us it is important that the shoes last long.
This is probably the most important point of all. If the fit and comfort of a barefoot shoe is not right, all other points are irrelevant. No matter what the shoe looks like or how it is made, if it is uncomfortable, it will not be worn.
Not everything that is barefoot on it is really barefoot in it. The sole of a barefoot shoe must also be very flexible. Therefore we also evaluate the barefoot feeling of each shoe.
Because we have already landed on our bottom with some barefoot shoes, we also test the slip resistance of the soles. Especially with barefoot shoes for certain applications, the grip of the sole is important.
Which materials are used? Are they breathable? Are they durable? You can find that in my test reports.
Probably the least important point in our barefoot shoe test. Before you buy the shoe, it says what the model is intended for. And no one will expect to go to the opera with his barefoot running shoe or vice versa to go jogging in his leather business shoes. Even if it is quite possible.
Barefoot shoes are shoes which are supposed to give the foot a feeling of barefoot. A thin sole provides a better contact of the feet with the ground. Furthermore, the shoes are very flexible and hardly restrict the feet. Therefore barefoot shoes feel more natural, almost like barefoot.
The term barefoot shoes includes some shoes. They do not have to be made from scratch. To recognize a barefoot shoe yourself, the criteria for barefoot shoes will help you.
Not all shoes were made as barefoot shoes. With the growing enthusiasm of many people for barefoot shoes, some manufacturers have simply added the word barefoot shoe or minimal shoe to their product descriptions. And some manufacturers write barefoot on it, but there is no barefoot in it.
Zero heel: Your heel should be level with the ball of your foot.
Flexibility: The soles should bend in all directions. Your feet should be able to bend and twist. I am not talking about twisting the foot as an injury. The ball of your foot should be able to make a so-called torsional movement.
Toe freedom: The chamber for the toes should be large enough that your toes cannot simply move freely. With every step your toes spread out, they need space for this. It is important that your shoe gives you this space.
Lightweight: Barefoot shoes should be as light as possible. Ideally, you should not feel the weight. This way there is only a small flywheel mass on the foot. This means that your knees can swing your feet forward with less effort and do not overstretch so easily.
No cushioning: Barefoot shoes are not cushioned with gel soles. This means that our feet send other signals to the central nervous system. This automatically makes our feet appear softer and tenses our muscles better.
You will notice that there are some shoes that claim to be natural running shoes. The best example would be the Nike Free. They do not meet the zero heel. Furthermore, their sole is inflexible for the torsional movement of the sole of the foot.
Other models are not designed as barefoot shoes, but fulfill all the characteristics. For example, many water shoes are also suitable as barefoot shoes.
Given the advantages of such shoes, everyone should take them. Shouldn’t they? First, we clarify for whom barefoot shoes are particularly suitable.
I can recommend these shoes to just about anyone who wants to benefit from the advantages of these shoes. Because who does not want more stable feet. Therefore, also fewer injuries and susceptibility to diseases. Moreover, even the brain benefits from stronger stimuli from our periphery. And a better balance now is a great investment in the future. Because the risk of fall injuries increases in old age.
But you need fairly healthy feet for barefoot shoes. Because many health problems can worsen with shoes.
Especially when you have a disease on your feet. Then you should avoid barefoot shoes. Of course, I can’t respond to all illnesses.
Let’s take the flatfoot as an example. If you have this problem, you don’t have an arch. This means that your tendons and joints in your feet are already overstrained. A barefoot shoe can make it worse. You should first build up your arch with exercises. Additionally, wear insoles from an orthopaedic surgeon. And this until you have a stronger arch. Then you can switch to barefoot shoes.
This is just an example. I don’t know your feet. And I don’t know your particular problem. Think for yourself if you should wear such shoes. Talk to your doctor and please talk to your physical therapist.
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