Spoiler alert: Barefoot shoes help with functional strength and mobility.
Amazon / Shape
The rage around minimalism doesn’t just start and stop with makeup and tiny house living.
The less is more ethos is bleeding over into peoples shoe choices, too.
Photo:Amazon / Shape
But that leaves us wondering: are barefoot shoes good for you?
Below you might dive into all of these benefits and more, in detail.
Plus, look into exactly how long it takes to reap these benefits.
What Are Barefoot Shoes, Exactly?
Shoes that aren’t considered barefoot shoes, typically, do not have these features, says Dr. Kuizinas.
A shoe can be zero-drop without being a barefoot shoe," she says.
“Sometimes a zero-drop shoe will be heavily cushioned or have a stiff or supportive sole.”
Are Barefoot Shoes Good for You?
Barefoot shoes allow your feet to move and groove exactly as they would if you were shoe-free.
As the common idiom says, “If you dont use it you lose it.”
In the end, this can offer a range of health and fitness benefits.
Here are specific ways you may benefit from barefoot shoes.
But dont snooze on your below-the-knee-muscles.
Foot, toe, and ankle strength is important, says Dr. Kuizinas.
Consider the lunge or squat, for example.
If you have soundankle mobility, you will be able to move through those movements no problem.
There isnt that same problem with barefoot shoes, says Dr. Fraboni.
This can alsoimprove your overall balance, she says.
And it is especially good news for klutzes.
A wide toe box allows your toes to naturally splay and expand as they do when you walk."
Switching to barefoot shoes can help offset and reduce risk of issues likebunions, hammertoes, and neuromas.
The wider toe box of the shoes allows for proper splaying and flattening of your feet, she says.
Wait, How Quickly Will I Notice These Changes?
Changes will occur very quickly for some, but more slowly for others."
That same sentiment applies to training your feet and ankles with barefoot shoes, he says.
And you really cant rush the process."
Not ideal for anyone looking to improve overall foot health.
Ahead are five specific tips to set you and your tootsies up for success.
“There are some individuals who will not be able to tolerate barefoot shoes.
These muscles will adapt to the load that is placed on them when you start wearing barefoot shoes.”
However, those who are rarely barefoot will have a slower transition period, she says.
For these folks, it can take half a year or more, she says.
Another factor that will impact how long this transition takes is overall foot health and history.
Or, order a bunch online to test out.
There is no one barefoot shoe that is going to be perfect for every foot, he explains.
Dr. Cucuzzella recommends selecting a minimalist walking or every-day shoe to start.
