What are barefoot shoes?

Barefoot shoes respect the foot's natural shape and do not impede its function with “support” or “technologies” that make unfounded claims about injury prevention. You may have heard the words, natural, foot-shaped, minimalist, or zero-drop. This sector of the footwear market is exploding, and for good reason. People are beginning to question the narrative that their feet are so fragile that everyone needs a massive amount of foam and support between their feet and the ground at all times, or they're bound to get injured. As a physical therapist who works with athletes at all levels, I can tell you that foot and ankle dysfunction is at least partially at play with a large portion of my patient's injuries. For someone to show up in my office with no signs of foot and ankle dysfunction and deformity--that's quite rare. Most young people don't recognize the slow onset of “normal” foot deformities and dysfunction (i.e., bunions, hammer toes, fallen arches). The problem is that they won't feel the pain until they're into their 40s and 50s. The American College of Sports Medicine agrees, when selecting running shoes, avoid high, thick cushioning, a high heel to toe drop, and extra stability components, aka, big bulky shoes. People want something better, more natural, and more freeing than the stiff traditional shoes we're used to.

 

The adaptive abilities of the human body are remarkable, so there's no reason to believe your feet can't learn to support themselves like they were designed to. Unfortunately, we have adapted to a fast-food-office-chair-television-from-the-couch-big-bulky-shoe-existence that we know we weren't meant for. Do you wear work boots to the beach? Of course not, we want to feel free! And just like barefoot carefree youngsters playing tag in the park, we deserve to be free as well. We have some work to do to reclaim strong, healthy feet, but the first logical step would be to gain an understanding of what typical footwear is really doing to us.

 

Every Step Counts reviews just some evidence as it relates to this topic from the perspective of a physical therapist and runner. But remember: however excited you may become about reclaiming strong and able feet, you must walk before you run. This book is dedicated to the indigenous peoples around the world, to whom we are forever indebted. Thank you for your wisdom and a reminder of what it means to be a human being. Without the preservation of traditions within
these communities, the barefoot movement would not be possible. Consider making a direct donation to one of the non-profits listed to the right that help to support these communities in an ever rapidly changing world.