Why is it worth walking barefoot?

Walking barefoot definitely dates back to ancient times. When humans took their first steps on the earth, they had no choice but to walk barefoot. The feet of our ancestors were resistant to minor injuries, wide, and very strong. With evolution and the development of technology, shoes emerged in most societies, and over these several hundred years, our feet have changed. Of course, a lot depends on the culture we come from or where we live, but let's not hide it — we can call ourselves "foot Muggles" because the art of walking barefoot has faded away.

However, you can counteract this and take care of your mental comfort, well-being, strong and healthy feet, and thus your whole body. We’re not exaggerating, walking barefoot truly provides these benefits. We’ll dive deeper into them in this article!

How is the human foot built?

The human foot consists of 26 bones surrounded by muscles. It contains hundreds of thousands of nerve endings, and there are 107 muscles in the feet. The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in our body.

Anatomically, the foot can be divided into three parts:

Midfoot – A flexible part of the foot that absorbs shock while walking, made up of five bones.
Hindfoot – A less mobile and stiff part of the leg that carries the body weight, consisting of seven bones.
Toes – Provide stability to the foot, with the big toe playing a significant role during walking and running; the toes consist of fourteen phalanges, with the big toe having two phalanges and the other toes having three.

In this article, we will focus on these three parts, as most deformities or inflammations occur within them.

Why?

We all know what most modern shoes look like today. Cramped toes and a raised heel that absorbs walking or running impact. We have been wearing such shoes practically since childhood, so it’s no wonder that society increasingly suffers from foot pain, bunions, tendonitis, and other conditions.

The heel itself cannot absorb any impact, but comfortable running shoes do all the work for us. So why run, for example, from the midfoot? If you've ever run barefoot from the heel, you probably had to deal with... headaches! Where did they come from? Well, the shock from the heel can travel through the entire spine up to the head. Quite something, right?

And this is where the problem lies.

Why modern shoes can be a threat to the foot

Most modern footwear, regardless of the age at which we wear them, share common features.

Raised heels, which not only somewhat replace cushioning but also force the heel-to-toe motion. Practically all the time, we also have a drop from heel to toe, which also forces an unnatural position of the foot.
We won’t even mention the popular and beloved high heels or shoes with a heel. We wrote about the dangers associated with them in this article.
The narrow front squeezes the toes, causing inflammations and, over time, issues like bunions.
Weak quality shoes can weaken the muscles of the foot, leading to conditions like flat feet or foot deformities (have you ever "twisted" your foot?).
We have been wearing such shoes practically since taking our first steps. No wonder more and more people have foot problems.
Well, we’ve alarmed you a bit, but don’t worry. We have plenty of advice on how to counteract this and strengthen the feet, not only in this article but also in other posts on our blog.

Do you need to "specifically" start walking barefoot?

When it comes to walking barefoot, there is no special technique or method. You simply have to start. However, if you have any foot problems, we recommend not rushing into running a marathon barefoot. It's best to start in your own garden. Frequent barefoot walking provides many benefits, from mental relaxation to sensations resembling foot massages, stimulation of the soles, etc. Walking barefoot allows you to focus more on various support points of the foot, and over time, you'll notice that your toes will naturally tend to "spread" to provide the best support.

When we start walking barefoot more consciously (not just at home in socks, but, for example, on grass, "feeling the foot"), at first, you may not notice many benefits, but over time, many will appear. What kind of benefits? Read on!

The Benefits of Walking Barefoot

There’s no doubt that, unless you’re walking on glass, walking barefoot has many benefits. Some are supported by research, while others are not. As with anything, we recommend doing your own research, but we’ll definitely show you some interesting information and studies.

So what are the most important benefits of walking barefoot?

Walking barefoot strengthens the muscles of the feet. All you have to do is walk barefoot for a while, especially on sand. We guarantee you’ll feel sore the next day. Walk barefoot as often as you can and you’ll quickly notice healthier feet.
Walking barefoot hardens the body. If you go outside in the fall on cold grass or, for the more advanced, in the winter on snow, it won’t feel very pleasant, but studies confirm that this practice strengthens your immunity.
Walking barefoot improves circulation in the feet, and experiencing different surfaces with your bare feet stimulates the nervous system.
Walking barefoot helps children develop stronger feet. This translates to later years and also affects other parts of the body, like the entire leg, hips, and posture.
A controversial opinion is that direct contact between the foot and the ground allows for grounding. Free radicals exchange electrical charges with the Earth, which translates to better well-being. However, there is no conclusive research supporting this benefit.
Finally, walking barefoot is a natural foot massage. The stimulation of the soles by various external factors can simply be... pleasurable.
Because of the above, walking barefoot relieves tension throughout the body.
Have we convinced you? It’s time to start!

Can barefoot shoes replace walking barefoot?

If you want to go for long walks, ensuring that your feet are naturally positioned not only during exercise but also while working or running errands (it would be awkward to walk into a store barefoot), it's worth considering barefoot shoes.

Such shoes, due to their construction, give the sensation that you have bare feet. Why?

Barefoot shoes are:

Completely flat (zero drop) – they allow for maintaining proper posture. Breathable and very lightweight – you won’t feel like you have them on your feet. Incredibly flexible – your foot can finally work naturally. Wide at the toes – the shoes don’t squeeze your toes, they don’t pinch. Thin, wear-resistant sole – maximum sensory feedback and additional acupressure. Made of the highest quality materials – the shoes will last a long time. Fully functional shoes – you’ll shed the weight of uncomfortable, stiff footwear. If you want to try them, you can find them in our store.