Foot-Healthy Shoes, Barefoot Shoes are Trending
We all come into the world barefoot, and our feet have evolved over time into delicate works of art that must meet diverse demands to literally carry us through life.
However, our lives have changed significantly more during human development than our feet.
Unfortunately, this often comes at the expense of our feet.
We live longer and unhealthier, and often subject our musculoskeletal system to (too) much weight.
But our ingenuity has also come up with numerous things to better cope with the various challenges with shoes.
Different shoes often fulfill specific functions and are intended to optimally support the feet in their respective tasks.
The catch:
Through unnatural support, we often cause long-term damage to our feet, which can also affect the entire body.
Even tension in the back or neck, as well as headaches, can have their origin in the feet and be caused by incorrect shoes.
Now, the surfaces on which we move in our modern and unnatural environment are often hard and cold, so shoes must also fulfill a certain protective function.
In recent years, a new group of shoes has emerged, often referred to as "barefoot shoes" or "minimalist shoes."
These shoes have three common characteristics:
- Zero-drop (i.e., without heel cushioning, for healthy posture)
- Very flexible sole (natural walking movements)
- Ample toe room (natural gripping and spreading reflexes of the toes)
Barefoot shoes strengthen the foot muscles, improve posture, and ultimately enable or maintain foot health.
Can diseased feet be healed again by healthy shoes?
Good question!
This is controversially discussed by experts.
Simply explained:
There are the "supporters" who promise relief for diseased feet through supportive measures such as insoles.
(Millions of people wear insoles in their shoes)
But there is also a faction of "strengtheners" who, for example, see barefoot shoes as a panacea, because a strong foot is fundamentally more capable.
Do so many people really need to wear insoles?
That would probably lead to a controversial discussion.
As is well known, the truth often lies in the middle, or conversely, for certain feet, relief and/or healing is only possible through specially coordinated and adapted footwear.
Diabetic and rheumatic feet, for example, should avoid barefoot walking on hard surfaces and are much better off with softer support.
Diseased feet should generally consult an expert and pay attention to foot-healthy footwear.
Anyone looking for healthy shoes and appreciating natural movement will certainly be well advised with barefoot shoes.
However, there are also other foot-healthy shoes that allow and support the toe-gripping reflex but have a firmer and more supportive sole construction.
Deep footbed sandals with cork are mentioned here as an example, with which millions of feet are happy and satisfied.
Personal advice:
I would not make walking, running, and standing a religion or science, where one rigidly tries to walk and run optimally.
The best guides for movement are naturalness and a good feeling.
Foot-Healthy Slippers
Cozy comfort and well-being are certainly the primary feelings people associate with slippers.
Secondary characteristics then usually include durability, appearance, material, and wearing properties.
Foot health also plays an important role in slippers, as one usually moves on hard, unhealthy floors indoors.
If you prefer barefoot slippers, you need a model that is as flexible as possible with a zero-drop, toe freedom, and a thin sole.
Natural movements should always and everywhere be possible indoors as well.
Cozy comfort and well-being are automatically felt through wool felt, which feels like jogging pants for your feet.
The WoolFit brand has developed an ideal barefoot slipper in cooperation with two German last manufacturers.
Equally natural and comfortable is the Woolfit Classic model, where you can replace a wonderful wool felt footbed with your existing orthopedic footbeds (insoles).
WoolFit has set itself the goal of offering an optimal solution made of pure virgin wool for every foot in the house.
