Minimal Footwear, Maximal Performance
The 3 companies down below sell unique models of minimal footwear, often called barefoot shoes. What sets them apart is their design and quality while maintaining natural functionality. The links will lead you to Amazon, as I could not (yet?) aquire a coupon code for you.
While the concept of minimal footwear might sound foreign to many they come with many benefits and break with the self-destructive trend that many modern footwear companies are on - cushions here, heel support there, plus a narrow toe box, and whoosh you can hardly be more disconnected from the ground you walk on for hours each day. No wonders that so many people suffer foot pain and even show morphological abnormalities.
Minimal footwear breaks this trend by making functionality its maxime. Most only consist of a thin sole that does one job - protection. No support, no cushion, nothing. You foot and bodily structures do that and did well so for millions of years. Yet transitioning back to this way of working takes time and might come with some issues at first like soreness or pain. But be assured, it is worth it.
All around the World
Nowadays, minimal footwear even looks less like clown shoes and indeed really stylish. Often the only fact that sets them apart is a clearly visible wider toebox that enables your toes to spread and work optimally. These 3 companies are in my opinion for now the best picks:
My Experience
I wear exclusively minimal footwear now for almost 7 years for everything I do - despite special shoes for example for climbing or skiing.
In retrospect, it was a great decision and my feet could hardly be healthier and stronger. Yet the transition took a while - roughly a year until running did not end in extreme soreness or pain, and maybe one more until my technique adapted solidly. But I am also not a big runner.
My first shoe was a Vivobarefoot and since then they are my baseline brand. The other both are more specialized on sandals or hiking shoes.
Further Reading
Benefits of living barefooted - learn about the benefits of living without supported footwear, as well as the detriments of modern shoe fashion.
Feet Health & Mobility - this post goes into the anatomy and workings that go on within your foot on each step, plus it'll teach you a simple protocol that helps you to transition from supported shoes over the months to natural footwear.
