Why I wear and recommend barefoot shoes

When I talk about barefoot shoes, most people think of those shoes that look like gloves for your feet. Those are barefoot shoes, some of the first ones of our recent, modern times. However, since then, barefoot shoes have come a long way, there is pretty much a barefoot shoe to meet any style or function requirement. 

Nowadays, there are barefoot shoes to suit all preferences of function, style, quality and budget. A few examples from the Barefoot Kiwi range.

Our feet are designed perfectly to propel us - without the hindrance of shoes. I wear barefoot shoes because I want to give my feet the most natural conditions while I am moving around - that means a wide enough toe box, flexibility, as well as no arch support, cushion or raised heel. Shoes are merely to protect my feet from the surface I'm walking on and to keep them warm or dry.

I recommend barefoot shoes to many of my clients. Why not to all of them? The people who come to me for Structural Reflexology have varying degrees of foot pain or lower leg pain (plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Morton's neuroma, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints) - caused by conventional shoes. Depending on the severity of the pain and their particular shoe history, I may recommend a 'transition' shoe which, along with Structural Reflexology, will allow their feet to regain strength and allow muscles to ease. Transition shoes are flexible, but still have some structure to them. Once they are out of pain and tissues have healed, I recommend they move to barefoot shoes. 

Most barefoot shoes have to be purchased online, however in Auckland we have an excellent source to try on and buy at Barefoot Kiwi. Veronika started Barefoot Kiwi a number of years ago when she couldn't find shoes wide enough for her son's feet. She is passionate and knowledgeable about barefoot shoes with a wide range of quality brands.