• ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net
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      5 days ago

      I started with these. Unfortunately only available on amazon, but they were an affordable way to try them, and they’ve been surprisingly durable!

      Once I confirmed that I loved the barefoot style, I eventually invested in some vivobarefoot boots as well, and those have been fantastic. (If you go that route someday, look for them on eBay and wait for a deal).

      • Dharma Curious (he/him)@slrpnk.net
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        5 days ago

        Okay, cool! I thought you meant those toe shoes at first. What makes them “barefoot” shoes? Is it just the wide toe box?

        For me, I actually go up a full shoe size when I stand vs when sitting. I got my feet sized all through childhood and my 20s and always had horrible pain in shoes, and ended up learning this when I went to a podiatrist. My feet squish out like playdoh when I stand up. Lol. I’ve been treating my podiatrist shoes with kid gloves for years now because I lost the food insurance lol

        • ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net
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          5 days ago

          Toe shoes would qualify as barefoot too, but I they’re just a more extreme version I think.

          Barefoot shoes usually have 3 traits:

          • Zero Drop - The shoe is the same height from the back to the front, so your heel isn’t higher up than your toes
          • Flexable, thin soles with no arch support - Allows you to feel the ground and build up strength in your feet and arches
          • Wide toe box, to allow for your feet to retain their natural shape for comfort and stability.

          This video does a good job of explaining why those other two traits are desirable.