It all starts with our feet. From helping us make the first contact with the earth, our feet become faithful companions that guide us around the world. And that’s why we keep preaching about the benefits of going barefoot.

 

Barefoot shoes are designed in a way that allows our feet to grow naturally and with no outer interference. Most conventional shoes are either too narrow or too cushioned. This often leads to sore feet, bunions, and can even damage our joints. If this is something you find yourself experiencing too, then you might want to transition to barefoot shoes.

 

The shape of barefoot shoes mirrors perfectly the natural curve of the feet. Along with the thin zero-drop sole, it allows our feet to bend, stretch, and properly distribute forces when we’re walking. We’ve already talked about the benefits of barefoot shoes for kids, and the same concept applies to adults: shoes shape our feet.

 

So, if you’re considering making the switch to barefoot shoes, we’ve put together a few useful tips! Let’s get started!

 

1. Don’t rush into it

For us, there’s nothing more relaxing than walking barefoot. However, when you’re trying to get back to the basics, it might be not as enjoyable as expected. Not at first, at least. Why? Because your feet have been accustomed to wearing padded shoes all the time! You have to play it safe and slowly work your way into this.

 

One option would be to buy gradually shoes with a lower and lower heel-to-toe drop, from 12 millimeters down to zero-drop. But if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on three or even four different pairs of shoes, you could also start directly with a zero-drop.

 

Even so, if you want to safely transition to barefoot shoes, we don’t advise you to wear them all day long your first time. Instead, integrate them into your daily routine, step by step ;).

 

2. Get ready for going barefoot

To get used to the new feeling, set your regular shoes aside and go completely barefoot for at least 10 minutes every day. Just until you’re comfortable enough to adjust to barefoot shoes. Since they’ll feel like a second skin, it shouldn’t be too difficult, right?

 

Walking barefoot in your house or on the beach will easily do the trick. Either way, it’s essential to allow our feet and body to adapt to the changes. Did you know we have over 200 000 nerve endings in each foot? They create vital sensory feedback, keeping our mind and body always connected to our feet.

 

And as far as safety is concerned, we don’t recommend walking barefoot on hard surfaces like concrete or sharp gravel. There’s a strong debate over how our feet can adapt on hard surfaces, but keep in mind that we still need minimal padding to protect our feet from cuts, dangerous parasites, slippery surfaces, or possible burns.

 

3. Try some foot exercises

As we mentioned earlier, it’s tricky to reset and go barefoot all of a sudden. But just like any other intense workout, even though your feet and calves might get sore, in the end, they will become stronger.

 

So, you might want to consider foot exercises. Yes, our toes need to work out too! Stretching our feet is crucial for a smooth transition to barefoot shoes. In order to help relax tight muscles and tendons after your first barefoot walk, we recommend doing a set of exercises every day (it won’t last more than 30 minutes, pinky swear).

 

There are tons of tutorials on the Internet, but as a beginner, you could try these 5 simple foot exercises at home from our dear friend Anya. P.S.: they’re also a great way of exercising good posture, balance, and flexibility all together!

 

4. Make sure you’re wearing the right size

All feet are different, and not all shoes fit the same way. When buying barefoot shoes, make sure to correctly measure the length and the width of your feet. For our Tikki® shoes, you can always check out our size guide.

 

Here’s the rule of thumb: the more space the toes have to splay, the better the overall bodyweight distribution and posture will become. The big toe plays a fundamental role in the development of the walk. It supports the whole body, stabilizes the arch, and provides balance. So, if you don’t squeeze your toes inside your shoes, they will deeply thank you! :)

 

Also, as your feet slowly transition back to their natural shape, it’s really common for them to get a bit wider. After all, it’s how they should be! Listen to what your feet are telling you and keep on rocking those barefoot shoes.

 

5. Be patient

How long does it take to transition to barefoot shoes? As much as we’d love it, adjusting to barefoot shoes is definitely not an overnight process.

Even if it’s a different journey for everybody, one thing that’s truly important is that you make the switch gradually. . What matters the most is to feel comfortable and monitor your body’s response. So, if the transition is too painful at first, just take a break, and allow your feet to heal.

Getting back to the basics requires some time, but consistency is key. Our feet are amazingly adaptable and they will get stronger if we take care of them properly.

 

Make The Switch

In the end, there’s no perfect shoe for anyone. But we truly believe that barefoot shoes do make a difference. Zero-drop, wide toe box, flexible sole, lightweight materials, all working together towards the same goal: strong feet and a healthy gait.

Starting from our first steps, we’re spending most of our lifetime wearing shoes. So, why would we distress our feet with uncomfortable footwear?

We’ll stop you right here and help you make a healthy transition to barefoot shoes. Basically, it all comes down to choosing what works best for you and gradually increase wear-time. You might want to do some foot exercises to ease the switch but just take your time.

There’s no need to be hasty!

 

Are you ready to start your new journey with some Tikki® shoes? There’s a wide range of models to choose from, just have a look through our barefoot shoes collection!!