Healthy shopping: Barefoot shoes to free your sole

Curious about barefoot shoes? Joanna Evans shares some of the standout brands worth stepping into

Posture therapist Eleanor Dalton recommends transitioning to barefoot shoes to improve your posture, foot health and more. Here are some top barefoot shoe brands to consider, all available in the US and UK. All offer shoes that have a wide toe box, a secure design and a totally flat (zero-drop), thin, flexible sole with no padding to allow you to walk properly.

Vivobarefoot
vivobarefoot.com

Leading barefoot brand Vivobarefoot has a huge range of shoe options for men, women and kids—from hiking, running and training shoes to everyday sneakers, sandals and more formal styles. And if for any reason you’re not happy with your Vivos, you can return them for free within 100 days, no questions asked.

Earth Runners
earthrunners.com

Inspired by ancient huarache running sandals, US-based Earth Runners offers minimalist sandals for adults and children featuring grounding technology to facilitate electron transfer between your body and the earth. With four different models available and a choice of lacing options, there’s plenty of flexibility to find a style that suits your needs and preferences.

Wildsole
wildsolesandals.com

Wildsole offers unisex barefoot adventure sandals in a wide range of colors and styles—from the ultra-thin Hare to the beginner-friendly Lynx to the super-flexible kids’ model, Goat. All the sandals are handmade in Yorkshire and have one thin, continuous strap that can be easily adjusted to fit every foot.

Feelgrounds
feelgrounds.com

Austrian brand Feelgrounds specializes in vegan, sustainable barefoot shoes for urban everyday life. There’s a good selection of sneakers, sandals, boots and slip-ons, plus options for workwear and kids, too.

Xero Shoes
US: xeroshoes.com; UK: xeroshoes.co.uk

Whether you’re in the market for sandals or snow boots, sneakers or hiking shoes, Xero has something to suit you. The company specializes in simple, durable designs made from renewable materials whenever possible.

Softstar Shoes
softstarshoes.com

Handcrafted in the US, Soft Star shoes are made from sustainably sourced leather and sheepskin, so they’re excellent if you’re looking for a more natural option. As well as sneakers, sandals, boots and running shoes, the brand offers ballerina flats, Mary Janes, moccasins and slippers, and many designs are customizable.

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