The Trap Behind the 'Barefoot' Footwear Trend

Minimalism has been advocated in recent years as a lifestyle that broadly promotes shedding the unnecessary and relying on the fewest things to live. This trend has permeated various productive sectors, some deeply rooted in our province, such as footwear. Minimalism applied to shoes is known as 'barefoot', or in other words, an attempt to emulate the experience of walking barefoot.

This trend has gained momentum, but what features does barefoot footwear have? According to the Biomechanics Institute (IBV), based in the Community, this concept describes footwear with a very thin, flexible sole, zero 'drop' (the difference in height between the heel and the front of the shoe), and a very wide toe box.

Biomechanics experts from the IBV warn that a style of footwear ('barefoot') is being certified, but not whether its ergonomic design is correct or incorrect, and much less whether it is respectful of the foot or its development," IBV sources declare.

However, these sources explain that the fact that the concept has set a fashion trend has led to the emergence of many companies that are marketing "very low-quality and ergonomically inadequate" footwear; and, similarly, many companies have emerged willing to 'certify' that a shoe is barefoot.

For the IBV, the supposed 'barefoot' certificates "can confuse consumers, as characterising footwear in this way says nothing about its quality and ergonomics".

Thus, for example, barefoot footwear is characterised by a very wide toe box that theoretically respects the shape of the foot, but many of these toe boxes do not consider the height of the toes and are excessively low, potentially causing problems with the toes and nails.

Another example is that many of these barefoot products use synthetic materials that are not very breathable, without considering the importance of maintaining adequate temperature and humidity conditions inside the footwear to ensure the user's thermal comfort.

"At the IBV, we receive a large number of inquiries, from athletes to concerned parents, about whether barefoot footwear is better or worse than other footwear. The answer is simple. It depends on the activity to be performed and the characteristics of the specific model," sources from the centre declare.

Consequently, the Biomechanics Institute recommends that consumers not be swayed solely by trends and, regardless of whether they purchase a barefoot product or any other style, check the quality and ergonomics of the footwear.