It’s been over 10 years since I started wearing barefoot footwear. I’ve worn non-barefoot shoes on a total of 8 occasions tallying up less than 27 hours in those 10 years. 

I kicked things off in 2013 with the funky but comfy Vivobarefoot Ultras. These wide toe-boxed, amphibious shoes were great for use in Madras’ hideous monsoons that leaves everything mushy and mucky. You could rinse these shoes and use them within an hour. They are still available outside the country. My daughter uses them all the time. 

Sharath Raju  does not get enough credit for having the conviction and knowledge to bring Vivobarefoot to India in 2011! This lasted 3 years.

I made the jump to Luna’s  when it was sold in India as part Amazon Global Program. This program started in 2015 and died in 2018. It’s hard being a good barefoot sandal brand in India. 

So here are five things you need to know about going barefoot: 

1 It is not for everyone. You need to ease into it. Too many people dive into barefoot footwear far too drastically. It might work for the few who naturally favour a forefoot/mid foot strike. But even in those cases, the lack of cushioning will need you to gradually ease into it. Heel strikers will need to retool their stride and strike. The pay off is a philosophical one. Not one of performance. Soft tissue adaptations take months or years to load. You need to start with short walks/jogs and gradually scale things.

2 If you plan to strength train in them, you need to be cautious. The most obvious reason. No cushioning, so dropping stuff on your foot can hurt even worse. Second reason, zero drop means the ankles have to bend for themselves to accommodate a squat or deadlift. This, like running, takes plenty of work. 

3 Using it for an appreciable amount of time. A lot of the useful adaptations of barefoot use such as improved toe splay and better gait comes from using this footwear for hours a day. Not just the occasional walk a couple of times a week. So if you plan to try this, you should factor for repeated, daily and mindful use. This is something you need to work on. Not just slip into. 

4 Not all barefoot sandals are built the same. There are many brands. The best ones use Vibrams soles. Vibrams outsoles come in different compounds meant for hiking, running, walking, gym use etc. Every brand does something different with the footbed. Some mold it with grooves to fit a generic foot. Others use a midsole that shapes to your foot over time. Some use a stickier rubber footbed. Others feel more slick. There are many different straps. It would help to try a pair before you buy. But you only find Luna and Vibram in India through Gambol. No other brands distributes their product in India (Bedrock, Shamma, Zero, Vivo). So your best bet is to try a pair when you travel abroad. 


PS: If you have plantar fasciitis or any other specific issues, it is best to consult a professional before taking the plunge.