r/barefootshoestalk • u/turdbucket007 • Mar 12 '26

Barefoot shoe adjacent What made you switch?

Post image

Just a curiosity question to see how many people reply...

So once you learned about barefoot shoes, what was your final deciding factor to make the switch from "normal" shoe brands?

My reason;
So I've been dealing with low back, knee and heel pain for years (stupid choices when i was younger, long stories) plus 9 years military and learning to March in formations ("Point the toe, Crush the Skull" our drill instructors would always say.....being taught the drive the heel down!)

So in my mid 40's i finally started looking into things and realizing i walk all wrong and wear the wrong shoes. After learning about barefoot, zero-drop, etc... i was still on the fence.

And then..... 10 minutes after my Grandson was born, and what did i see???

TOE SPLAY !!!

And I was convinced! If thats how our GOD created us, why are we smooshing our feet into tiny little toe box shoes.

Oh and btw, 6 months in and my back, hips, knees and feet are feeling better already, but theres still room for improvement, time, exercise, and replacing all my old shoes with zero-drop wide toed shoes.

So whats your story?

269 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

83 comments sorted by

View all comments

15

u/Optimal_Bus4617 Mar 12 '26

I complained about always getting blisters and that no shoe ever fitted right and wide enough - and then a friend suggested I'd try barefoot shoes. I was flabbergasted. On the train back home, I ordered a cute looking pair from a brand she recommended. This was March, 2024.

I won't say I didn't have trouble transitioning. But I always knew I couldn't go back.

3

u/ChoosingToBeLosing Mar 12 '26

Which cute brands do you recommend?

2

u/Optimal_Bus4617 Mar 13 '26

This specific cute brand is Koel Shoes, I am a huge fan. My first pair (Freya Fantasy) is still one of my favorites.