How to choose the right barefoot footwear?

Barefoot shoes are designed to create conditions similar to barefoot walking for your feet. These shoes are lightweight, very flexible, have no elevated heel, and feature a wide toe box that provides your toes with much-needed space to move. Such shoes do not "crush" your feet; on the contrary, they enable natural movement of the foot, allowing them to move and rest naturally. Absolute freedom and joy for your feet. In this article, we will look at the most important characteristics that determine how you will feel in barefoot shoes.

 Barefoot shoes must have a wide and anatomically shaped toe box (the front part of the shoe) to allow enough space for the toes. Shoes with a narrow toe box prevent the foot muscles from engaging properly, which consequently leads to their weakening.

  No orthotics / inserts for the feet

No cushioning is needed under the feet (usually found in running shoes) because it limits contact with the ground. The greatest impact should be at the front of the foot, not the heel. Barefoot shoes do not have orthotics/inserts for the feet, your feet are not unnaturally supported so they are allowed to move and function naturally, in the same way as without footwear.

 Lightweight construction

 Barefoot shoes should have a lightweight construction, but with a firm vamp (upper part of the shoe) that protects your toes while still allowing you to feel free.

 Barefoot shoes for children

When choosing shoes for children, parents need to be especially careful because children are not able to notice everything themselves, such as shoes being too tight or too loose, not enough space for the toes, etc. Research shows an alarming number – two thirds of children wear the wrong shoe size and half of these children suffer from some deformity as a consequence. Children up to 10 years old cannot assess or say whether a shoe fits well. That is why it is important to know your child's feet so you can choose correctly. Before you buy barefoot shoes, first measure both feet (yes, both feet, since feet are rarely identical).

 How to measure the foot?

Place a piece of paper on a flat surface (avoid plush carpets or gravelly surfaces)

Place the foot flat on the paper (during measurement, the person must stand, not sit)

Put their weight on the foot because this makes the foot longer

Take a pencil and mark the heel and the furthest point from the heel—the longest measurement

Use a ruler and measure the distance between these two points

Do the same for the other foot (the difference can be +/- 0.5 cm)

The number you get is the size of your foot (not your shoe size, as standard shoe sizing can be misleading)

 If you have the option to compare your measurement with the actual insole of the chosen shoe, do it. Compare the numbers (length) and then stand on it (to compare width), your foot should not stretch out in any direction.

 Extra space

In short – “extra space” measures the empty space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe itself (the front point of the shoe). This is a very important number when buying barefoot shoes, especially for children. Take the foot size (the number you got by measuring both feet), then add 10 to 12 mm (the ideal “extra space”). The total number is the final number you are looking for. “Extra space” can be up to 18 mm, but the shoe must still fit perfectly around the ankle.

 Feet should have enough space not only in the front, but also on the sides. The width of the shoe must be at least identical to the width of your foot. Ideally, the width of the shoe is 0.2 cm – 0.5 cm wider than  the foot.

 To sum it all up, when choosing barefoot shoes, you should use the size of your foot (not the shoe size) plus the “extra space.” Always check the inner length of the shoe—not just the size number—because it can vary depending on the manufacturer or different types of shoes. With us at Stopa.rs, to begin with, each type of Be Lenka shoe Barefoot has its own size chart with internal lengths so you can easily choose the right size for you.