How To Get Started With Barefoot Shoes

The transition to barefoot shoes may seem a little "extreme". It may feel like you're unprotected, or that you're exposed to the elements, and that is totally natural. 

With this blog, we're gonna help you find your way towards a more sustainable approach to trying barefoot, and adopting barefoot.

Here are a couple of features about barefoot shoes that we should know of and focus on with our transition - 

1. Barefoot shoes are wider than usual shoes which means sizing may be slightly different than your regular shoes. 
If you're worn a size 45 all your life, there is a chance you fit into a 44 or even a 43 for a barefoot shoe brand as your feet now have more space to use the length of the shoe. 

2. Barefoot shoes are usually thin soled - This is one feature that most people are the most scared of. A thin sole means more sensation from the ground. A pebble, undulation in the ground, all felt. But this is a good thing. As we increase our awareness, our balance improves, your nervous system starts working and is better able to keep us safe.

3. Barefoot shoes have no cushion or support - Barefoot shoes usually come without an arch support or a heel support or a lot of cushion to keep you feeling like you're floating. This means that you will end up using your muscles more, muscles that may not have been properly used in ages. It is important to train for this.


HOW TO TRANSITION

Coming to the actual transition, here is what you need to do. 

1. Take it slow. When you first wear barefoot shoes, don't go for a 10k run. Instead, just walk. Get a feel of how you are striking your foot on the ground, what all you can feel and build that awareness.
2. Listen to your body. The beauty of barefoot shoes is that because there is no layer to numb sensation, if you step wrong or feel something, you will know it instantly. Use this increased awareness to your advantage and know when to stop before you load more than you can carry.
3. Train your feet. Your feet carry the entire body. And not just that, all locomotion is initiated with the foot. It is super important that you work on your mobility and strength (which partially also happens just by wearing barefoot shoes.)

Know that it can take you anywhere from 2 months to 6 months to become comfortable with barefoot shoes.

Taking it slow, listening to your body and adapting is the only way this transition becomes successful, and once it does, we can guarantee that going back to narrow, cushioned shoes is not something you will want to do. 

Go Barefoot with Zen Barefoot.