Why Do Barefoot Shoes Have A Thin Sole

Feet come in all shapes and sizes.
Depends on your genetics, the way you’ve grown up, the kind of activities you’ve been involved in. 

Shoes however have one shape -
pointy toe box so that they look aesthetically pleasing,
and a thick sole so that you’re comfortable even on the harshest of surfaces.

We’ve spoken a lot about the pointy toe box and all that’s wrong with that in this blog.

But sole thickness is another differentiating factor between regular shoes and barefoot shoes. 

Barefoot shoes usually have a very thin sole. This could range from anywhere between 3 mm to 10 mm.
But why is that the case, and why should it matter?

Our feet have over 2 lakh nerve endings.
Our feet are the most nerve dense parts of our body.
This is important because as a species, the kind of ground we walk on, the vibrations from the floor helped us adapt our strategy, maintain our balance and survive.

But even today, it is important for these sensations to reach our brain. 

They help kids develop good motor skills, find their balance, and strengthen their foundation.
Being barefoot has also been correlated with better brain development in kids. 

As adults, they help us maintain balance, be more stable and adjust our gait cycle, i.e. the way we walk, in a more natural way, preventing long term injuries and chronic pain.

There are studies that have studied people walking in shoes vs those walking barefoot. People who walk barefoot more often are known to reduce their chances of injuries like osteoarthritis in the knees.

The question still remains.

We know being barefoot everywhere, rather in most places is practically impossible.
This is where barefoot shoes come in.
Barefoot shoes have a thin sole to ensure that all sensations pass through; that you do actually feel the stones, the sand, the undulating surfaces under your feet, and develop the ability to adapt to them.

At the same time the sole is made of materials that are abrasion resistant which means you won't get injured when you walk on unnatural surfaces that could otherwise hurt you barefoot.

Barefoot shoes may come across as being uncomfortable at first because of this feature, but it’s only time before your body adapts, becomes stronger and actually gets better.

Only if given a chance can you truly improve your health and actually reduce the chances of long term injuries from bad shoes.

If you want to experience this, fix your gait, find that ground connection, try our Zen Origin, India’s first barefoot sneakers.

Feel everything.