Did you know that thanks to the barefoot shape of the shoes, which is natural for our feet, our joints and musculoskeletal system wear out more slowly? And did you know that when you combine barefoot with grounding, you will also support this effect with better bone and joint regeneration? 

Have you ever had feet that hurt so much after wearing tight shoes all day that you couldn't wait to get home and take them off? And when that happened, did you feel relieved that your feet were finally bare again, had space, and could move freely again? When barefoot, you can forget about this feeling thanks to the wider toe and zero difference between the toe and heel. 

In today's short article, we will explain what problems we can avoid thanks to barefoot shoes and how grounding can help us.

Outline:

• Why switch from regular shoes to barefoot?
• Is it okay if my feet hurt at the beginning of wearing barefoot?
• What to do if my feet hurt when wearing barefoot shoes?
• What benefits does grounded barefoot have for our body?

Why switch from regular shoes to barefoot?

"Regular" shoes with a narrow toe and thick sole prevent the natural posture and movement of the foot. This will change our center of gravity, which over time can result in damage to the musculoskeletal system (knees, hips, buttocks, etc.). Another common problem with wearing narrow shoes is "hallux" (bunion). This is a problem especially in women and is caused by wearing unnaturally narrow shoes (e.g. pumps).

When walking naturally, our big toes carry up to 90% of our weight and also help us maintain stability. When our toes are pressed tightly together in shoes, this property disappears and the center of gravity is transferred from the big toe more to the center of the foot. This small detail will trigger a cascade reaction over time. First, our ankles turn outward from the body for stability, which naturally turns our knees inward. And so, when bending, they will be subjected to an unnatural force and leverage, which will cause them to wear out and be destroyed much faster than is natural.

Thanks to the natural shape of the shoe, you can avoid these problems. After just a short period of wearing, your gait will improve and you will be able to better perceive what movements are natural for you and your feet. 

Is it okay if my feet hurt at the beginning of wearing barefoot?

Of course, if you are used to thick and soft soles, switching to barefoot shoes may not be entirely comfortable at first. This is because with a thick sole, your foot does not fully utilize all the muscles needed for movement and balance, which weakens and gradually weakens over time. When you are not used to walking barefoot and start wearing barefoot shoes, your feet are forced to engage muscles that they have not used for a long time, which can cause muscle fatigue after some time, which manifests as pain (muscle soreness). However, this is a natural effect and after a short time, your muscles will get used to the natural movement and you will find walking like this very pleasant.

What to do if my feet hurt when wearing barefoot shoes?

First of all, you need to go by your gut feeling and if your feet hurt too much when you wear barefoot, it means that your feet are probably already pretty damaged from regular shoes and you need to start gradually. The first thing you need to focus on is proper walking. The toes should always point forward when walking. You can try this at home in front of a mirror to start. How to do it?

1. Stand so that you can see your legs (feet and knees) in the mirror and take a few steps.
2. Watch to see if your toes are straight when you walk, or if you turn one of your feet out to the side.
3. Another thing to try to track is your big toe. There should be a gap between it and your index finger so that it can support your weight and maintain proper balance.
4. The last thing you need to keep an eye on is your knees. They should also point naturally forward when you walk and not roll in or out of your body.

Once you have successfully mastered your first steps, you can start to notice how your feet behave during longer walks. Over time, it should become natural for you to keep your toes pointed forward and use your big toes to stabilize your body.

Once it becomes natural for you, the pain will disappear as your legs get used to the natural movement and become stronger overall. 

What benefits does grounded barefoot have for our body?

Thanks to grounding (connection to the earth), we can draw energy from the earth, which we can use, for example, for faster regeneration. This way we can further enhance the effect of barefoot running and support our bones and joints so that they are able to function effectively without much wear and tear for a longer period of time. 

In regular barefoot shoes, you allow your foot to move naturally, but you isolate yourself from the ground and prevent your body from drawing energy directly from the ground with each step. To fully utilize natural movement and grounding, you normally had to be completely barefoot, which may not be comfortable or even safe in every situation. 

This is where the Mitochondriak® grounded barefoot shoe comes in, allowing your foot to move naturally while drawing energy from the earth with every step. Protect your foot while allowing it to reach its full potential. 

Become a Mitochondriac and enter the world of modern biohacking

Grounding barefoot shoes

 

"The average person takes 8 to 10 thousand steps a day. Why not take advantage of that? Why not tap into the free energy for "no extra time" whenever you walk somewhere? For example, on a walk with the children or on the way to work?" Let's be efficient!

To the store How to choose shoe size

 

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Choosing the right shoe size:

Our Mitochondriak® grounding barefoot shoes use standard EU numbering. You can easily choose your size based on the shoes you normally wear. Here is a practical table and tool:

Length: We recommend that you always choose a size that leaves at least 1cm of margin compared to your foot size.

Width: You can adjust the shoes to your foot thanks to the laces along almost the entire length of the shoe.