10 facts about shoes
1st fact: protect shoes!
Shoes serve one purpose above all: they protect! They protect against cold, wet and dirt and against injuries.
2. Fact: Shoes have an optical effect!
Shoes "should" correspond to fashionable trends or social requirements. Shoes often act as a status symbol. Shoes complement an outfit, underline it and are indispensable in this sense! Unfortunately, even if they cause the wearer terrible pain!
3. Fact: Shoes have heels!
Heels probably have their origins in the late Middle Ages, when the nobility began to use heels to distinguish themselves from the rest of the population. They wanted to be able to walk through dirty streets and alleys with clean feet. Heels give a rider better grip in the stirrup. Riding was a sign of a prosperous life. Heels on shoes make the wearer appear taller. Shoes with heels were therefore already a status symbol back then.
4. Fact: "Good" shoes have an ergonomic footbed!
A general but erroneous opinion is that good shoes should have an insole that is based on the natural shape of the foot and is intended to support the foot. A footbed or the extended version, the insoles, force the foot into a certain position. It is hoped that the foot will be stabilized in this forced position and finally "grow firmly" in this form.
But is this really happening? Unfortunately not. Passive supports, including a plaster cast, for example, cause the muscles to shrink.
5. Fact: The modern shoe shape does not correspond to the natural shape of the foot!
Shoes are designed with fashion in mind. Not based on the natural shape of the human foot. The shape of normal shoes forces the feet into an unnatural shape. The foot takes the shape of the shoes over the years.
This is how errors occur! Squeezed forefoot, toes close together. Just normal...
6. Fact: Barefoot/minimal shoes are the compromisemiss
Barefoot shoes, on the other hand, have a much wider shape in the forefoot area. Ideally wide enough that the big toe is in line with the first metatarsal. This allows the forefoot and toes to spread out with every step and act as a natural spring.
Barefoot shoes have a very thin and flexible sole.
Barefoot shoes have no heel, no drop (height difference between heel and forefoot).
7. Fact: Walking and running is different barefoot or in barefoot shoes!
The technique of walking and especially running is different without shoes, padding and cushioning. Walking becomes more careful, slower, softer, has a shorter stride length, is rolled more consciously over the heel.
Without thinking, people begin to walk (run) over the forefoot when moving barefoot faster. This is many times more effortless and effective.
8. Fact: The less material a shoe has, the better for the foot muscles.
A simple question makes it clear: In which shoe does the foot have to be more muscular itself? In ski boots or in a light sandal?
9. Fact: When choosing our shoes, we are subject to the opinion of the fashion industry!
The photo on the left shows minimal shoes with sufficient forefoot width.
Physiologically: excellent!
Visually: at least takes some getting used to!
But why do we judge like this?
What if the shoe/fashion industry had always provided us with these models? We would long since accept this shoe shape and do something good for our feet!
10. Fact: Orthopaedists, therapists and other professional groups in this industry know it!
Experts know! They often recommend going barefoot more or doing foot exercises. In shoes, the feet rest, so to speak, the muscles, the ligaments, tendons, the connective tissue, all the structures right down to the bones to need Burden! But also relief! And an infinite number of different stimuli, such as movement stimuli, temperature differences, pressure and tension, touch, etc. to stay strong and efficient!

Not only at the end of a warm summer day:

dirty but happy feet!

When did you enjoy your last barefoot walk in the woods?
Never?

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