I have worn many barefoot shoes and love them all, and I wanted to share my personal story to hopefully help you decide whether barefoot shoes are suited for you. I have been wearing barefoot shoes for over 3 years. I started by wearing barefoot trainers in the gym; I loved the feeling so much that I started wearing them outside. I then transitioned from my winter boots to sandals, then to barefoot. I am now only wearing barefoot shoes and don’t think I will ever go back to wearing shoes.
Here’s my barefoot shoes before and after, what changed in my foot health, bunions, and balance after 3 years.
TL;DR
Transitioning to barefoot shoes was one of the best decisions I could make for my foot health. Three years in, I only own barefoot shoes, and this guide should help you if you are thinking about transitioning.
Why did I transition to barefoot shoes?
I have been struggling with bunions since I can remember. I am not a big heel person, and before transitioning to barefoot shoes, I was pretty much living in sneakers. But even then, I would start having painful bunions after a few hours and would have to take them off regularly during the day and massage my toes as they would be so inflamed.
A few years ago, I also started running and tried to find the best shoes for my feet. I always choose the wide-toe box running shoes, but halfway through the longer run, my feet would start feeling a bit numb and uncomfortable. I had running shoes with a lot of cushioning, thinking it would be better for the impact and my knees, but the stride started feeling unnatural and a bit off.
In my late 30s, I also started to struggle with balance a bit more. And it was surprising for me as I have been a dancer, kickboxer, and also doing a lot of yoga. I would mostly feel the wobble when weight training and things like doing lunges with weights or stepping back.
After my few friends started raving about barefoot shoes, I thought I would give them a try.
My first pair was Vivobarefoot Primus Knit Light, and 3 years later, even if a bit ragged, they are still the pair that I use the most.
How Barefoot Shoes Helped My Bunions
My bunions are still there, and to get my toes in the right positions, I would need an operation. But since wearing barefoot shoes, they are not painful. Because my toes can spread way more and are not cramped, I do not have any inflammation in my feet, no matter how long I wear them. The bunions stopped hurting while wearing the shoes pretty immediately, and they feel even better now. I wore very soft fabric barefoot shoes as well as faux leather and harder fabric, and all of them seem to be fine and not cause bunion pain anymore.
In the first year of my barefoot journey, I did not have winter barefoot shoes and wore white toe hard platform boots. I noticed worsening in my bunions that winter. They became more inflamed, and my feet were hurting way more than throughout the summer when I wore barefoot shoes all the time. This winter, I have invested in a Vivobarefoot Tracker Boot, and my bunions were absolutely fine.
Do Your Feet Stop Hurting in Barefoot Shoes?
My feet used to ache even after a few hours of walking or even being in shoes in the office. I would always take my shoes off when working as I found them uncomfortable. Now, no matter how much I walk, I do not get any aches in my feet. Barefoot shoes do not feel like prisons for my feet, but rather an extension of my feet. I am more aware of the ground under my feet when I walk, and I also feel that my feet are not as constrained and move so much more naturally, especially when I go for hikes on different terrains.
At the beginning of my barefoot journey, after long walks, my calves would ache like after a long workout. But after a few months of wearing them, my feet feel amazing, even if I walk 20 thousand steps or go for a run.
With the start of perimenopause, my joints feel more achy; it is one of the common symptoms as we start losing collagen that makes our joints lubricated. I feel like barefoot shoes really help my feet feel stronger and more mobile and not as achy as they would be if i would stuck to the regular shoes.
Barefoot Shoes and Balance: What I Noticed
Since wearing barefoot shoes, I feel so much more stable. My feet spread out more, and I feel like my toes have become stronger. I am quite clumsy and used to twisting my ankles occasionally, just stepping off a curb or putting my leg down incorrectly. I haven’t done this for a while. I feel my feet are so much stronger and hold me more securely. I feel it is also to do with a very thin sole, that keep the foot more stable, and there is leads possibility of twisting the feet.
In perimenopause, I feel this is so important, as even a small twist takes longer to heal, and I am very happy not to suffer from any foot injuries
Posture
I used to think of good posture mainly when I sit down, but since wearing barefoot shoes, I noticed that I stand more straight. I also used to lean on one leg more when standing, as I would try to relieve the foot pain.
Feet size
One of the interesting things I have noticed since wearing barefoot shoes. My feet are one size bigger now. They haven’t grown because of Barfoot shoes; they spread out. I also feel that it is because my feet love to have more space to move. Although I am still working on my rounded shoulders, I can see improvement in the way I stand.
Did I feel any negatives from wearing barefoot shoes?
I would not stick to wearing them all the time if I did not think they are worth it, but there are two things that I am not a big fan of with barefoot shoes.
I need to wear a bigger size
Now, for a man, it would be an issue, but for a woman who already has large feet for her size, an extra size looks a bit odd. Also, because barefoot shoes do not have a high sole, the foot already looks longer. It took me a while to get used to Duck Feet’s look, but I kind of don’t mind it anymore.
Fewer choices in designs
Most of the designs are still a bit lacking in barefoot shoes. I think the main reason is that Barfoot shoes are still a bit niche and owned by health, hiking enthusiasts, and do not have industry-leading designers. There are a few companies like Vivobarefoot that are becoming a bit more mainstream, and the designs are improving, but I do miss a good-looking, choice sneaker. I have created a list of my favourite barefoot sneakers for women available and will keep updating this list to fit new releases every season.
I already see the designs catching up with sneaker trends, and I hope it will continue, as just because I am over 40, it does not mean I want to look like an old lady who prioritises comfort to style.
While sneakers are catching up slowly, I feel that sandals are lagging. I managed to find one pair I love, wore them constantly for 6 weeks in Thailand, and hope they will last me at least another summer.
Both things are more focused on aesthetics rather than health, so I can look behind them and still love barefoot shoes.
I am not able to wear my old shoes anymore
Now that my feet are used to wearing barefoot shoes, I am not able to wear my old shoes. I kind of got rid of most of my footwear during the nomading years, but still, it’s kind of sad to say goodbye to my favorite Onishuka Tiger pair.
FAQ
Are barefoot shoes good for bunions?
I would say YES! Before wearing barefoot shoes, my bunions would be inflamed after a few hours of walking. I would also feel so uncomfortable having to take the shoes off, especially on a long car trip. Since I bought Vivobarefoot PRIMUS LITE KNIT, I can walk pain-free all day.
So if you are struggling with bunions and considering buying barefoot shoes, I definitely recommend it.
Where do I buy women’s barefoot shoes?
There are many good quality barfoor shoe brands for women. If you live in a larger city, you should have a barefoot shoe shop near you. But if you want to shop online, I have created a few articles that will help you start.
Best Barefoot Sneakers for Women,
I keep updating both of these lists to make sure they have the most beautiful barefoot shoes.
How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Barefoot Shoes?
It might feel strange wearing barefoot shoes at first. I love that I can feel the ground beneath my feet, but if you are used to platforms and cushioning, you might find them hard at the beginning. It took me about two weeks before barefoot shoes started feeling normal for daily wear, and around three months before I was comfortable on longer hikes. I started in the gym only, then added short walks, and now I wear them for everything, including runs.
To summarise,
As we are getting older, foot health is not “good to have” but a necessity. You can’t have the rest of your body healthy if your feet are cramped up and in pain. I am so happy about my choice to go barefoot, and I wish I had done it sooner. I am very passionate about barefoot shoes, and I am very grateful and excited to work with some amazing brands that push the barefoot movement to the mainstream.
Editorial Note
This post is for informational purposes only. Product formulations can change; always check current ingredient labels before purchasing.
Silvija Meilunaite, PN1-NC, CSMC, is a certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist writing from personal experience of perimenopause. She covers midlife health, hormone-supportive nutrition, and non-toxic living with a research-driven approach, helping women over 40 feel informed, strong, and healthy.
