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Has anyone invested in "Barefoot shoes"?
I have had idiopathic peripheral neuropathy for about 15 years, but I have little to no pain. I have virtually no feeling in my feet other than if I walk on something sharp or hard with my weight eg, even a grain of rice! however, I felt nothing when I tripped on a slate step edge and sliced the bottom of my big toe- the blood alerted me to the injury!!
I have to protect my feet, even inside. (I now have a rubber strip covering my step) However, my balance is rapidly deteriorating and barefoot feels more stable. Podiatrists have given the "Barefoot" shoes
a good review.
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@allwheeldrive , @lakelariet @johnbishop
I have had a permanent cramp in my right calf since 2021, which has now become a medical enigma. Since then, I have tried shoes from a number of manufacturers until someone introduced me to a brand called Flux Footwear. Their shoes blend barefoot principles (such as a zero-drop heel and a wide toe box) with traditional cushioned soles. They are an online-only company and more on the spendy side for shoes.
https://www.fluxfootwear.com/
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2 ReactionsI have been wearing barefoot, aka minimalist shoes, for about 20 years. I don't wear anything else as they have greatly improved my foot and toe health. Like you, I have to protect my feet in the house and I wear the barefoot shoes everywhere. The best brands I have found are Lems, Xeroshoes, and VivoBarefoot. There are many more brands though. Hikes are highly hyped in advertising and I did buy a pair... then returned them because they are really junk. Altra also makes zero drop shoes and I often wear those, as with Altra you can get zero drop but also some cushion on days when you feel like you need it. I wear the Altra Escalante 4s quite a lot now, since as I have gotten a bit older I like the slight cushion. If you want something inexpensive amazon actually has quite a few brands that are still minimal but cost a lot less than the major ones, e.g. Whitin. In general minimalist shoes have zero drop, not much cushion if any at all, and a wide toe box. There are many barefoot shoe reviews on the internet which can be found in a search. I hope this helps.
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2 Reactions@carolynpatten
I also check BBB out. I had a friend who loved hers and I was desperate. I ordered one pair, following their advice to size up 1/2 size for their version of step ins. I loved them! I ordered the same size for the hiking style; along with their thick, loose socks. Perfect! I was lucky; didn’t need to return. Just back from a trip. Walked an average of 10,000 steps a day. My feet and toes will never be perfect, but it wasn’t bad.
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1 Reaction@carolynpatten there are multiple brands a barefoot type shoe and there is a Barefoot Brand. I believe the term barefoot means a wide toe box and flat shoe.little or no support. I have several pair of the less expensive brands and I find them more comfortable than shoes which pinch or are too supportive. I can’t wear shoes very long and go
Around the house in socks or fleece footies though sometimes shoes are a must. Amazon has lots of options on a hike or barefoot shoes… if you don’t find them comfortable they have a no hassle return policy! Good luck!
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1 ReactionOrdered these from Amazon to serve as house slippers and travel shoes for the plane and light walking. Worked out quite well. Will probably order more of this style.
https://www.amazon.com/LeIsfIt-Slippers-Diabetic-Adjustable-Arthritis/dp/B0CHF1XTKN
I’ve been wearing several brands of only barefoot shoes for several years but recently tried Kricely Mens Walking shoes which have a wide toe box but a higher heel. They are definitely more supportive than the flat construction of typical barefoot shoes but have really helped my worst neuropathy symptoms- numbness & stiffness. I frankly can’t believe how much better I feel because of them. I believe the higher heel & the added support makes the difference
Any ladies out there with shoe suggestions? I cant seem to find Kricely womens options anywhere.
I have severe neuropathy in my hands, legs and feet. I've been wearing Easy Spirit for years even before the neuropathy started. I wear the mules, they are the only shoes that I have found to be comfortable.
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1 Reaction@leicia You might try Naot styles with the Koru footbed, which is simply a wider footbed than their other styles. It’s pricey, lined in leather and has close to a zero drop but nice cushioning and a wide toe box. Check out Zappos, which has a free shipping and return policy. If you like to wear socks with your sneakers, the Altra Escalante or any of their other styles are good. I couldn’t wear them because I like to wear without socks and the lining is a rough textile which really irritated my feet. Another brand with good support, cushioning and wide toe box is Alegria. It’s very popular with nurses and others who spend long hours on their feet. The drop is close to zero and most styles have a “rocker” type sole that makes walking much more comfortable for me than totally flat soles.