Comments on: Why I Wear Thin-Soled Shoes (Even on Pavement) + How To Get More Comfortable With It

By: samantha

samantha — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 18:52:21 +0000

In reply to Ashley. Hello, you can find some resources here.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:27:33 +0000

Hey Anya, thanks for this great article. Wondering if you have any resources for people with plantar fasciitis. I’ve only had it since going barefoot outdoors more often (running barefoot on turf) and wearing zero drop low cushion Altras. I’m thinking maybe I transitioned too fast? I’m rolling out my feet at least twice a day and trying the exercises you suggest like toe yoga. I think my left foot (problem foot) is pretty weak. I get relief when I wear my old recovery flip flops that have high arch support but I want to strengthen my feet and not cater to their weakness. Wondering if I should to heal up with arch support and then try the transition to barefoot again, or if there are other things you recommend to stay barefoot through healing. Thank you in advance!

By: Anya

Anya — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 15:58:20 +0000

In reply to Sarah. Hi! I would say it depends on the amount of time and if he's feeling any discomfort. A lot of gym work is stability work and not high impact, so thin soles can be totally fine and even really helpful. A 3rd option if you're concerned is to go with the Xero Prio and get an additional insole (either from another pair of shoes or NorthSole insole to swap in and out as needed for a little more cushion.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 03:04:16 +0000

In reply to Anya.

Hi Anya,
I’m trying to buy gym shoes for my 8y/o who lives in Splay shoes, xero sandals, and BOGS snow boots (I know, it’s the best I can do…). The gym floor is carpet over concrete, would an Altra be better for the cushioning or a xero prio?
Thank you so much!!

By: Anya

Anya — Mon, 08 May 2023 20:29:43 +0000

In reply to Lisa Orlando. There are quite a few options for you! Have you seen this list of Barefoot Shoes for Beginners? Really they're for more than just beginners, because there are a number of reasons someone might want the features of minimalist shoes with a little bit of cushion. But these are the types of shoes you're looking for.

By: Lisa Orlando

Lisa Orlando — Sun, 07 May 2023 20:01:06 +0000

Hi,
I wish you would address the issue of aging feet losing fat. I am 75 and have gone barefoot, as often as possible, since I was a teenage hippie. I had no trouble transitioning into minimal shoes. Then I went to southern Europe and, if the cobblestones weren’t bad enough, the tile floors were a killer. I was in incredible pain and had to wear clog slippers in the house. Now, I also have spinal stenosis and my legs go numb on hard surfaces. Intermittent rock surfaces are nothing like tile floors. I wish somebody would cater to people like me, who need cushioning, but want all the other benefits of minimal shoes. Otherwise, the best I can find is Arcopedico.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 01:53:56 +0000

By necessity, I mostly walk on city sidewalks at home in New York City. This myth about pavement kept me out of barefoot shoes for a year or two after I first began investigating shoe options, even though I went barefoot indoors for hours every day. I thought walking outdoors would be different. But when I finally tried Unshoe mocasins after about a year with thick-soled Altra sneakers, my neuroma pain went away literally overnight. I guess I was lucky; I was already used to zero-drop and to going barefoot, so I didn’t need any transition period. My feet needed to be in contact with a firm surface, not a cushy sole, so that my longitudinal and transverse arches could function properly.

And there’s a lot of interesting texture to be found walking in the city, like the bumpy bits at the curb cuts, subway grates, manhole covers, the seams in the sidewalks, and of course grass and earth in the parks.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:14:50 +0000

Thank you for this article! You explain it very well. I see this question come up a lot and now I can send people a link to your article when they ask.