If you've ever wondered "What even are barefoot shoes?" and whether you can create your own at home, you're not alone. With the growing popularity of minimalistic footwear, many people are curious about this unique style of shoe - and many have been emailing us for a tutorial. 😉
For over a decade here at I Can Make Shoes, we've taught thousands of people worldwide how to make their own shoes from home using our simple tools and techniques. Many of you have reached out to us to see if we can also teach barefoot shoemaking.
In this blog post, we'll break down what barefoot shoes are, their benefits, and how to make DIY barefoot shoes from home.
What Are Barefoot Shoes?
Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the experience of walking barefoot while still providing some protection to your feet. Unlike traditional shoes that often have thick soles, a heel and a narrower shape around the toes - barefoot shoes have a minimalist design. This means they typically feature:
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Thin Soles: Barefoot shoes have thin to very thin soles, usually ranging from 2 to 8 millimeters (1/16 to 5/16 inch). This allows you to feel the ground beneath you, which may promote natural foot movement and better balance.
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Wide Toe Box: The toe box in barefoot shoes is wide and spacious, giving your toes plenty of room to spread out naturally, just like they would if you were barefoot.
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Zero Drop: This refers to the lack of elevation between the heel and the toe, meaning the sole is completely flat. This helps to encourage a more natural posture and gait.
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Flexible Materials: The materials used are often flexible, allowing your feet to move freely without restriction.
The philosophy behind barefoot shoes is that our feet are naturally designed to move and function without the need for excessive support. Wearing barefoot shoes typically allow your feet to work as they are intended, which may improve foot strength, balance, and overall foot health.
Can You Make Your Own Barefoot Shoes at Home?
Yes, you can make your own barefoot shoes at home, and it can be a fun and rewarding project! We've been teaching shoemaking for over a decade, using simple tools and techniques. Creating your own barefoot shoes allows you to customise the fit, style, and materials to suit your preferences.
If you would like to learn more about barefoot shoes and how to make your own DIY barefoot shoes from home, download our Ultimate Barefoot Shoe Guide.
What's Included in the Ultimate Barefoot Shoe Guide?
Whether you're new to the barefoot lifestyle, or have been a barefoot lover for a long time - our Ultimate Barefoot Shoe Guide is perfect for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of barefoot shoes, and learn how to make your own barefoot shoes from home. Here's what's included:
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An introduction to barefoot shoes.
- In-depth analysis of barefoot shoe characteristics including:
- Wide Toe Box
- Zero Drop
- Thin & Flexible Soles
- No Arch Support
- Minimal or Removable Insocks
- How to make your own barefoot shoes:
- Shoemaking Lasts: what are they, and what is the difference between a barefoot shoe last and a regular shoe last?
- How to turn a regular shoe last into a barefoot shoe last.
- All the barefoot shoe styles you can make from home.
- Barefoot shoes and wide feet.
- Step-by-step barefoot sandal tutorial:
- A comprehensive list of tools & materials you'll need to get started, and where to buy them.
- An in-depth step-by-step tutorial teaching you how to make wearable and high-quality barefoot sandals customised to your own feet.
- Printable sandal patterns in our full size range - from EU 34 (UK 1 / US 3.5) to EU 44 (UK 11 / US 13.5)
Download our Ultimate Barefoot Shoe Guide
