What is a barefoot sneaker?
A barefoot shoe is a shoe that respects the shape and movement of the foot. Its purpose is to protect the foot from external elements while respecting the shape and natural mechanics of the foot. It is the closest thing to barefoot, but with a shoe.
The main features of this shoe are:
- Shoes with a flexible, thin sole that allows the foot to roll smoothly.
- A wide enough toe box (the space at the front of the shoe for the toes). A correctly sized toe box allows the toes to move normally while walking without being compressed.
- Flat shoes, without heels or elevation.
- Flat sole without arch support which is counterproductive.
- Lightweight shoes that make it easier for the child to walk.
All this allows the foot to develop properly without deformations or pain. The foot naturally builds muscle, the ligaments strengthen, which allows the child to have a
better balance, a good base and this is felt throughout the rest of the body. If a child moves around in shoes that do not allow the natural development of their feet, the foot will adapt and take the shape of the shoe in which they move. Hence the importance of having a toe box that is wide enough and not round like most modern shoes, in order to avoid pain, loss of balance and perhaps even hallux valgus later. Foot problems often lead to problems with the knees, hips, back etc. The feet are our only point of contact with the ground and they carry us all our lives, we must take care of them from a very young age. Especially since at birth our feet have not finished being formed. They are made up of more cartilage than bone. Their development is very important until 6/7 years and ends in adolescence. It is during this period that the arch of the foot forms, bones solidify, ligaments strengthen, and the wrong shoe can have a greater impact and cause problems later on. Having fashionable shoes without this criterion ever impacting the proper natural development of the child's foot is the goal and reason for Faroush.
