Are Barefoot Shoes Good For Your Feet?
Are Barefoot Shoes Good for Your Feet?
The short answer: Yes.
Barefoot shoes, also known as minimalist footwear, are designed to closely mirror the natural shape and movement of your feet. They offer a wide fit for stability, a thin profile for ground feel, and flexibility for natural mobility.
The GORAL x Rose Anvil barefoot sneakers provide minimal cushioning and support, allowing your feet to move and flex as they were meant to. This helps strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your feet and ankles over time.
Barefoot shoes encourage proper foot mechanics, a more natural gait, and give your feet the space they need to grow and flex. This can prevent and even alleviate common foot issues caused by traditional shoes.
So, why did we team up with Rose Anvil to make Barefoot SMUG sneakers?
We noticed a gap in the market for handmade, premium barefoot sneakers, so we set out to fill it. Our goal was to create a sneaker that allows wearers to break free from restrictive shoes and embrace a more natural, connected way of moving. The result is a great looking shoe that sits in our SMUGS range, but as an option for the wider fit - a more authentic and freeing SMUGS experience.
What are the benefits of Barefoot Sneakers?
Stronger Feet
Barefoot shoes allow your feet to function as nature intended, engaging more muscles in your feet and ankles due to less padding. This strengthens your muscles, ligaments, and tendons over time.
Improved Balance
Thanks to their wide design, barefoot shoes allow your toes to spread naturally. Combined with their thin sole, which lets you feel the ground beneath, these shoes improve balance and stability. This leads to better posture and safer movement.
Enhanced Movement
With more sensory feedback, barefoot shoes can improve your awareness of your body’s position in space. This leads to more controlled and skillful movements, whether you’re exercising, adventuring, or navigating daily life.
Better Posture
By promoting a more natural walking and standing posture, barefoot shoes can improve your biomechanics. This helps relieve strain on your joints and muscles, particularly in your lower body.
Fewer Injuries and Health Problems
With all these benefits combined, barefoot shoes reduce the risk of injury by improving your balance and technique. The wide, unrestrictive design also prevents foot conditions often caused by traditional shoes, giving your feet the room they need to thrive.
What are the added benefit of Barefoot SMUGS?
Premium Materials
Handcrafted using Horween Chromexcel, widely regarded as one of the most premium leathers in the world.
A leather lasting board, heel counter and toe puff for the ultimate premium barefoot shoe.
The removeable leather insole is padded for comfort, but only 1.5mm in thickness.
Between the insole and outsole, the shoe includes a layer of lightweight, breathable felt filling.
Despite using these premium materials, the weight based on a single shoe in Men's size: US 11 | UK 10 | EU 44 is 500g Low Top / 550g High Top
Blake Stitch Resoleable Construction
Made using the Goral signature Blake Stitch construction, the shoes are repairable and resoleable, and designed to last a lifetime.
Minimalist Design
Handstitch detailing and stitch and turn uppers keep the overall design clean and focused on the craftsmanship.
Zero Drop & Stack Height
The Zero Drop outsole, made from natural latex, allows you to be as close to the ground as possible. With a total stack height of 12.4mm made up of premium components (Sole 5mm, 2.5mm leather lasting board, 1.4mm leather lining, 3mm padding).
Final thoughts
Every GORAL x Rose Anvil collaboration is considered. Together, we believe shoes should do more than simply take you from point A to point B. The Barefoot SMUGS are crafted from the same premium leathers we use across all our collaborations, crafted with the same time-honored techniques. However, these barefoot sneakers are designed to support a more natural approach to foot health.
You can watch the process of making the world's best barefoot shoes here: