Why Everyone’s Talking About Barefoot Shoes
Steven Bartlett’s recent podcast about barefoot shoes has sparked a huge wave of interest in what many are now calling a "footwear revolution." And for good reason. It’s got people rethinking everything they know about comfort, posture, performance, and even long-term foot health. At GORAL, we’ve been tuned into this shift for a while now, and earlier this year, we launched our own take on barefoot shoes. Not because it was trendy. But because it made sense.
Why barefoot? Why now?
Steven and his guest Courtney spoke about this in depth, if you haven’t listened yet, we highly recommend giving it a go. For many, it’s been a real eye-opener.
At GORAL, we’ve always cared about how shoes are made. Construction, materials, longevity, those are our pillars. So when we started digging into barefoot footwear, it wasn’t just a passing curiosity. It aligned perfectly with our approach to design.
We saw a gap: most barefoot shoes are, let’s be honest, ugly. We wanted something that delivered all the health and movement benefits, but with a design you could wear from the school run to the office to the pub. So we made it.
What makes GORAL’s barefoot shoes different?
There are a few things that really set our barefoot collection apart:
- Blake stitch construction - rare for barefoot, and it means they’re resoleable.
- Natural, premium materials - like Horween Chromexcel and natural rubber soles.
- Made in England - by craftspeople, not machines.
- Designed to look like "real" shoes - not performance-wear.
It’s the blend of tradition and innovation that makes these special. You get all the barefoot benefits - flexibility, wide toe box, zero drop - without compromising on style.
If you’re curious about barefoot shoes, there’s never been a better time to give them a go. The conversation is growing, with the team at Stridewise releasing a video at our workshop with podiatrist Colin from Col Pod. It’s a deep dive into the world of barefoot shoes, covering how they affect posture, foot mechanics, and long-term health. It's another one of the most informative pieces we've seen on the topic and well worth a watch if you’re curious about making the switch.
If you’re curious about barefoot shoes, there’s never been a better time to give them a go. The conversation is growing, and we’re proud to be part of it. Our barefoot range includes styles like the Barefoot SMUGS in low and high tops, handcrafted in premium leathers and built to last. Shop the collection, or join our list to stay in the loop.
Ready to feel the difference? Take a look at our barefoot range, built for real life.