Modern living has reduced our connection to nature in countless ways. That which affects us all is our very fundamental connection to the earth beneath us. Barefoot shoes, tackle this in various ways. Wide toes boxes allow our toes to spread out unrestricted as they were always meant to, helping our balance and grip. Zero-rise heels keep our feet flat, which in turn, helps all parts of our feet, legs and back move and function as they were designed to. Thinner soles allow us to feel more of the ground beneath us, so that the body and mind can receive all of the feedback messages needed for optimum movement. Less overall bulk means less weight: In terms of physical exertion, studies have shown that less weight at the feet equates to 6 times that weight if it was carried anywhere above the hips, due to the lifting and swinging action required to drag our footwear around with us. This could result in the equivalent of removing up to a kilo of weight from your backpack! Finally, the reduced bulk means less natural resources and their eventual waste, plus less storage space at home and this plus reduced weight when travelling.

There are many brands to choose from but here a few of the best to get you started:

Vivo Barefoot - One of the most environmentally friendly. Higher end price.

Xero Shoes - Wide range, good quality, good value if you catch their regular sales.

Saguaro - Lower budget option.