At this day and age, five finger shoes are one of today’s must-haves. Going barefoot is becoming increasingly popular, particularly due to its health benefits as it offers everything that feet need to be healthy. Some people try barefoot shoes out of pure curiosity and end up not wanting to take them off anymore. No wonder, fivefinger shoes are not only good for their feet, but they are also surprisingly comfortable. Barefoot running, which is similar to running with FiveFingers on, appears to decrease the risk of ankle sprain and plantar fasciitis.
The sole of the shoe is flexible, lightweight and ultra-thin. Only sole this thin can make the foot feel the ground. These shoes must have a wide front part to allow enough room for toes. The shoes mirror the natural shape of the foot but do not copy it too tightly.
Here are the 5 advantages of wearing five finger running shoes:
1. Strong muscles, healthy feet
These shoes mirror the shape and the natural curve of the feet, allowing them to move as nature intended. Thanks to the wide shape of the shoes (at the front and on the sides) a wider range of muscles is engaged while walking or running (as compared to traditional shoes). Five finger shoes not only strengthen all the muscles in the foot, but they also help the foot develop in the correct way to prevent deformities.
2. Five finger shoes help you to go pain-free
Athletes, particularly runners, prefer barefoot shoes, to make their runs healthier. When walking barefoot(and running), the heel-to-toe stride causes an impact on the leg that negatively affects the knee and hip joints. Walking the right way can help you to avoid possible knee injuries. Numerous runners who had to quit the sport because of the joint pain caused by running on asphalt. Once they switched to five toe shoes and the pain had disappeared and they could run on the asphalt and other hard surfaces again with no further issues. Going barefoot also has a positive effect on the small of the back as it engages all foot muscles and makes you step on the balls of your foot instead of the hell. Long-term use of barefoot shoes can help your back pain disappear as it encourages good body-posture.
3. Barefoot brings you joy
It may sound crazy but going barefoot can take the stress and tension away, bringing back the joys of everyday life. Walking barefoot reminds you of your childhood, it gives you a feeling of freedom and absolute joy. Research has proven going barefoot lowers the blood pressure, overall tension in the body and the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Going barefoot does not limit your feet in any way; the flexible and thin sole allows you to feel the surface, the shoes are comfortable and you almost forget that you are wearing any. Going barefoot is an amazing way to regain with your long lost energy and good mood wherever you go.
4. A whole-body reboot
There are many acupressure points on the feet connecting to different parts of the body. By stimulating these points, one can revitalize various body organs. With the correct amount of pressure is applied to an acupressure point, the connected body organ receives a certain level of electro-stimulation. Soles of traditional footwear do not allow for such connection, but soles of the barefoot shoes fully support it.
5. Better balance
When going barefoot or in barefoot shoes, our brain receives more stimulation and information. By wearing traditional footwear, our brains do not receive detailed information about the surface which can cause us to slip, stumble or even fall. Walking barefoot allows us to be aware of the imperfections of the surface we walk on, which helps us to keep our balance. Wearing barefoot shoes can improve one’s balance.
