If you’ve got flat feet, running is probably more than a little painful for you. Although true flat-footedness affects only about 25% of the population, many people (perhaps you) suffer from poor muscular arch strength.
To alleviate this problem, many people instinctively buy expensive athletic shoes that feature enhanced arch support. These shoes may work temporarily, but unfortunately this does nothing to solve the problem of flat feet. Flat feet are caused by weak arch muscles, and traditional athletic shoes do nothing to strengthen your arches! Running with these popular types of shoes will only give you more pain in the long run.
So you should just give up running all together, right? Nope! There’s a solution that will work for you: barefoot running.
How can having less support fix weak arches? It’s actually pretty simple. Using barefoot shoes naturally alters your stride in such a way that arch muscles are exercised and strengthened. Think of it this way- if you wanted to build big Popeye arms, would you exercise your arms or put them in a cast? You would use resistance exercises like weightlifting, obviously (and eat lots of raw spinach).
If you have flat feet, wearing the typical “ultra-cushion super bounce” shoes is like putting a cast on your arms and expecting them to grow. Not happening! To actually fix the flat foot problem, you need to strengthen your arches, and barefoot running shoes are the best way.
Of course, you’ll want to start slow.
Once you pick out the best pair of barefoot running shoes for you (check out our reviews below), you’ll probably want to start by just walking in them during the day. Once you feel that your feet are getting stronger, you can step up to light jogging and eventually full-on runs.
Here are some of the best barefoot minimalist shoes for flat feet.
The List of Minimalist Barefoot Shoes for Flat Feet
Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes
Starting with the Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes. This one is a complete zero-drop shop with a wide-toe box.
Unlike other shoes that encapsulate your toes, the Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes gives space for your toes to be free when they are in the shoe.
The rubber outsole of the shoe helps to provide traction and balance. The sole is also authentic which makes the shoe durable and being a rubber sole, it makes it easy for you to have control of your legs when you are wearing the shoe.
The shoe has removable insoles that help to reduce the pressure from your body weight and transfer that weight over the ball of your feet.
This minimalist shoes for flat feet has reflective strips that keep you safe when you are exercising in a dark place or at night. It also has a thick topline that holds the shoe to your legs and prevents them from pulling out.
The Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes fulfills the purpose of every minimalist shoe which is to give you freedom while walking and make you feel like you are barefooted.
Get the look: Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes
Saguaro Women’s Minimalist Barefoot Sock Shoes Non-Slip Yoga Walking Shoes
The Saguaro Women’s Minimalist Barefoot Sock Shoes Non-Slip Yoga Walking Shoes is an Ultra-purpose and Multi-purpose footwear.
From the name, you can easily deduce two notable characteristics of this footwear. The first is that is so barefoot-shaped that it feels like a sock. This means that the shoe is lightweight and easy to pack if you are planning to travel. It is a perfect option to wear for fitness activities like hiking, running, jogging, and so on. You can also wear them conveniently at home as they feel like a sock.
Another thing that can be deduced from the name of this footwear is that it is non-slip. The footwear has a non-marking outsole that gives you good traction and makes it slip-resistant. This is owed to the fact that the shoe was specially designed to protect your feet in both favorable and unfavorable weather conditions.
The sock design of this shoe makes it easy to wash and eco-friendly. This shoe can serve a lot of purposes for you with its breathable fabric knit that wicks moisture and provides comfort. The footwear has a rubber sole and it is durable, versatile, and functional.
Get the look: Saguaro Women’s Minimalist Barefoot Sock Shoes Non-Slip Yoga Walking Shoes
Aleader Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Shoes
How many times do you get to see a shoe that you can clean with your washing machine? The Aleader Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Shoes is machine washable. However, you have to be careful not to expose it to the sun or any source of heat.
The shoe has a five-toe box design that separates your toes from each other and makes you feel like you are barefooted. The upper mesh and TPU of the shoe make it comfortable, flexible, and breathable.
You can adjust the tightness of this hoe with the hook-and-loop closure at the instep. The shoe can be used for a wide range of activities like including sports and travel. The grip of the Aleader Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Shoe makes it easy for you to tread through wet and dry terrains with ease.
Get the look: Aleader Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Shoes
Oranginer Women’s Barefoot Shoes
Originally inspired by the need to recreate the barefoot feeling, the Oranginer Women’s Barefoot Shoes strengthens your muscle fibers and engage your feet. Strengthening the muscle fibers was shown to reduce injury rate and increase running speed.
The shoe also comes with a wide toe box giving your toes the freedom to spread and feel more comfortable. Comfortable toes help you feel the ground better and improve your balance.
Versatility is one of the advantages of owning these minimalist shoes. It is suitable for activities like walking, running, jogging, exercising, and even water activities. Designed with reflective strips, the shoe provides extra safety when you are outside at night or in a dark place.
The Oranginer Women’s Barefoot Shoe’s mesh is breathable and flexible with an insole that protects your feet in wet conditions. For flexibility, comfortability, and durability, choose Oranginer Women’s Barefoot Shoes.
Get the look: Oranginer Women’s Barefoot Shoes
Xero HFS Running Shoes
Xero is known for providing comfortable shoes that give you a natural feel and allows you to perform any activity without an itch. The Xero HFS Running Shoes built in the USA are lightweight and specially designed to give you more speed.
The comfort and control that the shoe gives are remarkable. The FeelTrue rubber sole allows you to gain grip and tread as naturally as possible. This sole helps to balance your heels and toes, an action that is relayed to the brain and helps to boost your speed. As you would expect from the Xero brand, the toe box is wide enough for you to play with your toes and the rest of the shoe is shaped like the feet.
Xero is known for its Xero drop sole that comes with a 3000-mile warranty but this shoe comes with a 500-mile warranty. The sole is ground-level low has its benefits in terms of posture, agility, and balance.
Do you know what else is fascinating about the Xero Men’s HFS Running Shoes? They are both vegan-friendly and travel-friendly. This means that you can easily fold and pack the shoes in your travel bag without taking up any considerable space. Also, in a bold effort to promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles, no animal products were used to make the Xero Men’s HFS Running Shoes.
Get the look: Men’s HFS Running Shoes // Women’s HFS Running Shoes
Conclusion
Barefoot shoes are extremely comfortable and they provide convenience when you wear them. They let you feel the ground and give you control which helps with your balance, unlike non-barefoot shoes.
These shoes allow you to feel the ground and protect you from dirt and germs. They are very ideal for running, jogging, walking, and other fitness activities. From research, it has been proven that barefoot shoes can help to improve the strength of your feet and your arch function.
In short, if you’re sick of duck feet, barefoot or minimalist shoes are for you. Good luck, and happy running!
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