Minimalist Shoes for Women

by | Mar 15, 2015 | Restorative Exercise | 0 comments

The following video is a one minute breakdown of what I look for in a minimalist shoe.

Minimal shoes have a thin, flexible sole that lets you feel and respond to the ground, stones, roots, and whatever else you may be walking on. I think it feels pretty dang good. I seek out stones and lumpy surfaces to walk on just because it feels so good. It’s like a natural reflexology treatment.

Before you jump into a pair of minimalist shoes, consider this: your feet have probably been cast in narrow-toe-boxed, elevated-heeled shoes for decades, so it’s best to transition slowly to give your tissues time to adapt. A good place to start is by reading Katy Bowman’s book Whole Body Barefoot, transitioning to minimal footwear.

Correct Toes™ spreads your toes so they are in the correct position relative to each other and the ground. They are great for bunions, neuromas, hammertoes, plantar fasciosis, and more.

Correct Toes Toe spreaders

Toe Socks with and without Correct Toes™ toe spreaders.

 

To review, this is what to look for in minimal shoes:

  • Look for a shoe that is flat (heel and ball of the foot are at the same altitude)
  • Shoes that are flexible (they let your feet be feet)
  • minimal to no toe spring
  • a wide toe box. Wide enough to wear your Correct Toes™ if needed.

Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.