Shoe fashion
Barefoot or sock shoe? What the sporty trend is all about
Looks weird, but it’s healthy. Hiking in sock shoes is exhausting and demanding. But your feet will thank you in the long run.
© skinners.cc
Walking through the forest on socks sounds crazy at first – but it should be healthy. More and more outdoor enthusiasts are trying out the purist shoe fashion. Sock shoes are also trendy in everyday life. That’s behind it.
No one is born with shoes on. Logical conclusion: It is by nature not intended that we wrap our feet in sneakers, high heels, running shoes with pronation supports, platforms or other more or less comfortable shoes. For anatomical reasons, not every foot fits into every shoe. Especially people with very wide feet usually squeeze them more badly than right into their shoes every day. This not only ruins your footwear in the long run, but also your feet themselves. No wonder if they are crammed into a leather or cotton corset for many hours. It is hardly surprising that more and more people are giving their feet more space. And when it’s not quite barefoot, more and more people are turning to socks or barefoot shoes.
In the following article you will find out who sock shoes are useful for, what concepts there are and what terrain the minimalist treads are suitable for.
If you want healthy feet, practice early
Even children are advised to discover the world barefoot as often as possible. The reason is simple: while the little feet in shoes are more or less immobilized, they have to work “in freedom”. For example, they compensate for unevenness on the floor. In this way, children train and strengthen the still developing arch of the foot and the foot muscles even at kindergarten age. And thus also reduce the risk of splay, flat or flat feet later on. However, walking barefoot on park or footpaths is not without danger. Sharp stones or even broken glass can injure your feet. And this is where the sock shoes come into play. In contrast to “normal” sports or leisure shoes, their upper material is elastic. Instead of a solid sole, a reinforced, often rubberized sole prevents possible cuts. The training effect is similar to that of running barefoot. Most manufacturers of sock or barefoot shoes offer their models for very small (like these iguanitos “active“), but also adult feet. Get it here “Classic” model from Leguano.
Those who like it a bit more puristic and natural can also leave out the rubberized sole. In so-called sock shoes, the sole area is only reinforced with an abrasion-resistant material. In the case of the Skinner Socks (for example available here) it is a Swedish polymer, a material that is also used in shipping technology. Sock shoes with such a sole are therefore an adequate substitute for normal hiking or barefoot shoes with flexible rubber soles, even on trekking tours or other outdoor sports. Some models are even protected against moisture. With or without a rubberized sole: Both variants are challenging for the arch of the foot.
Tip: Take it easy with the first pair of sock or barefoot shoes. Running is not only more strenuous, but above all unfamiliar at first.
Elegant sock shoes to slip on
Admittedly, walking through the forest or the mountains on socks sounds a bit strange at first. But many cannot even imagine going to the restaurant or the opera with only socks on. Understandable. But there are also shoes for such occasions that offer the feet the greatest possible freedom – and still look elegant. Slip-on sneakers are the magic word here. The flexible soles are similar to those of sneakers or running shoes like that Free from Nike. The upper part of the shoe is reminiscent of a sewn sock. Neither the heel cap is reinforced, nor does the upper material need a lacing. Plain and simple. The Reusch slip-on sneakers are available here.
If you are still wondering what exactly is the difference between sock shoes and barefoot socks, you should remember the following: Both terms mean the same thing, although the term sock shoes is becoming more and more popular. Probably also because you can basically wear the models mentioned above like shoes. The latest trend in barefoot socks: Because for some barefoot fans conventional barefoot fashion is cut too tight in the toe area, the trend is towards socks with a wider toe area. Possibly a healthy alternative to the toe socks that didn’t really catch on. These Non-slip socks from Zyll should fulfill the dream of more freedom for the toe quintet and also cut a good figure when snorkeling, diving and swimming.
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