The term “barefoot” applies to the feel offered by the shoes, which is as similar as possible to running or walking barefoot while wearing shoes.
Barefoot shoes aim to improve strength and flexibility by limiting the foot’s natural freedom of motion as less as possible.
In particular, they lack considerable heel cushioning, and low midsole padding but this footwear allows you to keep your feet safe from the environment and hard terrain.
There are many good reasons to go wear simple barefoot shoes, whether you like to run, hike, or just want light and flexible shoes, you should switch to shoes with less cushion that is preferable for you.
Normally shoes go out of season quickly, but barefoot shoes have outlasted, after many years, and still going strong.
Many people are confused while checking for barefoot shoes and wonder why barefoot shoes are so expensive with few materials used. In this post, we will go over the factors that make these shoes costly.
Top 5 Reasons Why Barefoot Shoes Are Expensive:
There is a huge demand for barefoot shoes nowadays, but these shoes cost more. Here are five reasons that will let you know why barefoot shoes are expensive but still worth it.
1) Health Benefits:
Treating sore feet is a worldwide goal for shoemakers, and manufacturers of barefoot shoes recommend that their footwear is beneficial for the feet.
Barefoot shoes do not claim to be health-developed shoe, but it contains many health benefits that people who wish to take better care of their feet will appreciate.
Instead of pushing your feet into a particular position, barefoot shoes conform to the natural curve of your feet. Better alignment allows you to gain muscle and move more freely. With stronger foot muscles, you can effectively absorb impact.
Your ankles become stronger with barefoot shoes, which improves your control and stability.
In addition, many knee and hip problems are caused by a collapse at the feet, therefore strengthening the muscles in your feet promotes better posture and minimizes your potential chance of injury.
Barefoot shoes reduce joint pain since runners are less likely to strike heavily on their heels and more likely to stay on their mid or forefeet.
A shoe without a higher heel, like a barefoot shoe, will put the foot’s muscles and tendons in a more natural position, reducing the risk of injury.
There are many benefits of wearing barefoot shoes, including stronger feet and legs, improved foot muscles, arch support, posture balance, and so much more.
The reason barefoot shoes cost extra is that manufacturers and retailers must account for the value shoes offer in terms of your health.
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2) Durable and Weather-Resistant:
Barefoot shoes are designed to be durable, comfortable, and resistant to all weather. The manufacturer ensures that every pair of water-resistant barefoot shoes that leaves the factory meets the company’s high standards.
This standard requires a large degree of labor-intensive production, and the highest quality which is not cheap; these factors contribute to the high price of barefoot shoes.
In addition to being water-repellant, barefoot shoes are also resistant to extremely high temperatures.
Certain countries experienced very high temperatures and the sun hit on sidewalks, roads, and sand may challenge the durability of any shoe. The heat resistance of barefoot shoes not only withstands hot temperatures but also keeps your feet cool.
The material of barefoot shoes must be durable and breathable to be heat resistant. Due to the excellent manufacturing standards and quality of the materials used, these do not tear, rip, or wear out easily.
Producing a lasting product, such as barefoot shoes requires expensive stuff, which is likely one of the reasons why they are so pricey.
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3) Lightweight:
People usually relate heavy shoes to endurance or strength. While there is a strong probability that a heavy pair of shoes was constructed to withstand the test of time, you should also consider what bulky shoes do to your feet and body.
Over time, the weight of heavy footwear causes sharp pain in the lower back or increases chronic problems.
Rigid soles and uppers of heavy shoes make walking difficult, restricting the feet and increasing the stress on the legs and ankles as a response.
The weight and construction of barefoot shoes are significant because their purpose is to resemble going barefoot.
Makers of these shoes are working hard to produce perfect ultra-thin, flexible barefoot footwear so that your feet and body don’t have to suffer unnecessary stress and strain while you walk or run.
The ultimate purpose of the barefoot shoe is to allow your feet the natural freedom they need.
The main selling point of lightweight shoes is that they make performing the activity feel easier, that’s why these shoes come with a high price tag.
Having less weight on feet can reduce energy expenditure and enhance form and biomechanics, hence increasing stride economy and effectiveness.
After trying a good pair of barefoot shoes and realizing how much better your feet feel with almost nothing on them, it can be difficult to go back to wearing normal shoes.
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4) High-Quality Flexible Materials:
Typically, the soles of barefoot shoes are made from rubber or synthetic materials. Open-cell foam is less dense than closed-cell foam, so your barefoot shoes have a lightweight look.
Some manufacturers of minimalist footwear use hunting leather for the midsoles, therefore the preferred material truly depends on the producer.
Uppers of high-end barefoot shoes are often made of suede leather, in that case, the uppers of your shoes are likely made of synthetic materials. Each material is extremely light, supple, and flexible.
Most of the time the objective is to be able to slip on the shoe without untying the laces, only in this way your foot will be able to move as naturally as possible.
Depending on what material your barefoot shoes are constructed of, there is a distinct variation in quality, for instance, because suede leather is dense, it is water- and weather-resistant.
The leather conceals stains, scratches, and scuffs and is easy to clean, allowing your shoes to remain in good condition for long periods.
These high-quality materials are what you should look for in a good pair of barefoot shoes, as they will last extended periods and are therefore more highly-priced.
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5) Production Costs:
Most shoe brands may simply select color schemes and designs and have factories produce the types of shoes they are familiar with making.
On the other hand, barefoot brands must design an absolutely unique shoe to meet barefoot standards.
This demands the creation of unique tooling and manufacturing processes, as well as continuous consultation of barefoot shoe brands with shoe-making experts.
Sometimes, companies receive barefoot samples that are not at all what they wanted (e.g. with heavy padding or a heel) requiring additional time and money to fix the problem.
Another difficult task is appropriate materials sourcing for this kind of shoe. Again, traditional shoe manufacturers are not capable of dealing with the flexible materials needed for barefoot shoes.
Finding lightweight, flexible, thin, but durable material is not easy at all, with unique skills and expert craftsmanship you have to pay more for barefoot shoes.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Are barefoot shoes good?
Barefoot shoes have a minimalist flexible sole that moves with the foot, a lightweight upper to reduce weight, a bigger toe box so your toes can spread out, and no heel drop to prevent your body’s alignment from being compromised. You can use them for working out, going for a jog, or just lounging around the house. It is also an excellent way to develop natural foot strength, stability, and flexibility.
Are barefoot shoes worth the money?
The benefits of barefoot shoes are numerous, including improved traction, safety, comfort, and airflow provided by the shoes. For those who value comfort and adaptability when it comes to footwear, we will recommend you check out barefoot shoes. They charge you some extra money but at the end of the day, you’re paying for good health, a quality pair of shoes, and uniqueness.
Where to buy barefoot shoes?
Barefoot shoes are available in many retail stores as well as online stores like Amazon. However, Here are some best barefoot shoe brands that you can go for including VivoBarefoot, Groundies Barefootwear, Softstar Shoes, Lems Shoes, The Drifter Leather, Xero Shoes, Earth Runners, Wildling Shoes, and others.
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Conclusion:
Wearing barefoot shoes is a reliable and safe way to feel healthier and enjoy your life to the fullest. Significant change requires time, but new shoes can be the first step towards a healthy lifestyle.
The lifespan of barefoot shoes can be at least five years, depending on how often they are used, whether they are used for running or walking, and the terrain they walk or run.
Though they may be out of reach for some due to high-cost still barefoot shoes come with many benefits. Remember that you’re getting a lot more than just shoes here.
These barefoot shoes are contributing to a revolution that will lead the way to a pain-free future for many people. The reason barefoot shoes cost so much is also that their designers emphasized comfort over cost.
Also, barefoot shoes let your feet move more freely and put you in touch with the ground in the most natural way.
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