THE PK GUIDE TO BAREFOOT SHOES

Let's get into it, Barefoot Besties! Most shoes are basically tiny foot prisons - suffocating your poor little piggies in clunky, soul-sucking (sole-sucking?) tight, narrow boxes, and for what?! Fashion? Respectability?

NEWSFLASH: You can have BOTH. And PaperKrane is serving! 👏🏽

Barefoot shoes, also known as natural, minimal, respectful, or foot-shaped footwear, are designed to mimic the experience of walking without shoes while still providing necessary protection. Unlike traditional shoes, which often have thick soles, raised heels, and constrictive toe boxes, barefoot shoes prioritise the natural shape and function of the foot.

Barefoot Benefits

In a world that continues to pull us further away from the natural, and more towards a 'cushioned lifestyle', PaperKrane is here to bring you and your feet closer to what nature intended.

Believe it or not, our feet are beautiful bio-mechanical works of art and the foundation of our connection to the world around us. When you leave them be, they are capable of supporting you through the everyday functions of life just as evolution intended. It's when feet are crammed into modern shoes that are chunky, narrow, stiff and cushioned, that they start to malfunction, causing all sorts of other referred bodily pain that you wouldn't even know can be attributed to your improper footwear.

The Four F's of Barefoot Shoes

To identify a barefoot shoe, they should flash their FOUR F's at you:

🖤 FLAT - Zero drop, because your feet shouldn't feel like they're at the club in 6-inch heels when you're just walking to get coffee.

🕺 FLEXIBLE - Moves with you, not against you. Imagine trying to salsa dance in ski boots... yeah, no thanks.

💨 LIGHT AS A "FEATHER" - So light you might forget you're even wearing shoes (until someone stops you to compliment them, obviously).

🦶 FOOT-SHAPED, DUH - Because toes deserve freedom, not solitary confinement.

Now, here's where most barefoot shoe brands drop the ball...FUN! You know those "barefoot shoes" that make you look like you should be foraging for berries or like you just strolled out of Middle-earth? Yeah, PKs ain't those! Our kicks are quirky, unique, fashion forward and fun. In fact, you could say that we put the FUN in FUNctional footwear.

So, if you're still out here stuffing your feet into glorified foot corsets, ask yourself: Do I hate my toes? Or am I finally ready to let them breathe, thrive, and flex on these streets?

Key Benefits of Wearing Barefoot Shoes

Increases sensory information to the brain: Barefoot shoes are thin and light and whilst protecting your feet from the elements, provide minimal interference with foot sensors that send 'optimal movement information' to the brain.

Improves stability: Barefoot shoes are foot shaped and thus wider, particularly at the toe box. This allows your feet to splay to their natural width, thus improving overall stability.

Improves foot strength: Barefoot shoes are thin and flexible, allowing your feet to bend and flex as nature intended. This helps to build foot strength which in turn leads to better balance and improvement in overall movement.

Transitioning to Barefoot Shoes

Making the switch from conventional to barefoot shoes is a journey that requires patience and gradual adjustment. Your feet have likely been confined in traditional shoes for years, and they need time to redevelop their natural strength and flexibility.

The transition involves several key considerations:

• Start slowly - Begin by wearing barefoot shoes for short periods and gradually increase the duration
• Listen to your body - Some initial discomfort is normal as your feet adjust, but sharp pain is a signal to slow down
• Build strength gradually - Your feet need time to develop the muscles that have been dormant in traditional shoes
• Be patient with the process - A full transition can take weeks to months depending on your starting point

It’s important to remember that FREEING YOUR FEET is a process that requires transition, so take it slow, build your sole tolerance and if at any stage of this transition process you ever feel sharp or severe pain, please be sure to consult with a qualified health professional. 

The PaperKrane Difference

Here at PaperKrane, we are passionately committed to both form and function, maintaining the essential characteristics of barefoot shoes - flat, flexible, feather-light, and foot-shaped. But here's where PK is different...

We champion bold design, body autonomy, real comfort, adaptability and accessibility, and radical self-expression.

This approach recognises that modern consumers want footwear that supports their health goals, while also expressing personal style, while fitting in seamlessly into their urban lifestyle. Whether you're walking city streets, partaking in weekend adventures, or simply going about your daily routine, PaperKrane shoes ensure you never have to choose between foot health and looking good.

We bring STREET to BARE FEET

Yep, if you're looking for dull beige-on-beige or "minimalist chic"  then you're definitely in the wrong place! Here at PaperKrane we do bold, bright, and badass. From poppin' patterns to sleek urban staples, PKs go hard; so YOU don't need to sacrifice your street cred to wear foot healthy shoes anymore! Here at PaperKrane, we bring STREET to BARE FEET!

Ready for your new adventure?

Interested in learning more? Take a look at our foot specialists blog: FOOT, FUNCTION AND FOOT HEALTH!