Why I Ditched Cushioned Shoes: The Barefoot Transition That Fixed My Feet

Oct 14

Bunions, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, toe pain, heel pain… you name it, I had it. For years, I thought it was just part of being active. I wore all the classics: Nikes, Vans, Reeboks, all with narrow toe boxes and thick cushioning that squeezed my feet and numbed my connection to the ground.

Then one day in my college gym, one of the smartest guys I’ve ever met looked at my neon-orange, two-inch-thick running shoes and asked:

“Doesn’t it feel silly to have that much cushion under your feet? Do you even feel stable or grounded in them?”

That question stuck.

A few months later, curiosity won. I started researching “barefoot-style” shoes, the kind that let your feet move and feel the ground naturally. I wasn’t into the toe-glove look (sorry, Vibram FiveFingers), so I grabbed a pair of New Balance Minimus with a Vibram sole. (This was about 12 years ago.)

Within a month, my feet felt incredible.

My toenails stopped hurting. My toes could finally spread. My feet actually worked again.

My Big Mistake

Naturally, I got overconfident. A week after buying them, I ran four miles.

I could barely walk for a week because my calves were so sore.

Lesson learned: transitioning to barefoot shoes takes time.

If you’re thinking about making the switch, here’s how to do it safely:

1. Start small. Wear them for an hour or two each day.

2. Alternate. Switch back to your old shoes once your feet start to feel tired.

3. Increase gradually. Add a little more barefoot time each week until you can wear them full-time.

Your feet have likely spent decades inside casts (a.k.a. modern shoes). They need time to rebuild strength, flexibility, and balance.

Why We Think We Need Cushion

One word: marketing.

Cushioned shoes didn’t even exist until the 1970s. They were created to make running feel more “comfortable” and marketable to the masses. For thousands of years before that, humans walked, ran, and thrived in thin, flexible footwear (or none at all).

Now, don’t get me wrong. If you’re running ultramarathons or logging hundreds of miles per week, some cushion can absolutely help with longevity.

But for most of us?

We just need shoes that let our feet be feet.

Want a Middle Ground?

If you’re not ready to go full barefoot, look for shoes that are:

• Zero drop. The heel and toe are level, keeping your posture natural.

• Wide toe box. Let your toes spread out like they’re supposed to.

Brands like Altra are great transitional options. They combine natural foot positioning with a bit of cushion for comfort.

Our Favorites

We’ve tried just about everything, but our go-to for over a decade has been Vivobarefoot.

We love their design, feel, and build quality. And yes, full disclosure, they send us shoes for free because of social media—but even if they didn’t, we’d still buy them.

If you want other options or lower price points, check out:

• Xero Shoes

• Feelgrounds

• Splay

• Lems

Even Amazon has some great budget-friendly barefoot shoes now.

Want to Try a Pair?

If you’re curious about barefoot shoes, this is your sign to try them.

Your feet, knees, and hips will thank you later.

Use code SUPERHU20 at checkout for 20% off Vivobarefoot shoes here.

Walk naturally. Feel the ground. Reclaim your feet.

Join today and get your life back: https://spreadwhealth.com/limitless-program