Popular Q&A: Foot Hacks

It's usually possible to wear minimalist footwear even if one of your legs is shorter than the other, but there are a few important considerations to ensure comfort and avoid potential strain. Minimalist shoes are designed to encourage a natural foot strike and optimal alignment, which can be beneficial for your posture and overall gait. However, and as you are intimately aware, when one leg is shorter than the other,... Read more

One of the most common questions we receive at Natural Footgear is the following: “Can I wear Correct Toes toe spacers in combination with my regular socks?” The answer is, yes, absolutely. We do prefer combining Correct Toes with Injinji toe socks, as both products work synergistically to encourage natural toe splay and a variety of foot health benefits, but it is possible to use conventional (i.e., non-toe socks) socks... Read more

When transitioning to minimalist shoes or increasing the distance you walk, preventing blisters and calluses comes down to a gradual adjustment process and paying close attention to how your feet respond. The key is to allow your feet to slowly adapt to the new footwear by gradually increasing the amount of time you spend in them. This lets your feet and lower legs strengthen without overwhelming them. Start with short... Read more

Vibram FiveFingers are, for many, the ultimate minimalist shoe. Designed to fit your foot like a glove, these flexible-soled toe shoes enable a high degree of tactile feedback as you move about on varied terrain, and they allow your foot to act like a healthy bare foot inside your shoe. They meet our criteria for foot-healthy footwear—they are, in fact, exemplary of it—so for people who already have some experience... Read more

For a lot of people, plantar taping is a simple and effective way to relieve bottom-of-foot pain caused by a variety of foot problems. This video features sports podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan, who demonstrates the plantar taping technique. It does take a little bit of time to become proficient at this method, especially if you’re performing it on yourself, but most people find this to be a helpful approach to... Read more

This is a situation we encounter from time to time in those who have made footwear purchases based on our recommendations, and there is a surprising amount of nuance packed into the question and the answer that goes with it. First off, it’s always disappointing to hear that somebody may have had a suboptimal experience with any of the footwear that we suggest using. We take great pride in recommending... Read more

The Shoe Liner Test is an important measure of how foot-healthy a shoe is and whether or not the shoe will accommodate natural toe splay (ideally enabled by Correct Toes). One of the most common questions we receive pertaining to the Shoe Liner Test is the following: “My toes spill over the shoe's liner a little bit. Do you think the shoes are sufficiently wide for my feet and toes?”... Read more