Hiking through the forest in socks sounds crazy at first – but it’s supposed to be healthy. More and more outdoor enthusiasts are trying out the puristic shoe fashion. Sock shoes are also trendy in everyday life. This is what’s behind it.
No one is born with shoes on their feet. The logical conclusion: it is not natural for us to put our feet in sneakers, high heels, running shoes with pronation support, platforms or other more or less comfortable shoes. For anatomical reasons, not every foot fits into every shoe. People with very wide feet in particular tend to squeeze them into their shoes more or less every day. In the long run, this not only ruins the shoes, but also the feet themselves. It is no wonder that they are crammed into a leather or cotton corset for many hours. It is also hardly surprising that more and more people are giving their feet more freedom. And if they cannot go completely barefoot, more and more are turning to socks or barefoot shoes.
In the following article you will find out who sock shoes are suitable for, what concepts there are and what terrain the minimalist shoes are suitable for.
If you want healthy feet, you have to practice early
Even children are advised to explore the world barefoot as often as possible. The reason is simple: while small feet are more or less immobilized in shoes, they have to work “in freedom”. For example, they compensate for unevenness in the ground. In this way, children train and strengthen the still developing arch of the foot and the foot muscles even at kindergarten age. And in doing so, they also reduce the risk of later splayed, flat or fallen arches. However, walking barefoot on parks or footpaths is not without danger. Sharp stones or even broken glass can injure the feet. And this is where 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 walking barefoot. Most manufacturers of sock or barefoot shoes offer their models for very small (“), but also adult feet. Here you can find the .
If you like it a little more purist and natural, you can also leave out the rubber sole. In so-called sock shoes, the sole area is only reinforced with an abrasion-resistant material. In the case of Skinner Socks (for example ) is a Swedish polymer, a material that is also used in shipping technology. Sock shoes with this type of sole are therefore an adequate replacement for normal hiking or barefoot shoes with flexible rubber soles on trekking tours or other outdoor sports. Some models are even equipped to withstand moisture. Whether with or without a rubber sole: both variants are challenging for the arch of the foot.
Tip: Take it slow with your first pair of socks or barefoot shoes. Running is not only more strenuous, but also unusual at first.
Elegant slip-on sock shoes
Admittedly, walking through the forest or the mountains in socks sounds a bit strange at first. But many people can’t imagine going to a restaurant or the opera with only socks on their feet. Understandable. But even for such occasions there are shoes 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 the The upper part of the shoe is reminiscent of a sewn-on sock. The heel cap is not reinforced, nor does the upper need lacing. Plain and simple. .
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Anyone who is still wondering what the difference between sock shoes and barefoot socks is should remember the following: Both terms mean the same thing, although the term sock shoes is becoming more and more popular. This is probably because the models mentioned above can basically be worn like shoes. The latest trend in barefoot socks: Because some barefoot fans find conventional barefoot fashion too tight in the toe area, the trend is towards socks with a wider toe area. Possibly a healthy alternative to toe socks, which have not really caught on. These are designed to fulfill the dream of more freedom for the toe quintet and also cut a fine figure when snorkeling, diving and swimming.
More information can be found here.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
