Are barefoot shoes for everyone? An honest guide

No, barefoot shoes aren't for everyone. They suit people who want room for their toes, a flat sole and a light, flexible shoe, and even then they take some getting used to.

Here's an honest look at who they suit, who should go slowly or check first, the real downsides and how to make the switch. We're SOL Footwear, the official South African distributor of Saguaro, so we see both the people who love them and the people who send them back.

Barefoot shoes suit you if you want room, a flat sole and a light shoe

A barefoot shoe is built differently from a normal trainer:

• A wide toe box. The front follows the shape of your foot, so your toes aren't squeezed together.
• A zero-drop sole. Your heel and toes sit at the same height, with no raised heel.
• A thin, flexible sole. It bends with your foot and you feel the ground.
• Light. Most styles weigh very little, and some fold flat for travel.

If that sounds like what you've been looking for, you'll probably enjoy them. See every style in our barefoot shoes collection.

Go slowly if you're used to thick, cushioned shoes

The biggest surprise for new wearers is the sole. A Saguaro sole is thin, with little cushioning, so you feel stones, kerbs and hard floors far more than in a padded trainer. That's the point, but it's a big change, so give yourself time:

1. Wear them for an hour or two a day at first, at home or on short walks.
2. Add a little more time each week as they start to feel normal.
3. Walk in them for a few weeks before you run in them.
4. On long days, keep your usual shoes in the car at first.

If your feet or legs feel tired, take a day off and go a bit slower. There's no prize for switching fast.

Check first if you're being treated for a foot condition

Barefoot shoes are a change of footwear, nothing more. If you're being treated for a foot condition, or someone prescribed shoes or inserts for you, ask the person treating you before you switch. The same goes if you've been told to wear a particular kind of shoe for work or sport.

Why some foot experts warn against barefoot shoes

You'll find plenty of warnings online. Most of them come down to three things:

• People switch too fast. Going from thick soles to a thin one overnight is a big jump.
• A thin sole protects you less. You feel sharp stones and hot or rough ground more.
• Not every foot or job suits a flat, flexible shoe. Some people need more cushioning or a firmer shoe.

That's why our advice is simple: go slowly, and check first if you're being treated for a foot condition.

The honest downsides of barefoot shoes

• Less cushioning. Long days on concrete feel different, especially at first.
• They look different. The wide toe box gives a rounder, roomier shape.
• The sizing is different. Saguaro runs slightly large, so measure your foot in centimetres and use our size guide instead of guessing.
• Not for every job. They have no steel toe, so they're not safety shoes.
• Not every pair is warm or waterproof. For cold days there's the lined Will I, and for rain the foldable Brisk I.

Want shoes that are roomy and flat for everyday walking? See our comfortable walking shoes for women.

The "3-shoe rule" tells you a barefoot shoe is a barefoot shoe

You may have seen a quick shoe test: press the heel, twist the shoe and bend it at the toes. A stiff, supportive shoe is meant to resist all three. Barefoot shoes are designed to bend and twist on purpose, because a flexible shoe is the whole idea. So the test tells you what kind of shoe you're holding; it can't tell you whether that shoe suits you. Trying a pair on can.

Choose your first pair by fit, not looks

• Wide feet: start with the Luck I, the widest Saguaro we sell.
• Want something close to your usual size: the Vitality III is the closest to true size.
• A light everyday shoe: the knit Smart II comes in eight colours.
• No laces: the Giselle slip-on for women, or the Go I.

Still not sure? Read which Saguaro barefoot shoe should I buy? or WhatsApp us with your foot length in centimetres.

Try them on in Sandton before you decide

The easiest way to know is to wear a pair. Visit our Sandton showroom at Unit 22, Inospace Olympia Works, 11 Olympia Street, on Tuesdays 09:30–14:00 or Thursdays 09:00–15:00, and try any style. We also deliver across South Africa, with free delivery on orders over R1,000. Questions first? WhatsApp us on 075 111 2222.

Questions people ask

Who should not wear barefoot shoes?

People who need a lot of cushioning, who wear shoes or inserts prescribed for them, or who need safety footwear for work. If you're being treated for a foot condition, ask the person treating you before you switch.

Can I wear barefoot shoes all day?

Many people do once they're used to them. At first, wear them for an hour or two a day and build up over a few weeks.

Do you wear socks with barefoot shoes?

Either works. Thin socks keep the roomy feel. For the Will I winter shoe and the Brisk I rain boot, the size guide tells you how socks change your size.

Are barefoot shoes good for walking?

If you like a light, flat, flexible shoe, yes. Start with shorter walks if you're used to thick, cushioned soles.

What is the 3-shoe rule?

It's a quick test of a stiff, supportive shoe: press the heel, twist the shoe and bend it at the toes. Barefoot shoes bend and twist on purpose, so they're not built to pass it.