Ditch the Cushion--These Sandals Mimic Barefoot Walking for Better Balance and Building Strength

PHILOMATH, Ore., March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Think cushy footwear means better foot health? Think again. Recent studies^1,2,3 have shown that ditching traditional footwear with rigid soles, excess foam, and arch support for minimalist alternatives can increase balance and improve foot strength.

When continually constricted by narrow toe boxes and upheld with arch support and cushion, your feet are not able to move through their full range of motion, which can cause the muscles to weaken over time. Weak foot muscles can contribute to a higher fall risk, especially in older adults, as well as various foot injuries and deformities that may cause frequent discomfort. 

One of the most authoritative brands in minimal footwear is USA-based Softstar Shoes. Their shoes are designed to protect against hot pavement and rough terrain while preserving the freedom of barefoot-like movement. Their newest sandal, the Camino Lite, is an exemplary case of an "un-engineered" sole with its flat and flexible construction. Unlike many traditional sandals, the Camino Lite puts your foot muscles to work and allows your feet to bend and flex the way nature intended.

While gains in foot strength are a contributing factor in improved balance, additional research is needed to understand how increased sensory input from foot-to-brain when barefoot or in minimal shoes also contributes to improved balance. If you spend most of your time in traditional footwear, it is recommended that you transition gradually to minimal shoes over the course of several months, starting with an hour a day and increasing an hour each week. 

Softstar's unique footwear is handmade with genuine leather uppers and durable Vibram™ rubber outsoles. Sustainability is at the heart of all Softstar products, from green workshop practices, on-demand orders, fair wages and high quality, natural materials. The unisex design is highly adjustable to accommodate a variety of foot shapes. The Camino Lite is exclusively available at Softstar.com for $140.

Softstar Shoes is a certified B Corp that has been designing and handcrafting minimal leather footwear in the USA since 1985.

Contact:

Anna Lammers
541-936-9300
[email protected]
Softstar Shoes
Philomath, OR 97370

¹ Roy Curtis, Catherine Willems, Paolo Paoletti and Kristiaan D'Aout. Daily Activity in minimal footwear increases foot strength (20 September 2021)
² Nicholas Holowka, Ian Wallace and Daniel Lieberman. Foot strength and stiffness are related to footwear use in a comparison of minimally- vs. conventionally-shod populations (27 February 2018)
³ Ridge, Sarah T.; Olsen, Mark T.; Bruening, Dustin A.; Jurgensmeier, Kevin; Griffin, David; Davis, Irene S.; and Johnson, A. Wayne, "Walking in Minimalist Shoes Is Effective for Strengthening Foot Muscles" (2018). Faculty Publications. 3159.

SOURCE Softstar Shoes