Toe shoes are also called barefoot Shoesor as glovesfor the feet. However, not every barefoot shoe is a toe shoe: The special feature of these shoes is that they not only convey a „barefoot“ feel, but that each toe has its own compartment and that the toes can be individually moved while running. Other types of barefoot shoes still pack all the toes in a big shoe.

Good for feet, legs, back and well-being

The idea behind some of the people as uncomfortable perceived shoes with the resulting optics is that barefoot running is healthy, the musculoskeletal system is good and quite preventative against postural damage, tension, back problems and movement-associated headache can act. Nevertheless, a shoe is necessary, because hardly anyone today can handle longer distances barefoot. This is a security problem: sharp stones, shards, burning cigarette butts and dog feces are lying on the streets, automatic doors and metal rails and grids have become indispensable in public buildings and public transport. The shoe thus protects the foot from injury, but at the same time must be designed so that it allows the natural movements of barefoot running. Heels, hard soles and close cut, but also very long shoe tips are not in the toe shoes, because these fashionable additions make conventional shoes so ruinous for the musculoskeletal system.

Toe shoes come from the running scene

It was not a fashion extravagance that the toe shoesbut a trend from running. Natural running was the buzzword. It was and still is about making running as natural as possible, giving people back their natural agility in running and at the same time providing a good feeling for the feet. Race should feel like barefoot. The toe shoes, where every single toe has its own compartment, stress the muscles in the foot very differently than normal shoes, because it is quite possible to move the toes individually with the help of naturally available (but rarely well-trained) muscles. The muscles in the foot are strengthened overall with these shoes, the foot posture can thereby develop positively, and the attitude overall is better. Not only the superficial musculature, but above all the deep-seated skeletal musculature is stimulated. At the same time toe shoes do not have any modern shoe technology: pronation supports and damping components simply do not exist. As a result, toe shoes strain the muscles while running more, but at the same time relieve tendons, ligaments and joints. Because the muscles in feet and legs strengthened by walking barefoot can really carry the body.

These are the benefits of toe shoes

Toe shoes have no heel and no heel. This allows runners with toe shoes to put the middle or forefoot directly on the ground while running, which corresponds to a natural running style. The flexible sole of the toe shoes is so soft that it can bend and twist in all directions. This allows natural, motion-intensive running and natural rolling. Toe shoes is also wider in the front area than conventional shoes. The toes thus have more freedom of movement and can react sensitively to bumps and other stimuli from the ground, for example with gripping movements. The constantly required musculature of the legs and feet becomes stronger, the running movement stabilizes. Thanks to the low material consumption toe shoes are much lighter than other shoes. Good toe shoes should weigh about 100 g.

Pay attention when buying

The toe shoes should be adapted to the weather in any case. There are some manufacturers who make only thin shoes: These are intended for the warm season. In winter, the shoes, if they are used outdoors, a little better insulated. Toe shoes are especially for sports, in the segment running Shoesbut also in the area of ​​water sports. A manufacturer that excels in men’s toe footwear for leisure and sports is Vibram. For the office toe shoes, however, are rather not suitable: The look of these shoes is too flashy, and the shoes are usually not made of leather, but made of plastic.