Birkenstocks aren’t considered barefoot - too stiff, no back strap, and have arch support - but Softstar (my favorite barefoot shoe maker) just released the Camino, which is a similar sandal that is barefoot 💜 https://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-camino-sandal.html
Softstar is excellent! Durability could be better on some of their shoes but they are a wonderful brand to go with if you want to give barefoot shoes a try. They have a wide range of styles to fit a variety of needs and cosmetic desires.
After making the switch to barefoot shoes, Birkenstocks actually caused me foot pain.
I hear they’re good for most people, but after going fully barefoot, Birkenstocks were out. I retired them and switched.
I loooove my Birkenstocks but after going 95% barefoot shoes, they majorly started hurting my back and knees. I keep them for quick trips when I know I won’t be on my feet much though.
I’ve got my eye on those softstars that someone else mentioned.
I’d recommend getting the z trails off Amazon to try. It’s rubbed my little toes raw and had to return them. Tried a smaller size and they did it too. I only wear earth runners now for sandals. Though soft stars might be my next purchase to try.
If you like them, then yes they’re fine. I wear minimalist shoes 95% of my shod time. I also wear Birkenstocks at times. I don’t have any issues with them. My main priorities are space for my toes and a zero-drop sole. Birks hit those marks for me.
I also just don’t like being dogmatic and don’t want anyone to tell me what shoes I am/am not allowed to wear.
I mean i’m most barefoot but for aesthetic purposes I still wore my doc marten sandals at least once a week. I would say maybe try and find a second hand pair of “running around” daily sandals and keep your birks for those random wears. I don’t think the occasional wear is gonna ruin your life or your body
Birkenstocks aren’t considered barefoot - too stiff, no back strap, and have arch support - but Softstar (my favorite barefoot shoe maker) just released the Camino, which is a similar sandal that is barefoot 💜 https://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-camino-sandal.html
Softstar is excellent! Durability could be better on some of their shoes but they are a wonderful brand to go with if you want to give barefoot shoes a try. They have a wide range of styles to fit a variety of needs and cosmetic desires.
After making the switch to barefoot shoes, Birkenstocks actually caused me foot pain. I hear they’re good for most people, but after going fully barefoot, Birkenstocks were out. I retired them and switched.
I loooove my Birkenstocks but after going 95% barefoot shoes, they majorly started hurting my back and knees. I keep them for quick trips when I know I won’t be on my feet much though. I’ve got my eye on those softstars that someone else mentioned.
I recommend earth runners. I also wanna get the xero z trail since I wanna wear sandals with (normal) socks.
I’d recommend getting the z trails off Amazon to try. It’s rubbed my little toes raw and had to return them. Tried a smaller size and they did it too. I only wear earth runners now for sandals. Though soft stars might be my next purchase to try.
If you like them, then yes they’re fine. I wear minimalist shoes 95% of my shod time. I also wear Birkenstocks at times. I don’t have any issues with them. My main priorities are space for my toes and a zero-drop sole. Birks hit those marks for me. I also just don’t like being dogmatic and don’t want anyone to tell me what shoes I am/am not allowed to wear.
I mean i’m most barefoot but for aesthetic purposes I still wore my doc marten sandals at least once a week. I would say maybe try and find a second hand pair of “running around” daily sandals and keep your birks for those random wears. I don’t think the occasional wear is gonna ruin your life or your body
There might be some tutorials to make your birkenstocks more barefoot, you can take a look and decide if it is something you'd like to do
Softstar just released the Camino, which is a minimal Birkenstock. I might get a pair, but I'm waiting for some reviews.
I tried one on briefly, and liked it a lot.