LONO Singapore Barefoot Benefits

Why are barefoot shoe features healthy?

Barefoot footwear or barefoot shoes offers a healthier, more natural option compared to typical shoes through the following features:

  1. Wide Toe Box: allowing your toes to splay and avoid being cramped, thus giving you increased stability
  2. Zero Drop: placing your toes and heels on a flat level and avoiding an angled unnatural stance
  3. Flexible Sole: providing a highly mobile sole and shoe materials that enhance flexibility and build up stabilising muscles


Our feet are complex, with 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 20 muscles in each. These work together to support movement and absorb shocks, but standard shoes limit the natural movement of the foot, particularly the arch, which can result in injuries or impaired function over time.

Issues with Traditional shoes

  1. Damages to your foot structure: Traditional shoes often change how our feet interact with the ground, leading to weaker muscles and decreased foot sensitivity over time. This can cause foot health issues such as bunions (hallux valgus), hammer toes and increase the risk of injury, particularly as we age.
  2. Sub-optimal materials: Historically, early footwear was simple, made from materials like animal skins that allowed for more natural foot movement. However, modern shoes often include thick heels and rigid soles that dull sensory input, affecting the way we move and causing a loss of foot strength, flexibility and breathability.

What we're doing at LONO to take care of your feet

At LONO, we believe in the power of minimalist footwear to enhance foot health and overall well-being.

  1. Our shoes are designed to allow your feet to move as nature intended: helping you rediscover the strength and flexibility you've lost over time.
  2. Optimal materials: crafted from flexible, breathable and biodegradable materials, our shoes will be there every step you make into a healthier and more natural future. Check out the Nature Benefits and Product pages for more info.

 

For new barefooters, 3 tips to get started

If you are new to the barefoot game, there are some things to prepare yourself for. Here are 3 tips to get started on your barefoot journey.

 

How intensive should my training be to get used to barefoot shoes?

While the answer may vary depending on your experience, what we found helpful was to gradually build up strength over a few weeks.

For those brand new to barefoot shoes and with more sensitive foot conditions you may consider to start by doing some light walking around your neighbourhood, stopping prior to any pain.

 

Are there ways to adjust the shoes to achieve different level of the barefoot feeling?

Absolutely! Our shoes have been designed in a way that you can wear the original inserts to give you a moderate barefoot experience.

If you find that you still need more cushion to help you transition to barefoot shoes, then we offer thicker add-on Earth InSoles. You can also consider to wear thicker socks to help with the cushioning.

And finally if you are seeking a more raw barefoot feeling with a harder sole, then taking out the original insole will reveal a bare minimum 6mm sole that is still designed to have grip but feel more rugged. Ideal for those looking to take their strength-building to the next level!

While for those more confident in their abilities, you may consider to do light jogs and build out a routine at a pace that ensures your feet feel well-exercised but not aching. Time for recovery will also be key for everyone.

 

Are there any other exercises that can help me strengthen my feet muscles?

Maintaining a good stretching routine is imperative to reduce the risk of injury.

Muscle massaging techniques such as foot rolling with a mobility ball can also help loosen up the muscles in tandem with your barefoot training.