Going Bearfoot: The Benefits of Functional Footwear & The Best Shoes for Beginners

Our feet are often an afterthought — we stuff them in socks and shoes and forget about them, content to go on with our day never really paying much attention to our body's foundation. 

As the base of our body, our feet are essential to our overall health, whether we realize it or not. 

They’re the root of our skeletal system, with our knees, hips and low back all relying on our feet for strength and stability. They allow us to receive sensory information from the earth, with thousands of nerves constantly picking up new findings and relaying this information to the brain. They allow us to move freely – walking, running, bending and twisting into the various shapes and positions required to thrive daily. 

And yet, we choose to suffocate them in shoes that are too small or tight, offer no real health benefits, and frequently lead to chronic pain, injuries and dysfunction. 

Our feet deserve to feel better. And by better, we mean barefoot. 

Actually, Bearfoot, to be exact. 

Bearfoot makes a premium line of functional footwear, or wide, flexible, and thin-soled shoes designed with minimal restrictions so you can move the way nature intended. 

Their sleek lineup of minimalistic shoes, from the Oso to the Ursus, aims to strengthen your lower body, increase your sensory awareness, improve your posture and balance, and even reduce chronic pain! 

Whether you suffer from stiff, sore muscles and joints, or want to feel better, stronger and more powerful in and out of the gym, replacing your current shoes with one of these options is hands-down the best place to start. 

The Ursus 

Available in both low-top and high-top, the Ursus is the perfect choice for frequent gym-goers. Thanks to a wide toe-box allowing your toes to splay and move freely, the Ursus gives you a solid, strong foundation, which can translate to more strength and better balance during heavy lifts like squats. 

Another perk of this functional shoe is that it’s made with genuine suede leather, so it won’t rip or tear like your typical gym shoe that’s made with cheap, flimsy plastics. It’ll also become more comfortable, as the leather forms and adapts to your foot. 

While the Ursus was originally designed for the gym, it’s sleek enough to be worn in any environment, from the weightroom to the workroom. 

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The Ursus-Lux

Designed for maximal versatility, the Ursus-Lux is your go-to shoe for any activity. Like the Ursus, the Ursus-Lux can take everything you throw at it in the gym, but it’s also perfect for activities that don’t involve weights, from grabbing groceries to a full day of hiking. 

The Ursus-Lux is made with high-grade canvas, making it super lightweight and suitable for all-day wear. It’s breathable and feels like you’re not even wearing shoes, but still offers durability, flexibility and protection for your feet while you’re out and about. So if you live an active lifestyle and frequently like to go from the gym straight into your other daily activities, the Ursus-Lux is the best choice for you. 

The Oso

The Oso provides the flexibility and shape the human foot needs, while offering premium comfort and style. Designed with genuine suede leather on the outside and leather-lined on the inside, the Oso is equal parts fashionable, functional and comfortable. So dress them up for dinner out with friends, or slip them on to head to the store, the mall or for a walk – wherever you’re headed, the Oso is designed to handle it all. 

Like all of Bearfoot’s shoes, the Oso features a wide toe box to give your toes freedom to move, a zero drop heel to help strengthen your natural arch and engage your calves, and a thin outsole to help you feel the ground, improving sensory feedback, stability and muscle engagement. We recommend the Oso for anyone looking for the perfect high-end casual barefoot shoe. 

All of Bearfoot’s shoes can be worn by both men and women. 

Transitioning to Bearfoot Shoes 

Whether you choose to go with the Ursus, Ursus-Lux or Oso, keep in mind that functional footwear works best when worn consistently – but don’t toss all your “normal” shoes just yet. 

If you’ve never worn minimalist footwear before, start by transitioning slowly, wearing your Bearfoot shoes for an hour or so per day for the first week. Then slowly increase by an hour per day, per week, so after eight weeks, you should be able to comfortably wear your minimalist shoes for a full day. 

Some people will be able to adjust faster, and some will need more time, so make your transition personal, and don’t rush your feet. After a lifetime of wearing “traditional” shoes, it be as no surprise that it’ll take some time to learn how to live without thick soles, squished toes and lifted heels. It’s well worth the process, though, and your feet (and entire body) will thank you! 

Shop Bearfoot’s entire lineup of functional footwear here, and take 10% off your order with code HEADLINES10. 

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This article was created in partnership with Bearfoot Functional Footwear.