About Us

Our Purpose

We are dedicated to bringing barefoot shoes to the public. While barefoot shoes are available for purchase online all around the world, the number of places where one can try a barefoot shoe on and receive information about the benefits one on one with an expert are next to non-existent. Our mission is to introduce a holistic and healthier form of footwear to the masses and re-educate what a shoe’s purpose should be. In addition, we are striving to provide detailed, high quality details about different bare foot shoe models and brands in order to make choosing shoes online that much easier.

Our Findings

Through thousands of first hand accounts, we have learned that those walking in the barefoot condition have experienced an increase in daily comfort. The constrictive and limiting properties of modern shoes, such as heel drop, tight toe boxes, toe springs, arch support and thick soles are often taken for granted and not always attributed immediately to a plethora of uncomfortable sensations. Once an individual gets used to removing these restrictions, they often begin to realize just how uncomfortable they were when they were shod. Those who have made the transition to barefoot running have discovered a widely forgotten fact: that our body is built for endurance running. With proper training and transition, many who have experienced pain or over-exhaustion while running long distances have been able to run pain free while conserving energy. One of the more significant and rewarding benefits of providing barefoot shoes is the reduction in pain that so many users of barefoot footwear experience. The number of people that have felt relief from chronic or acute pain in their foot, ankle, knee, hip or back after walking barefoot is staggering. The confirmation that being barefoot was the key to this relief usually comes when prior pain returns as soon as conventional shoes are again worn. This has been our observation through all age groups and from many walks of life. One of the most concrete signs of barefoot benefits are the countless orthopaedic inserts that people have thrown away after even short periods of walking in the barefoot condition. This is due to the fact that the shoes they were wearing for dozens of hours a week were completely morphing the natural function of the foot and placing it into what is akin to a cast, and as soon as the shoes were removed the orthopaedic inserts became obsolete.

Our Story

The owner and and founder of Allways Barefoot is Barak Argov. Since he began walking with barefoot footwear in 2011, it had become more and more clear to him that there was something very wrong with how modern footwear is made. This clarity came to a peak when he began working at Barefootlife in Israel in 2019. At Barefootlife, the principles of proper footwear and it's benefits are heavily promoted, and has gained fast and aggressive traction amongst the Israeli populous. Barak decided that a similar business was needed in the United States of America. A business acting as a bastion for people who are tired of their feet and joints hurting and yurn for a solution. Our mission here at Allways Barefoot is to make sure our customers are always barefoot in all ways possible. Our business has been and always will be about the embetterment of our customer’s well being. The benefits of wearing Barefoot shoes speak for themselves as soon as an individual has the courage to begin the transition. We are here to guide and provide for anyone who is searching to strengthen and renew their foot function.

Our Brands on Offer

Our catalysts for being Barefoot come from multiple beloved companies, all offering shoes that are flat soled, wide toe boxed, thin, flexible and light:

Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot is a minimalist footwear company that traces its origins to 2003 when it was founded by Terra Plana, a sustainable footwear brand. The company's mission was to revolutionize the way people think about shoes by promoting the benefits of barefoot walking and running. In 2012, Vivobarefoot emerged as an independent brand, dedicated to producing shoes that allow natural foot movement while offering protection and comfort. Over the years, they have gained recognition for their commitment to sustainability and biomechanically sound design, making them a prominent player in the minimalist footwear industry.

Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes, a popular minimalist footwear brand, originated in 2009 when its co-founders, Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, embarked on a mission to create comfortable, natural movement shoes inspired by the ancient Tarahumara running sandals. They started by crafting their own huarache-style sandals in their living room and soon developed a following for their design. In 2013, they launched a successful crowdfunding campaign, allowing them to expand their product line and establish Xero Shoes as a prominent player in the minimalist footwear market. Today, the company continues to provide customers with lightweight, flexible, and eco-friendly footwear designed to enhance natural foot function and outdoor experiences.

Vibram Five Fingers

Vibram FiveFingers, an innovative footwear company, was born in 2005 when Vibram, a renowned Italian rubber sole manufacturer, sought to create a more natural and minimalist footwear experience. Drawing inspiration from traditional barefoot designs and the concept of allowing feet to move freely, they developed the distinctive toe-separated shoe design. Initially popularized among the barefoot running community, Vibram FiveFingers gained rapid recognition for their unique, anatomical design and potential health benefits. The brand quickly expanded its product line, becoming a prominent player in the minimalist footwear market, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and those seeking a closer connection to the ground.

Luna Sandals

Luna Sandals was founded in 2009 by Barefoot Ted McDonald, an influential figure in the minimalist running movement. After being inspired by the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico who run long distances in traditional huarache sandals, his vision was to introduce quality barefoot running sandals to the Western world. The company blends ancient footwear designs with modern materials, resulting in minimalist sandals that promote natural foot movement and a barefoot running experience. Luna Sandals are known for their durability, lightweight construction and versatility, making them popular among runners, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Their commitment to simplicity, functionality, and a connection to nature sets them apart in the barefoot footwear market.

Adama

Adama is a quality minimalist sandal brand out of Israel. The brand was created by Shahar Rozen, the owner and operator of Barefootlife. Since it's creation in 2013, barefootlife has taken a strong foothold as a supplier of barefoot footwear to the citizens of Israel. By recognizing the need for greater variety of durable sandals for hiking, running and day to day use, Adama was created to offer stylish, durable sandals at reasonable prices.

Groundies

Groundies is a footwear company with a history rooted in the pursuit of comfortable and healthy footwear. Founded in Germany in the early 2010s, the company has consistently focused on crafting shoes that combine minimalist design with advanced ergonomic features, prioritizing foot health and sustainability. Over the years, Groundies has gained recognition for its commitment to using high-quality, eco-friendly materials and promoting a more natural, barefoot-like walking experience. With a dedication to innovation and a growing global presence, Groundies has become a trusted name in the realm of comfortable and sustainable footwear.

Magical Shoes

Magical Shoes, founded in 2015 in Poland, emerged from a family-run business with over 50 years of experience in the footwear industry. Their focus on handmade shoes ensure that each pair has a personal touch and that each detail has been given the upmost care. Extremely light, wide and flexible, their dedication to providing the barefoot experience goes hand in hand with their dedication to quality.

Image Sources

barefoot - Pure male feet, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

foot - Public Domain

heel drop - HLHJ, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

ankle - OpenStax College, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

feet - Public Domain

joints - Laboratoires Servier, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

flexible - GuillemMedina, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons