No more knee pain since I started wearing barefoot shoes! The ground feel is so important to me. I think I hit the ground with less force so my knees don't have to absorb excess. Now working on my foot arch, toe spread and overall posture. It's wild how everything is so interconnected and it's exciting how much more understanding we gain every year!
My knee pain has led me here. After focusing on hip strength & mobility, with some improvement in my pain, I figure it's time to focus on ankles and feet now.
I just got a pair of correct toes, yes they are expensive but worth it already. I am getting bunnionettes, crushed toes and duck walking, from wearing ultraboost shoes. After only 3 days of use, 2 hours total, and I notice the difference. Switching to barefoot shoes is difficult for me, (also expensive) throwing away my old sneakers which are still in good condition. But having healthy strong feet to walk on is more important.
@@mogroot5790 Haave you seen the UB 21? The toe box is narrow that you need to size up. And the drop on the shoe is so extreme it forces you to heel strike, even though I normally toe strike. After 1 years of wearing my toes were all bound together.
I will also update my barefoot journey and thank Grown and Healthy for his advice. Because ultimately what I feel is relief since switching. I cant walk as far yet but feel more satisfaction in my activites. Also I have gained some toe splay already withe the help of toe spreaders. I'm also working on my walking gait, it's a process but I'm enjoying it.
@@confusio3851 what’s up with an update? I just got my first pair of whitins and a budget toe spreader. Gunna go at it slowly on the weekends as my job requires me to walk a lot.
The comprehensiveness of your knowledge about foot problems and walking is very impressive. 10 years ago I determined that I had never learned how to walk properly and I started re-learning the process. This has resulted in a complete change to many parts of my body. Your information is greatly appreciated.
@@jakester5272 The left side of my body had a bad hip and ankle. The right side had a bad knee. I believe this occurred due to my posture resulting from the way I walked, stood, and slept. The re-education of my leg muscles resulted in the development of muscles in my legs, back, and shoulders which was surprising because I had always been athletic.
came from how to wear toe spacer video and it’s amazing at how high this production quality has gotten! really great work, and your content is excellent, love that you’re sharing this knowledge so effectively, can really pick up on your intelligence and empathy and realness
I use them solely at home and find they last longer. I've had my first pair of correct toes over 5 yrs and only replaced them when I lost one of them. I sleep with them and wear them whenever I am at home and the results are great. You need to couple this with wider toe shoes, mind, because you will feel the crush of conventional shoes.
I purchased my first pair of barefoot shoes as well as socks, but I am happy I found this cause this seems like it would get an outcome faster than just wearing the shoes alone. very informative video, glad I found you boss!
I grew up with kids who wear sandals and slippers. The toes are spread wide. Wide shoes are needed in adulthood. Asics is a decent brand. Would recommend barefeet and sandals to allow your feet to loosen up. It takes time to develop but better late than never.
Fuck shoes. I work in an office/warehouse environment, so I have to wear dress shoes while working. When I’m not there, it’s bare feet or sandals, even when it’s freezing outside lol
I love your content!!! Started my barefoot shoes journey a few months ago. Working on transitioning, and your videos have helped me learn about proper form. Would love a hiking video/ stair master form video. Keep up the amazing work!!!
i started to wear zero drop shoes like Xero prio and toe spacers. i feel like my calf muscles are now feels works again. But slowly i my walking pattern and running patern started to change. just two days i start running with my zero drop shoes. Lets see ❤
I just got back from Grand Turk and watched the local kids and teens playing and running. They were all barefoot (super hot pavement) and they ran so soft and springy. They landed much more flat than I do. Now I'm going down a barefoot / toe spreader rabbit hole.
real experience from me. i have had flat foot forever and there were no normal shoes wide enough for me, especially running and gym shoes. one day i took the shot and bought some vivos and they are fantastic. never gonna wear something else again and imma try out other barefoot brands. so much more acitve through the day and more body-feel. (of course in heavy conditions barefoots arent ideal).
It is November right now - 2022; came here by chance; I'm looking through your content; and as my free time allows me I'm going to stay here a little way longer because what you are presenting on your channel should be obligatory told to parents on the class meeting when children still go to primary school! People even don't realize how important this is! How this "shopping all those trash kinds of shoes riuns our feet, backs, lumbar spine, posture from the very beginning! I'm a swimming instructor and whan you are saying it has also impact on others sport disciplines. I see how childres have so many disorders in their feet area. Lack of ankle mobility is the least of worries - belive me.
ALTRA Shoes. Check out their Escalante & Torin. Escalante & Escalante Racer are great for everyday use and the Torin has some more cushioning that is nice for extended time on the feet. ALL shoes they make are shaped like a FOOT unlike many of the 'fake' minimalist shoes that still have pointy toe-boxes.
I always hated narrow shoes and always felt more comfortable with wider forefoot shoes. the reason I preferred adidas over nike. most of their shoes are wider at the front. that's why for the last few years I prefer open toe flat sandals or slippers oh yeah I a pair of vibrams also lol
yes in my early days i did the single big toe spacer in a pair of nike free run2s ha, but im in altras for 4years now, but occasionally grab a nike pegasus in extra wide.
Thanks so much for sharing information about the toe spreaders and how they work with aligning our toes back to their natural position. Are the toe spreaders a more natural way of correcting bunions without the surgery?
nice video! - short and to the point. It's been a couple years since you posted it. What are your honest thoughts on the toe spacers now? Do you still continue to use them? Do you still need to use them after you reach a certain 'point', or will your toes naturally splay without spacers if you continue to wear wide-toe box shoes? What's a good time frame to wear the spacers - half hour a day, a couple hours a day, 5 days a week, 7 days a week?
Thank you so much. I purchased the correct toes brand and even after months they just would not stay in place. Because my toes were so tight and the correct toes were rigid. I have since purchased a couple pairs of the spreaders you sell in your store and they work so much better for my muscular non splayed toes! Thank you for all of your help. May I ask your opinion on Birkenstock’s? I do have Altras and Saguaro barefooted but people swear by their Birks. Again, thank you 🦶
Thanks for this amazing video! You got amazing feet! I try to be barefooted as much as possible. I feel and hate the fact that shoes compress our feet...
I developed serious shin splints from wearing barefoot shoes because i couldnt change my walking gait no matter how much I practiced. So I went back to cushioned , narrow toe-box shoes (my toe spreaders don’t fit well in those no matter how wide) and orthotics for relief.. :( Now my newly developed hammertoes make wearing barefoot shoes painful because they make them so flat in the toe area. (Add Morton’s Neuroma to the mix) I know there are coaches for barefoot running, but i don’t know any for barefoot walking to help me change my gait. This has been an awful, years-long, never ending saga. Any tips on changing the walking gait and finding a barefoot walking coach? I’m not a runner.
I’m in PT recovery from stroke and dealing with toes curl up when making certain movements during different step exercises , toe spacers with the shoes I want to try
I have a problem where one foot is more flat than the other. This messes up my leg workouts (especially glutes) because I only feel them in one predominate leg (the less flat foot). So would I wear toe spacers on the flatter foot or both? Also, will it help activate my glutes better in the workout?
The standard silicone spreaders (Link in the Description) are one size fits all.. There are a few variations.. Correct Toes, do not have silicone at the ends of the Toes. Yoga Toes, has much wider spacing between the Toes, but that makes them unwearable with shoes.
@@GrownandHealthy I have ones that look similar to Correct Toes but only go around the 3 middle toes. They feel great at first, but make my toes feel numb after a while, which is when I take them off. They're not really wearable inside shoes (imho)
I find that most toe spacers don't have enough width next to the big toe to help correct bunions. The only thing that helps at all for me is wider spreaders than these combined with toe socks. Any recommendations for wider but wearable toe spreaders?
I am no pro, but I have used the original Yoga Toes for years to keep my toes flexible and straight. Because they are bulky, you can wear them when you’re hanging around at home. Like everything else, they have gotten expensive.
Can you please explain more about the correct way to walk? Is it best to walk entirely on the front of your feet or front-back? We've all been taught incorrectly that we should heel-toe walk.
For walking it does not really matter. For running I'm confident that forefoot landing is the most natural way. I always say take of the shoes and see how you walk intuitively. I naturally walk forefoot when not wearing shoes.
Yeah I just started on my second week it has become second nature to go on my walks like this only I am feeling a little twinge in my left forefoot. It comes and goes I think it’s just my foot adjusting.
Yes the left foot can be tricky, especially if you have a heavy right hand dominance. Just be mindful to move the left hip (as far as interbnal/external rotation and forward/backward) like the right Hip.
So do you wear these the forward way or backward way? Arch pointing towards your toe gap or towards your toe nail? You said you wear them backwards in your old video
I am so grateful for your channel. My feet are truly messed up to the point where I am having arthrodesis on first mtp joint next week. Will I be able to begin my journey into barefoot shoes after this surgery?
Can you hike with bare foot shoes? Thank you so much this is the first time I heard about these kind of shoes. I try to order them today . I also tried to order the 6:03 weighted vest but they are out of stock. Your contents are very helpful ❤❤
if i wear toe spreaders and barefoot shoes, will my feet strengthen and toes spread faster when i go for a run? Also, why cant we wear them all day outside of sleeping?
Activity, while wearing them strengthen your feet faster. Start with light intensity. Avoid aggravation/ discomfort from intense early usage. If you can wear them comfortably, wear them. But they can aggravate the skin, leading to less subsequent use.
@@GrownandHealthy I 100% agree, focusing more on the ball of foot and toes and arch and putting tension in them when lifting or walking is making huge improvements in my stability and glute activation.
You have a video of 4 years ago how to wear then (upside down for the most) but now it seems you wear then "wrong" as well? Is there a correct way or is both good?
I have a question what about wearing sandals or flip flops I live in the south florida to be exact. Use to wear boots all the time working on the farm and labor intensive jobs. Now I am not doing that anymore. So to keep my feet frōm calluses from boots i wear flip flops allot and sometimes sandals.
Okay I'll explain my particular situation my friend. I work for a moving company and I am on my feet for 8 to 10 hours a day wearing regulated steel toe boots and with that said I have considered wearing correct toes during my work day in my boots but I also have a limb discrepancy with a short right leg and I have to wear a right insert LOL this is a very complicated process for me trying to be healthy! Do you have any particular guidelines for me because I just want to be healthy and do the right thing for my feet! I feel as though if I wear Zero boots or zero shoes I will still be walking with a limp without my insert or shoe lifts. How can I make this work? Any suggestions please thank you
@@GrownandHealthy Yes, that's right. I've got the 5 fingers Vibram KSO EVO. Before wearing the shoes I could not spread my pinky toe sideway. I felt some stretch in my toes the first week. Now I can spread all my toes sideway. Now I'm wearing XERO sandals at home with Injinji socks because it's more convenient to take off the sandals whenever I want to. So I think, the Vibram fingers did the same job as the toe spreaders at the initial spreading. Now, I'm maintaining good spread at home with my XERO sandals + 5 fingers socks and working out + running with my KSO EVO. So I guess it's all about maintaining + spreading a bit more + maintaining again.
I am working on strenghtenin my feet and toes. I am looking at toe spreaders. I just need to know if they would work for me. I have pretty short toes. Is this something I can use? I wear size 6 ladies shoes. Thanks
Skateboarding has been all about zero drop shoes since it started. You will never see a high heeled skate shoe. It throws you off balance. I remember running track in skate shoes and my coach wanted me to get real running shoes. It’s so funny now because now all fitness enthusiasts are all about barefoot and zero drop shoes. Wish I could tell him I was right all along!
I've been wanting to get some of these and had a last minute thought. Does size of your foot affect the ability to use these? I guess I mean are they one size fits all?
@@GrownandHealthy thanks for the quick response. I've been into barefoot shoes a while. I had originally heard not to wear them in shoes but I guess maybe the people I was watching were not marketing to barefoot shoe people. I run and do dance, barre, and pilates types workouts. I will definitely use them while doing my stretching since I do a lot of the lunges and forced arch squat type of things; i do those fully barefoot anyway. I'm excited to find your videos. during my run earlier this evening I consciously focused on internal rotation of my hips after watching one of your videos.
I've always wondered that since like in my 20's..like 30 years now..why do they make shoes so skinny..I as a gal have to find extra wide cause I have feet issues..I heard Italy makes square shoes a while back, but costly..Even runners are narrow..And still no decent shoes out there..
Are you wearing them while exercising? You have a passive range of motion and an active range of motion... Wearing them while engaging in focused (foot mobility) exercises will go much further. Also, your results will vary on your footwear, if you wear barefoot shoes intermittently, with conventional shoes/boots, you will see little, to no progress.
@@GrownandHealthy I hate to say it I do not wear them when working out. My workouts consist of long trail runs & not much else. I might try on a short run here & there to try it out.
Any suggestions I switched to barefoot shoes and also using correct toes after having plantar fasciitis for a year. After about 1.5 months I developed metatarsalgia in both feet and still have plantar fasciitis I’ve tried the metatarsalgia pads insoles going back to normal shoes. I’m athletic and in shape.
this sounds like you may have gone to hard to fast tbh. metatarsalgia is normally an overuse injury. 1.5months to adapt to barefoot shoes is not a long time in the grand skeme of how long you have had normal shoes. if you decide to try again I highly suggest to at least do short runs fully barefoot on a hard surface even if its just a short few blocks down the side walk jog. Barefoot on a hard surface is one of the best form teaching tools out there even compared to barefoot shoes.
Can this be an alternative to surgery for crooked toes and bunions? Also I've been taking a vitamin D supplement and it seems to get rid of toe pain too, is there any truth to that.
Depends on your stage.. If you start early enough... This is my non-medical advice: I would use all at the same time. Toe Spreaders Only wear 5 finger socks. Only wear Barefoot shoes. I would practice a forefoot strike, which will aid in Toe Extension. Absolutely no heeled shoes! Joint pain can be for many different reasons... Mainly, Posture/Gait and Inflammation.
I have been watching your videos and trying to change the way I walk, but I am having issues with my big toe causing pain at the base of the toe when I follow through with my step. Would these toe spreaders help with that pain?
If your toes are unable to keep a straight path, they will help. Also, you need to evaluate, whether you have adequate Toe function and control. Your range of Big Toe extension and flexion is important, not just for walking, but all aspects of lower body movement.
What about the plastic. It is harmfull to be everyday in contact with these type of plastic. Its been found that contact with plastic is really bad for us, and usng this all day... What are your tought on these?
Best practice will be wearing five finger socks. Normal socks shouldn't be too restrictive, if you are on the smaller size of the sizing range (ex. socks label: "size 10-12" and you are a size 10).
Boom, on point toes should be the widest part of the foot. If you look up images of a new born child’s foot this is how our feet are structurally supposed to be. Kidney bean shaped functional
Great video!!! I wear orthodics for my flat feet. Is there a shoe I can wear with orthodics and have the wide front??? Lately my two small toes are curling under my feet giving pain on top of foot.
do you have fallen arches? or are they truly flat feet? I ask because if its just fallen arches then chances are you can actully get your arch back. Once you support something on a human it never gets better and should only be done as a last resort.
I just started my foot healing journey and bought a pair of barefoot shoes about a month ago and I've been trying to wear them as much as possible unless I'm barefoot. The only problem is I spend 10 and 1/2 hours a day at work and I have to wear steel toe shoes that are big and bulky and narrow. Does anyone have suggestions for an affordable pair of steel toe wide toe box shoes?
I have the exact same problem, I cant find barefoot type shoes suitable for work, but I wear the next size up to give my toes plenty of space. You can also wear toe socks to help the spread while at work. As long as you can do this safely anyway. Best of luck.
I watched a video from you from 4 years ago and you have the toes spacers on the other way, stating that the way you have them on in this video is incorrect. Which way is it?
Is it possible for these to help Morton toe? Or will second toe always be longer than big toe? Might be a silly question but thought maybe it could be possible if big toe moved in and second toe changed a little.
morton's toe may just be natural for you. Not all of our feet are the same. There are some brands that fit better for others depending on their toe shape and lenghts. Check out anya reviews she has a pretty detailed list of brands and foot shapes
Mortons toe or roman feet as some call it can be 100% natural. What most people assume as normal feet where it goes big toe as the largest and then goes down from there is egyptian toes. The good thing about barefoot shoes is the toe box is much less pointed so normally just sizing based on your largest toe for you the second will get you the right size. Anya review goes in deapth about brands based on toe shape.
I mean I entirely agree with the video, but doesn't this create another problem? Being sneakers will become uncomfortable to wear for you considering your feet aren't adjusted anymore? I mean sure you could solve that with barefoot shoes but lets be honest most people cannot wear those to work and some other daily activities.
There are some manufacturers who make shoes with a wide toe box and flat sole. From the outside, these do not look like barefoot shoes. Wilding, Joe Nimble, Aylla, Feelgrounds, magical shoes, bLifestyle to name just a few. I am a big fan of Joe Nimble
you can pretty much find a barefoot shoe for anything these days. be that a dress shoe or a more casual leather sneaker. Steel toe boots are the one expection Birkenstock has some models that are pretty decent for toe boxes and are decent once you remove the insoles.
Xero shoes has tried to make some work friendly options. Vivobarefoot has some too. There are more for men I believe than women but I'm trying to turn my entire shoe wardrobe into a foot friendly shoe wardrobe. As a girl who likes to wear heels when dressed up I'm having to realize that comfort and foot health are more important. Plus I really don't dress that fancy much anymore. Recently I heard the owner of zero shoes imply they were working with a company on a possible protective workboot.
I wore these daily for almost a year during covid. It didn't do shit to realign my toes, and I wore them barefoot. Did exercises as well to stretch and strengthen.
Depending on your age and how long you been wearing regular shoes it will take longer, example if you been wearing regular shoes for 20 years then switch to toe spacers for 1 year the 20 years still have a advantage over the 1 year, you got to keep wearing them if you can while you sleep also and wear barefoot shoes, it’s a slow process but if you believe in this you got to do the work
@@christophervera4320 yep, while I slept too. And yes I bought the barefoot shoe thing too. Merrell barefoot models, vivo. I also did foot strengthening exercises and stretches. All it did was add some temporary gaps between my toes and allow me to wiggle them more.
I've tried this and it doesn't really work because it's impossible to change the shape of ur foot. You would have to wear is consistently for probably as long as ur age right now and it makes ur feet numb and feel weird after a bit.
it's only impossible if it's a structural issue so the skeleton. and usually it's fascia or soft tissue in general. so yeah it does help. the most important part is a slow progress towards spread-out toes. aa for myself it took me 2 weeks to wear them more comfortably. the first few days were somewhat painful after 30min-2hours of wearing them as my fascia was so "tense' between the toes.
@@FlashTheEagle much every place I've read about them just starting 10 to 15 minutes at a time. I've been wondering is there significant difference between brands.
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No more knee pain since I started wearing barefoot shoes! The ground feel is so important to me. I think I hit the ground with less force so my knees don't have to absorb excess.
Now working on my foot arch, toe spread and overall posture.
It's wild how everything is so interconnected and it's exciting how much more understanding we gain every year!
Wild but makes heaps of sense!!
My knee pain has led me here. After focusing on hip strength & mobility, with some improvement in my pain, I figure it's time to focus on ankles and feet now.
Just started wearing barefoot shoes and toe spreaders hoping that this will help my right knee.
I just got a pair of correct toes, yes they are expensive but worth it already. I am getting bunnionettes, crushed toes and duck walking, from wearing ultraboost shoes. After only 3 days of use, 2 hours total, and I notice the difference. Switching to barefoot shoes is difficult for me, (also expensive) throwing away my old sneakers which are still in good condition. But having healthy strong feet to walk on is more important.
Excellent! For foot health, barefoot shoes are going to be a total lifestyle change, requiring a new (over time) closet.. But it is well worth it.
Bunions for wearing ultraboost?
@@mogroot5790 Haave you seen the UB 21? The toe box is narrow that you need to size up. And the drop on the shoe is so extreme it forces you to heel strike, even though I normally toe strike. After 1 years of wearing my toes were all bound together.
I will also update my barefoot journey and thank Grown and Healthy for his advice. Because ultimately what I feel is relief since switching. I cant walk as far yet but feel more satisfaction in my activites. Also I have gained some toe splay already withe the help of toe spreaders. I'm also working on my walking gait, it's a process but I'm enjoying it.
@@confusio3851 what’s up with an update? I just got my first pair of whitins and a budget toe spreader. Gunna go at it slowly on the weekends as my job requires me to walk a lot.
Great video,I'm completely paralysed from my waist down so I'm confined to a wheelchair I use tie spacers to stop my toes crossing each other
The comprehensiveness of your knowledge about foot problems and walking is very impressive. 10 years ago I determined that I had never learned how to walk properly and I started re-learning the process. This has resulted in a complete change to many parts of my body. Your information is greatly appreciated.
Might i ask what changes you experienced?
@@jakester5272 The left side of my body had a bad hip and ankle. The right side had a bad knee. I believe this occurred due to my posture resulting from the way I walked, stood, and slept. The re-education of my leg muscles resulted in the development of muscles in my legs, back, and shoulders which was surprising because I had always been athletic.
came from how to wear toe spacer video and it’s amazing at how high this production quality has gotten! really great work, and your content is excellent, love that you’re sharing this knowledge so effectively, can really pick up on your intelligence and empathy and realness
Thank you. I hope you found the content helpful.
@@GrownandHealthy attatch this thing inside softstar primal barefoot shoe, or if they just mad more wide footfidding five fingers
I use them solely at home and find they last longer. I've had my first pair of correct toes over 5 yrs and only replaced them when I lost one of them. I sleep with them and wear them whenever I am at home and the results are great. You need to couple this with wider toe shoes, mind, because you will feel the crush of conventional shoes.
Great slogan! "self improvement through movement"👍
I purchased my first pair of barefoot shoes as well as socks, but I am happy I found this cause this seems like it would get an outcome faster than just wearing the shoes alone. very informative video, glad I found you boss!
I'm glad to help.
And it will definitely be a faster transition.
Your channel is such a great resource! Thanks for all your hard work 👏
Thanks for watching!
these helped the pain i had after a long day walking. i just put em on for maybe an hour a day and it helps a lot.
I grew up with kids who wear sandals and slippers. The toes are spread wide. Wide shoes are needed in adulthood. Asics is a decent brand.
Would recommend barefeet and sandals to allow your feet to loosen up. It takes time to develop but better late than never.
Fuck shoes. I work in an office/warehouse environment, so I have to wear dress shoes while working. When I’m not there, it’s bare feet or sandals, even when it’s freezing outside lol
Yes, barefoot is best.
@@bezalel5081 check out Birchbury’s minimalist zero drop barefoot dress shoes 👞
@@bezalel5081 vivo also makes some pretty decent looking barefoot dress shoes
I love your content!!! Started my barefoot shoes journey a few months ago. Working on transitioning, and your videos have helped me learn about proper form. Would love a hiking video/ stair master form video. Keep up the amazing work!!!
Awesome to hear, I definitely will! Thank you!
i started to wear zero drop shoes like Xero prio and toe spacers. i feel like my calf muscles are now feels works again. But slowly i my walking pattern and running patern started to change. just two days i start running with my zero drop shoes. Lets see ❤
I just got back from Grand Turk and watched the local kids and teens playing and running. They were all barefoot (super hot pavement) and they ran so soft and springy. They landed much more flat than I do. Now I'm going down a barefoot / toe spreader rabbit hole.
You have convinced me I will buy it this month! Thanks
real experience from me.
i have had flat foot forever and there were no normal shoes wide enough for me, especially running and gym shoes.
one day i took the shot and bought some vivos and they are fantastic. never gonna wear something else again and imma try out other barefoot brands. so much more acitve through the day and more body-feel.
(of course in heavy conditions barefoots arent ideal).
Thanks for the info. Looking forward to seeing more of the content from this channel. Just ordered some toe spacers. Keep up the good work.
Awesome! Thank you!
It is November right now - 2022; came here by chance; I'm looking through your content; and as my free time allows me I'm going to stay here a little way longer because what you are presenting on your channel should be obligatory told to parents on the class meeting when children still go to primary school! People even don't realize how important this is! How this "shopping all those trash kinds of shoes riuns our feet, backs, lumbar spine, posture from the very beginning! I'm a swimming instructor and whan you are saying it has also impact on others sport disciplines. I see how childres have so many disorders in their feet area. Lack of ankle mobility is the least of worries - belive me.
Very educational! Thanks!
This information is life changing! Thank you for sharing.
I just ordered the toe spacers in the bio. I’ll be back in 2 weeks to give update.
ALTRA Shoes.
Check out their Escalante & Torin. Escalante & Escalante Racer are great for everyday use and the Torin has some more cushioning that is nice for extended time on the feet. ALL shoes they make are shaped like a FOOT unlike many of the 'fake' minimalist shoes that still have pointy toe-boxes.
I always hated narrow shoes and always felt more comfortable with wider forefoot shoes. the reason I preferred adidas over nike. most of their shoes are wider at the front. that's why for the last few years I prefer open toe flat sandals or slippers oh yeah I a pair of vibrams also lol
You and GOATA are on the same page, look into how they breakdown and utilize proper movement
NICE, i like the single "gel" for big toe spacer in shoes that aint tooo wide/enough for full toe spacers
Yes, but remember, your feet will conform to the shape of tight shoes.
yes in my early days i did the single big toe spacer in a pair of nike free run2s ha, but im in altras for 4years now, but occasionally grab a nike pegasus in extra wide.
Thanks so much for sharing information about the toe spreaders and how they work with aligning our toes back to their natural position. Are the toe spreaders a more natural way of correcting bunions without the surgery?
Nothing but surgery can correct bunions. However the steps shown can slow down their progression and give pain relief.
nice video! - short and to the point. It's been a couple years since you posted it. What are your honest thoughts on the toe spacers now? Do you still continue to use them? Do you still need to use them after you reach a certain 'point', or will your toes naturally splay without spacers if you continue to wear wide-toe box shoes? What's a good time frame to wear the spacers - half hour a day, a couple hours a day, 5 days a week, 7 days a week?
Eloquent and effective speaker, thank you
Thank you so much. I purchased the correct toes brand and even after months they just would not stay in place. Because my toes were so tight and the correct toes were rigid. I have since purchased a couple pairs of the spreaders you sell in your store and they work so much better for my muscular non splayed toes! Thank you for all of your help. May I ask your opinion on Birkenstock’s? I do have Altras and Saguaro barefooted but people swear by their Birks. Again, thank you 🦶
Thanks for this amazing video! You got amazing feet!
I try to be barefooted as much as possible. I feel and hate the fact that shoes compress our feet...
Have to get some of these
I developed serious shin splints from wearing barefoot shoes because i couldnt change my walking gait no matter how much I practiced. So I went back to cushioned , narrow toe-box shoes (my toe spreaders don’t fit well in those no matter how wide) and orthotics for relief.. :( Now my newly developed hammertoes make wearing barefoot shoes painful because they make them so flat in the toe area. (Add Morton’s Neuroma to the mix) I know there are coaches for barefoot running, but i don’t know any for barefoot walking to help me change my gait. This has been an awful, years-long, never ending saga. Any tips on changing the walking gait and finding a barefoot walking coach? I’m not a runner.
I’m in PT recovery from stroke and dealing with toes curl up when making certain movements during different step exercises , toe spacers with the shoes I want to try
I have a problem where one foot is more flat than the other. This messes up my leg workouts (especially glutes) because I only feel them in one predominate leg (the less flat foot). So would I wear toe spacers on the flatter foot or both? Also, will it help activate my glutes better in the workout?
Are there different types/sizes of spreaders? Any particular details we should look for before buying or while we're wearing them?
The standard silicone spreaders (Link in the Description) are one size fits all..
There are a few variations..
Correct Toes, do not have silicone at the ends of the Toes.
Yoga Toes, has much wider spacing between the Toes, but that makes them unwearable with shoes.
@@GrownandHealthy I have ones that look similar to Correct Toes but only go around the 3 middle toes. They feel great at first, but make my toes feel numb after a while, which is when I take them off. They're not really wearable inside shoes (imho)
i havent tried barefoot shoes but i've been using asics wide fit shoes
I find that most toe spacers don't have enough width next to the big toe to help correct bunions. The only thing that helps at all for me is wider spreaders than these combined with toe socks. Any recommendations for wider but wearable toe spreaders?
I am no pro, but I have used the original Yoga Toes for years to keep my toes flexible and straight. Because they are bulky, you can wear them when you’re hanging around at home. Like everything else, they have gotten expensive.
Can you please explain more about the correct way to walk? Is it best to walk entirely on the front of your feet or front-back? We've all been taught incorrectly that we should heel-toe walk.
For walking it does not really matter. For running I'm confident that forefoot landing is the most natural way.
I always say take of the shoes and see how you walk intuitively. I naturally walk forefoot when not wearing shoes.
Yeah I just started on my second week it has become second nature to go on my walks like this only I am feeling a little twinge in my left forefoot. It comes and goes I think it’s just my foot adjusting.
Yes the left foot can be tricky, especially if you have a heavy right hand dominance.
Just be mindful to move the left hip (as far as interbnal/external rotation and forward/backward) like the right Hip.
So do you wear these the forward way or backward way? Arch pointing towards your toe gap or towards your toe nail? You said you wear them backwards in your old video
I am so grateful for your channel. My feet are truly messed up to the point where I am having arthrodesis on first mtp joint next week. Will I be able to begin my journey into barefoot shoes after this surgery?
Yes take it super slow, I can be a long process for some. Good luck 🙂
I have to purchase the product
Holy smokes this information is great!
Can you hike with bare foot shoes? Thank you so much this is the first time I heard about these kind of shoes. I try to order them today . I also tried to order the 6:03 weighted vest but they are out of stock.
Your contents are very helpful ❤❤
Yes you can. Most Barefoot manufacturers, like Xero sell barefoot shoes for hiking.
if i wear toe spreaders and barefoot shoes, will my feet strengthen and toes spread faster when i go for a run? Also, why cant we wear them all day outside of sleeping?
Activity, while wearing them strengthen your feet faster.
Start with light intensity. Avoid aggravation/ discomfort from intense early usage.
If you can wear them comfortably, wear them. But they can aggravate the skin, leading to less subsequent use.
Have you heard of chong xie? Or his hyperarch hypothesis?
I haven't. What is it?
Heard of him but only seen towel scrunches related stuff
Yes, Hopefully I can have an interview with him. Fascia is more important than it is currently understood.
@@GrownandHealthy I 100% agree, focusing more on the ball of foot and toes and arch and putting tension in them when lifting or walking is making huge improvements in my stability and glute activation.
Which shoes would u recommend for regular walking
You have a video of 4 years ago how to wear then (upside down for the most) but now it seems you wear then "wrong" as well? Is there a correct way or is both good?
It is also good for you not wearing shoes outside.. i mean Grounding.
Agreed!
I have a question what about wearing sandals or flip flops I live in the south florida to be exact. Use to wear boots all the time working on the farm and labor intensive jobs. Now I am not doing that anymore. So to keep my feet frōm calluses from boots i wear flip flops allot and sometimes sandals.
Okay I'll explain my particular situation my friend. I work for a moving company and I am on my feet for 8 to 10 hours a day wearing regulated steel toe boots and with that said I have considered wearing correct toes during my work day in my boots but I also have a limb discrepancy with a short right leg and I have to wear a right insert LOL this is a very complicated process for me trying to be healthy! Do you have any particular guidelines for me because I just want to be healthy and do the right thing for my feet! I feel as though if I wear Zero boots or zero shoes I will still be walking with a limp without my insert or shoe lifts. How can I make this work? Any suggestions please thank you
How does it compare to wearing 5 fingers socks like the Injinji's ?
I think the spreaders are necessary initially, but once the Toes are able to function with space, then 5 finger socks are good for maintenance.
@@GrownandHealthy Yes, that's right. I've got the 5 fingers Vibram KSO EVO. Before wearing the shoes I could not spread my pinky toe sideway. I felt some stretch in my toes the first week. Now I can spread all my toes sideway. Now I'm wearing XERO sandals at home with Injinji socks because it's more convenient to take off the sandals whenever I want to. So I think, the Vibram fingers did the same job as the toe spreaders at the initial spreading. Now, I'm maintaining good spread at home with my XERO sandals + 5 fingers socks and working out + running with my KSO EVO. So I guess it's all about maintaining + spreading a bit more + maintaining again.
I am working on strenghtenin my feet and toes. I am looking at toe spreaders. I just need to know if they would work for me. I have pretty short toes. Is this something I can use? I wear size 6 ladies shoes. Thanks
They are one size fits all... The length of most toes should fit, most problems are with the fit of the small Toe.
Skateboarding has been all about zero drop shoes since it started. You will never see a high heeled skate shoe. It throws you off balance. I remember running track in skate shoes and my coach wanted me to get real running shoes. It’s so funny now because now all fitness enthusiasts are all about barefoot and zero drop shoes. Wish I could tell him I was right all along!
I have to wear steel toed boots for work. What is the best way to not damage my feet in them?
nice video. cheers :)
I've been wanting to get some of these and had a last minute thought. Does size of your foot affect the ability to use these? I guess I mean are they one size fits all?
Yes, they are one size fits all. These are best worn with barefoot shoes, which have a wider toebox.
@@GrownandHealthy thanks for the quick response. I've been into barefoot shoes a while. I had originally heard not to wear them in shoes but I guess maybe the people I was watching were not marketing to barefoot shoe people. I run and do dance, barre, and pilates types workouts. I will definitely use them while doing my stretching since I do a lot of the lunges and forced arch squat type of things; i do those fully barefoot anyway. I'm excited to find your videos. during my run earlier this evening I consciously focused on internal rotation of my hips after watching one of your videos.
I've always wondered that since like in my 20's..like 30 years now..why do they make shoes so skinny..I as a gal have to find extra wide cause I have feet issues..I heard Italy makes square shoes a while back, but costly..Even runners are narrow..And still no decent shoes out there..
I wear spacers intermittently. My little toes just point out. It doesn’t seem like the metatarsal’s are adjusting.
Are you wearing them while exercising?
You have a passive range of motion and an active range of motion...
Wearing them while engaging in focused (foot mobility) exercises will go much further.
Also, your results will vary on your footwear, if you wear barefoot shoes intermittently, with conventional shoes/boots, you will see little, to no progress.
@@GrownandHealthy I hate to say it I do not wear them when working out. My workouts consist of long trail runs & not much else. I might try on a short run here & there to try it out.
Any suggestions I switched to barefoot shoes and also using correct toes after having plantar fasciitis for a year. After about 1.5 months I developed metatarsalgia in both feet and still have plantar fasciitis I’ve tried the metatarsalgia pads insoles going back to normal shoes. I’m athletic and in shape.
this sounds like you may have gone to hard to fast tbh. metatarsalgia is normally an overuse injury. 1.5months to adapt to barefoot shoes is not a long time in the grand skeme of how long you have had normal shoes. if you decide to try again I highly suggest to at least do short runs fully barefoot on a hard surface even if its just a short few blocks down the side walk jog. Barefoot on a hard surface is one of the best form teaching tools out there even compared to barefoot shoes.
Can this be an alternative to surgery for crooked toes and bunions? Also I've been taking a vitamin D supplement and it seems to get rid of toe pain too, is there any truth to that.
Depends on your stage..
If you start early enough...
This is my non-medical advice:
I would use all at the same time.
Toe Spreaders
Only wear 5 finger socks.
Only wear Barefoot shoes.
I would practice a forefoot strike, which will aid in Toe Extension.
Absolutely no heeled shoes!
Joint pain can be for many different reasons...
Mainly, Posture/Gait and Inflammation.
I have been watching your videos and trying to change the way I walk, but I am having issues with my big toe causing pain at the base of the toe when I follow through with my step. Would these toe spreaders help with that pain?
If your toes are unable to keep a straight path, they will help. Also, you need to evaluate, whether you have adequate Toe function and control.
Your range of Big Toe extension and flexion is important, not just for walking, but all aspects of lower body movement.
Flat shoes are still not wide enough for my feet. Still on the lookout.
Could you maybe get custom made ones then?
@@moominmay I ended up buying Bronx wide shoes on Amazon. I like the way they fit. And my feet have gotten a little slimmer since I've lost weight.
I think you need to do some Achilles tendon stretches honestly
What about the plastic. It is harmfull to be everyday in contact with these type of plastic.
Its been found that contact with plastic is really bad for us, and usng this all day... What are your tought on these?
It's sucks that all of the athletic shoes, such as soccer indoor shoes and cleats, are so narrow. I'm not sure if there are better versions of them.
They are narrow because it makes you run faster
How do socks fit into the picture? If I wear normal socks within barefoot shoes without toe spacers, will the socks reduce toe splay?
Best practice will be wearing five finger socks.
Normal socks shouldn't be too restrictive, if you are on the smaller size of the sizing range (ex. socks label: "size 10-12" and you are a size 10).
@@GrownandHealthy ok thanks for the reply, I went ahead and picked up some toe socks
I like a proper, well-spoken African American man. I really enjoyed this presentation.
Much appreciated
Boom, on point toes should be the widest part of the foot. If you look up images of a new born child’s foot this is how our feet are structurally supposed to be. Kidney bean shaped functional
Indeed!
Great video!!! I wear orthodics for my flat feet. Is there a shoe I can wear with orthodics and have the wide front??? Lately my two small toes are curling under my feet giving pain on top of foot.
do you have fallen arches? or are they truly flat feet? I ask because if its just fallen arches then chances are you can actully get your arch back. Once you support something on a human it never gets better and should only be done as a last resort.
He has videos on orthotics.
I just started my foot healing journey and bought a pair of barefoot shoes about a month ago and I've been trying to wear them as much as possible unless I'm barefoot. The only problem is I spend 10 and 1/2 hours a day at work and I have to wear steel toe shoes that are big and bulky and narrow. Does anyone have suggestions for an affordable pair of steel toe wide toe box shoes?
I have the exact same problem, I cant find barefoot type shoes suitable for work, but I wear the next size up to give my toes plenty of space. You can also wear toe socks to help the spread while at work. As long as you can do this safely anyway. Best of luck.
Ive heard good things about Birkenstock QS 700 once you remove the insole.
Do you have a link where we can buy the toe spreaders from your website?
www.grownliving.com/collections/mobility
After using spacer my glutes also become stronger
Yes, that is the impact of proper alignment of the toes (especially the big Toes) which are functionally connected to the glutes.
I watched a video from you from 4 years ago and you have the toes spacers on the other way, stating that the way you have them on in this video is incorrect. Which way is it?
I explained why and when I wear them in previous video.
Is it possible for these to help Morton toe? Or will second toe always be longer than big toe? Might be a silly question but thought maybe it could be possible if big toe moved in and second toe changed a little.
morton's toe may just be natural for you. Not all of our feet are the same. There are some brands that fit better for others depending on their toe shape and lenghts. Check out anya reviews she has a pretty detailed list of brands and foot shapes
which xero shoes are u using in this video?
Xero Xelen, they are a great shoe.
Where can I order
Www.grownliving.com
Any thoughts about "Mortons toe" and how to accommodate it ?
Mortons toe or roman feet as some call it can be 100% natural. What most people assume as normal feet where it goes big toe as the largest and then goes down from there is egyptian toes. The good thing about barefoot shoes is the toe box is much less pointed so normally just sizing based on your largest toe for you the second will get you the right size. Anya review goes in deapth about brands based on toe shape.
I mean I entirely agree with the video, but doesn't this create another problem?
Being sneakers will become uncomfortable to wear for you considering your feet aren't adjusted anymore?
I mean sure you could solve that with barefoot shoes but lets be honest most people cannot wear those to work and some other daily activities.
There are some manufacturers who make shoes with a wide toe box and flat sole. From the outside, these do not look like barefoot shoes.
Wilding, Joe Nimble, Aylla, Feelgrounds, magical shoes, bLifestyle to name just a few. I am a big fan of Joe Nimble
you can pretty much find a barefoot shoe for anything these days. be that a dress shoe or a more casual leather sneaker. Steel toe boots are the one expection Birkenstock has some models that are pretty decent for toe boxes and are decent once you remove the insoles.
Xero shoes has tried to make some work friendly options. Vivobarefoot has some too. There are more for men I believe than women but I'm trying to turn my entire shoe wardrobe into a foot friendly shoe wardrobe. As a girl who likes to wear heels when dressed up I'm having to realize that comfort and foot health are more important. Plus I really don't dress that fancy much anymore. Recently I heard the owner of zero shoes imply they were working with a company on a possible protective workboot.
@@joyfuljaj if you want help finding women's shoes check out anya reviews
@@Demon09-_- thx.wow! so many more options than I thought. I have to be patient to budget all new shoes. It's easy to want everything.
I wore these daily for almost a year during covid. It didn't do shit to realign my toes, and I wore them barefoot. Did exercises as well to stretch and strengthen.
You're clearly permanently broken. Perhaps you should consider having your feet removed.
Depending on your age and how long you been wearing regular shoes it will take longer, example if you been wearing regular shoes for 20 years then switch to toe spacers for 1 year the 20 years still have a advantage over the 1 year, you got to keep wearing them if you can while you sleep also and wear barefoot shoes, it’s a slow process but if you believe in this you got to do the work
@@christophervera4320 yep, while I slept too. And yes I bought the barefoot shoe thing too. Merrell barefoot models, vivo. I also did foot strengthening exercises and stretches. All it did was add some temporary gaps between my toes and allow me to wiggle them more.
They hurt my toes
I've tried this and it doesn't really work because it's impossible to change the shape of ur foot. You would have to wear is consistently for probably as long as ur age right now and it makes ur feet numb and feel weird after a bit.
it's only impossible if it's a structural issue so the skeleton. and usually it's fascia or soft tissue in general.
so yeah it does help. the most important part is a slow progress towards spread-out toes.
aa for myself it took me 2 weeks to wear them more comfortably. the first few days were somewhat painful after 30min-2hours of wearing them as my fascia was so "tense' between the toes.
@@FlashTheEagle much every place I've read about them just starting 10 to 15 minutes at a time. I've been wondering is there significant difference between brands.
MATE , YOU GOT THE SPREADERS ON THE WRONG WAY ROUND !!!!! Ahahahahahahahahaah fool