What Is a Barefoot Shoe Sole, and Who Is It For?
Barefoot is one of the fastest-growing trends in the footwear industry — both among manufacturers and end customers. In this article, we explain what this technology involves and who it's a good fit for.
What Is a Barefoot Sole?
A barefoot sole is designed to make walking in shoes feel as close as possible to walking barefoot. Its key features are: no heel-to-toe height difference (so-called zero drop), a thin profile, and high flexibility that lets the foot flex freely and "feel" the ground.
How Does It Differ From a Traditional Sole?
Traditional soles — including our TR, PU and PVC models described in our article on material differences — often have stiffening elements and a raised heel, which changes the foot's natural position. A barefoot sole deliberately does away with this, prioritizing freedom of movement while still keeping protection and durability.
Who Are Barefoot Soles For?
Barefoot soles work well in many types of footwear:
Barefoot Soles at PROSPÓD
We manufacture barefoot soles with adjustable thickness, hardness and pattern tailored to a specific shoe model — we also take on custom projects based on a client's photo or sketch.
See our full range of barefoot soles