Things to check before buying your first barefoot/minimalist Shoes

The Benefits of Minimalist Shoes

Apart from being closer to our true form as we touch the ground, Minimalist Shoes have a plethora of benefits that actually go beyond the realm of naturism-like walking and running practices. 

• Studies have shown that proper usage of barefoot footwear is said not just to relieve muscle and joint pains but also help us combat certain posture-related deformities.
• Barefoot or minimalistic shoes offer maximum sensory feedback as the sole purpose behind their creation has been the emulation of the barefoot running technique.
• Particular focus on ankle strength - When you allow your foot to maintain a shape that adheres to its own natural curve and the muscles and joints are able to effectively disperse the weight of the upper body in a far more equitable manner. This builds ankle endurance while alleviating strain on the knees, pelvis, and backbone, which is why minimalist shoes are an excellent choice for running and walking.
• In line with increasing foot muscle strength and speed, usage of minimalist shoes is just as beneficial as foot strengthening activities. 
• Switching shoes instead of doing particular workouts may yield better muscle agility in a shorter period in this case.
• Switching to minimalist running shoes can help to boost the foot and realign muscle fibres, as discussed early, but that is not all. 
• It really can also help us enhance ankle flexibility and so minimise harm, as well as assist you in alleviating lower back pain and distress caused by not-so-healthy or damaged knee joints. 
• Studies have also shown that these shoes help with plantar fasciitis prevention and recovery.
• Minimalist Shoes not only stimulate all of the nerves and tendons in the foot by increasing blood flow, but they also aid in the proper development of the foot, preventing abnormalities which is why athletes, particularly runners, choose minimalist running shoes to improve the condition of their sprints.
• Help in  maintaining our true posture. Modern footwear disrupts the maintenance of our organically optimised human bodily design but it might not be possible for everyone to go barefoot all the time, which is why the closest alternative for the same is Barefoot Shoes/Minimalist Shoes.
• Lower foot drop – In technical terms, a "foot drop" is the distance between the heel and the forefoot. In other words, it is the accurate measure of how much lower your toes are below your heel. When it's higher, your heel strikes harder than your toes, transmitting pressure from your lower leg directly to your knee. A lower drop, on the other hand, which is advisable while running to not just maintain speed but also transfer the stress on your calf and Achilles tendon, is what these minimalist shoes offer.
• Runners are supposed to be comparatively less susceptible to injury if they use minimalist shoes, owing to the fact that these aid uniform pressure distribution across our lower limbs and lower back. 
• As there is a substantial amount of scientific data that succinctly establishes the benefits of barefoot running, it is proven that adopting a forefoot strike reduces the incidence of other common problems such as shin splints and IT Band Syndrome. Thus, adopting minimalist shoes is better in case you wish to avoid it.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Minimalist Shoe -

1. Size –

At the end of the day, whether it is a regular pair of running shoes, a pair of high heels or even our humble minimalist shoe, in this case, the matter of choosing the correct size is the most crucial one. Most online websites offer size charts that can be used to find out the correct fit. The idea behind it is to let it fit the curvature of your foot, so if the size is wrong, it defeats the purpose entirely.

2. Product Specification –

Owing to the fact that this trend has gained momentum, there are different fabrics, duration of durability, things like drop length, sole structure, and the exact terrain that each shoe can help you thrive in that is clearly mentioned. With the increasing number of varieties, make sure that you choose the one that fits your needs the best, especially keeping in mind how long you wish to wear them for a day.

3. Style –

Your footwear never has to be boring! Pick a colour on the spectrum, from blacks to blues to neon, the highly competitive market of minimalist shoes is coming up with a wide array of options to choose from so that you do not have to compromise on size. Apart from the basic models, certain brands have also started producing sandals and high-top shoes in this range that look absolutely chic.

4. Length for Comfortable Toes –

Anyone who has seen the FiveFinger minimalist shoe knows of the importance of choosing the ones that also fit your toe size. Yet, if you are picking any other model as well, when looking for the size, feel free to inquire about the toe space as it is equally important.

5. The purpose of it –

Do you wish to use it only to walk around in the house? Is jogging on the cards? Are you planning to pull off a hike or a run with your new pair of minimalist shoes? Depending on the need and purpose of the shoe, pick the brand and the model carefully as most brands these days offer specialised versions for different categories of activities.

How to Shop for Minimalist Shoes?

We have been scrolling through our phones for the right fit for years now. With the increasing market for these shoes, they have taken the e-commerce industry by storm. Almost every leading brand in the market has global tie-ups and is exporting its shoes to every nook and corner of the world. Yet, we understand that finding the right one for you, especially when you are a beginner in the realm of going barefoot with shoes on, can be brain-numbing at times.

Are you confused about the brand or the model? There are so many of them out there, after all! We get it and don't worry; we got you. Your ideal fit is just a click away, and what's more, in case it doesn't fit, you can replace or exchange it. Gambol is a leading brand that has made shopping for these shoes as easy as one can imagine.

While there are other websites like Amazon, which offer the same but Gambol specialises in helping you find the right fit at the comfort of your home. From many  varieties, find the one that fits your size and style quotient and go natural today!

How to transition from normal shoes to minimalist shoes?

It takes time and patience! Also, practice. Science teaches us that changes in lifestyle should never be abrupt. The same holds true for shoe wearers that making the switch to minimalist/barefoot footwear is also not as straightforward as it appears in most commercials or documentation. 

• When moving to minimalist running and walking footwear, there is indeed a danger of muscle impairment or even severe injury in some cases if you do not respect the previous habits of your body and work coherently towards change. 
• The normal curve of your feet and body has always been the same, but over the years of having used the same kind of footwear, it has also become accustomed to the same.
• The trick here is to make a gradual shift. 
• Start by walking barefoot every day for at least an hour.
• The first shoes you try should have higher cushioning.
• Then gradually move on to the lower cushioning ones. 
• Wear them everyday for at least 20 minutes and then move back to your regular footwear. 
• Slowly increase the span of wearing minimalist shoes for minutes to hours. 
• As you keep on increasing the ability of your foot to adapt to the new minimalist footwear, in a matter of months, you will be able to fully shift to those. 

Where and how can we use minimalist shoes?

• From walking inside your home to going for a run to hit the gym, minimalist shoes serve every purpose possible that you can imagine. 
• Yes, you can also wear socks with them. 
• There is no hard and fast rule regarding the same, especially for beginners. 
• The zero-drop makes you feel more energised as the energy required to use your lower limbs with the heel-first strike is lesser in comparison to traditional shoes.
• You can also use them in case you have posture issues or frequent backaches, as these shoes reduce the pressure on your pelvic region. 
• Be it for your evening walk or just a yoga session; these are the ideal pair for every excursion and exercise.

All about minimalist shoes for men and women –

If you want to try minimalist running shoes, start slowly. Choose a shoe that is suited for your feet, and start with smoother and more tolerant training surfaces, such as a carpeted path. Gambol's website offers a variety of barefoot and minimalist shoes to choose from for both men and women to choose from and that from various brands.

For both men and women, we recommend that when purchasing your first pair of minimalist running shoes, one ought to continue with a manufacturer that one is already familiar with, and pick shoes that are suitable for the transitional process of moving from traditional to minimalist running shoes. Once you've grown accustomed to such a minimalist running style, you may experiment with footwear from specialised minimalist manufacturers like Vibram FiveFingers, Luna Sandals and Skinners which offer a lot of variety in all shapes, sizes and colours.

Gambol's website has dedicated sections and styles for both men and women for the same.