Climb New Heights Barefoot
Shoes are an integral part of our daily outfits. They bring us to new heights and help us to explore the beauty that nature brings. One type of shoe that is making waves around the world at the moment is Barefoot shoes. Besides the countless health benefit from improving posture to naturally strengthening muscles, Barefoot shoes offer maximum sensory with their thin soles as if you are walking barefoot. It has been said that producing a pair of shoes can emit as much as 30 pounds of carbon dioxide and damage the environment from the use of eco-unfriendly materials. Perhaps, it is not too late to make a positive impact on the environment from our end by supporting shoes good for your feet and the future. Check out Jejune’s approved guide to stylish and eco-friendly barefoot shoes to explore new heights in your next adventure.
Who are they: Ahinsa Shoes is a 100% handmade shoe brand created by a physiotherapist. They source their natural materials from environmentally friendly suppliers. Their shoes are made from natural materials such as linen, hemp, cotton, and recycled materials.
Price range: $$
Fun fact: Ahinsa is an old Vedic expression that can be translated as “non-violence”. It means an honorable and responsible way of living and thinking.
Earth Runners
Who are they: The minimalistic brand utilizes Vibram soles, Earth Grip footbed & grounded conductive lacing system to design barefoot sandals suitable for the outdoors and everyday wear. Earth Runners’ open-toe sandals allow proper distribution of body weight and optimal ankle and knee stability.
Price range: $
Fun fact: Earth Runner’s mission is to help people connect to nature. They donate 1% of all sales to True Messages, which is a non-profit focused on honoring the running heritage. True Messages listens to the input of the local National community to determine where to allocate resources which includes sponsoring races, trail projects, and initiatives to support the youth of the community.
Feel Grounds
Who are they: Feel Grounds is eco-conscious as they believe footwear manufacturing should be done responsibly. Their shoes are 100% vegan and they try to use as much recycled and natural materials wherever possible. FeelGrounds further extends its sustainable practices in their manufacturing ground where their factories are part of the European BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) and Better Work Vietnam, to ensure fair trade and sustainable use of natural resources.
Price range: $$
Fun fact: Their Mesh shoes are crafted mainly from recycled PET bottles.
Groundies
Who are they: Groundies made shoes that are perfect for any occasion with leather from Europe and vegan upper materials. As the brand values sustainability, they use textile alternatives from nature such as processing corn, coffee, or bamboo yarn into their shoes. All their shoes are assembled from different areas in Europe, from soles being made from Germany to having them all stitched together in Portugal.
Price range: €€
Fun fact: This urban street style footwear brand has planted over 20,000 trees through the support of "Plant-for-the-Planet." On top of that, Groundies have been certified as Climate Neutral since 2020! How cool is that?
High Feels
Who are they: If you are looking to create a summer look to show off your pretty toe art, definitely check out High Feels. The first prototype was actually made on the beach of Santa Marta. The founders use synthetic materials to make these vegan shoes.
Price range: €€
Fun fact: High Feels was established because of bunions (hallux valgus). Talk about a silver lining!
Lems Shoes
Who are they: Lem Shoes’ philosophy is simple -- design using the bare minimum whilst making sure they fit your feet’s anatomy as if you are walking with nothing on. The footwear label strives to make all their collections 100% vegan which has made significant progress starting by incorporating recycle materials such as organic canvas, a fully recycled lining, and fully recycled laces into their designs. Besides that, they were able to design their barefoot shoes to be wide toe-box, zero-drop, and ultra-light.
Price range: $$
Fun fact: Lems Shoes partners with Soles4Souls to encourage the community to repurpose shoes, giving them a second life to ensure waste is kept to minimal.
Muki Shoes
Who are they: Muki Shoe is unique as their collection is the only one in this list that does not use leather (except Igneous and Creek). With their goal to create natural and non-toxic barefoot shoes, all components are carefully selected from suppliers that are certified and have knowledge of good textile production practices. For example, they buy some of the fabrics raw and dye them with GOTS-certified pigments. They also offer a kids’ collection for your children to explore the world to its full potential.
Price range: €
Fun fact: Their shoes are made locally and handcrafted in Portugal.
Vibram
Who are they: Whether you are rock climbing, mountaineering, or even doing watersports, Vibram is a go-to for any intense outdoor activities. This FiveFingers barefoot has a sustainability program with each branch governing one out of six of their sustainable pillars. Find out more about their pillars here.
Price range: $$
Fun fact: A team of Italian mountain climbers conquers the K2 with special Dolomite boots that have Vibram Carrarmato soles.
Wildings
Who are they: Wildings offer sustainable minimal barefoot crafted with a unique touch for every design. With their commitment to reducing the ecological footprint, their quirky sneakers are made with wool sourced from certified organic livestock and landscape conservation projects, such as Nordwolle. Definitely give their winter shoes a look as they are treated with an environmentally friendly waterproofing spray. That means they’re both water-resistant and breathable.
Price range: $$
Fun fact: Wildings is a member of 1% for the Planet and Rewilding Europe. The latter focuses on advancing rewilding in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria.
Xero Shoes
Who are they: Xero Shoes is founded by a husband and wife duo with the goal to protect, support, and provide comfort for your feet. The most special thing about this brand is that the soles are guaranteed to walk your legs off with a whopping distance of 5,000 miles!
Price range: $
Fun fact: They sell DIY kits so you can create fitting shoes in the comfort of your own home. What’s more, is that Xero Shoes donate 5% of the purchase price on the DIY FeelTrue® Sandal Kits to support the Tarahumara through the Tarahumara Children’s Hospital Fund.
So… let’s “brave-foot”ly explore new heights and feel the sturdiness of Earth with one of these contemporary healthy shoes!
