Men’s barefoot shoes – walk naturally with Doghammer

What makes men’s barefoot shoes special compared to conventional shoes?

There are three key differences between barefoot shoes and conventional men’s shoes:

1. Barefoot shoes have no heel-to-toe drop, i.e. no difference in height between the toes and the heel. In conventional shoes, this height difference is usually between 10 and 15 mm. The raised heel causes the calf muscles to shorten, which is why those new to barefoot shoes usually feel a pulling sensation in this area during the first few days or weeks.
2. Barefoot shoes have a significantly wider toe box, which corresponds to the natural shape of the foot. Conventional men’s shoes often taper to a point at the front, which does not correspond to the natural shape of the foot. Take a look at your bare feet – you’ll see that your toes point outwards, but never inwards towards the centre.
3. Barefoot shoes for men have a much more flexible sole. Thanks to the soft sole, you can feel the ground beneath you as you walk, and your foot muscles are encouraged to work.

You can also find a summary in our magazine.

What types of barefoot shoes for men can you find at Doghammer?

Not all barefoot shoes are the same – after all, your feet face very different challenges in everyday life, out in the mountains or on cold days. That’s why at Doghammer you’ll find a range of men’s barefoot shoes that combine a natural walking sensation with different areas of use.

With our barefoot hiking shoes, you’ll be out and about on the trails. The flexible sole gives you direct contact with the ground, whilst the shoe protects your feet whilst you’re hiking. For everyday life, leisure and the office, we also offer barefoot trainers that bring that typical barefoot sensation to a practical everyday shoe.

Would you like to give your feet as much freedom as possible at home too? Our barefoot slippers combine a wide toe box and a zero-heel design with a flexible sole. Thanks to the natural rubber sole, you can wear them not only indoors but also outdoors – for example, when camping.

For the colder months, you’ll also find barefoot winter shoes. That way, you don’t have to miss out on the natural walking sensation of your barefoot shoes, even in low temperatures. Whether for everyday wear, at home, in winter or on your next trip: with our men’s barefoot shoes, you can choose the model that best suits your needs.

Where are the sustainable barefoot shoes for men made?

The sustainable barefoot shoes for men are manufactured in a family-run shoe factory in northern Portugal. We have been working closely with this shoe manufacturer since 2019; it is there that not only our men’s barefoot shoes are produced, but also our woollen and children’s barefoot shoes. A major advantage of European production is the short transport distances from our suppliers to the workshop and finally to our warehouse in Rosenheim.

Barefoot shoes for men: what materials are used?

To recreate the sensation of walking barefoot, we use very light and flexible materials in our men’s minimalist shoes – with a clear focus: ‘to use as many natural materials as possible.’ For this reason, the thin insole of our men’s barefoot shoes is also made from recycled cork. For the upper of our men’s barefoot shoes designed for the warmer months, we opt for a breathable upper made from knitted merino wool. For our sustainable men’s barefoot shoes, which are designed more for the transitional seasons, we use loden made from Pomeranian land sheep from northern Germany. For the barefoot sandals, we use recycled cork. Thanks to the natural materials, the barefoot shoes provide a comfortable and dry foot environment. We also use a similar combination of materials, for example, for our hiking barefoot shoes. 

What’s the best way to look after these sustainable men’s barefoot shoes?

If your men’s barefoot shoes ever get really dirty, you can put them in the washing machine on the ‘wool cycle’. However, we recommend avoiding this, as the barefoot shoes will suffer even on a gentle cycle and the natural wool grease will be washed out. A better method is to remove coarse dirt from the sustainable minimalist shoes using lukewarm water and a soft cloth. You’re also welcome to treat them with a care product. For wool barefoot shoes, we recommend using a care product that contains natural wool grease (lanolin). Click here for instructions on cleaning barefoot shoes.

Important: here’s what you should bear in mind when buying men’s barefoot shoes!

Are men’s barefoot shoes new to you, and have you always worn conventional shoes until now? Then it will take a few days or even weeks for you to get used to the new feeling of freedom – more space in the toe area and feedback from your feet on the surface you’re walking on. We therefore recommend starting slowly when wearing men’s barefoot shoes. Don’t set off on a long walk or hike straight away; start with short distances instead. Let your feet get used to this new sense of freedom and gradually increase the time you spend wearing them and the distances you cover in your new men’s barefoot shoes. You should definitely bear this in mind when trying them on for the first time: These sustainable men’s barefoot shoes will probably feel significantly looser and roomier than your conventional shoes; this doesn’t necessarily mean the barefoot shoes are too big, but rather that your feet need to get used to the new feeling of freedom first.