Smart Barefoot Shoes

There are now a number of different brands you can choose from for your smart barefoot shoes. Why concert? Barefoot shoes can strengthen your feet by up to 60%, just by wearing a wider toe box and getting your feet more grounded.

Have a look at the below brands, as there is lots of choice!

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk

https://www.zaqq.co.uk/barfussschuhe-men/boot-winter/

https://www.belenka.com/

https://uk.feelgrounds.com/collections/shoes

https://www.shapenbarefoot.com/en/c/ballerinas

https://ahinsashoes.com/

https://origoshoes.com/

https://www.lemsshoes.com/

In addition, these stores also sell a multitude of shoe types:

https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/

https://www.footworksrunning.co.uk/collections/lems

Barefoot Outdoor Shoe Options

I’ve been asked quite a few times about good barefoot outdoor shoes that are:

  • waterproof

  • coldproof

  • grounded

  • barefoot

  • zero drop

  • work in mud, snow and dry gravel

Here are a few options:
The below shoes are for mud and gravel trail, rocks/roads will be slippery with these:

This one has 5mm heel at the back, which you may need if you have any tightness in your calf muscles or hamstrings:

https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/trailventure

If you’d prefer a trail shoe (rather than a boot), this is a similar option:

https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/ultraventure-pro-1https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/ultraventure-2-mens

If there isn't tightness in your calf muscles/hamstring muscles, then these are also options:

https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/collections/mens-trail/products/mens-trail-terraventure-3https://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/m-lone-peak-all-wthr-mid.htmlhttps://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/m-lone-peak-all-wthr-low-2546.html

All of these shoes are for mud/gravel trails, but unfortunately are not waterproof. I've got the altras and I've tried both the Lone Peak Mid and Low versions, unfortunately I found both weren't waterproof. That was the previous versions, so the updated ones might be better (keep reading, as I’ve included some shoes which are supposed to be waterproof and are barefoot shoes).

The below are good for dry trails/gravel/road/rocks:

Note with any barefoot shoe you need to be careful as you could be removing 2.5cm+ of height from the back of the body (calves, hamstrings, spine), which needs to be done slowly! Read this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRBvWC9Beur/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Options here are:

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/tracker-ii-fg-menshttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/tracker-forest-esc-mens

A client has the tracker II, he has very wide feet and said they're really comfortable, however, they don't perform well in mud. Since then vivobarefoot have brought out the Tracker Forest Esc, which have 'lugs' in them. I suspect they perform slightly better in mud, but not as good as the Topo or Altra shoes in mud (better in rain). Also, the downside of lugs is they don't grip rock well.Another possible waterproof boot is:

https://www.belenka.com/barefoot-winter-boots-be-lenka-ranger-dark-brown/ - I think this would require a waterproof spray

Or the below (I have these and they are amazing at keeping my feet warm and dry up to -10 degrees in snow) and aer waterproof. The grip is pretty good for snow/ice (I would get grips for ice walking):

https://www.belenka.com/winter-barefoot-boots-be-lenka-winter-dark-brown/

I wear the below for cycling (women's version) and have been ok in the wet over the winter. My feet do get wet, if I cycle for longer than 30 minutes when it's really pelting down.

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/gobi-ii-mens

I really like Anya on instagram, she is not a foot specialist, however she does review a lot of shoes. I don't 100% agree with what she says, but we're 90% on the same lines. This post is about foot shape, which should be considered:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXB_5-0JbDa/

This one is about various different makes (most have to be imported into the UK) and shows an image of narrow to wide. If you have wide feet, I'd recommend looking at groundies, altra, topo and belenka:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUNv63SJWoK/

This one is about hiking shoes:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUYTZV6JZy7/

A couple of options that might be good to consider are:

Finally, a couple of thoughts:

  • some brands give you a free trial for a period of time e.g. vivobarefoot 100 day free trial- vivobarefoot have a stores throughout europe, as do groundies and belenka

  • happylittlesoles charge for delivery, but have free returns, so you can try out lots of different brands - these tend to be more fashion based shoes, although she does have a few non-fashion brand here: https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/adults/boots.html

  • topo have european stores and you can sometimes find altras at running stores e.g. runnersneed

  • lems shoes may also work:  https://www.footworksrunning.co.uk/collections/lems/products/lems-boulder-boot-waterproof-weathered-umber - I've heard the fella that owns Footworks is very helpful with sizing and returns. Another dry trail, gravel, road, not mud option.Lots of options

Ultimately, it’s all about getting the sensation from your feet to your brain.

Veggie Red Thai Curry Soup

Ingredients:

1 tsp red thai curry paste

1 x 400ml coconut milk

1 x vegetable stock cube

50 grams of cooked brown rice

1 x onion

1 x thumb sized piece of ginger; chopped into match sticks

1 x red chilli (leave this out if you don’t enjoy hot food)

A bunch of coriander

vegetables - pick and choose your vegetables of choice, I like:

broccoli

mushrooms

baby aubergine

sliced carrots

lentils

If you want to add meat, throw in a couple of chicken breasts, the best you can afford.

Recipe:

Set the rice to cook for 20 minutes. To cook, place a lid on the rice and when it gets to boiling temperature, turn the heat right down, do not remove the lid and cook for 20 minutes. Once the rice has cooked, turn the heat off, do not remove the lid and leave for another 10 minutes to steam for fully rice.

While the rice is cooking, place the ginger, onion, red chilli (if using) and finely chopped coriander in a saucepan on a low heat for 10 minutes. Use either olive oil or coconut oil (1 tsp) to make sure the mix doesn’t stick to the pan.

When the onions are soft and translucent, add in the chicken if you’re using. Otherwise, add in the mushrooms and other veg to soften on a low heat. If you are using chicken, make sure the outside of the chicken is white and cooked (the inside will cook while the sauce is reducing). After 3-5 minutes, add in the red thai chilli paste and make sure the veg (and cooked chicken) are fully coated.

Add in the coconut milk. I like adding 200ml of coconut milk and 200ml of water to reduce the fat content of the meal, however, it’s probably best to start with 400ml of coconut milk and gradually reduce. The fat in the coconut milk will make it taste delicious, however, the fat in the coconut milk also increases the calories. It’s a little bit of give and take with this one.

Simmer for 30 minutes. Keep adding water if it gets too thick. You can also add a stock cube if you need to, however, stock contains a lot of salt, so use this with care.

Once the curry has reduced, add in the rice. If you prefer a thicker consistency of curry, keep on the low heat until your meal has reduced to your desired consistency.

Serve with Skyr yoghurt if you aren’t using chicken or you need to cool down the curry.

Chilli

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 (jar) x pepperdew peppers

  • 1 x kidney beans (400 grms)

  • 2 x courgette

  • 2 x tinned tomatoes (400 grms)

  • 500 grms beef mince

  • Ground Cumin

  • 1 x red onion

  • Cinnamon Stick

Chop the onion and gently fry in the cooking spray until white/translucent. Add the mince until browned. Add the kidney beans, 1 tbsp of cumin, cinnamon stick and tinned tomatoes to the pan. Simmer for 60 minutes until the water has reduced.

Serve with brown rice (palm sized) and a fresh salad.

Enchilada Brunch

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 (jar) x pepperdew peppers

  • 1 x kidney beans (400 grms)

  • 1 x butter beans (400 grms)

  • 1 x tinned tomatoes (400 grms)

  • 50 grms chorizo

  • 4 x wholemeal tortilla wraps

  • 1 x red onion

  • 1 x avocado

  • 50ml lime juice

  • paprika

  • 4 x eggs

  • white wine vinegar

  • cheddar cheese

  • cooking spray

  • spinach

  • tomatoes

  • cucumber

  • foil

Chop the onion and gently fry in the cooking spray until white/translucent. Dice or slice the chorizo and add to the pan. Add the kidney beans, pepperdew peppers, butter beans, 1 tbsp of smoked paprika and tinned tomatoes to the pan and simmer for 30 minutes until the water has reduced.

Place the avocado in the food processor and blitz until smooth. Add the lime juice to soften into guacamole.

Line an oven tray with foil, spray with cooking oil to make sure the tortillas don’t stick. Place a tortilla on the tray, line the tortilla with avocado down the middle. Then add a spoon of the tomato, bean and chorizo stew to the tortilla and close. Repeat until all 4 tortillas are in the tray. Cover with 20 grams of cheddar cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees (fan assisted).

Poach the eggs. Fill a large pan with hot water and get up to the boil. Put a splash of vinegar into the pan. When the water is bubbling, cracking an egg into a bowl and then gently pour into the hot water and cook for 3 minutes. The water should always be simmering, never boiling. Remove and place on a plate with kitchen towel to drain the fluid from the egg, then place on the plate with the enchilada.

Remove and serve with the spinach, tomatoes and cucumber.