👣 Do you want to find something new, wonderful and functional and at the same time simple and natural when standing on your feet, walking, running and exercising..?
👣 More power and endurance to your feet with the exercise you do, for long shopping trips and for your own well-being in general..?
👣 The world's best work shoes for the office or for mobile outdoor work..? (Note! doesn't mean safety shoes here)
👣 Are you looking for a solution to a long-term pain of your foot and/or the whole body, such as achilles tendon pain, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), athlete's foot, knee pain, lower back pain...?
👣 Do you need more information on how to prevent the above-mentioned pain conditions - which are not always caused by a person's aging, but by the fact that the wrong shoes will do the bad work sooner or later..?
👣 A completely new and beautiful way to feel mother earth under your feet - not once a year on your summer holiday, but anywhere and anytime you want..?
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A barefoot shoe beginner or more advanced barefoot shoe user interested in world's best shoes, foot health and well-being - welcome to explore our selection at our online store petrisbarefoot.com and PETRI'S BAREFOOT store in Torikeskus shopping centre in Yliopistonkatu 36, Jyväskylä, Finland!
From us you can find both real barefoot shoes as well as thicker-soled models of barefoot shoes (so-called minimalist shoes) from the selections of some of the industry's leading manufacturers.
We test all the shoes in our selection ourselves first. We want to offer our customers a selection of quality barefoot shoes and related products, advice and best customer service in all aspects.
PETRI'S BAREFOOT Oy (Ltd) is founded in February 2024. The other entrepreneur of our company is my wife Marika Ala-Korpi. It's already the third time in my life as an entrepreneur, for Marika this is the first time.
In addition to me and Marika, our family includes three school-aged children: Hulda, Rafael and Robert. We live in Jyväskylä, near the city center. We are a real family business in the true sense of the word!
How did I become an entrepreneur to introduce and sell barefoot shoes to people? You can read more about it in my blog "Petri's story".
Modern barefoot shoes that promote your foot health are really stylish and oh, so comfortable! I recommend you to try it too!
Welcome to PETRI'S BAREFOOT! 👣💙☀️
Petri Hirvimäki & Marika,
PETRI'S BAREFOOT Oy (Ltd)
PETRI'S BAREFOOT - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES!
Take advantage of a 5% discount on your first purchase by subscribing to our newsletter! ● Shoe store: Torikeskus Shopping Centre (2nd floor), Yliopistonkatu 36, Jyväskylä, FINLAND / open: Tuesday - Friday 12-18, Saturday 11-16 ● Online store: petrisbarefoot.com ● contact: info@petrisbarefoot.com ● You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! (links in the bottom panel)
Ask us about the size of the shoe in more detail if you are still wondering after looking at the size chart. However, if there is a need for an exchange or return, the return is free for you in Finland! Over 200 € deliveries completely free of postage! See closer here.
Traditional shoes with limited toe spaces and heel lifts as well as arch supports and thick and stiff soles are unnatural for our feet!
Over the years and decades, the countless different joints, tendons, muscles and muscle membranes (fascia) of our feet have lost the natural strength, mobility and elasticity that they would have without the "help" offered by modern technology when we are using traditional shoes.
The barefoot shoes from PETRI'S BAREFOOT are made for your feet! So there is practically no need to break in your new barefoot shoes. All the barefoot shoes we sell have the following features:
1) a wide toe space that allows your toes to function naturally without fear of various pain conditions, bunions or atrophy of your toes. (Note! a good shoe still isn't loose all over, but it fits snugly around the ankle and heel.)
2) no heel lift, i.e. the bottom of the barefoot shoe is equally thick everywhere. Why should the shoes even have "only" a 14 mm heel rise like standard sneakers have? It is totally unnatural. Already 14 mm corresponds to no less than 6-8% constant downhill for your feet inside your shoes! In hiking shoes, the heel rise is +20 mm, more than 10% downhill, not to mention high heels.
Without the heel lift, your stride improves both when walking and running, you stay better balanced, and you don't have to constantly compensate by bending from your back the constant downhill caused by the heel lift. (continues...)
3) no arch support. The main reason why we feel that we need extra support in our shoes is because traditional shoes have seriously weakened the muscles of the foot that would naturally support our feet in different phases of walking or running.
It's time to get your feet in shape by buying yourself good barefoot shoes that enable the results!
4) thin outsole and sufficient flexibility of the structure as enablers of the natural function of the foot.
NOTE! However, this point regarding the thickness of the outsole is not absolute. You will also get the benefit of natural barefoot shoes for your foot health even with slightly thicker outsoles, i.e. with so-called minimalist shoes, as long as the structure is not too rigid.
You can also find thicker-soled barefoot shoes on PETRI'S BAREFOOT shop and online!
PETRI'S BAREFOOT - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES!
Take advantage of a 5% discount on your first purchase by subscribing to our newsletter! ● Shoe store: Torikeskus Shopping Centre (2nd floor), Yliopistonkatu 36, Jyväskylä, FINLAND / open: Tuesday - Friday 12-18, Saturday 11-16 ● Online store: petrisbarefoot.com ● contact: info@petrisbarefoot.com ● You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! (links in the bottom panel)
At the end of this text I give you a few product tips about our models that might interest you when thinking of buying new barefoot shoes.
The transition to barefoot shoes must be done correctly and with time. Otherwise it will be too hard for your feet and there is a risk for new stress injuries. The fault is not in your new barefoot shoes, but in the fact that you demand too much from your feet in the beginning - our feet have become lazy by the use of traditional shoes for decades! It is essential to give our feet time to get used to the new natural life.
Barefoot shoes with thicker soles (so-called minimalist shoes) are an excellent option for a beginner, especially if you want to keep your new shoes on your feet longer at the beginning already. They allow walking heel first even when walking on a hard surface - this is not advisable when walking with low-soled (real) barefoot shoes.
An important part of PETRI'S BAREFOOT service is to advise our customers on the use of barefoot shoes, especially in the beginning. We guide you to a good "transition" away from traditional shoes towards natural barefoot shoes that promote your health. At its best, the transition also includes a suitable little leg workout two or three times per week along with the right shoes.
The reward is the strengthening of your feet and the ending or reduction of stress injuries and pain conditions such as plantar fasciitis, achilles problems, shin splints, etc. There are also positive effects in other parts of your body, especially in the knees, hips and back, even in the neck!
And wouldn't it be great if you could just forget the barefoot shoes on your feet because they are so comfortable compared to traditional shoes? Along with the health benefits, you shouldn't underestimate the completely new world that opens to your feet when you start wearing barefoot shoes!
FIND YOUR OWN PATH AS A BAREFOOT SHOE USER!
To help you, we have divided our different shoe models into three different categories according to the thickness and cushioning of the sole of the shoe. Note that both outsole and insole as well as the pattern of the outsole are included into the thickness of the sole:
a) A real barefoot shoe. The thickness of the sole is about 4-10 mm
b) Hybrid model. Sole is about 11 - 15 mm
c) Thick-soled barefoot shoe (minimalist shoe) Sole is +16 mm
Notice that the same shoe can be adjusted through a different insole (it can also be removed) and even a different sock. Already one pair of shoes may have pretty different ground feeling in different situations depending on these small adjustments.
Often, especially those who know what foot problems and stress injuries are, end up trying barefoot shoes on a friend's recommendation. When they notice a big positive change in their foot health they never want to go back to using traditional shoes again - assuming that the transition goes somehow right. This is exactly what happened to me as well!
Of course, it would be better to start using barefoot shoes even before there are any bigger foot problems, but as we know, things don't always go like that in life - this is a good advice for younger people also.
When the time goes on depending on your physical condition, your weight, your ambition etc. you will find your own way to use barefoot shoes. Do you use only thicker-soled minimalist shoes without thinking much about it, or do you go further and start wearing thin-soled barefoot shoes as well?
What could this use of thin-soled barefoot shoes be for you? Is it just easy walking on soft nature trails or running to the extreme on hard asphalt barefoot shoes on your feet? Or do you also want a free leg workout when shopping? Walking more on forefoot in the supermarket when using thin-soled barefoot shoes is great exercise to your feet already as itself, as I like to do.
(continues after the picture...)
PRODUCT TIPS TO GET STARTED
Now finally my product (shoe) tips for the beginner barefoot user! The issues mentioned above have been taken into account in terms of a successful transition away from traditional shoes. I also think that few people can afford to buy several pairs of barefoot shoes at the very beginning. Therefore, the first pair (or two) should be one(s) that can be used in several contexts.
The thicker-soled minimalist shoes are suitable for both men and women. When it comes to children's shoes, the choice is often even simpler.
Altra Lone Peak or Altra Escalante is a great choise for the first (thick-soled) barefoot shoe! Both of them are naturally great for running as running shoes. As an off-road shoe, the Lone Peak is ideal for trails, while the Escalante rolls best on asphalt and hard surfaces. Of course, both work quite reasonably the other way around also.
What about elsewhere? Lone Peaks are not bad for walk in the city or on the hard floors of the supermarket either - the sole pattern is not felt through the sole. The shoe doesn't absorb water easily in light rain. Lone Peaks have a good traction even in winter on snow.
Of course, the Escalante is at home on asphalt even at walking pace. Escalante comes in chic colors and you can wear them with jeans and even a blazer just fine.
If waterproofness and use all year round in different contexts is the most important thing for you, think about purchasing the Lems Boulder Grip (waterproof) model! It goes on the terrain and goes with jeans. In winter, Summit also works when you change socks and insoles to wool in colder weather.
In the summer Belenka Barebarics are good all-round sneakers - they are not running shoes, but walking and leisure shoes for chilling on the summer streets and terraces! Please note, however, that the sole of the Barebarics is already a degree thinner than in the previous models.
Do you want a genuine barefoot shoe to start with, perhaps as a second shoe to accompany the thick-soled model? The first thin-soled barefoot shoe does not necessarily have to be the most expensive model. The Merrel Vapor Glove isn't the most expensive either and gives you a full picture of what a good barefoot shoe feels like.
You are welcome to PETRI'S BAREFOOT!
- Petri
PETRI'S BAREFOOT - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES!
Take advantage of a 5% discount on your first purchase by subscribing to our newsletter! ● Shoe store: Torikeskus Shopping Centre (2nd floor), Yliopistonkatu 36, Jyväskylä, FINLAND / open: Tuesday - Friday 12-18, Saturday 11-16 ● Online store: petrisbarefoot.com ● contact: info@petrisbarefoot.com ● You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! (links in the bottom panel)
At the end of this text I give you a few product tips about our models that might interest you when thinking of buying new barefoot shoes.
How do you implement your own barefoot shoeing? Are you a "barefoot guru" who has already had many Fivefingers since they were invented? You don't even touch shoes with soles thicker than 10 mm? You don't have any foot problems, do you..?
Or if you're like me - you have real barefoot shoes and thicker-soled minimalist shoes both in your shoe rack. Depending of the situation, you use them side by side. After a workout, your feet may be so tired that you sometimes prefer to wear Altras instead of thinner barefoot shoes for a shopping trip?
You too may may have had foot stress injuries in your life? You think that too much is too much also what it comes to the requirement to be puritanist about going barefoot shoes.
Or do you use the barefoot shoes you bought some years ago only on soft nature trails when you are on your summer cottage? Have you even completely given up using barefoot shoes at some point and now you are tempted to try again? With "better luck" this time? Did you hurt your feet when you started to use them in the first time - no time to adapt, no transition? Have you ever heard that there are also thicker-soled "barefoot shoes" (minimalist shoes)?
Maybe there is something for you in that earlier beginners' tip blog, take a look?
To help you, we have divided our different shoe models into three different categories according to the thickness and cushioning of the sole of the shoe. Note that both outsole and insole as well as the pattern of the outsole are included into the thickness of the sole:
a) A real barefoot shoe. The thickness of the sole is about 4-8 mm
b) Hybrid model. Sole is about 9 - 15 mm
c) Minimalist shoe. Sole is +15 mm
(continues after the picture...)
MY PRODUCT TIPS FOR YOU
You may feel need to update your barefoot shoes? I recommend Merrel's Vapor Glove as more affordable barefoot shoe. It has a great traction and real barefoot feeling under you. The shape of the outsole precisely adapts to the bottom of your feet - it fits your foot like a glove in your hand!
Little more budget and you get the leather version of Vapor Glove or Belenka's Trailwalker, which is also leather. They are both durable and authentic barefoot shoes, highly recomended!
Belenka's Barebarics are genuine thin-soled barefoot sneakers, with a slightly thicker sole. They are really cool looking sneakers for chilling on the summer streets and terraces!
How about Altras? Altras are thick-soled minimalist shoes, to give you room to play on those days when you prefer more cushioning under your feet for one reason or another?
For example Altra's Lone Peak is a trail running shoe but it is also suitable for running on asphalt. The sole pattern is not felt through the sole when walking on a hard surface. When you remove the insole, you can adjust the shoe a bit according to your needs.
Altra Escalante has a nice casual look and without terrain pattern. It also has a thick sole of about 20 mm, but otherwise all barefoot features of course.
If you are interested in getting an all-purpose shoe with more thickness, which is waterproof and can be worn anywhere, then consider Lems Boulder Grip! It also works as a great winter shoe just fine when you change the insole and the sock as woolen ones.
You are most welcome to PETRI'S BAREFOOT!
- Petri
PETRI'S BAREFOOT - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES!
Take advantage of a 5% discount on your first purchase by subscribing to our newsletter! ● Shoe store: Torikeskus Shopping Centre (2nd floor), Yliopistonkatu 36, Jyväskylä, FINLAND / open: Tuesday - Friday 12-18, Saturday 11-16 ● Online store: petrisbarefoot.com ● contact: info@petrisbarefoot.com ● You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! (links in the bottom panel)
Children should wear shoes that support the natural development of the foot. Barefoot shoes are therefore absolutely a good thing, especially for children!
When we think about it more closely, we realize that children's very first shoes for learning to walk have always been "barefoot shoes" before the whole concept even existed!
Children's feet are not yet "spoiled" by traditional shoes to the extent that adults are, and therefore the transition (back) to barefoot shoes is often very natural. Using barefoot shoes helps the feet to develop properly. The shoes are also light, so it is pleasant for children to wear them, walk and run.
Of course, there are individual differences what comes to the ease of transition, depending a lot on the child's age and how long they have been wearing traditional shoes. Common sense is allowed here as well.
It is also worth noting that playing sports on a hard field in thin barefoot shoes is not necessarily recommended. So it's worth getting thicker-soled barefoot shoes as child's first pair if you want shoes that are as versatile as possible right from the start.
At PETRI'S BAREFOOT you can find children's shoes from 6-7 years old and from size about 30 upwards. (NOTE! Children's models come little later - some models pretty soon anyway). We do not sell shoes for the youngest children. Smaller adult sizes (especially women's sizes) are already suitable for bigger children. Barefoot shoes are often unisex models, which makes it easier to choose.
All adult models with sizes smaller than 38 are also listed in children's shoes product group. If the child's size is already close to 40 or even more see the other adult models also.
We recommend (model to come) as waterproof Jack-of-all-trades shoe for smaller children for spring and autumn as well as for rainy summer days. As dry weather versatile shoe we recommend (model to come), it is also great for school sports outside. (model to come) works in winter. There is no need for a child to know how to tie these shoes, so it's easy to use them.
For bigger children to choose barefoot shoes see also the two previous articles.
You are most welcome to PETRI'S BAREFOOT!
- Petri
PETRI'S BAREFOOT - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES!
Take advantage of a 5% discount on your first purchase by subscribing to our newsletter! ● Shoe store: Torikeskus Shopping Centre (2nd floor), Yliopistonkatu 36, Jyväskylä, FINLAND / open: Tuesday - Friday 12-18, Saturday 11-16 ● Online store: petrisbarefoot.com ● contact: info@petrisbarefoot.com ● You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! (links in the bottom panel)
