Running or walking barefoot is not a fashion statement, it is the way nature intended us to move. When we place our feet in shoes with thick and rigid soles we are essentially putting our foot muscles, tendons, and ligaments out of action. The sole of a shoe acts like a splint, causing the muscles to atrophy over time and the foot to literally “buckle”: three-dimensional structures transform into flat feet, skew feet, fallen arches and splay feet. Side effects may also include bunions, heel spurs, planters fasciitis, and other foot problems. It is not only the feet that suffer, however: the entire musculoskeletal system can be impaired because the entire body rests on the feet. As biometrics are thrown out of order, this has been known to manifest in knee, hip and back problems.
Walking barefoot is therefore essential to reactivate all of the foot muscles which can potentially resolve the aforementioned problems. It is also a great way to prevent pain and damage to the musculoskeletal system; in many cases, existing complaints will be eased or disappear altogether.
Leguano barefoot shoes are based on the philosophy that once we reactivate the muscles in the feet, the feet themselves should provide all the support we need. As the muscles, tendons and ligaments re-develop strength, movement can become much more natural and stable. This potentially leads a healthier body overall and to less injuries due to stumbles and twisted ankles.
To achieve a natural gait, we don’t need any kind of padding in our shoes. We come into the world barefoot, which equips us ideally for all forms of movement. Padding is only suitable for runners who are unable to utilize a natural running style. Running in shoes forces runners to bound along. Padding lessens the impact of every step, which only serves to divert the energy expended on each jump forward into the ground in the form of heat.
Bear in mind that the muscles in most people’s feet have been largely neglected from frequently wearing stiff shoes with artificial support. Therefore, the muscles will need to develop slowly. This goes not only for the muscles, but also the tendons, ligaments and the skin, which have become particularly sensitive over time. Start slowly, walking or running short distances – If your muscles ache, allow a couple days to recover before gradually increasing your distances and times.
Listen to your body and give your feet time to get used to walking barefoot. With every step you take, you will be rewarded with wonderful reflexology and a deep sense of well-being.
Many knee, hip and/or back problems are caused by incorrect positioning of the feet. When we strengthen our feet muscles and restore our natural biometric balance, pain of this kind will often settle down and resolve itself. There have been countless testimonials from people who have experienced positive results from adapting a barefoot lifestyle.
Remember – it is not the shoe doing the healing – leguanos simply allow your feet to strengthen and your body to heal itself. Always consult a doctor if discomfort persists or other pathological conditions exist.
Pretty much! The highly flexible yet resilient sole is suited for almost all surfaces. Wherever you wish to go barefoot – whether relaxing at home, taking a stroll, running errands, practicing yoga, travelling, hiking, camping, running, the possibilities are endless with leguanos on your feet.
Leguanos are designed to simulate the feeling of being barefoot. Therefore, they are meant to fit snug without restricting the movement of your toes. The preferred fit may vary from person to person depending on what is comfortable to them. Ultimately, they should fit like a glove for your feet or a perfectly fitted sock.
Lifolit is the material used for the soles of leguanos. It is extremely durable yet flexible, providing protection from most harsh materials without restricting the natural movement of one’s feet. Finally, they are slip-resistant, making them ideal for use on surfaces such as hardwood floors, boat decks, paddle boards etc.
Around 800-1,000 km on asphalt, which is comparable to a normal pair of trainers.
We get this question daily – No they are not “waterproof”. However, there’s no need to worry about the elements! Although your feet will get wet if you walk in the rain or through puddles, the material is designed to wick away moisture, maintain its snug feel, and dry quickly. In fact, we recommend walking in the rain in leguanos – it’s a great experience to get in touch with nature. Finally, the added bonus of slip-resistant soles makes them ideal for various water sports, including boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, and sea dooing.
Yes, you can – leguanos are machine washable! We recommend placing them in a mesh laundry bag in a warm or cold wash. Do not use fabric softener and let them air dry.
No – there is no glue or stitching used to connect the two – the upper material and sole are actually fused together using heat. This allows the structure to be durable and long-lasting.
No! Leguanos are specifically designed with kunert-twisted fabric which allows the fit to remain snug even after frequent washes in a washing machine.
The material is designed to be antibacterial. This will definitely provide long-term odor control. However, we cannot make any promises for those extreme cases. Luckily, they are very easy to wash.
Leguanos are designed with this in mind – the carefully made kunert-twisted fabric is designed to be extremely durable. However, we do recommend keeping your toe nails trimmed to prevent any possible wear.
There is a 90-day warranty that covers any manufactural defects. Should anything unusual occur, please email info@leguanoshoes.com with a photo of the damage. We will send out a replacement pair right away! Unfortunately, this warranty does not cover general wear and tear on the shoes.
When you order is placed, we will carefully package your shoes up and prepare them for shipment right away, they will be out the door within 24 – 48 hours (M-F). All shipments to the USA are sent via UPS. UPS typically takes 3-5 business days depending on where you are in the USA. All shipments to Canada are sent via Canada Post. They typically take anywhere from 2-7 days depending on where you are. Please add another couple of days for shipments to remote areas. Deliveries outside the USA and Canada are shipped via the best available courier option, delivery times will vary.
