Articles relating to minimal shoes, barefoot running, barefoot walking, barefoot hiking, and overall health and development of the foot.

  1. Athlete’s Foot vs. Contact Dermatitis

    Athlete’s Foot vs. Contact Dermatitis

    April happens to be National Foot Health Awareness month, and it also happens to be the time of year when many people dust off their running shoes to enjoy a sunny day outside. Unfortunately, that's also when foot problems often come up. It’s easy to take our feet, the foundational body parts that move us through our day, for granted...
  2. Moving and Shoemaking with Biomechanist Katy Bowman

    Moving and Shoemaking with Biomechanist Katy Bowman

    We just finished our much-anticipated movement retreat with Katy Bowman, and it was a blast! The biomechanist, author and founder of Nutritious Movement came to our workshop on Saturday with 30 participants from across the country. The class consisted of people from all walks of life, including physical therapists, librarians, entrepreneurs and full-time parents (also two expectant mothers) with ages...
  3. These Shoes Are Killing Me! (Repost from Freakonomics)

    These Shoes Are Killing Me! (Repost from Freakonomics)

    We were thrilled this week to come across a recent podcast by Freakonomics that pretty much nailed our philosophy on footwear. The episode explores the history of shoes and how they evolved into modern foot casings with heavy padding, tight toe boxes and motion control technology. It also asks how these modern features affect the ways our feet operate, and...
  4. What Causes Foot Calluses and Corns? Tips for Prevention and Treatment

    What Causes Foot Calluses and Corns? Tips for Prevention and Treatment

    We’ve all dealt with pesky patches of thick skin on our feet--but what causes them to form? And what are they actually made of? Calluses and corns on the feet are caused over time by repeated friction on one area of the skin. This friction and pressure causes the outer layer of skin to die in this location, and then...
  5. Comfortable Summer Shoes to Suit Your Style

    Comfortable Summer Shoes to Suit Your Style

    Summer is finally here! And that means we have visions of gorgeous hikes, bountiful farmers markets, breezy beach days, relaxing vacations and warm strolls dancing in our heads. Whatever sunny adventures lie ahead for you this year, one thing is for certain: you’ll need some comfortable summer shoes to take you where you want to go! At Softstar, comfort has...
  6. Best Weightlifting Shoes? A Seasoned Pro Recommends Minimal Footwear

    Best Weightlifting Shoes? A Seasoned Pro Recommends Minimal Footwear

    John Margolis first began weightlifting as a teenager and has had his finger on the pulse of the professional weightlifting world for decades. He is a co-founder and head coach at the Concordia-International Weightlifting Club, a training site dedicated to Olympic-style weightlifting based in Montreal, Quebec. He is also active in Master’s level world weightlifting competitions and has held many...
  7. What Are the Best Shoes for Gout Flare-Ups?

    What Are the Best Shoes for Gout Flare-Ups?

    If you’ve ever suffered from gout—or you’ve seen a close friend or family member deal with a gout flare-up—you know it’s an incredibly painful condition. While many factors contribute to gout, the immediate cause is a high concentration of uric acid in the blood, which leads to urate crystals accumulating in your joints. These crystals cause inflammation and swelling that...

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