An Intro to the Benefits of Soft-Soled Shoes–Medieval Style

Soft-soled shoes are coming back as trendy nowadays. More and more, people are realizing how great it is to feel the ground on the bottoms of their feet. You guessed it: I am one of those nuts. And here is some of what I have learned through my own experience.

Also known as “bare-foot shoes” or “grounding shoes”, essentially these are shoes that don’t have the stiff, protective rubber sole that we are accustomed to.

Of course though, I have to take it a step further. Here is how I integrate some leather medieval-style soft soled shoes into my modern life. I got interested in old footwear years ago when I used to do Viking Age historical reenactment. Wanting other reasons to wear these shoes other than just at the rare reenactment events, I started wearing them just for the heck of it.

I still wear modern shoes in proper settings (like at work) but once I am at home or off in the woods, the soft-soled leather shoes are my preference.

Another thing of the past that should never have disappeared:

Believe it or not, your feet were created to walk without a thick rubber sole. Mind-blowing, isn’t it? But just look at any free-ranging children. They will prefer to go barefoot. For some reason, our modern mindset almost forces them into shoes when they would be perfectly content to toughen up their feet. Consequently, we all grow up with soft and sensitive feet.

Rubber soles are yet another industrial product that we are completely dependent on in order to get a pair of shoes. Not only that, but stiff rubber soles have altered the very way we walk.

What happens when you start wearing soft-soled shoes…

Natural Walking

With modern shoes, your foot-falls tend to be heel first. However, once you don soft-soled shoes, you quickly realise something is different. Walking (and especially running) with heel first is very jarring to the foot. A much more natural way of placing your foot is by planting the ball and toes first, rather than the heel. It’s interesting how this little change in body movement effects the entire posture of your whole body.

Improved Posture

By planting your foot ball first, you naturally find yourself straightening your back and shoulders. It actually feels more comfortable. It is like your entire body is conforming itself to how your foot meets the ground.

“Grounding?”

Also called “earthing”. Some folk start talking about how having close contact with the ground will align your electrons, or ions, or some other sciencey-sounding jargon. It will decrease inflammation, lower blood pressure and relieve stress and pain. Whether it actually does or not, I myself don’t really know. But I WILL say this: After a full day of walking and working on hard paved surfaces, putting on soft-soled shoes when I get home really does help my body relax and de-stress.

To be clear, I got into this trend more based off a historical context: exploring how the ancestors lived rather than if electrons or ions were aligning with something. If they are aligning…well then, more power to them!

Quick-Drying shoes

My leather shoes are not water-proof like modern outdoor boots are–obviously. But I also pleasantly found out how quickly soft-soled leather shoes dry out. Think if you step in a a puddle or walk through a dewy field. Thoroughly-soaked modern shoes can take a long time to dry out. Meanwhile, your feet feel soggy and unpleasant and you can’t wait to change your socks. By contrast, a pair of soft-soled leather shoes breathe better. They’ll let the water out much easier and dry much more quickly.

On that same note, my feet don’t sweat as much in my medieval shoes as in my modern ones.

My New Hunting and Foraging Shoes

With all the above advantages, I adopted my soft-soled shoes as my preferred footwear for hunting. The added advantage is the stealth factor. It makes a world of difference when trying to make as little noise as possible in the woods. Give it a try! You’ll notice the difference especially on a damp forest floor.

It’s also good footwear for taking the family out on a foraging expedition

Are soft-soled shoes warm?

I sewed these shoes a size or two larger than my feet. Why? I did this so that I could stuff them with hay or straw. It honestly feels like I am walking on warm cushions. This is yet another forgotten bit of peasant knowledge. Straw makes a fantastic natural insulation and is easily replaced at need.

Give the soft-soled shoes a try! Perhaps you are interested in the historical context or perhaps not. Regardless, your body will feel much better for for learning to walk in these.

~Nathanael