Frequently Asked Questions
Possible Uses
Yes, you can. After using them in chlorine or salt water, make sure to rinse the barefoot shoes with clean water to prevent fading of the upper material and rusting of the eyelets.
In general, yes. However, barefoot shoes may not be suitable for cycling with pedals that have anti-slip nails, as they can potentially damage the soles of the shoes. They are, however, suitable for everyday use on touring bikes or city bikes.
Absolutely! The soles are well-suited for tennis. They prevent grains from getting stuck in the grooves on the sand, provide excellent grip, and allow for faster, more endurance-driven movement using foot muscles, all without the risk of injury.
It's not recommended, as it could lead to a shorter lifespan for the leguanitos. While the soles are durable, if a child drives their mobile base over asphalt with their feet dangling, it may wear down the upper material and potentially lead to holes.
Yes, absolutely. Movement generates heat, and in barefoot shoes, your feet have the freedom to move, activating muscles and ensuring better blood circulation to your feet and toes. Many of our winter models also come lined for added warmth.
Virtually anywhere! Whether in your leisure time, at work, during sports, in the water, or at the beach, our barefoot shoes are suitable for any surface and provide optimal protection for your feet. Sharp objects or rough surfaces pose no problem.
Fear not the elements! While the shoes may get wet in the rain, the constant movement generates heat, causing them to dry out quickly after a shower. Protected barefoot walking is also possible in snow and ice, thanks to the traction provided by the pronounced sole. However, exercise caution on icy and slippery surfaces!
Sturdy shoes aren't necessary for hiking; in fact, naturally developed and strong feet provide enduring support without pain or injury. However, like any new activity, barefoot hiking requires practice. Start with short distances and gradually increase.
Health
Many of these discomforts stem from misaligned feet. Embracing barefoot walking not only trains foot muscles but also enables pain-free movement. Often, pain becomes a thing of the past in a short period. However, if symptoms persist, consulting a doctor is recommended!
Numerous customers with Hallux Valgus have found relief with the thin upper material of our shoes.
Orthopedists frequently recommend gentle barefoot walking in these cases to fortify foot muscles. Barefoot shoes offer optimal protection against injuries.
Certainly not. Walking barefoot is one of the most natural activities. However, due to the prolonged use of shoes with relatively inflexible soles, our feet often become unaccustomed to them. Most shoes significantly alter our walking pattern. The heel and cushioning force the foot onto the heel rather than distributing pressure evenly across the forefoot and midfoot. This can lead to excessive impact on the foot, knee, hip, and back, potentially causing muscle atrophy and poor posture.
Engaging in barefoot or minimal shoe running provides a range of advantages:
Freedom of movement for the feet
Reactivation and strengthening of foot muscles
Fosters healthy foot development
Enhances blood circulation and activates the venous pump
Heightens sensory feedback
The increased ground sensitivity also enhances balance and sure-footedness, allowing the body to adapt seamlessly to varying terrain. This preserves the natural gait, enabling joints to move freely and execute their functions unimpeded.
General Questions About Barefoot Shoes
Begin with short walks, about 10 minutes several times a week, to gradually rebuild foot muscles. The transition from conventional shoes to barefoot should be approached with caution. If you experience muscle soreness, take a few days' break before continuing.
Walking barefoot is natural and beneficial for your health. Shoes often immobilize foot muscles, whereas walking barefoot reactivates and strengthens them. Barefoot shoes allow your feet to move freely, adapting to your natural movements.
Consult our size finder for guidance.
While leguano shoes aren't waterproof, it's intentional. Feet in waterproof shoes can become sweaty and lack ventilation. Leguano aims to maintain a natural feet climate with breathability.
Barefoot walking strengthens foot muscles and ligaments over time, reducing the likelihood of stumbling or twisting an ankle. Barefoot shoes primarily protect against environmental elements, such as stones and debris.
No, the fit remains intact even after numerous machine washes.
Natural running style doesn't require cushioning, which is more relevant for runners not following this style. Traditional running shoes may necessitate cushioning to absorb impact.
While possible, it negates the benefits of going barefoot. The purpose is to strengthen foot muscles and restore foot shape. Insoles stabilize the foot's current condition, providing relief rather than challenge. If needed for medical reasons, consult a doctor.
Minimal shoes like leguanos challenge foot muscles, leading to increased movement and heat generation. Sweating may occur, but it typically reduces after an adjustment period.
Certainly. leguano socks are a popular choice among our customers. The term "barefoot shoe" refers to the natural feel provided by leguanos, thanks to their thin, flexible sole and spacious, foot-shaped fit.
Order, payment, shipping, returns
Of course, you can order different sizes. It is of course easier if you measure your foot size, then you will receive the right shoe straight away.
To measure your feet, stand on a piece of paper and mark the largest toe and the heel. Connect the two marks and measure the length in cm. Our size chart will help you choose the right size, you can find it at the following link: Size guide
Yes. We have many shops and partners in Germany where you can test leguanos. You can find an overview here: Overview of barefoot shops
You can pay in advance, via PayPal or Klarna (credit card, debit card, instant bank transfer). Payment on account is also possible; in this case, please contact customer service. You can find further information on shipping and payment here .
Bestellungen werden in der Regel innerhalb von 24 Stunden bearbeitet und versendet. Unser Versanddienstleister ist DHL. Normalerweise benötigt eine Zustellung innerhalb Deutschlands 1 bis 3 Werktage.
Unfortunately, we cannot cover return shipping costs. Processing a return usually takes 7 working days, up to 21 days in high season. You can find more information about exchanges, complaints and returns here.
Health
Many of these problems are caused by foot misalignments. Walking barefoot trains the foot muscles and enables pain-free movement. Pain is often a thing of the past after a short time. However, if symptoms persist, you should always see a doctor!
Many of our customers with hallux valgus report that the thin upper material provides them with relief.
In these cases, orthopedists often recommend moderate barefoot walking to strengthen the foot muscles. Barefoot shoes provide optimal protection against injuries.
- Freedom of movement for the feet
- Reactivation and strengthening of the foot muscles
- Basis for healthy foot development
- better blood circulation, activation of the venous pump
- sensory feedback
The stronger feeling for the ground also leads to better balance and sure-footedness, as the body can adjust optimally to the ground conditions. This maintains the natural gait, the joints can move freely and naturally and carry out their task unhindered.
Material and care
All leguano models, with the exception of most winter models and the leather models, can be washed in a laundry net at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. To clean the leguano winter models, we recommend gently cleaning dirty areas with a damp cloth without using any cleaning agents. To be on the safe side, please read the information for all leguano models listed here.
Schnürsenkel sind generell nicht für das Waschen in der Maschine geeignet, da sie schnell ausfranzen können. Wir empfehlen, die Schnürsenkel separat per Hand zu waschen.
Natural fibers do not yet meet the requirements that we have to set for fit and other wearing properties. But we are tirelessly researching and developing and are working on a solution.
sole
The sole of the leguanos is made of LIFOLIT-lg®, a material specially developed for leguano. This is a very robust and flexible product and so flexible that the barefoot shoes can be easily rolled and stored in a space-saving manner.
The sole of the leguano barefoot shoes corresponds approximately to the average mileage of a jogging shoe.
The special arrangement of the hemispheres ensures that they do not block each other when the sole changes shape. This property allows the sole to move flexibly 360° in any direction and adapts perfectly to any surface. This ensures a larger contact surface on the ground and thus more ground feel and grip.
The ergonomically shaped sole also has biomechanical functions: the individual hemispheres provide sensory and tactile feedback with every step, which is passed on to our feet. The individual nerve zones and points are specifically stimulated. This is similar to a foot reflexology massage, which ensures relaxation and well-being.
General questions about barefoot shoes
Walking barefoot should always be started carefully; a short walk of around 10 minutes several times a week is an ideal way to start. The foot muscles are usually put under little strain when wearing shoes and therefore have to rebuild slowly. This affects the muscles, tendons, ligaments and the particularly sensitive skin on the feet.
It is therefore advisable to start with short walking or running distances.
If muscle soreness occurs, it is better to take a break for a few days before continuing to walk barefoot. Once the sore muscles are over, distances and running times can be slowly increased. All barefoot shoes have a protective function. An excessive switch from conventional shoes to barefoot shoes will never make sense.
Walking barefoot is the most natural thing in the world and healthy too. However, when we put our feet in shoes, we essentially paralyze our foot muscles. Walking barefoot reactivates the foot muscles and existing suffering can be alleviated or even disappear completely. Therefore: Going barefoot is worth it!
Barefoot shoes are designed in such a way that they do not affect the freedom of movement of the foot and allow it to follow all movements. Barefoot shoes adapt to your feet, not the other way around.
Our feet are often in shoes that are waterproof and can withstand all weather conditions. But this also means that our feet cannot breathe. At some point, the feet start to sweat, the heat and condensing moisture cannot escape, and the feet simply are not ventilated. leguano barefoot shoes are not waterproof, but for good reason: the foot climate should remain natural and there should be air permeability.
When walking barefoot, the foot muscles and ligaments are trained, which makes the foot stronger in the long run. Stumbling and twisting an ankle are now much less common; the foot itself can provide the necessary stability. Barefoot shoes only have one function: they protect against environmental influences (stones, shards, dirt).
The natural running style requires no cushioning. This only makes sense for runners who do not practice the natural running style. Running in shoes forces runners to bounce. The cushioning should then soften the impact with every step.
You can do that, but then the benefits of going barefoot will be lost. The purpose of walking barefoot is to strengthen the foot muscles again and get the foot back into shape. However, insoles stabilize the current condition of the foot. They do not challenge the foot muscles, but rather relieve them. Try wearing them without insoles unless there is a pathological reason for wearing them. Depending on your individual fitness, insoles are usually no longer needed after a relatively short period of time if you walk barefoot regularly. If in doubt, you should definitely consult a doctor.
When walking and running in minimal shoes, the foot muscles are properly challenged again and the foot has to move properly. Movement creates heat. If your feet get too warm, they sweat. But often not stronger than usual. If this does happen, the feet will get used to the new freedom of movement. After the habituation phase, excessive foot sweating decreases again.
Naturally. Many of our customers wear leguanos socks. The word “barefoot shoe” does not exclude this, but rather refers to the fact that leguanos provide a feeling of walking barefoot thanks to the thin, flexible sole and the wide, foot-shaped fit.
