Barefoot Benefits

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What are typical barefoot shoe features?

Here is how typical shoes stack up against other shoe types

Product
Product
Toebox

Widest (10cm+)

Thinnest (<7cm)

Medium (8-10cm)

Foot position

Flat or "Zero Drop"

Heel typically higher than toe by 8-14mm

Heel typically higher than toe by 8-10mm

Flexibility

High flexibility
(e.g. can be rolled
into a ball)

Rigid
(e.g. 20-30° flex)

Intermediate flexibility
(e.g. can ben 90-180°)

Why are barefoot shoes healthy?

Barefoot footwear or barefoot shoes offers a healthier, more natural option compared to typical shoes through the following features:

  1. Wide Toe Box: allowing your toes to splay and avoid being cramped, thus giving you increased stability
  2. Zero Drop: placing your toes and heels on a flat level and avoiding an angled unnatural stance
  3. Flexible Sole: providing a highly mobile sole and shoe materials that enhance flexibility and build up stabilising muscles


Our feet are complex, with 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 20 muscles in each. These work together to support movement and absorb shocks, but standard shoes limit the natural movement of the foot, particularly the arch, which can result in injuries or impaired function over time.

60%

Foot strength increase in just 6 months

Issues with Traditional Shoes

Traditional shoes often change how our feet interact with the ground, leading to weaker muscles and decreased foot sensitivity over time. This can cause foot health issues and increase the risk of injury, particularly as we age.

Historically, early footwear was simple, made from materials like animal skins that allowed for more natural foot movement. However, modern shoes often include thick heels and rigid soles that dull sensory input, affecting the way we move and causing a loss of foot strength and flexibility.

Minimalist footwear aims to reverse these effects by allowing the feet to move more freely and regain strength. By restoring natural movement and sensory feedback, minimalist shoes help strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot, promoting better foot health and preventing injuries.

What we're doing at LONO barefoot shoes

At LONO, we believe in the power of minimalist footwear to enhance foot health and overall well-being. Our FLOW shoes are designed to allow your feet to move as nature intended, helping you rediscover the strength and flexibility you've lost over time. Explore our range of barefoot-inspired shoes, designed to be flat from heel to toe with a wide toe box that allows your toes to splay naturally for better stability. Crafted from biodegradable materials, our shoes will be there every step you make into a healthier, more natural future.

What do the experts think of our product?

Anya's Review

Anyasreviews

The Lono Flow is a true barefoot shoe that I really like! The stretchy uppers are soft and comfortable, and the outsole is really thin and flexible – everything I look for in a shoe!

Foltsy on Lono Barefoot

Foltsy

AndrewFolts

Overall the Lono Flow is a rare example of an affordable barefoot shoe that not only competes with more premium brands at twice the price but actually improves on them with some clever features.

That Fit Friend

Thatfitfriend

The FLOW works well for cross-training, and if you want a budget-friendly option and routinely do athletic, circuit, and mobility-focused sessions, then you’ll like this shoe.

Barefoot Strength Project on Lono Barefoot

Barefoot Strength Project

TheBarefootStrengthProject

The absolute thing I love is that lono has been listening to barefoot consumers and fixing existing problems, I think that’s hugely commendable!

Choose Your Style

Find the perfect fit for any occasion.

For new barefooters

3 tips to get started

If you are new to the barefoot game, there are some things to prepare yourself for. Here are 3 tips to get started on your barefoot journey.

See the Flow S Carbon

Flow S Carbon
Flow S CarbonFlow S Carbon

See the Flow S Tusk

Flow S Tusk
Flow S Tusk
Flow S TuskFlow S Tusk

See the Flow S Black

Flow S Black
Flow S BlackFlow S Black
Based on 354 reviews
74%
(261)
13%
(45)
6%
(23)
2%
(7)
5%
(18)
Dusty pink shoes

Loved it! Great for the outdoors and strength training, tho for the latter definitely ensure a snug fit (possibly tightening the shoelaces)

FLOW S TUSK

Have worn it for a couple of weeks now. Really comfortable, more than my other pairs of barefoot shoes from other brands. I wear them with socks when I am out for a long day, and without for short walks to train up my feet.

I do recommend them for folks wearing barefoot shoes for the first-time!

Amazing shoes from a 41 years old Dad/ Weekend Warrior

Feels great especially for flat feet. I was expecting my foot to be sore but instead they feel energised. I am really considering getting a black pair for gym and keep the tusk for walking.

Love !!

At first, I thought I needed to size down but after wearing the shoes with socks for a few days, I can definitely say that these are the best workout shoes ever!!!
It’s also a game changer in my workout!
I will definitely buy another pair!

So comfortable

Love my new barefoot shoes. Comfortable and easy to wear. Also love the look of them.

Go Flow

Love the fit and feel. Good customer service at the cafe too.

Comfy and unobtrusive

Got the Earth inSoles with my Lonos, very happy I did. Great for running and can be removed when doing strength work if needed.

Great lateral support for a barefoot style shoe! Inventive inside arch tie.

Todor

I like it very much, very comfortable for trying.

Ekaterina

Very nice and comfortable! I have 3 colors already and use one of them every day for training.

Great shoes great service

I ordered online and the shoes were too big. CS responded same day about an exchange. I went down to the store and the team was prepared and had my details. The shoes are great for the gym.

Great Minimalist show, very athletic, almost too comfy

I love these shoes so far. I would say they run large, and a snug fit will be ideal. I normally wear a 10.5 to 11 and I first ordered size 44 which ended up being too big and ordered another pair size 43 that is perfect. I will be selling the size 44 because I don't want to return the shipment over seas.
These shows are flexible and nimble with great traction. They will be hard to keep clean because I want to use them for everything but main activities will be for paved and indoor surfaces. I removes the insoles as they provided "too much" cushion for me, I really like the natural feel without the insoles.

Barefoot shoes

As someone with flat and wide feet, getting proper shoes is always a struggle. Came over these by chance and after using them for a week you know they are good shoes. So far only tried them in the city, will be int. to see how they are on the trails.

Greta shoes

Really like these shoes so far, very comfortable , great grip, cool on the feet too.
Some really nice design features .

Great shoes, Great customer service

Shoes are great, look awesome, use them for walking and gym. Sizing is slightly larger than other brands, make sure you use the size chart

Customer service was friendly and efficient, exchanging sizes was straightforward.

Fun and functional

I've been a Vivobarefoot fanatic for almost 10 years, but I'm always curious about other brands that are getting into the minimalist sneaker space. Most of them are no good, but the Lono Flow is AWESOME, and the price point is a lot more approachable. It's more flexible than today's Vivos, with a softer and grippier rubber in the sole. The fit is fantastic, they hug through the mid-foot so the shoe stays put and yet also have plenty of room in the toe box for me to get a great toe splay - and even have plenty of room to wear toe spacers. I buy the cork insoles and don't wear socks, and the cork keeps the stink to a minimum. I like the two-tone design of this new Flow S, but I miss the round laces of the original Flow. I was worried the flat laces wouldn't be stretchy enough for the foot to move freely, but they're fine - I just like the aesthetic of the round lace better and wish it was a two-tone round lace! The pads inside the heel of the shoe to anchor the heel down seem a little thicker in the Flow S, and so at first they felt a little shorter, but the pads broke in to feel the same as the original Flow after a couple of wears. The other subtle updates are all nice and don't materially affect the way the shoe feels. Huge fan of this brand!

LOVE

I'm obsessed with these shoes :) I've been wearing barefoot shoes for several years but have never found any trainers that are comfortable. They all scrape my skin or pinch in a weird area, and I do not love to wear socks (sensory things), so this has been an issue. The Flow model is super comfortable, fit like a glove and are breathable and soft. I am a dancer and foot/ankle articulation is important to me when I'm strength training, and these are perfect. No socks needed! I can't wait for the red to be back in stock in my size!

best barefoot shoe i've owned

extremely comfortable yet they still feel durable and of high quality. I highly recommend

It is comfortable to wear.

The Barefoot Shoes is awesome. I have wear around 2 weeks as casual wear and gym wear, it's really comfortable. I'm not sure it's good for flatfoot or not, compared to usual shoes with air cushions, the feet do not seem to get tired easily when wearing barefoot shoes. Pay attention to your gait.

Great shoes

The shoes are very comfortable. Easy to wear. Easy to wash and handle.

My 3rd pair of Lonos!

It's my 3rd pair of Lonos and it's now my daily preferred footwear! I'm a Personal Trainer who's always on the go - and Lono makes movement comfortable and flexible. I'm always recommending it to clients and friends.

Very comfy to my feet

Highly recommend to other people. I like it because so comfy to my feet and I don't feel pain the way in my long and hard trail . Its so barefoot feel while I'm walking. Love your product tho 🦵💪🤲💚

Great pair of workout shoes

Very good quality and the sizing charts are accurate so the fit was great as well! Highly recommended!

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