minimalist

Shoes that are pointy and/or have heels can cause serious health problems from toe to head. Here’s why you should kick the tight shoe habit for good

Our Solstice sandal brings health and style back to summer footwear Softstar followers know that we care deeply about sustainability. Over the course of our 30 years in business, the company has committed itself to promoting the health and well-being of the planet and all its inhabitants. However, there is one species Softstar hopes to […]

We had a special guest at our workshop last week. Mikko, a long-time customer from Finland, came to visit the elves! Mikko’s RunAmocs on one of his colder running days in Finland: -25°C (-13°F) Several years ago, Mikko went on a search to find natural, minimalist shoes for himself and his family. After discovering Soft […]

Let’s face it, arthritis is no fun for anyone. The chronic feeling of pain and stiffness in joints can be both inhibiting and frustrating in daily life. Osteoarthritis (OA) in knees can be especially distressing because it can be felt with every single step and often limit mobility. Unfortunately, the latest statistics from the Center […]

We have an ongoing dilemma at our workshop because we’re never quite sure how to describe our shoes. For almost three decades we’ve simply said we make minimal shoes for children, but the barefoot running craze of recent years has introduced a whole new world of nomenclature with terms like “barefoot shoes,” “minimalist shoes,” ‘transition […]

In my previous post about barefoot shoes for treating plantar fasciitis, I talked about how arch support in shoes weaken the natural arches in your feet. Today’s follow-up post is all about how to strengthen arches. Barefoot shoes are good for flat feet because they allow your arches to strengthen naturally. I’ll also get into […]

Many shoes on the market claim to be minimal, but not all are barefoot-friendly. Here are a five criteria to help choose barefoot shoes.