Do barefoot shoes keep your feet warm in winter too?

We often get asked on our social media channels and by customer service whether Groundies® barefoot shoes keep feet warm enough in winter.

A fair question, given that the extremely thin sole is one of the main features of a barefoot shoe. In conventional shoes, the thick sole forms a barrier between the foot and the ground. The thinner the sole, the closer the foot is to the ground. And in winter, the ground is usually cold.

But don't worry, we can give you the all-clear. Barefoot shoes have several advantages that ensure your feet don't get cold despite being close to the ground. We know this from other parts of the body too: when our muscles are active, we don't get cold as quickly. Your feet benefit from exactly this effect in barefoot shoes:

Thanks to their foot-shaped fit with a wide toe box, your feet have plenty of room to move around. The thin, flexible sole also ensures completely natural freedom of movement. You can feel the ground beneath your feet and notice any unevenness clearly. Whether on gravel, asphalt, or grass, the surface provides a gentle massage for the soles of your feet, stimulating blood circulation at the same time. The result: your feet feel warm.

As long as you keep moving, you will hardly feel the cold. What you should always avoid is standing still for long periods of time. When your feet are at rest, the muscles in your feet and toes have no way of keeping them warm.

Ultimately, choosing the right winter barefoot shoe always depends on your own sensitivity to temperature. Some of us only feel comfortable in thickly lined boots, while others get through winter without batting an eyelid in sneakers. That's why you'll find the right shoe for every taste in our collection. Oslo or Milano – the choice is yours.