RECOMMENDATIONS for FEET and FOOTWEAR
At FEET FREEX we honor the feet by using them as they were magnificently designed, fully, daily. Like any other body part it is true: use it or you will lose it. Click below for recommendations regarding how to use your feet.
Secondly, you'll find our recommendations for footwear designs that acknowledge, abide by and allow for natural foot function.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FEET
Please use your discretion, start simply and progress thoughtfully. The foot, like any other body part needs to be gradually lengthened, strengthened, stabilized and elasticized.
LET THEM PLAY! ON NATURAL, VARIED TERRAIN
...as often as possible. Vary the terrain for different mobility, stability, strength and sensory experiences. Increase level of difficulty and speed over time.
USE YOUR TOES
...to help you move! When let free, the toes love to add stability and grace while you (to name a few):
walk
crawl
get on and off the floor
go up and down stairs
cartwheel
stand-up-paddleboard
hop, skip and jump
run
surf
do movement and strength workouts
play with kids
climb! Up trees, over roots and rocks, on jungle gyms and more
DON'T WEAR FOOTWEAR
...unless necessary. This includes socks. Please reassess what you would consider truly necessary.* When you do wear it, choose footwear that allows for the most natural foot function possible.
*Here's a start: contrary to popular belief, it is NOT illegal to drive your car without shoes in any of the 50 states of the USA.
USE MYOFASCIAL MODALITIES
...when the foot's soft tissues could use a nudge, or a boost, to help return them to their natural elastic state, in conjunction with your efforts to improve your movement quality with daily movement. Examples:
Trigger Point Performance Therapy
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOOTWEAR
UNINHIBITED MOVEMENT.
Natural foot mechanics must come first as the footwear is designed around it. Whenever and wherever the foot needs to move to perform the activity(s) required of it, the footwear must, with respect to design and materials, allow for it.
MATERIALS. MINIMAL AND RESPONSIBLE.
Use as little material as possible in the construction of the footwear. As often as possible use natural, ecologically friendly, free trade, reused and/or renewable sources that can live and breathe and move along with the foot.