Barefoot shoes are for people who want to feel like they’re walking around barefoot but want to keep their feet safe from the elements or from stepping on sharp objects. They’re great for people who love running and hiking, but also enjoy being able to do so safely.
Nowadays, barefoot shoes are becoming more and more popular, as people are learning about the health benefits of going barefoot. They have different materials in them and have been designed with different performance goals in mind than a traditional running shoe would have been. But they’re expensive, like really expensive. So why do barefoot shoes cost so much?
In this blog post, we’ll explore why barefoot shoes cost so much more than traditional running shoes, and whether or not they’re worth the investment.
What Are Barefoot Shoes?
Barefoot shoes are a great way to help strengthen your feet and improve flexibility, but they’re also just plain fun.
Barefoot shoes allow you to feel the ground beneath your feet and all the textures that are on it. You’ll be able to feel it when you’re walking on sand or grass, or even concrete. There are many different types of barefoot shoes with varying degrees of flexibility and protection.
Why Are Barefoot Shoes So Expensive?
Materials & Labor
Barefoot shoes are expensive because they are made with quality materials and are ethically sourced. They’re also sustainably produced in order to ensure that the brand can keep making shoes for years to come.
Barefoot shoes are made of high-quality materials like leather and cork, which are more expensive than synthetic materials. They’re also made from organic cotton and other sustainable materials, which makes them more expensive than non-organic cotton.
In addition to being good for the environment, producing barefoot shoes ethically means paying workers fair wages, providing them with health care benefits, and respecting their right to unionize—all of which costs money.
Sourcing & Product Development
The first and most obvious reason why barefoot shoes are expensive is because of the cost of developing and sourcing the materials for the shoe. The development phase involves a lot of trial and error, which can be very expensive. The cost of materials for each shoe can range from $20-$30 depending on what type of material you are using.
Another factor contributing to the cost of barefoot shoes is how long it takes to develop them. Because these types of shoes are relatively new on the market, there isn’t much research available regarding their effects on healthy foot development or injury prevention, which means companies have had to do their own research by testing different materials and designs before settling on what works best for their customers’ needs.
Barefoot shoes are also made in small batches, which means that companies have to pay extra money for their production costs. Additionally, designers need to take into account the fact that their shoes need to be comfortable (which requires more time and money).
Manufacturer
The reason barefoot shoes are so expensive is that they are manufactured in a very specific, high-end factory. Because the shoes are made by hand and are not mass-produced, they must be made in a factory that specializes in producing such items. This type of factory is rarer than you might think, and if it doesn’t already exist, it would have to be built from scratch.
High Demand and Limited Supply
Barefoot shoes are expensive because the company has to meet a certain volume threshold before they can be sold at a lower price. These thresholds are set by the factory for each model of barefoot shoes, and they’re based on how many shoes need to be made per day in order for the factory to make a profit. This is why you don’t see these shoes being sold at your local department store.
Importing Costs
The cost of importing goods is a huge part of the price you pay for them, and that’s why we’re seeing such high prices on barefoot shoes. The barefoot shoe industry is new, and manufacturers need to make up for the money they’re losing by not being able to sell their products elsewhere.
Barefoot shoe companies also have to buy materials from outside countries and transport them back to their manufacturing facilities. The transportation costs for this can be very high, especially if the materials have to come from far away.
Marketing the Products
Barefoot shoes are expensive because they’re a relatively new product, and the market for them is still very small. Marketing is expensive, and many companies have to spend a lot of money on advertising to get their name out there. This means that the manufacturers have to spend a lot of money on advertising and marketing to get people aware of what they’re selling. They also have to pay for websites, social media, and other forms of marketing.
How Much Do Barefoot Shoes Cost
Barefoot shoes are a relatively new invention, but they’re quickly becoming a staple of the modern shoe market. They’re not as popular as traditional shoes yet—but they will be. The cost of barefoot shoes varies depending on the type of shoe you choose. For example, you can buy a pair of sandals for around $20 to $30, while a pair of sneakers will cost you anywhere from $30 to $50.
How Do You Choose the Best Barefoot Shoes?
It’s easy to get caught up in all the hype around barefoot shoes, but it’s important to remember that they’re not for everyone. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s okay! The key is finding the right shoe for you at the right price point.
Terrain
To start, you have to consider the type of running you’ll be doing. If you’re going to be doing a lot of trail running or mountain running, then you’ll want a shoe that has more aggressive traction and is designed for rugged terrain. If you’re just going to be running in an urban setting or on some smooth trails, then a more minimal shoe is probably better suited for your needs.
Foot shape
You also need to consider your foot shape and size when shopping for barefoot shoes. Are your toes long and narrow? Wide? Do they point inwards toward each other? Are they wide at the ball and narrow at the heel? These are all things that will affect how well a pair of shoes fit your feet and whether or not it will work well for you as an everyday shoe or as something that is only used for running.
Day-to-day activities
Consider how much support is necessary for your daily activities (if any). If you’re an avid runner or athlete, then finding a barefoot shoe that offers excellent support might be important to prevent injury while exercising regularly—but if all you do is walk around town every day without any intention of getting into sports or other high-impact physical activity, then comfort might take priority over everything else!
Read the feedbacks
Take a look at reviews from other people who have worn similar shoes before you buy yours. You’ll probably find out where they had success with their purchase—and where they struggled with it—which can be useful information when making decisions about how much money you want to spend on something like this (or where else you might find it cheaper).
Prioritize comfort
Finally, once you find a pair of shoes that fits your needs, be sure to wear them around before purchasing them. You should be able to walk around in them for hours and not feel any pain or discomfort, or at least not enough pain and discomfort to make you want to take them off.
Final Verdict: Why Barefoot Shoes Are Expensive & Are They Worth It?
Barefoot shoes are a luxury that only a very small percentage of the population can afford. But if you’re one of them, they will be worth every penny.
Barefoot shoes are often more expensive than their traditional counterparts because they’re made with premium materials and crafted with a high level of care. The more complex your shoe, the more complicated and time-consuming it is to produce, which translates into higher prices.
That doesn’t mean that barefoot shoes are always better than traditional shoes—or vice versa! It just means that when you choose which kind of shoe is right for you, it’s important to keep in mind what kind of impact your choice is going to have on the environment and on your health.