TERRAFLEX BAREFOOT HIKING SHOE interview with a former podiatrist
What does a qualified podiatrist think about barefoot shoes, and specifically the Terraflex trail shoe from Xero Shoes? Watch the video above, or read the transcript below for insights from my friend Sue, a former podiatrist.
(This post includes affiliate links for which I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase)
[Click here to check the latest prices on the Terraflex at Xero Shoes].
My Xero shoes review podiatrist tips transcript
Elly:
Hey everyone. So today I’m here with Sue Dickens from Intrepid Medical. Sue is also a former podiatrist, so I am super excited to hear what she has to say about the TerraFlex trail shoe from Xero Shoes.
Elly:
So Sue, do you want to start by telling us how you found the TerraFlex over the last few weeks?
Sue:
Thank you, Elly, for giving me these shoes, because I was so excited to grab them and was heading off to Canada to do our conference.
Elly:
You’re welcome.
[EM: Click here to visit Xero Shoes and check the latest prices on the Terraflex].
Comfortable and versatile barefoot shoes
Sue:
And it was summer in New Zealand, and winter in Canada. So I grabbed these shoes, put them on, and they felt amazing as soon as I tried them on.
Sometimes, when you put on shoes, they feel like you have to wear them in, and you need time. And I didn’t have that time to go away, so putting them on straight away, they felt comfortable right off the bat.
And as an ex-podiatrist, that’s really important for me to know that those shoes are comfortable.
Sue:
And then wearing them in a plane, and you’re going up to thousands of feet, but your cabin is compressed, you know that you’re at the equivalent of like 1,600 meters when you’re in the air.
And your feet do swell, and they felt really comfortable for that whole flight. I could get them on, I took them off to sleep, and then I put them back on and walked out, and my feet felt just amazing.
Elly:
Comfort’s probably a pretty important factor for most people.
Sue:
Absolutely.
Elly:
Well, sometimes I guess people wear shoes because they look good.
Sue:
Absolutely, they do.
Elly:
But for the people opting for Xero Shoes, I would say comfort is going to be a big factor. Can you tell us what you’ve done in your shoes so far?
Sue:
Okay, so besides wearing them on the plane, once I arrived in Canada, I was obviously transitioning from a summer to a winter environment. I was walking around in a mix of snow and ice. And I was actually really surprised at the grip; I felt like it was secure and wouldn’t slip in those shoes.
Obviously, once we reached the deeper snow areas and ski resorts, I didn’t wear them. However, when we left those resorts and walked around town, they were really comfortable, and I wore them on a day-to-day basis on concrete. I wore them on snow and ice, as I said. And on some trail areas as well. For a shoe that I didn’t have to wear in, it was fantastic. Comfortable straight away.
[Click here to check the latest prices on the Terraflex at Xero Shoes].
Best minimalist hiking shoes for the trail and beyond
Elly:
And that’s what they’re designed for, they’re designed for the trails so I know people use them for trail running. Myself, I’ll be using them for my slow travel lifestyle, so I’ll be hiking in them, but also wearing them on airport days because they take up more room than I other pair of footwear that I take. So it’s good to know that you can wear them whatever you’re doing, pretty much even in a little bit of snow by the sounds of it.
Sue:
A little bit. And ice, the ice stuff I was so surprised because I thought I’ll need my hiking boots here I have to change. And they were great, the grip on them was good on ice as well as just regular stuff.
Elly:
Okay, so can you just finish by giving us your opinion on I guess choosing a barefoot shoe as opposed to choosing a traditional shoe?
Should I try minimalist shoes for walking?
Sue:
Okay. So, as a podiatrist, I first want to say that it’s definitely up to the individual. Everybody’s feet are completely their feet. So nobody’s feet are the same, so it’s really hard to generalize.
But I think the majority of people benefit from going barefoot. It helps those muscles stay strong; we have a lot of muscles in our feet, and we don’t exercise them enough. Traditional shoes are generally really hard, and the surface underneath them is really firm; therefore, their muscles don’t get exercised.
Elly:
Hard, meaning you can’t sort of bend them and move them.
Sue:
Exactly.
Elly:
They’re very rigid.
Sue:
Yeah, when you think of a traditional modern shoe like your leather work shoe, those shoes only bend at the toe, and they don’t mold to the surfaces underneath them. The Xero Shoes, Terraflex shoes, they move with your foot and the surfaces, but without causing discomfort.
Sue:
If you have a foot problem like plantar fasciitis, a foot injury, or foot pain, I suggest consulting your health professional for advice on the type of shoe to wear. But if you’re generally a person who walks around, is comfortable, then I think you’ll benefit from a barefoot shoe for sure, because you’ll help those muscles exercise.
[Note from Elly: minimalist footwear has a foot-shaped design with a wide toe box to help your feet splay naturally. They also have a thin, flexible sole for maximum ground feel. These features assist with proprioceptive feedback and ultimately help support natural human movement patterns.
Sue:
I wouldn’t go straight from a traditional shoe to a barefoot shoe all the time, because your muscles will fatigue since they’re used to being in that shoe. So doing it gradually would work really well.
But again, saying that, that is an individual thing as well, because some people might be able to go straight to it, and some people won’t.
Elly:
Adapt quickly.
Sue:
Yeah.
[Click here to check the latest prices on the Terraflex at Xero Shoes].
A foot problem versus a foot type, and how barefoot shoes can fit into the mix
Elly:
You mentioned that if you have a major foot problem, it’s possible that a barefoot shoe might not be suitable for you. So by that, do you mean like just having flat feet or high arches?
Because I know that people with flat feet or high arches often find our Xero Shoes suitable for them. Is that what you mean by having a foot problem?
Sue:
Not at all. A foot type is a high arch foot or a flat foot, so that to me is a foot type. It’s not necessarily a problem. Other people may have differing opinions on that, of course.
But a foot problem to me would be something if you’ve got a sharp shooting pain in that foot or a dull ache that doesn’t go away that stops you from doing a particular activity. That’s a foot problem.
Or, if you’ve been born with foot deformities, or you’ve fractured something, or you’ve broken something, or you’ve got those kinds of foot health issues. But a high arch foot or a flat foot is just a foot type.
Elly:
Right.
Sue:
And those kinds of people need the same as everybody else, just make the adjustments and try it for yourself and see. See what happens.
[Click here to check the latest prices on the Terraflex at Xero Shoes].
Elly:
Yeah, I mean, if your foot feels good in the shoe, then wear it. If you feel like your foot problems are decreasing because of wearing them, then that’s a good thing. Originally, I wore minimalist shoes at times and traditional, cushioned shoes at other times.
Sue:
Yeah, absolutely.
Ease into your barefoot adventures if you need to!
Elly:
And then, for the last year or so, I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes exclusively. Recently, I came home and tried on some of my old shoes, only to find that I can’t wear any of them because I get major foot discomfort in them now.
Whereas, when I first started wearing the barefoot shoes, my feet were probably challenged in wearing them because my muscles weren’t strong enough, or I just wasn’t used to that type of shoe.
Sue:
Absolutely.
Elly:
Okay, well, that’s good to know. It’s a foot type versus an actual problem. Anything else you want to add?
Sue:
Not that I can think of, except give them a go. They’re really comfortable, and from my perspective, comfort is the most important thing. And actually, they look pretty good too. If you’re into the looks, they look pretty good. I mean, you wouldn’t wear them with your evening gown, but maybe they’ll make one for that too.
Elly:
Maybe. Cool, well, thanks so much, Sue, for sharing your opinion on the TerraFlex shoe from Xero Shoes.
Sue:
Awesome. Bye Elly.
[EM: Click here to check out the full range at Xero Shoes].
Further reading about barefoot shoes | OTHER XERO SHOES REVIEWS
I’ve done several other barefoot shoes reviews. Depending on what type of shoe you’re looking for, you may want to check out the following posts.
- Terraflex II review (the upgraded version of the original Terraflex)
- Terraflex barefoot trail running and walking shoes
- Z trail hiking and running barefoot sandal
- Kids Z-trail sandal review
- Jessie ultra-thin minimalist sandal
- Cassie minimalist shoe (Mary Jane style barefoot shoe)
- Kid’s Prio (the “everything” barefoot shoe for kids)
- Zelen sustainable barefoot road running shoe
Xero Shoes have tons of other barefoot styles to help maximise your outdoor experience. These include the Xero Shoes HFS II Road-Running Shoes, the Mesa Trails for all your off-road adventures, and the Ridgeway Hiking Boots.
All minimalist barefoot shoes are zero drop shoes without arch support. They have a foot shape design with a wide toe box to help with toe splay. The thin, flat & flexible soles assist with better ground connection and natural foot function by ensuring your foot muscles work like they’re meant to.
Find out why these features are crucial considerations for foot health in the benefits of barefoot shoes.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these recommended service provider links, like an insurance broker, or a travel agent, I may earn a commission – at no extra cost to you. [For my full disclosure, please see my DISCLAIMER page].
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