The Health Benefits of Minimal Shoes for Everyday Life

When it comes to shoes for everyday life, the options are overwhelming—ranging from expensive to cheap, thick to minimal, soft to hard but protective. Today, I want to focus specifically on shoes for health.

As a former athlete who used to train in kung fu, parkour, CrossFit, and rock climbing, choosing the right shoes has become very important for me—especially after undergoing surgery for an L4-L5 herniated disk. In the past, I often wore minimal shoes such as Onitsuka Tiger, Feiyue, or other inexpensive barefoot-style shoes. Nowadays, I use a type of diabetic minimal shoe—not one with a thick sole, but one that still allows natural movement.

I notice that many people wear brands like Noka, which have very thick soles. While these may feel cushioned, I firmly believe that minimal shoes are the better choice for long-term health. Minimal shoes allow the feet to function the way nature intended—building strength in the muscles of the feet and legs, improving balance, and promoting proper posture. Instead of relying on artificial padding, the body develops its own stability and resilience.

Research and personal experience both suggest that overly cushioned shoes can encourage weak foot muscles, limited ankle mobility, and even poor body mechanics. On the other hand, minimal shoes help restore natural biomechanics, encouraging proper alignment and engaging stabilizing muscles that are often neglected. Over time, this not only improves balance and coordination but may also reduce the risk of injuries.

For me, wearing minimal shoes has been essential in maintaining strength and stability after my surgery. They help me stay connected to the ground, train balance in every step, and keep my legs and feet active instead of passive. In my opinion, minimal shoes are the best choice for keeping the feet strong and the body aligned for everyday life.

Feiyue-Kung Fu shoes

Onizuka Tiger Running Shoes

Diabetic Shoes Adjustable Barefoot Shoes