Barefoot Junkie

• How do I know if the shoes I am being offered are authentic or counterfeit?

  Barefoot Junkie is an official supplier authorised to sell only genuine products. If you are in doubt of this, please feel free to contact each respective manufacturer.

• How reliable is product availability?

  Product availability is updated on our website every day. In the case of a difficulty with stocks, you will be informed by one of our barefoot specialists and given the option to change your order to a different style, wait for the style to become available or cancel with a full refund.

• The product I received looks different to the image on the website?

  All product images are displayed on our website are as accurate as possible. However due to the inconsistency of monitors and screens, colour tones and shades may not be exact to the product. If you are not entirely happy with your purchase you may return it in a saleable condition within 45 days for an exchange or refund.

• What sizing formats do we use? 

  All sizes shown on our website are The natural EU size first on Vibram Fivefingers and Furoshiki. There is also an approximate UK size conversion. If you are not sure what size to order please contact us or take a look at our size guide which you will find in the website menu . If you find that you have ordered the wrong size, you may return your purchase within 45 days for an exchange of refund.

• What payment methods are available?

  Payment methods available on are- Visa Credit, Visa Debit, Electron, Mastercard, American Express, Switch, Maestro, PayPal, Apple Pay ,Google Pay and Klarna. The order will not be processed until payment is received or has cleared. 

Postage

• What delivery options do you offer?

  All UK Footwear orders are dispatched using Royal Mail Tracked Delivery. With SMS and email Notifications.

  To UK mainland addresses this is usually 1-2 working days

  Other options are available on request.

• Can my order be delivered on a Saturday?

  This can be arranged. Please contact us first. There is usually an additional cost for this service.

• How can I cancel an order?

  To cancel an order before it's dispatched please contact us ASAP. If the order has already been dispatched you may return it, but please check our terms and conditions in the legal section first.

• What time should I expect delivery?

  Items purchased on Monday to Friday before 3pm are generally dispatched the same working day and are usually delivered the following day. Items purchased over the weekend will be dispatched Monday for delivery on Tuesday onwards. This efficiency is not always possible, especially during busy periods.

• What happens if I am out at the time of delivery?

  Royal Mail should leave a card explaining where the parcel is being held and their contact details. If someone else is at the address they may sign for the parcel. In the event that you haven't received your parcel or a card within the expected delivery time please contact us. 

• What happens if the courier misplaces my parcel?

  In the unlikely event of your parcel being lost by the courier we will primarily be responsible for making enquires and claims for the lost items. This means that once the courier classes a parcel as lost, we can process a replacement or refund immediately. This can take up to 15 working days but is usually much quicker. Please contact us if your parcel has not arrived within the expected delivery time.

• What happens if my parcel is damaged?

  If the outer packaging of your parcel is open or damaged please REFUSE DELIVERY and contact us immediately. We will make all the arrangements for a replacement delivery.

• Do you ship to countries other than the UK?

  Currently we only ship to the UK and channel Islands

Going Barefoot

• What are the benefits of going barefoot?

  1. Proven in studies to strengthens the muscles in your feet.
  2. Will help to realign your natural posture.
  3. Feeling the ground stimulates sensory perception.
  4. Flexes your feet and engages muscles as nature intended.
  5. Improves proprioception. (The signals sent from your feet to your brain)

• Why we feel barefoot is better?

• We weren't born with shoes on. The feet are one of natures gifts.

• When walking barefoot or running barefoot there is nowhere to hide. If you are landing too heavily your brain receives the message from your feet, telling you to adjust your stride and weight distribution. Thick cushioned soles disrupt this communication, much like talking with a sock in your mouth. You say the words but they become impossible for anyone to hear clearly.

  In most cases you will automatically adjust your stride and landing to compensate. Example. When walking barefoot on sharp terrain(pebbles or stones), instantly you start to hobble and walk more lightly. The pain from the feet hitting the stones is felt. Almost instantaneously your brain tries to sort a solution to minimise the pain and you adjust your walking pattern to a much more conscious and lighter stride.

  Many top athletes include barefoot running into their training schedules to help them to refine their running technique.

• Is there any evidence that barefoot is better?

  In short yes, one of the leading authorities on this is professor Daniel Lieberman. His papers can be found in public domains on the internet

  https://scholar.harvard.edu/dlieberman

  As with any studies they can always be subjective, so our advice is, do your own research, search for the evidence yourselves and make up your own mind by reading reviews, searching you tube and the internet. This will give you a good understanding of the potential benefits and you should get a feel as to whether it is something you would like to try yourself.

  A good test I find to experience how we are designed to land as humans is to jump no more than an inch off the floor and land on your heels (be careful with this as it is a real thud) trust me an inch is enough.

  Then jump up and down on your toes on the spot. Feel the difference? Yes!

   

• I want to start running barefoot - what do I need to do?

  Firstly, don't think about lacing up in your heavy, padded running trainers. Instead take off your shoes and let your feet breathe. You need to start from scratch by resetting your posture and relearning your innate running technique. You'll need to gradually strengthen your core and leg muscles, and lower-leg tendons and ligaments. The soles of your feet will also slowly adapt and act as natural protection.

• Isn’t the term “Barefoot Running Shoes” an oxymoron?

  You are right, how can one be both barefoot and have shoes on? When we say “Barefoot Shoes” we mean shoes that embrace the benefits and philosophy of barefoot walking and running. Some people call these types of shoes minimalist footwear.

• How far should I go, to start off with?

  There is a natural temptation to run as far as you would have in your running trainers. It is important to refrain from doing this and approach the initial stages of barefoot running with caution. If you do too much too soon you are likely to injure yourself. The reason is you have more than likely spent the majority of your life in conventional shoes. Your muscles, tendons and ligaments are used to being strapped in and supported. Remove this and your feet have to adapt and strengthen to cope with the loads and movements of running barefoot(minimalist). Landing forefoot if you have been a heel striker will also shift the load to your calves and Achilles. These also take time to strengthen and adapt.

  Think about it like going to the gym for the first time. You don't instantly pick up the heaviest weight. You start off steady and build up as your body adapts. Try walking only for a few weeks, then slowly implement a little running just to get the feel of it. Then slowly introduce it into you weekly routine. For my transition I followed the couch to 5K which is a little running, a little walking and gradually increases in intensity over a few weeks. I am not ashamed to admit that I repeated a few weeks as I felt my feet weren't quite ready for the next step. Listen to your body and feet. You will soon begin to adapt, it will become easier and if you are anything like me, it becomes so much more enjoyable and interactive.

• What are the most important things to think about when running?

  Posture - Lead with your chest, keep your head up whilst looking toward the horizon. To help with posture think about keeping your ears as far from your shoulders as possible (don't stretch though). Footwork - Take light, short steps and land with your feet underneath your hips, rather than in front. You should be landing flat-footed with the weight on the ball of your foot. This is the hard piece of foot directly behind your big toe. If you jump up and down on the spot a few times you’ll find it.

• What are the dangers?

  Heel striking or landing heavily will hurt and a natural shift to mid/fore-foot striking is likely to occur. If you don't or cannot seem to adjust to landing mid foot/ forefoot then stop. Heel striking in barefoot shoes for prolonged periods will definitely lead to injury.

  Sharp or protruding objects- Tree roots, sharp objects. In all my years I've not had the misfortune of encountering any of these but it goes without saying, when your toes are more exposed and you soles are closer to the ground, that there is a greater risk. Our advice is simply be aware of your surroundings and terrain. Since running barefoot I am continuously scanning where my next foot stride will land. For me it is part of what makes barefoot running more enjoyable and adventurous.

  Modern trainers encourage you to heel strike, which is effectively like coming to a stop with each pace. When you land with the front of your foot you use your arch and the muscles and tendons in your foot to absorb impact naturally. A good running technique will enhance this. (Prof. Daniel Lieberman study) 

• The ground is too rough - what should / can I do?

  The soles of your feet will adapt slowly and eventually toughen up. As mentioned previously, walking barefoot will aid your adaptation. We recommend the Vibram Fivefingers KSO Trek, V-Trek and V-Trail 2.0 for running on tougher terrains. These are more forgiving to your feet in the early stages as they have slightly thicker and grippy soles.

• I have an injury or pain. What should I do?

  Stop; listen to your body. If something hurts then it probably means you are doing or have done damage. Re-evaluate your technique and take an extra rest day and try again. If the pain returns; stop again and consult a doctor or physiotherapist.

• Do barefoot running shoes support my feet even though they do not have an arch support?

  People with chronic foot injuries are often prescribed orthotic support. While this can be beneficial in the short term, many people wear orthotics permanently, which can be detrimental to foot strength and health. We recommend a gradual transition back to barefoot walking leading to stronger and healthier feet. If you are in any doubt or have any serious medical conditions, please consult a specialist.

  Washing Vibram Fivefingers Vibram Furoshiki.

  The Fivefingers and Furoshiki (this does not include Furoshiki boots, they have to be dry cleaned) can be machine washed on a cool setting 30 degrees or less on a delicates wash it is best not to use harsh detergents and eco wash powder would be fine but do not use fabric conditioner. Alternatively rubbing some Anti-bacterial shampoo such as Head and Shoulders into them before the wash can help as the shampoo in not harsh but the anti bacterial properties can reduce odour and aid cleaning. They can of course be hand washed cool also. They must however be air dried by hanging on a washing line for example do not place directly onto a heat source such as a radiator or use a hair dryer as this can break up the glues in the sole.

  What is your returns policy?

  For full information please click on the link below

  https://www.vibrams.co.uk/pages/returns-new