My Foot Function

Healthy Feet = Strong Roots 🌱 Imagine a tree growing freely in nature—its roots spread wide, providing stability, strength, and resilience. Now, picture a tree confined in a small pot—its roots restricted, limiting its growth and weakening its foundation. Our feet are no different! As children, we start with naturally wide, strong feet, but years of restrictive footwear can alter their shape, weaken muscles, and affect overall function. Just like a tree needs space to grow strong roots, our feet need freedom to maintain their natural strength and structure. 🔸 Choose footwear that respects natural foot shape. 🔸 Train your feet for strength and mobility. 🔸 Let your toes spread and move freely. Give your feet the freedom they deserve—because strong feet create a strong foundation for movement! #MyFootFunction #StrongFeet #FootHealth

Bunions - are they hereditary? We came across many interesting stories during our time in Sri Lanka, this one in particular we were happy we documented. A family of 5, mum & dad hadn’t worn shoes when they were young & still don’t today, younger siblings haven’t began school yet, where as the eldest daughter has been going to school, wearing (you guessed it), restrictive footwear. So, bunions are appearing for her, perhaps not based on whether or not mum & dad have them, but instead the shoes she is wearing. Your tolerance to foot neglect has merit, and this is where people can blame genetics, but bunions do not just appear.. they are the result of poor footwear, foot abuse and poor habits (last one not so much). Bunions can be improved, they don’t all need surgery.. another point our customers & followers are making through their own journey!

Same Feet, Different Direction. Top Image: Many popular shoes, like Nike, feel snug and cozy, which we’ve been conditioned to see as normal. From a young age, we’ve been wearing shoes that restrict our feet, and over time, we’ve grown used to this sensation. The incredible thing about the human foot is its resilience—it has adapted to these negative conditions for years, but this doesn’t mean it’s thriving. Restrictive footwear continues to compress the toes, limit foot function, and worsen issues like bunions. Bottom Image: Footwear like Wyde footwear or other shoes which will not restrict your feet, offers your feet the space they need to recover and regain natural function. Over time, this can even improve foot shape, reducing pressure on inflamed joints and promoting healthy movement patterns. Key Takeaway: Creating real change starts with the right tools. Roomy shoes are essential, but combining them with toe spacers and foot exercises provides the best chance for improvement. Thousands of our customers have transformed their foot health by taking these steps. Top shoe @nike Bottom shoe @wydefootwear Your feet are resilient—it’s time to give them the support they truly deserve!

There’s nothing more important! Width isn’t everything & shape is essential, all of these shoes work very well, but some will work better for some than others! Widest Point: This is obvious we’re sure, however we want this wide area to carry through as much of the forefoot area as possible, not just across the toe joints. Taper Point: This is the area in which the forefoot gets narrower, in our opinion we would like to delay this as much as possible, the longer we delay it, the better chance our big toe can be in correct alignement. All of these shoes are great & with such a variety of feet out there, some will work better than others. Wide feet = wider shoes, slimmer feet = slimmer shoes. We cannot compromise on the shape of the forefoot and this selection covers a wide range of foot types! Invest in footwear that positively influence your feet over hindering them. Choose wisely and do not compromise ☺️

The Himba People Shoes were obviously a contributor here, and probably one of the simplest examples to see. Woman wore no shoes or hand made sandals, whilst men wore work boots which left the function & visual aspect of the feet so far apart. Flick through the photos and see the stark difference, as well as past posts on this. Shoes effect feet - simple.

Is your squat not improving? The deep squat is a movement we all performed as kids, but for many of us, it’s now a struggle. Why? Our modern lifestyle—filled with chairs, desks, and reduced daily movement—has reshaped how we use our bodies. In some cultures, squatting remains second nature, thanks to daily habits that keep mobility alive. For the rest of us, it’s time to bring it back! Struggling to squat? Start by addressing your ankle mobility. Placing a small lift under your heels can help—if it improves your squat, that’s a sign you need to work on those ankles! Daily movements to rebuild your squat: - Ankle & Hip Stretch - Toe Mobility Work - Goblet Squats - Seiza Position Consistency is key—try these daily and you will feel a difference!

Where running shoes are going 😂 Just for fun… but who is with us, running shoes seem to be getting out of control!

Shoe sizing done right! Your shoes may fit your feet today but that doesn’t mean it’s helping them reach their full potential. Many of us have feet shaped by years of cramped footwear, leaving toes squeezed together and misaligned. Let’s look into a few simple considerations. 1. Your Toes Need Space to Improve: If your big toe points inward or your lesser toes are cramped, your shoes may be limiting your foot’s natural function. To achieve proper alignment, your toes need space to spread outward—toward a stronger, more natural position (see foot on right, image 1) 2. Reassess What’s a “Good” Fit: The second image often circulates online & in fact this is where we found it, comparing a “good shoe” vs. a “bad shoe.” But even in the so-called “good shoe,” many feet still don’t have enough room for the toes to move into a truly functional position. We want to take this education further—your feet need space to grow into a better alignment, not just fit as they are today. See the green “toe” drawn, this is the optimal position of the big toe (image 2) 3. Test Your Fit: - Remove the shoe liner, place it on the ground, and stand barefoot on it. - Do your toes spill over the edges? Even if they don’t, ask yourself if there’s enough space for them to spread and align properly in the future. 4. Use Toe Spacers as a Guide: Wear toe spacers to encourage your toes toward their natural, functional position. Then check: Does your shoe still provide enough room? If not, it might be time to rethink what a truly “good shoe” means. Now with so many brands offering incredible shaped shoes, there are many to choose from. Our feet are of different widths so using this guideline should help you wearing none-restrictive footwear! 😊 #function over #fashion #barefoot #shoes #bunion

The San People A sneak peak into the field work we done a few weeks back, teaming up with @dr.ludidi to create a well rounded health assessment. These people have lived off the land & relied on the beautiful relationship they have always held with it.. recently however their way of life has changed due to newly introduced laws. We met with them, laughed, danced & learnt from them.. we will be back to see how we can help them, and in return, they can help us educate the world on health. More to come on this special interaction we had.

One tool: multiple uses! Massage Relieve tension Mobilise Tackle common dysfunction It’s affordable, can go with you anywhere & will be the to you will keep coming back to. Once it arrives, scan the box to access your free exercises!

How early does yours taper? In the barefoot world, we’re obsessed over thickness while overlooking what matters most — shape. Yes, barefoot shoes are usually better shaped than conventional ones… but sometimes, not by much. Now, onto one of the most important factors in our world: the taper line. We talked about it years ago — and it’s finally starting to get some attention (thankfully 😅). Here’s why it matters: If the taper line starts too early, you’ve got two choices: - Size up 1–2 sizes so your big toe isn’t squashed (do not recommend), or - Wear true-to-size and force your toes into unnatural positions (do not do this) 😉 ✨ The good news? Today there are plenty of options. A simple test when choosing a shoe: 1. Grab your toe spacers. 2. Remove the shoe liner. 3. Stand on it. 4. Splay toes (use hands if need be). If your toes hang over the edges, the shoe doesn’t fit — no matter what the label says.

New week, new opportunities - try these simple massage techniques, your feet will love them! 💪 Five game changing moves which proved to be successful for so many in 2025! Trust us, your feet will feel amazing. Maybe not right away, but stick with it, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner! Elevate your daily foot training routine and make it a habit that your feet will celebrate. Bookmark this post as your monthly reminder! Pro tip: These movements can be mixed up in any order and will only take 5-8 minutes a day with practice. 1. Toe Stretch: Use a band to gently stretch and align your big toe. Feel the tension release as your foot relaxes. 2. Ball Rolling: Roll a ball under your foot from heel to toes. Increase the pressure as you get more comfortable, and for an extra challenge, lift your toes while rolling. 3. Pain Management: Find any sore spots and press with your thumbs for 20-30 seconds while gently moving your toes up and down. It might sting a bit, but it’s part of the healing process. 4. Toe Splay: Use your fingers to spread your toes apart, or focus on separating a few at a time. Marvel at how your feet become more flexible and free from the confines of shoes. 5. Top Foot Massage: Massage the areas between your toe bones with your fingers or thumbs. Start from the top and work down to the joints, encouraging your toes to spread and break free from years of tight footwear. Commit to these moves for just 14 days and feel the difference!