New internet celebrity with ugly shoes, making migrant workers look like 'barefoot savages'

Is the Chunky Shoe Trend Finally Dying Out?

For years, platform Crocs, lugged snow boots, and "3cm height-boosting" dad sneakers dominated footwear trends. Even regular sneakers prioritized ultra-thick soles for a "cloud-like cushioning" feel—only retro German Army Trainers (GATs) resisted the trend.

But recently, cracks are emerging in the reign of chunky soles: "barefoot shoes," with paper-thin flexible soles, have seen a 400% surge in social media listings over three months. Marketed as "wide feet saviors," these shoes mimic barefoot walking and are hailed as the "new commuting essential."

01 Barefoot Shoes: What Are They?

Barefoot shoes prioritize natural movement:

Fan-shaped toe boxes let toes splay freely (no cramped "three-bedroom apartment" toes).

Ultra-thin soles (some rollable) simulate walking barefoot on wooden floors.

Zero-drop design (no heel elevation) aligns feet with the ground.

Wearers describe heightened toe awareness—"like discovering toes have joints"—and a "Hobbit-like" wide footprint. While praised for comfort by wide-footed users, critics note challenges: hard pavements feel harsh, and the flat silhouette clashes with slim-fashion aesthetics.

02 Foot Health Anxiety Fuels the Trend

In the Chinese drama Meet Yourself, the protagonist’s "collapsed arches" resonated with office workers. Online, discussions about "bunions" and "knock knees" exploded, linking modern footwear to chronic issues:

Thick, soft soles lack arch support, accelerating flat feet.

Narrow-toed shoes squeeze feet, worsening bunions.

Barefoot shoes, inspired by the 2010 book Born to Run (which praised Mexico’s Tarahumara runners for minimalist footwear), promise to "reactivate dead feet" by restoring natural gait. Fans idolize splayed toes as symbols of strength—"feet so stable, they don’t need subway handrails."

03 Forget Trends—Focus on Foot Freedom

While barefoot shoes can help rebuild foot strength, they’re no magic fix:

Adaptation period required: Initial discomfort (sore arches, toe stiffness) is common.

Urban reality check: Concrete floors punish unadapted feet; occasional wear mixed with supportive shoes is wiser.

Mild issues ≠ emergencies: Genetic bunions or slight arch dips often need no intervention.

The trend reflects a deeper craving: low-effort solutions to modern body anxieties. But true foot health lies in balance—alternate shoe types, walk more, and let feet breathe. As one reviewer joked: "Be a civilized urban hobbit. No need to go full feral."