Summer is approaching, and with it comes the time to free our feet: we switch from closed shoes to sandals, barefoot walks increase, and contact with sand, stone, grass, or hot pavement grows. We move more, and more lightly. But… are your feet truly ready for this change?
Even if you have gone barefoot during the winter, the transition to summer represents a new challenge for your body. The footwear is more open, the feet more exposed, and the environment more uneven. All this means less protection, greater muscle demand, and more postural adjustment.
📊 Did you know this?
Although there are no exact figures, ergonomic and biomechanical behavior studies in Europe suggest that:
- In winter, the foot remains shod between 95% and 99% of the time.
- In summer, one spends between 15% and 25% of the day barefoot or with open or minimalist footwear.
This sudden increase in freedom is also an increase in load. That is why gradually and mindfully preparing your feet is key to avoid discomfort, overloads, or injuries.
Here we share with you 5 essential keys so that this summer your feet not only look free but truly walk free, strong, and happy.
Tips to prepare your feet for summer.
🦶 1. Prepare them for the ground
Walking barefoot every day on different surfaces – sand, grass, stones – activates the foot’s sensory receptors, improves body awareness, and trains its natural adaptation.
This simple training will make your feet respond better to uneven or hot terrain. Beach sand or city pavement can be a challenge if you haven’t prepared them.
✨ 2. Unclench them
Using toe separators or toe spacers helps restore toe alignment, reduce tension, and increase the foot’s natural mobility.
This is especially useful in summer, when you wear sandals or walk barefoot: if the toes are cramped, any small stone or surface can bother more than usual.
To separate is to free. Gaining space improves posture and prevents bunions, claw toes, and other misalignments.
💪 3. Strengthen them
Your feet need strength to endure long walks, unstable terrain, or simply walking longer without cushioning. Simple exercises like:
- Grasping a towel with your toes and pulling it.
- Walking on tiptoes.
- Using a barefoot elastic band to strengthen the deep muscles of the foot.
All this improves endurance, stability, and foot performance.
💧 4. Care for your skin
The skin of the foot suffers a lot in summer: heat, sweat, rubbing from sandals, or walking on hot surfaces can cause cracks, calluses, or discomfort.
- Moisturize daily with natural products
- Gently exfoliate to remove dead skin
- Soak your feet in salt or clay baths to reduce swelling and revitalize
The skin of your feet can be very exposed at this time of year; protect it so it continues to be a barrier.
🚫 5. Choose your footwear well (and say goodbye to flip-flops)
Typical flip-flops, with a strap between the toes, seem practical… but they force your feet to work poorly. The toes have to hold them actively, altering the step, causing tension in the sole, and overloading the calf muscles.
Instead, opt for respectful footwear, including barefoot sandals: flat, with a wide toe box, flexible sole, and real fastening. This way your feet will have freedom of movement without losing security or support.
In conclusion,
Summer is an invitation to reconnect with what is essential: fresh air, natural movement, and the freedom to feel the ground beneath your feet. But that freedom is not automatic: it requires awareness, preparation, and small daily acts that make a difference.
Your feet are the foundation of your balance, your energy, and your well-being. And even if you change your footwear, if you do not strengthen, free, and care for them, they will end up paying the price of too much exposure.
✨ Train your step.
✨ Care for your skin.
✨ Choose footwear that supports, not limits.
✨ Give your feet the rest they deserve.