What is grounding?
How grounding works
The Earth acts as an electrical reservoir with a constant surface charge.
Composed largely of water and minerals, it conducts electricity with ease.
As the skin touches the ground, both electrical potentials naturally equalize.
Walking barefoot, or with conductive footwear, restores a connection that conventional footwear interrupts.
What does science say about grounding?
Grounding is being studied for its potential ability to modulate the body's inflammatory response and promote a more balanced recovery after tissue damage.
Study: Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. — 2015
The reviewed works observed less pain and changes in neutrophils, lymphocytes, and other inflammation-related markers.
Direct connection to the earth could promote a more natural physiological rhythm and contribute to higher quality rest.
Study: Ghaly M, Teplitz D. — 2004
Changes in nocturnal cortisol and subjective improvements in sleep, pain, and stress were observed after sleeping grounded.
Grounding is being investigated for its possible effect on stress response, mood, and overall sense of well-being.
Study: Chevalier G. et al. — 2019
A controlled trial found favorable effects on pain, physical function, and mood during grounding periods.
Grounding could influence mechanisms related to autonomic nervous system regulation and the relaxation response.
Study: Chevalier G. — 2010
During grounding, changes in physiological parameters such as respiration, perfusion, and skin conductance were recorded, consistent with an autonomic response.
Grounding is also being investigated for its possible influence on the electrical properties of blood and red blood cell aggregation.
Study: Chevalier G. et al. — 2013
After two hours grounded, changes in zeta potential and lower erythrocyte aggregation were observed.
Sleeping grounded could help the body recover better after intense exertion and reduce some signs associated with muscle damage.
Study: Müller E. et al. — 2019
The grounded group showed faster recovery and/or less pronounced alterations in some markers of muscle damage and inflammation.
YOU CAN'T ALWAYS TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES
ION GROUND TECH
Ground Tech Technology
A multi-layer conductive architecture engineered from your foot to the the ground.
KARV™ Upper tech
ROOTS' exclusive KARV™ upper tech integrates a high-performance structured knit with a multi-component architecture. Composed of high-strength synthetic fibers along with cotton and elastane, it offers the perfect balance between lightness, durability, adaptability, and resistance to intensive use. Additionally, the upper is reinforced with heat-sealed TPU to provide support without adding stiffness or unnecessary seams.
Multilayer Conductive Architecture
Internal system of silver conductive threads and fabrics that maintains a continuous path through the different layers of the shoe.
Conductive Cork Interface
Cork and high-rebound foam insole with integrated conductive fibers that establish the system's first contact with the foot.
Rubber Carbon Conductive Sole
The sole integrates specific areas of technical rubber formulated with conductive carbon particles. These particles create a conductive network within the material, allowing the electrical path initiated in the insole to continue until contact with the ground.
ROOTS' exclusive KARV™ upper tech integrates a high-performance structured knit with a multi-component architecture. Composed of high-strength synthetic fibers along with cotton and elastane, it offers the perfect balance between lightness, durability, adaptability, and resistance to intensive use. Additionally, the upper is reinforced with heat-sealed TPU to provide support without adding stiffness or unnecessary seams.
Internal system of silver conductive threads and fabrics that maintains a continuous path through the different layers of the shoe.
Cork and high-rebound foam insole with integrated conductive fibers that establish the system's first contact with the foot.
The sole integrates specific areas of technical rubber formulated with conductive carbon particles. These particles create a conductive network within the material, allowing the electrical path initiated in the insole to continue until contact with the ground.
This has been our most technologically advanced development to date
1. Starting point
It all started more than 18 months ago with a very specific question: could we create a barefoot shoe that would maintain electrical contact with the ground without sacrificing foot protection?
From the outset, we understood that this wasn’t simply a matter of making a new shoe, but of developing a completely different architecture in which comfort, flexibility, durability, and conductivity would have to coexist within the same model.
2. Material selection
One of the biggest challenges was finding materials capable of conducting electricity without compromising the barefoot experience.
We tested different configurations of fabrics, compounds, and inner layers until we found a combination that maintained electrical continuity without making the shoe stiff, heavy, or uncomfortable. We also worked on different versions of the insole and silver filaments to ensure they became part of the system without affecting flexibility or the natural feel of each step.
3. Prototypes and technical adjustments
The next phase was the most complex: making sure the entire pathway actually worked.
A conductive sole alone wasn’t enough; we needed conductivity to pass through every layer of the shoe, from the foot to the ground. This required us to redesign the internal structure, the connections between materials, and the heat-sealing system several times. We also incorporated high-precision cutting and reinforcement processes to improve the upper’s durability, reduce unnecessary seams, and maintain a lightweight, durable, stable shoe.
4. Final testing and result
Over the past few months, we focused on testing, measuring, and fine-tuning.
We tested the sole’s flexibility, the materials’ resistance, the overall durability, and electrical continuity at different points of foot contact. The goal was very clear: to create a truly conductive shoe that still felt like genuine barefoot footwear. The result is ION Ground Tech™: our most technologically advanced development to date.
