Page last reviewed May 2, 2024 by Dr. Drew Sinatra, N.M.D., F.A.C.N, L.Ac.
THINK YOU HAVE TO LOSE YOUR SHOES TO GET GROUNDED?
THINK AGAIN.
GROUNDING FOOTWEAR HAS ARRIVED!
A groundbreaking new trend in footwear has hit the market - are you ready to “lace up” into a whole new game? It may not be a soccer match, but a niche “underdog” has officially entered the field and is ready to challenge the antiquated standard of traditional footwear...This new player takes inspiration from the sacred wisdom of cultures past, when humans lived in harmony with nature, but powerfully delivers with a fashionable, modern twist.
A new revolution is starting from our soles up, so get ready to reevaluate what your footwear can do for you - it’s time to discover Grounded Shoes!
INITIAL FAQ ABOUT GROUNDING SHOES
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Also known as grounded shoes or earthing shoes, grounding shoes are a kind of footwear which allow your feet to absorb the Earth’s natural electron flow. While conventional shoes with rubber or synthetic soles block, or insulate your feet from, Earth’s natural energy, grounding shoes contain conductive elements which connect you to it.
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All grounding shoes have soles with conductive elements (like copper, silver, leather, or carbon) which allow the Earth’s natural energy to pass through them and into your feet. But not all grounding shoes are made the same way. Depending on the brand, different methods and materials are used to achieve ground conductivity.
For example, some brands make grounding shoes with copper rivets in the soles, while others utilize carbon in the outsoles and silver stitching in the inner soles. With the copper rivets method, leather soles or stainless steel stitching are usually employed to help disperse ground energy throughout the inner soles or footbed. Some brands also make grounding shoes with 100% leather soles.
All of these methods will ground you, though you should sweat in shoes with 100% leather soles for optimal conductivity.
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As long as you wear grounding shoes on a natural earth surface like grass, dirt, sand, rock, brick, unpainted concrete or stone, you’ll get similar benefits as being barefoot on those surfaces - except with the added protection against injury and too-hot or cold temps. In general, when grounding barefoot, people often report feeling more relaxed, calm and energetic and sleeping better. Many also experience relief from symptoms like pain.
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It depends on where you wear them. If you’ll be in the woods, on the beach, hiking a mountain or trail, or otherwise on a conductive Earth surface like dirt, stone, grass or unpainted concrete, wear them as often as you can! If you’re inside your home or outside on asphalt, it won’t matter because you won’t be grounded.
Most of the studies on grounding which demonstrate or suggest health benefits tested subjects for at least 28 minutes, and some tested for several hours a night (sleeping grounded) over a longer time period. As such, at least 30 minutes of grounding is recommended, though a few hours is better.
If you can’t spend much time outside each day grounding, we suggest also sleeping grounded or using a grounding mat while working to achieve maximum grounding benefits.
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As with conventional footwear, it depends on the shoe style and materials. When the weather is hot, you may only want to wear sandals. When it is cold, grounding shoe styles which provide more coverage and thicker, denser uppers may be preferable.
Whether conditions are wet or dry also matters. Some grounding shoes are made with premium leathers, so you should avoid getting them really wet. You definitely should not submerge leather shoes in water. Other shoes are water resistant, and some grounding sandals are completely waterproof and can be worn in rivers and the ocean!
As for snowy conditions, we don’t know of any grounding snow boots. While a good number of grounding shoes are appropriate for light snow conditions, we don’t suggest trekking through several inches in them.
One last thing - because grounding shoes contain conductive elements in the soles, we recommend not wearing them when lightning is present.
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Numerous styles of grounding shoes are now available to suit various lifestyles. Here are the styles of shoes offered by our favorite brands:
HARMONY 783 - Leather and suede tennis shoes (“Walkers”) and high tops, trail shoes, ballet flats, sneakers, leather drivers, slip ons and sandals; most with medium arch support.
GROUNDZ - Leather sandals, sneakers and slip ons - all minimalist / barefoot design.
SOFTSTAR - Minimalist / barefoot design leather moccasins and slippers; leather shoes for casual as well as office wear.
EARTH RUNNERS - sandals for running, walking and water wear; also tabi shoes; all are minimalist / barefoot design.
BAHÉ - performance grounded running shoes; traditional fit and barefoot / minimalist design styles available.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links and we may earn commissions when you make purchases via links on this page. We only recommend brands we wear ourselves and have found to be effective. As grounding shoe converts, we will always choose grounding shoes over regular shoes whenever possible…because once you go grounded, it’s hard to go back to ungrounded shoes!
IT’S TIME TO RE-THINK your “SAME OLD” SHOE.
Shoes have earned a bad rap in the Grounding world - why? Because the vast majority of them - over 85% - do something that’s not good for you: disconnect you from the energy, frequency and electricity of the Earth. But as more grounding shoe companies emerge, that’s about to change...
Look at your feet right now - what type of shoes are you wearing?
If you’ve been a long-time reader of ours, odds are you may be reading this barefoot - we’ve made it clear that most shoes, specifically those with a synthetic, non-conductive sole, insulate us from the nourishing electron flow of the earth, effectively keeping us perpetually ungrounded. Hence, we’ve long promoted a barefoot lifestyle whenever possible…until now.
“Only recently has man begun to wear shoes; and even more recently has man developed rubber and plastics (insulating materials) that are used to make shoes which insulate man completely from the earth...
There is mounting evidence that the lack of contact with the earth’s surface is detrimental to man’s health.””
innovative new earthing footwear options have finally hit the market which are about to change everything...
and prove you don’t have to lose your shoes to get grounded!
Grounding shoes may sound like a new concept, but this revolutionary technology actually borrows its principle from cultures past.
For thousands of years, indigenous people including Native Americans exclusively wore shoes made from naturally tanned animal skins to protect the soles of their feet - a practice which allowed for constant connection with the surface of the earth.
“Throughout virtually all of history, humans were either barefoot or used animal hides (leather) for footwear. When leather becomes moist, as a result of perspiration from the feet, a channel of conductivity for electron flow is created between the Earth and the feet. “”
Whether you believe this to be a mere coincidence or more targeted ancient wisdom, the result was the same - a conductive design that encouraged optimal physical function, and radiant health. So...what changed?!
“WHAT’S WRONG WITH MY OLD SHOES?”
It’s pretty simple - as the post-WW2 industrial boom swept the nation, a new type of shoe was introduced to market, eclipsing the leather soled shoes of the past: the rubber soled sneaker.
Shiny, new and smacking of “modern’ innovation, synthetic soled shoes were cheap and easy to produce, thus highly appealing to manufacturers, and equally appealing to war-weary middle-class consumers who craved an affordable option that combined novelty and practicality.
“[Rubber soled shoes/sneakers] were the thing that happened that probably caused the proliferation of inflammation and related health disorders, far and above anything else.””
From “The Earthing Movie”
While synthetic soled shoes may have begun as practical and affordable options, talk to any self proclaimed “sneakerhead” and it becomes clear: the world of sneakers - arguably the most ubiquitous synthetic soled shoe to date - has evolved far beyond the utilitarian, and now encompasses a subgenre of luxury all its own.
The marketing is compelling, appealing to a variety of tastes, from the clean white kicks for the tennis crew a la the Stan Smith shoe for Adidas, to the sleek all black styles designed to take wearers from the basketball court to the street, such as Michael Jordan’s iconic AF1 range for Nike.
“Growing up, I bought into the hype and wanted the latest Reebok or Nike shoes...It was the normal thing to do, and I wore these shoes for years before realizing the damage being constantly disconnected from the earth was doing to my health.””
This iconic swoosh encourages us to “Just Do It,” but when it comes to losing our connection with the Earth - and missing out on the accompanying health benefits - we have to ask, at what cost?
The marketing may be alluring, but the fact is that since the “boom” of rubber soled shoes, inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and more have also been on the rise, following a similar - and unsettling - trajectory to the upside.
Sure, this only shows correlation and not causation, and some of this rise may be attributed to other modern lifestyle burdens such as poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. But when one looks at the evidence of how powerfully grounding brings down inflammation in the body, you have to wonder - are synthetic soled shoes making us sick?
“The body functions more effectively when connected to the natural electric charge and rhythms of the Earth’s surface.
Such connection readily provides a unique supply of electrons that generates significant protective antioxidant effects against chronic inflammation, the underlying cause of many common health disorders.””
We think the answer is a resounding yes...which is why grounding footwear returning to the mainstream will be an absolute game-changer
insulated (synthetic sole) SHOES AND DIABETES - COINCIDENCE OR SOMETHING MORE?
Source: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and shoe industry statistics.
PROTECTION AND CONNECTion:
INTRODUCING THE GROUNDING SHOE.
Simply put, as much as a “barefoot lifestyle” sounds ideal, that simply isn’t doable for navigating a modern world, where pollutants, chemicals, and other hazards pose potential threats to our sensitive soles.
Grounding shoes are the answer we’ve been waiting for.
Style, function and comfort - these are the three main components of what has traditionally defined the ideal shoe, and the current range of conductive grounding, or Earthing, shoes meet these expectations and more.
For the past decade, our team has patiently waited for the grounding shoe arena to expand, watching as the first wave of contenders - Juil and Pluggz - introduced their consciously connected footwear to the masses. These brands dared to challenge the shoe status quo, and were the first to design fashionable, comfortable grounding shoes for men and women, utilizing cutting edge manufacturing techniques to ensure conductivity that went far beyond “only” having a leather sole.
While the “genre” of grounding shoes may have begun with only two brands, the current range of conductive footwear has grown exponentially, expanding to offer something for men, women and children of all ages.
Now, there’s a grounding shoe appropriate for all seasons and all occasions, allowing wearers to stay connected with every step and get as much “Ground Time” as possible without having to adjust any part of their daily routine. From flip flops and sandals to sneakers and slip-ons, you can always stay connected to the earth’s restorative energy.
SO, HOW DO GROUNDING SHOES WORK?
All grounding shoes - regardless of style or material - follow the same basic concept: delivering the healing flow of electrons straight from the earth to your feet, thus helping the body return to a natural state of harmony and balance.
“The moment your foot touches the Earth... your physiology changes. An immediate normalization begins. and an anti-inflammatory switch is turned on. People stay inflamed because they never connect to the Earth, the source of free electrons, which can neutralize the free radicals in the body that cause disease and cellular destruction.””
Each grounding shoe company utilizes their own unique delivery system, ranging from traditionally inspired naturally tanned leather soles, much like what indigenous peoples favored, copper plugs embedded in natural or synthetic soles, a method which some DIY’ers have been known to use to ground their own shoes at home, or specifically designed conductive carbon outsoles, which draw on cutting-edge and proprietary manufacturing techniques to keep you connected.
When wearing grounded shoes, the “standard” principles of Grounding still apply - we highly recommend making sure you are properly hydrated and have enough moisture on your skin to achieve ideal conductivity, and always wear your grounding shoes barefoot or with grounding conductive socks to maintain a strong connection.
And remember - while grass, sand and concrete ARE conductive, asphalt is not due to the presence of petroleum based tar which acts as an insulating agent...so be sure to seek out conductive surfaces whenever possible, to get the most out of your grounded shoes!
GROUNDING SHOES: MEET THE BRANDS
Variety is the spice of life, and there’s finally a Grounding shoe for everyone - no matter your gender, age, style preference or lifestyle! We are constantly on the hunt for new grounding shoes to try, and are committed to bringing you the latest and greatest shoes to help streamline your grounding practice.
Check out OUR featured brands, all of which have been road-tested (literally!) by our team!
HARMONY 783
VERSATILITY, COMFORT AND STYLE.
GROUNDING SHOES FOR ALL WALKS OF LIFE!
Co-founded by grounding pioneers Pam Bard and Sharon Whiteley, HARMONY 783 grounding shoes have taken the lead in terms of style, innovation and quality.
Utilizing their own proprietary patent-pending Groundworks™ technology, Harmony 783 Earthing shoes feature a fully conductive carbon and rubber outsole, and 99.99% pure silver stitching through the mid-soles and lining.
This dynamic duo allows the flow of electrons to be carried from the ground to your body, while keeping your feet cushioned in comfort and biomechanically supported.
“The white leather walkers are second to none - I consider them on par with luxury athletic shoes I used to buy in New York, easily on the same level as my favorite pair of Zegnas.””
Offering a full range of fashionable grounding shoes for men and women, Harmony 783 DELIVERS versatility AS A grounding shoe brand, allowing all wearers to find a grounding shoe that fits their lifestyle needs - without sacrificing comfort, quality or style.
For those who are disinclined to give up sneakers entirely, the Harmony 783 Walker (available for men and women) is an excellent choice, delivering the clean, streamlined aesthetic of a classic fashion sneaker without the drawback of disconnectedness. A luxuriously cushioned leather and memory foam insole provides padding and support, allowing you to remain connected in comfort.
Harmony 783’s full range of grounding shoes includes lace up walker, trail and jogger conductive sneakers, loafers, ankle boots, driver moccasins, slip-ons, ballet flats, sandals and flip flops, all of which are available in colors and materials that range from timelessly classic to deliciously playful.
Harmony 783 now offers a line of grounding socks with silver threading for enhanced conductivity, with merino wool and organic cotton options.
EARTH RUNNER
THE ORIGINAL MINIMALIST EARTHING SANDAL
GROUNDED ADVENTURE SANDALS FOR MEN AND WOMEN (UNISEX SIZES)
No list of Grounding footwear would be complete without the inclusion of Earth Runners, who since 2012 have offered customers adventure ready minimalist grounding sandals for wherever your path may lead! Earth Runners feature “barefoot” design, which not only efficiently conducts but is ultra minimal (with varying sole thicknesses available, depending on how thin you want to go) and allow for uninhibited natural movement of the foot with the added benefit of protection and traction.
One of our favorite things about Earth Runners is that you can totally submerge them in water and wear them in all sorts of wet surfaces (even mud). They are ideal for rocky beaches and river areas that may be too uncomfortable to navigate barefoot. In our experience, Earth Runners stay on when you trek through streams and ocean surf, and they dry relatively quickly. These sandals have become our go-tos for warmer-weather, wet adventuring!
Earth Runners are also vegan and cruelty free, and keep you connected via grounded laces which utilize conductive stainless steel thread combined with a copper ground plug at the sole. This unique combination is perfect for those who wish to avoid consuming animal products while remaining connected to the natural world around them.
Available in three lace styles with varying thicknesses and pliability - Ergonomic, Classic and Performance, and three sole thicknesses - Elemental (thin), Circadian and Chronos (mid), and Alpha (thick), Earth Runners deliver wearable, performance-ready grounding sandals for men, women and children of all ages.
GROUNDZ
HANDMADE AND HAND-STITCHED GROUNDED SHOES, POWERED BY COPPER
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A BRAND NEW LINE OF BIOS GROUNDING SNEAKERS WITH GROUNDSYNC TECHNOLOGY!
BOTH LINES ARE MINIMALIST / BAREFOOT DESIGN
Groundz has two lines of grounding shoes, each featuring a different grounding technology. Both lines are minimalist/barefoot design, meaning they mimic the experience of being barefoot through thin, flexible and flat soles as well as roomy toe boxes.
The first collection of grounding shoes, which includes sandals, slip-ons, sneakers and ankle boots, is known as the “Coppers.” These shoes contain conductive copper plugs in the soles to help connect you to Earth energy. Expertly crafted and 100% handmade with eco-friendly, vegetable-tanned leathers and other all-natural, premium-quality materials, this timeless line of Coppers improves with wear, molding to the feet.
Groundz’s newest collection utilizes a different technology, called GroundSyncTM. This is their BIOS line of lifestyle grounding sneakers featuring multilayer conductive stitching and carbonized rubber conductive pads in the soles. With their more modern design and construction, BIOS grounding sneakers offer greater versatility and durability in wetter conditions.
As far as style goes, Groundz Earthing shoes ooze the essence of effortless, California cool!
Check out our July 2023 review of Groundz Clay Sneakers and Canary Retro Sandals
“I’ve tried all of the grounding sandals and flip-flops out there, and these [Groundz] are the ones I reach for literally daily. These are hands down the most comfortable and most stylish...””
BAHÉ
HIGH-PERFORMANCE, GROUNDED RUNNING SHOES IN BAREFOOT AND REGULAR FIT OPTIONS
Bahé is the Hindi word for flow…A movement between mind, body and earth.
With passions for sustainability and exercising outdoors in nature, Bahé’s founders have created two lines of grounding shoes that are specifically designed for running. Both lines available in men’s and women’s sizes.
Developed with comfort and durability in mind, Bahé’s Recharge shoe line offers traditional cushion and support for performance running. Their Revive line is barefoot, or minimalist, design with a zero-drop sole and flexible, wide toe-box for a more natural foot movement.
Made with plant-based and recycled materials, Bahé grounded running shoes are vegan-friendly and more environmentally sustainable than many other running shoes on the market. Breathable yet water resistant, these shoes are designed to help you go the distance even in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Powered by a ground-flow system, Bahé shoes can help keep you connected to Earth’s natural, restorative energy and enhance that runner’s high with the benefits of grounding.
SOFTSTAR
HANDMADE, MINIMALIST/BAREFOOT DESIGN LEATHER SHOES FOR MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN
ANCIENT WISDOM IN A MODERN WORLD
One of the newest additions to our collection of Grounded footwear, Softstar’s leather soled shoes - specifically made with Grounding in mind! - take their inspiration from the native cultures of the past. Each pair is handcrafted at their “workshop” (courtesy of “The Softstar Elves!”) in Portland, Oregon, and utilize artisanal shoemaking techniques that combine passion, purpose and environmental awareness.
Not all of Softstar’s shoes are conductive (hence why we only promote a select few styles on this site). They do offer a grounding collection, the shoes in which are made with natural bullhide leather soles which naturally conduct Earth’s electrons. These leather-soled shoes offer excellent options for those who prefer ultra-flexible and lightweight shoes while absorbing ground energy from beneath their feet.
It’s important to note that achieving ideal conductivity with Softstar’s shoes takes time, and is best experienced after a few wears. When you give the natural leather the opportunity to absorb some moisture and become “broken in,” you’ll allow for a stronger connection to the earth’s electron flow.
Available GROUNDING SHOE styles include:
lace-up chukkaS - LEATHER SOLE
DASH RUNAMOK - LEATHER SOLE
ballerine flats
ROO moccasins, and
sheepskin slippers
Softstar shoes are unisex and designed to be gender neutral. Softstar also offers handmade grounding shoes for children, too! View kids collection here.
We personally love the “Fireside” sheepskin grounding slipper, and think nothing could be cozier during the fall and winter seasons!
GROUNDING SHOES: THE FUTURE OF FOOTWEAR IS DOWN TO EARTH!
Grounding shoes are here to stay - combining function and style with a means to effectively channel nourishing earth energy straight into our bodies!
As new brands hit the market, we’ll be updating our list and our team will be investigating further - stay tuned for more reviews and updates to our list of grounding shoes.
Page last updated on May 2, 2024.
Although all articles and content at Grounded.com containing health information are reviewed and fact checked by one or more members of our Medical Advisory Board, such information should not replace consultation or a visit with a qualified health professional. As such, we recommend that you consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about how grounding may impact your health; view medical disclaimer.