Shoes are an essential part of our daily lives, especially when living an active and outdoor family lifestyle. But choosing the right pair is not that easy. There are so many brands and types of shoes on the market that families can quickly be overwhelmed.
As an adventure family who believes that nature and free play is primordial in raising children, barefoot shoes seem like the perfect option. So, today, I’m giving you our family SAGUARO Shoes reviews.
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What is SAGUARO Shoes
SAGUARO Shoes is a brand that has gained popularity in recent years when the minimalist approach to footwear became popular. SAGUARO creates sustainable barefoot shoes, water shoes, and minimalist shoes for outdoor enthusiasts.
The shoes are designed to provide comfort and protection while maintaining a minimalist style. Our kids love walking and exploring barefoot, but sometimes, they need a little protection so they don’t get hurt, like when we are hiking.
The products are known for their breathable, lightweight, and unique colorful design. I know my kids don’t enjoy wearing their big sneakers in the summertime (or wearing socks), so SAGUARO barefoot shoes are the ideal choice.
The brand offers a variety of shoes, from trail running shoes to water shoes. But with all their shoes, we can feel connected to the ground beneath our feet.
»» Find your perfect barefoot shoes on SAGUARO ««
** Use code LOVELIFEABROAD for 10% off your purchase **
Benefits of Barefoot Shoes
Barefoot shoes, also known as minimalist shoes, are designed to mimic the feeling of walking or running barefoot. It’s important to note that it can take some time to get used to barefoot shoes. You’ll discover muscles in your feet and legs you didn’t even know existed.
There are many benefits to wearing barefoot shoes over traditional shoes, including:
It Improves Balance and Proprioception
One of the main benefits of barefoot shoes is that they can improve your balance and proprioception. Barefoot shoes allow your feet to sense the ground beneath you. It will, over time, improve your proprioception and lead to better balance and coordination.
What is proprioception in simple terms?
Proprioception is the ability to sense where your body is in relation to its surroundings without relying on vision.
It Strengthens Your Foot Muscles
With traditional shoes, your feet don’t have to work hard to support your body weight. It results in weaker foot muscles. Barefoot shoes, on the other hand, require your foot muscles to work harder to support your body.
It Improves Joint Health
When your feet hit the ground, your joints are meant to absorb some of the shock. When you wear shoes with thick soles, your joints don’t have to work as hard. Barefoot shoes have thin soles which force your joints to work harder (and eventually get stronger and healthier).
It Improves Posture and Sensory Feedback
When wearing barefoot shoes, your feet are closer to the ground, which helps improve your body’s alignment and posture. Plus, with their thin soles and minimal padding, it allows your feet to feel the ground beneath them.
It’s the same way we give our infants sensory bins, so they can discover the world around them. Barefoot shoes help with sensory feedback when walking barefoot isn’t possible.
It Increases Foot Flexibility
Wearing barefoot shoes allows your feet to move and flex more naturally. This can be particularly beneficial for people who spend a lot of time sitting or standing in one position. It prevents stiffness and discomfort in the feet.
It Increases Mind-Body Connection
Wearing barefoot shoes can help increase your mind-body connection. When you’re more aware of your feet and how they move, you may become more mindful of your body as a whole. This can lead to a greater sense of body awareness.
»» Find your perfect barefoot shoes on SAGUARO ««
** Use code LOVELIFEABROAD for 10% off your purchase **
SAGUAO Barefoot Shoes Review
SAGUARO was founded in 2012 in China by a team of outdoor enthusiasts. The brand’s mission was to create minimalist shoes that were comfortable, durable, and stylish. The footwear brand quickly gained popularity, and the brand now sells its shoes worldwide.
It offers a wide range of minimalist footwear. All of their shoes are designed with minimalism in mind, featuring breathable materials and flexible soles. SAGUARO Shoes also offers shoes for men, women and children with a variety of colors and styles to choose from.
Our family got new comfortable shoes. Here is the list of the barefoot shoes we selected:
Reasons You Should Get SAGUARO Barefoot Shoes
We all have SAGUARO minimalist shoes now, and each one of us loves them. My husband will keep his new Barefoot Shoes Smart II inside the house since they are so comfortable. My kids will now wear theirs EVERYWHERE and love that they don’t have to wear socks.
There are several things to like about our new barefoot shoes, including:
1. Comfort
SAGUARO Shoes are lightweight and flexible. You can fold them in half, and they’ll quickly return to their original form. Flexible shoes provide a comfortable and natural feel for the feet.
It’s especially important with young children. We bought some running shoes in the past for our kids, and they were so heavy. The added weight can be a lot for kids running around and trying to keep up with friends.
The minimalist shoes are made with soft, breathable materials that allow the feet to move and flex naturally when walking or running. Plus, the wide toe design ensures that each of your toes can be flexible enough to power and grip the ground.
2. Quality of materials
SAGUARO minimalist shoes use high-quality materials. Their shoes feature:
- a breathable upper made from mesh or synthetic leather for good airflow.
- rubber or TPU soles for traction and durability.
- a soft insole for comfort.
3. Durability
Despite their lightweight design, the shoes from SAGUARO are built to last. They are made with high-quality materials that can withstand the wear and tear of regular use. You can enjoy your shoes for years to come.
4. Style
The shoes come in a wide range of styles and colors. You’ll love all the colorful options
My husband selected a more classic and minimalist look (Barefoot Shoes Smart II), but the kids and I opted for more bold and colorful designs (Barefoot Shoes VitalityⅠ, Barefoot Shoes Smart Ⅰ, Barefoot Shoes Fast Ⅰ)
I’ll now see the kids from afar while we’re hiking together.
5. Affordability
All barefoot shoes from SAGUARO are sold at a lower price point than most hiking shoes. They are one of the best cheap sneakers. It offers an affordable choice for people who are looking for a high-quality, durable shoe without breaking the bank.
6. Minimalist Design
They have a minimalist design that promotes a more natural gait and helps to strengthen the muscles in the feet and legs (remember all the benefits of barefoot shoes we are talking about early in this article?). This can help improve balance, stability, and overall foot health over time.
7. Sizing Options
When shopping at SAGUARO, you’ll find a range of sizes for the entire family. Their shoes are available in half sizes. You’ll find a pair that fits your foot shape.
Having the option for half sizes is really nice. I had to go to the kids’ section because I have small feet, and when I used the size chart, I couldn’t find my right size in the women’s option. But the kids’ one fit great. 🙂
SAGUARO provides a size chart on its website, allowing customers to find their exact shoe size.
»» Find your perfect barefoot shoes on SAGUARO ««
** Use code LOVELIFEABROAD for 10% off your purchase **
A Few Extra Things to Know About the SAGUARO Barefoot Shoes
There are 2 important things to note before buying a pair of SAGUARO barefoot shoes:
Sizing of the barefoot shoes
Some customers have reported that the shoes run small or large, making it difficult to find the right fit. This can be frustrating, especially when you order online and don’t have the opportunity to try on the shoes before purchasing.
In our experience, all the models we got fitted a bit big for our usual size. They were all ok to wear (and I guess they will last more than one season for the kids – size-wise), but it can be hard to know what size to order. And as I mentioned previously, I had to select a pair in the kids’ section, which isn’t a big dealbreaker for me (it’s not the first time I’ve done that!)
I would recommend taking the time to measure all your family’s feet and use the size chart provided on the website to make sure you select the right size.
How to transition to barefoot shoes with SAGUARO Shoes
It’s important to know that there’s a transition period when switching from traditional shoes to barefoot shoes.
The first time we used our new footwear on a small family hiking trail, I quickly realized I add LOTS of muscles in my feet I had no idea existed.
Can you believe there are 29 muscles associated with the human foot?
You’ll need to get used to a different way of walking and running, so you’ll want to:
Start Slow!
Don’t go on a half-marathon or a long rocky trail the first time you wear your minimalist shoes (or any other barefoot shoes). Start by wearing your barefoot shoes for short periods of time each day, gradually increasing the amount of time you spend in them as your feet get used to the new sensation.
Go on a short and easy hike with the kids or simply find a fun outdoor activity to start with.
SAGUARO Shoes Reviews: What Other Customers Have to Say About the Shoes
As you can see, we are really happy with our new purchase, and we are not the only ones. Here are a few customers reviews from the brand website:
“Very nice shoes. Our little one likes to dash around in them. They are a little difficult to put on. So he can’t get it on by himself yet, but they fit well for that. I would buy them again.”
“Absolute must-haves. My son would like to have no other shoes. Finally, shoes in which his very wide foot with high instep has space, without bruises etc. to see after wearing the shoes. Whether football training, climbing, cycling – the shoes do everything. Once dirty – no problem. Wash, hang up after at least 6 hours in the apartment and 30 minutes in the sun are like new. Absolute recommendation” (for the Barefoot Shoes Smart Ⅰ)
“My daughter likes to wear the shoes very much. They fit well and don’t pinch. Only a little more barefoot feeling would be nice. For this, the sole is a little too thick” (for Barefoot Shoes VitalityⅠ)
“So far more than satisfied, a completely different run as with conventional shoes. If they hold up well for the year, gifts more for me.” (for the Barefoot Shoes Smart II)
SAGUARO Shoes VS Other Barefoot Brands
SAGUARO Shoes is not the only brand that offers minimalist footwear. Other popular brands in this category include:
- Vivobarefoot
- Vibram FiveFingers,
- Xero Shoes
When compared to these brands, the shoes from SAGUARO stand out for their affordable pricing, which makes them accessible to most families, and their beautiful and colorful design. Some other barefoot shoes might have a bit more durable and higher quality material.
The Vibram shoes are also really different since all toes are individual in the shoes, like in a glove. It’s not for everyone.
»» Find your perfect barefoot shoes on SAGUARO ««
** Use code LOVELIFEABROAD for 10% off your purchase **
F.A.Q SAGUARO Barefoot Shoes Review
Are SAGUARO Shoes good?
Yes. shoes from SAGUARO are good. There are made from good quality material, they are lightweight and breathable. Plus, there are relatively affordable barefoot shoes.
Where are SAGUARO Shoes made?
SAGUARO Shoes are manufactured in China.
Is SAGUARO Shoes a barefoot shoe?
Yes. SAGUARO offers barefoot shoes for women, men, and children. Shoes from the brand have the four basic features of barefoot shoes which are:
- a wide toe box to allow your toes to move freely
- a lightweight design to reduce the extra effort needed to walk. It’s so important for children
- a zero-drop shoe (flat) to allow more natural movement
- a thin and flexible sole for the foot to flex and move naturally
Are barefoot shoes good for you?
Barefoot shoes can be good for some people, but they may not be the right choice for everyone. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether barefoot shoes are a good choice for you:
- Foot Health: If you have foot problems such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or other foot conditions, barefoot shoes may not be the best option for you. In some cases, barefoot shoes may exacerbate existing foot problems or cause new ones.
- Activity Level: Barefoot shoes may not provide enough support or protection for your feet during high-impact activities or rocky terrain.
- Environment: If you live in a cold or wet climate, barefoot shoes may not be practical for everyday wear, like in the Canadian winter.
What are barefoot shoes?
Barefoot shoes are footwear designed to mimic the feeling of walking or running barefoot. They still provide some protection and support for the feet. They are sometimes referred to as “minimalist” or “zero-drop” shoes because they typically have very thin soles and little or no heel-to-toe drop.
Barefoot shoes promote natural foot movement and proper posture. They have a wider toe box than traditional shoes, which allows the toes to spread out and grip the ground, and they may also have less padding and support than traditional shoes.
Do you wear socks with barefoot shoes?
Whether or not you wear socks with barefoot shoes is largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to wear socks for comfort or to absorb sweat, while others prefer to go without socks to maximize the “barefoot” feeling.
If you do choose to wear socks with barefoot shoes, it’s important to choose socks that are thin and breathable, as thick or bulky socks can interfere with the natural movement of your feet. Some barefoot shoe manufacturers also make special socks designed to be worn with their shoes.
Also, some barefoot shoes are designed to be worn without socks and may not fit as well or provide as much grip if you choose to wear socks with them.
Barefoot VS Minimalist shoes: What is the difference?
Barefoot shoes and minimalist shoes are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing.
Barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the experience of walking or running barefoot. These shoes typically have
- little to no cushioning,
- a wide toe box, and
- a thin sole that allows the foot to flex and move naturally.
Minimalist shoes, on the other hand, provide the benefits of barefoot shoes but offer some more degree of cushioning and support. These shoes typically have:
- a thin sole and
- a flexible design,
- include features like arch support, cushioning, or a more structured upper.
Final Thoughts: SAGUARO Barefoot Shoes Review
We love our new barefoot shoes, and I hope this review has helped you decide if SAGUARO Shoes are a good option for you.
I am in love with the design and style of the shoes. They have so many great options for colorful shoes. I love the pricing of the shoes, especially for the kids. We never know how long kids will fit in their shoes, so it’s nice not to have the break the bank for shoes but still have great quality.
In our experience, the shoes fit bigger than our other shoes. Just be sure to pay attention to sizing and follow the steps provided on the brand website to measure your feet to ensure a good fit.
If you’re in the market for minimalist shoes and are looking for an affordable option, SAGUARO minimalist shoes are definitely worth considering.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.