About Us
Bearfoot was founded on a simple but radical idea: modern shoes are destroying the way we move. For decades, the footwear industry has told us we need more cushioning, more arch support, more structure — but the truth is, our feet were built with everything they need. Raised heels, narrow toe boxes, rigid soles — all of it has slowly weakened our foundation, leading to a host of common foot and body issues. At Bearfoot, we’re here to reverse the damage, promoting natural foot strength and optimal movement.
We craft shoes that eliminate interference, enabling your body to function as it was designed: to move with purpose and strength. Our barefoot shoes are flat (zero-drop) to promote a natural gait and posture, wide (to accommodate natural toe splay) to prevent compression and allow proper foot function, and flexible (to allow for a full range of motion and ground feel). Every design choice in our minimalist footwear is intentional and functional, not for fleeting fashion trends, but for improved biomechanics. We don’t believe in masking weakness; we believe in restoring inherent strength and resilience to your feet and entire kinetic chain.
The story of Bearfoot begins with Chris Duffin — an elite strength athlete, engineer, and performance coach who spent decades studying biomechanics and pushing the limits of human performance. As the first person to squat and deadlift over 1,000 pounds for reps, Chris reached his peak after embracing barefoot training — a path he helped pioneer in the strength world. Despite his immense power, years of lifting in traditional raised-heel shoes had created chronic imbalances and pain. The turning point came when he stopped compensating and started trusting his body’s natural ability. That shift didn’t just rebuild his body — it redefined strength itself, showcasing the profound benefits of natural movement.
Through his recovery, Chris discovered the power of barefoot-style movement. Reconnecting to the ground — without elevated heels or compressed toes — changed everything. Balance improved. Pain faded. Lifts got stronger. Movement became more natural. That personal transformation, paired with his engineering mind, became the blueprint for Bearfoot.
We’re not a fashion brand — we’re a tool company that just happens to make footwear. Our customers range from elite athletes to blue-collar workers and everyone in between. They’re not chasing trends; they’re seeking superior performance, unwavering durability, and long-term strength. They understand the crucial difference between merely wearing shoes and wearing Bearfoot minimalist footwear.
But Bearfoot is more than footwear. It’s a challenge to an entire industry built on misinformation. We reject the idea that pain is inevitable. The myth that cushioning equates to true comfort and support. The lie that your body is broken and needs fixing. It isn’t damaged — it’s just been misaligned by conventional footwear. And it’s ready to rebuild its natural capabilities.
We’re committed to quality, especially in our durable barefoot boots. Every pair of Bearfoot shoes and boots is made with rugged, lasting materials designed to withstand rigorous use. These aren’t mass-produced foam sneakers meant for a single season; they’re tools — built to endure, built with purpose, ensuring a long-lasting return on your investment in foot health.
Our customers stay because they feel the difference, not just in their feet, but in their posture, balance, and overall performance. And once they experience the benefits of Bearfoot, they rarely go back to conventional footwear.
We know barefoot shoes still occupy a niche — and that’s fine. We’re not here for everyone. We’re here for those who want to move better and train harder. For people who challenge the status quo and prioritize truth over marketing. For those who take their health and performance seriously and understand the value of robust, natural foot function.
This isn’t a trend. It’s not a gimmick. Bearfoot is a return to your natural state — a rejection of overbuilt, overcorrective footwear—a rebellion against weakness, empowering you with every step.