Why your feet hurt

Your shoes have been working against your feet

Where you feel it, and what your shoes have to do with it.

A woman standing in the Anchor shoes, side view showing her hips, knees, ankles and the ball of her foot
  1. When your feet are tilted all day, everything above them adjusts to compensate.

    In AnchorYour weight spreads across the whole foot instead of the ball.

Nothing pressing, nothing tilting, nothing stopping your foot moving.

What you get with Anchor

A light everyday sneaker you can stay in from morning to night

1

Room across the front all day long

Anchor is built on a wide last with a widened toe box. Broader feet get somewhere relaxed to sit instead of being pressed toward a point.

2

You stand the way you do at home

The sole is zero drop, so heel and toe sit level. Your weight spreads across the whole foot rather than loading the ball.

3

Feet stay cool through a warm afternoon

The upper is breathable knit and canvas over a soft cotton lining. Air moves through instead of sitting damp against your skin.

4

Confident footing on polished floors

The outsole is gum rubber with a triangle tread. It holds on smooth indoor floors as well as it does on pavement outside.

5

Less weight to lift, seven thousand times

Each shoe is around nine ounces with EVA foam underfoot. Over a full day of walking that adds up to noticeably less effort.

6

A shoe that bends where your foot bends

The free flex build moves and rebounds with every step. Nothing splints your foot flat the way a rigid sole does.

The details, if you want them

Style
Minimalist barefoot walking sneaker
Shoe type
Walking and everyday sneaker
Best for
Walking, light jogging, everyday wear, travel
Upper material
Breathable knit and canvas
Lining
Soft cotton
Insole
EVA foam
Outsole
Wear resistant gum rubber, triangle tread
Sole profile
Zero drop
Toe box
Wide last, widened toe box
Closure
Lace up
Season
All season
Care
Spot clean, air dry

Why it works

What Anchor actually does for your feet

Overhead view of the Anchor showing its widened toe box

Built roomy, not just barefoot

A widened toe box on a generous last, in a genuinely wide fitting. Broader feet get somewhere relaxed to sit rather than being squeezed toward a point, which is what eases the pressure over a long day.

Side view of the Anchor showing its level zero drop sole

You stand level, not tipped forward

Heel and toe sit at the same height, so your weight spreads across the whole foot instead of being pushed onto the ball. It is how you stand barefoot on your own floor, kept there all day.

Three quarter view of the Anchor showing its flexible gum sole

Your foot moves instead of being held still

A free flex build that bends and rebounds with each step rather than splinting your foot flat. Your feet do their own work again, which is what they are built for.

Why this pair

Anchor next to the sneaker you own now

In real use
Anchor
An ordinary cushioned sneaker
Across the toes
AnchorA widened toe box on a wide last
An ordinary cushioned sneakerTapers to a point at the front
Standing still
AnchorHeel and toe sit level
An ordinary cushioned sneakerA raised heel tips you forward
Walking on pavement
AnchorThe sole bends with each step
An ordinary cushioned sneakerA stiff plate holds the foot flat
Warm afternoons
AnchorKnit and canvas with a cotton lining
An ordinary cushioned sneakerSynthetic layers trap heat inside
Polished indoor floors
AnchorTriangle tread gum rubber grips
An ordinary cushioned sneakerSmooth foam soles can slide
Weight per shoe
AnchorAround nine ounces on your foot
An ordinary cushioned sneakerSeveral ounces more, every step
A light jog
AnchorSoft rebound without holding you rigid
An ordinary cushioned sneakerCushioning that absorbs your own push
Packing for travel
AnchorLight and flexible, folds into a bag
An ordinary cushioned sneakerBulky and holds its shape

The weight

You do not wear your shoes. You lift them, about 7,000 times a day.

Every step is a small lift you never agreed to. A normal sneaker is a few ounces heavier than Anchor. Multiply those few ounces by seven thousand and it stops being a spec on a page.

Put your own sneaker on a kitchen scale and type the number in. The maths is yours, not ours.

11.5 oz

Weight you stop lifting, every day

0 lb

Based on one shoe lifted per step, at 7,000 steps a day.

Overhead view of Anchor showing its wide barefoot toe box

Fit and anatomy

Shaped like a foot, not a wedge

Put your foot on the insole. Your toes should sit inside the outline with room to spread.

It gives where your foot needs it to.

Room across the front, so nothing squeezes your toes together.

  • Foot shapedtoe box, room to splay
  • Zero dropheel and toe sit level
  • True to sizelace up, adjustable fit

What to expect

The first two weeks

Wear them all day on day one and your calves will punish you for it. That is why most people give up in week one. So here is the fortnight, laid out.

  1. Day one, wearing the Anchor indoors on a wooden floor

    Day 1 to 3

    A couple of hours

    Wear them round the house.

    Your calves will grumble. Good.

  2. Stepping out of the front door in the Anchor for a short errand

    Day 4 to 7

    Half a day

    Add a short walk.

    They start to feel like your own shoes.

  3. Sitting on a park bench in the Anchor after a longer walk

    Day 8 to 14

    Most of the day

    Take them out on grass one afternoon.

    You feel the ground for the first time.

  4. Walking easily along a path in the Anchor

    Day 15 on

    All day, every day

    Wear them everywhere.

    You stop thinking about your feet.

Day one is the day the box arrives.

Questions

Anchor questions, answered

How do I choose the right size in the Anchor?

The Anchor fits true to size for most people. Since barefoot shoes can run slightly short, size up half a size if you are between sizes or have wider feet. These are US sizes, and women and men have separate sizing you switch with the Women and Men buttons at the top of the page.

What are they made of and what are they best for?

The Anchor pairs a breathable mesh upper with a lightweight flexible sole. It is a versatile all day shoe made for everyday wear, running errands, work, and casual outings. It is the kind of pair you reach for on repeat.

What does the zero drop and wide toe box feel like?

Your heel and forefoot sit level, which keeps your posture natural, and the wide toe box lets your toes spread and grip. Many people feel more grounded and free once they adjust, all under a clean minimalist look.

Do I need to break them in?

The Anchor is comfortable early thanks to the soft mesh and flexible sole. If you are new to barefoot shoes, start with shorter wears and build up so your feet and lower legs adapt to the thin sole.

How do I clean the mesh upper?

Wipe the mesh with a damp cloth and mild soap to lift everyday dirt. For a deeper clean, use a soft brush and lukewarm water, then air dry away from direct heat. Skip the dryer, since high heat can affect the materials and shape.

What is the difference between the women's and men's Anchor?

The style and materials match across both. The sizing and proportions differ, so use the Women and Men buttons at the top of the page to pick the right fit.

What is your return policy?

You are covered by a 30 day money back guarantee. If the Anchor does not work for you, contact us within 30 days for a full refund. We ship to the US and CA.