Why your feet hurt

Retro sneakers were never cut wide enough at the front

Tap a spot to see why it hurts.

A woman standing in the Heron 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 HeronHeel and toe sit level, so you stand the way you do barefoot.

Nothing pressing. Nothing tilting.

What you get with Heron

A retro shape built around the shape of a foot

1

Your toes spread the way they do barefoot

Wide at the toes, so nothing crowds them.

2

You stand level instead of tipped forward

Flat from heel to toe, so you stand level.

3

The sole bends with you

A sole that bends with every step.

4

Footing you can trust

A rubber outsole with a fine everyday tread.

5

Cool and dry rather than damp by lunch

Air mesh with suede overlays and a cotton lining.

6

On your feet in seconds

Lace them once and they stay set.

The details, if you want them

Style
Wide-toe barefoot style minimalist sneaker
Shoe type
Low-top walking / court shoe
Upper material
Air mesh with suede overlays
Lining material
Cotton
Insole material
EVA
Outsole material
Rubber (non slip)
Toe box
Wide
Drop
Zero drop
Closure
Lace up
Upper coverage
Below ankle
Upper construction
Glued (cemented), spliced panels
Toe protection
Reinforced toe overlay, no metal toe cap
Heel
Reinforced heel counter with pull tab
Water resistance
Not waterproof
Pattern
Spliced panels with contrast side stripes
Colorways
Pink, Black/White, Apricot
Best for
Walking, hard-court use, casual everyday wear

What to expect

The first two weeks

Your feet need a few weeks.

  1. Wearing the Heron

    Day 1 to 3

    Around the house

    An hour or two indoors.

  2. The Heron seen from the side

    Day 4 to 7

    Short walks

    Short walks outside.

  3. Close detail of the Heron upper

    Day 8 to 14

    Most of the day

    Wear them most of the day.

  4. The Heron seen from above, showing the toe box

    Day 15 on

    Your everyday shoe

    Wear them anywhere.

Why it works

What Heron actually does for your feet

Heron barefoot shoe photographed in the studio

Your toes finally have room

Wide at the toes, like your foot.

The Heron seen from the side

You stand level, not tipped forward

Flat from heel to toe.

The Heron seen from above, showing the toe box

Your foot actually bends

Bends with every step, grips the ground.

The weight

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

A normal sneaker adds a few ounces. You lift it 7,000 times a day.

11.5 oz per shoe

Weight you stop lifting, every day

0 lb

One shoe per step, at 7,000 steps a day.

Why this pair

Heron against the shoes you wear now

In real use
Heron
A cushioned everyday sneaker
Across your toes
Heron✓Foot shaped
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Tapered, presses
Standing posture
Heron✓Level
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Raised heel
How the sole moves
Heron✓Bends with you
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Stiff under foam
Ground feel
Heron✓Low, you feel it
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Thick stack mutes
Grip underfoot
Heron✓Fine rubber tread
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Smooth foam slides
Warm afternoons
Heron✓Air mesh and suede
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Padded, holds heat
Getting them on
Heron✓Lace up
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Laces, every time
Weight on foot
Heron✓Light
A cushioned everyday sneaker✗Heavier all day

Fit and anatomy

Shaped like a foot, not a wedge

Your toes should sit inside the outline, with room to spread.

Overhead view of Heron showing its wide barefoot toe box

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.

An air mesh upper with suede overlays and a cotton lining.

  • Foot shapedtoe box, room to splay
  • Levelheel and toe on one plane
  • True to sizeorder your usual size

No seam across the top, so nothing digs in.

Questions

What people ask before buying

How do I pick my size in the Heron?

Most people fit their usual sneaker size in the Heron. Barefoot shoes can run a little short, so if you are between sizes or have wider feet, going up half a size is the common call. Women and men are sized separately, so use the Women or Men buttons at the top to land on the right fit.

What are the Heron made of, and what are they best for?

The upper is air mesh with suede overlays, lined with cotton. Underneath is a non slip rubber outsole. They are made for walking, hard-court use and casual everyday wear.

What does a zero drop sole feel like?

Your heel and your toes sit on the same level, the way they do when you stand barefoot. Nothing tips you forward, so your foot lands the way it would on its own and the sole bends with it. The toe box is wide, so your toes have room to spread instead of being squeezed together.

Do the Heron need breaking in?

Most people wear them comfortably from the first day. If you are coming out of cushioned shoes, ease in over a week or two. Start with a few hours, walk in them, and build up from there while your feet get used to moving on their own again.

Are the women's and men's Heron different?

Same shoe and the same build. They are sized on their own lasts so the proportions suit each foot, so switch between the Women and Men buttons at the top and pick your size from that range.

What if the Heron are not right for me?

Wear them for 30 days. If they are not for you, send them back for a full refund. Shipping is free and there is a 30 day money back guarantee.