Why your feet hurt

You cannot push off properly through a foot that is being squeezed

Tap a spot to see why it hurts.

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

Nothing pressing. Nothing tilting.

What you get with Prairie

A training shoe that lets your foot grip the floor

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

It runs on a rubber outsole with a flat stable tread.

5

Cool and dry rather than damp by lunch

Air mesh with suede overlays, so air moves straight through.

6

On your feet in seconds

One pull on the toggle and they stay put.

The details, if you want them

Style
Wide-toe barefoot style fitness trainer
Shoe type
Low-top cross training / walking shoe
Season
Spring / Summer / Autumn
Upper material
Air mesh with suede overlays
Lining material
Cotton
Insole material
EVA
Outsole material
Rubber
Toe box
Wide, foot-shaped
Shoe width
Medium (B/M)
Drop
Zero drop
Closure
Elastic laces with quick-pull toggle
Upper coverage
Below ankle
Upper construction
Glued (cemented)
Toe protection
Reinforced toe overlay, no metal toe cap
Heel
Reinforced heel counter with pull tab
Water resistance
Not waterproof
Fit
True to size
Pattern
Ribbed textile with contrast overlays and sole
Best for
Gym and cross training, yoga, low-impact workouts, walking
Care
Wipe clean, air dry (do not machine wash)

What to expect

The first two weeks

Your feet need a few weeks.

  1. Wearing the Prairie

    Day 1 to 3

    Around the house

    An hour or two indoors.

  2. The Prairie seen from the side

    Day 4 to 7

    Short walks

    Short walks outside.

  3. The Prairie photographed in the studio, second view

    Day 8 to 14

    Most of the day

    Wear them most of the day.

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

    Day 15 on

    Your everyday shoe

    Wear them anywhere.

Why it works

What Prairie actually does for your feet

Prairie barefoot shoe photographed in the studio

Your toes finally have room

Wide at the toes, like your foot.

The Prairie seen from the side

You stand level, not tipped forward

Flat from heel to toe.

The Prairie seen from above, showing the toe box

Your foot actually bends

Flexible sole, flat stable rubber tread.

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

Prairie against the shoes you wear now

In real use
Prairie
A cushioned training shoe
Across your toes
Prairie✓Foot shaped
A cushioned training shoe✗Tapered, presses
Standing posture
Prairie✓Level
A cushioned training shoe✗Raised heel
How the sole moves
Prairie✓Bends with you
A cushioned training shoe✗Stiff under foam
Ground feel
Prairie✓Low, you feel it
A cushioned training shoe✗Thick stack mutes
Grip underfoot
Prairie✓Flat stable tread
A cushioned training shoe✗Smooth foam slides
Warm afternoons
Prairie✓Air mesh and suede
A cushioned training shoe✗Padded, holds heat
Getting them on
Prairie✓Toggle lock laces
A cushioned training shoe✗Laces, every time
Weight on foot
Prairie✓Light
A cushioned training shoe✗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 Prairie 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.

  • 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 Prairie?

The Prairie fits true to size for most people, so order your usual sneaker size. 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 Prairie made of, and what are they best for?

The upper is air mesh with suede overlays, lined with cotton. Underneath is a rubber outsole. They are made for gym and cross training, yoga, low-impact workouts and walking.

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, foot-shaped, so your toes have room to spread instead of being squeezed together.

How do the Prairie fasten?

They use elastic laces with a toggle. One pull on the toggle snugs them to your foot and they stay put, so you can slip them on and off without tying anything. The laces are still there if you want to adjust how they sit.

Do the Prairie 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.

How do I clean the Prairie?

Wipe them down with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let them air dry away from direct heat. Keep them out of the washing machine and the dryer.

Are the women's and men's Prairie 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 Prairie 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.