Customer Stories

This story was shared by Chloe.

From Doubt to Devotion with Affordable Barefoot Shoes

In August 2023, I stumbled across a health challenge called AB30 by Heart and Soil, just after finishing Dr. Paul Saladino’s book on animal-based eating—which totally clicked for me. I was in the mood to try new things, so when a Saguaro ad popped up in my feed, I thought, why not give barefoot shoes a try too?

To be honest, my first thought was:

“This must be a scam. No good barefoot shoes cost $60.”

But I figured, worst case—I’d lose sixty bucks.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a scam. It was a total game-changer—especially for someone like me starting a transition to barefoot shoes for beginners without any clue how different it would feel.

Tiny Feet, Big Change in Barefoot Shoes for Toddlers

I ordered a pair for myself—and one for my 5-year-old son.
He’s never looked back.

“He wears barefoot shoes exclusively now. They’ve lasted incredibly well—I’m about to buy him his third pair for winter!”

Watching him move so naturally made me realize how far off-track modern footwear had taken us. And I wasn’t immune either.

Looking back now, the difference between barefoot shoes vs traditional shoes is night and day. Traditional footwear used to give me sore arches, restrict my toes, and throw off my posture—things I thought were just “normal.” With barefoot shoes, my toes finally have room to move, and I no longer suffer from foot fatigue or imbalance.

From Trying to Training: My Go-To Barefoot Work Out Shoes

At first, I wore them casually and felt the difference instantly.
Then I started using them at the gym... then running.
Now? I wouldn’t dream of putting on a regular shoe.

“No sore arches. No blisters. No rolled ankles. Just strength and comfort.”

I even tried other (much more expensive) barefoot shoe brands out of curiosity. But honestly? They didn’t come close.

“I went racing back to Saguaro.”

My Body Rebuilt Itself, One Step at a Time

I’ve learned so much about foot health and human development over the past year—it’s shocking how far we’ve drifted from how our feet are meant to function. My little toes used to curl sideways and develop ridges, which I thought was just “normal.”
Turns out—it was just bad shoes.

The transition to barefoot shoes for beginners may feel unfamiliar at first, but for me, it quite literally reshaped how my feet function.

“Now I never get sore feet. My toes have space. And I feel grounded.”

After everything I’ve experienced—from gym sessions to toddler-proof durability—I guess you could say this is my unofficial Saguaro shoes review: affordable, durable, comfortable, and truly life-changing.

This Is a Movement

I now own:

• 3 pairs of everyday/gym Saguaros

• 1 pair of waterproof barefoot hiking boots (seriously, the most comfortable I’ve ever hiked in—even on wet, uneven trails)

• 1 pair of slides

And yes—I’m that person who tries to convince everyone around me to go barefoot too.

“What started as a wee experiment is now a lifestyle.”

Still Going Strong

My toddler has only ever worn Saguaros—and I plan to keep it that way.
We hike together, run races, and even competed at HYROX Auckland wearing them.

I can't wait to see what Saguaro brings out next. 
I’m not just a fan anymore—

I’m a die-hard barefoot believer.