Customer Stories

This story was kindly shared by our community member, Kellie Sisson Snider. You can follow their inspiring journey on Facebook.

A Lifelong Struggle with Foot and Knee Pain

Throughout my life, I have struggled with significant knee and foot pain. My journey with foot problems began at birth when I was diagnosed with Rocker Foot, also known as congenital vertical talus. This condition meant that I wore orthopedic shoes until I was 12 years old.

As a typical teenager, once I was free from those orthopedic shoes, I went on a fashion spree. High heels, stilettos, and every extreme foot fashion you can imagine became my go-to. Unfortunately, the joy of wearing stylish shoes came at a cost.

A Difficult Recovery

By 2015, the years of wearing such footwear caught up with me, leading to a complete midfoot reconstruction. The recovery process was long and grueling, with four months of non-weight bearing and another four months in a cumbersome boot, unable to drive.

After that, I gave up wearing heels entirely and resigned myself to a future of painful foot and knee problems. My situation seemed bleak. I even participated in a research study for individuals with knee arthritis, during which I briefly wore a robotic knee to alleviate my pain. However, the pain persisted.

Fears of Losing Mobility

Recently, my hip pain escalated to the point where navigating the stairs in my home became a challenge. I was honestly afraid that I might end up in a wheelchair, unable to maintain my mobility and independence.

Stumbling Upon Barefoot Shoes

A few months ago, I was in desperate need of a comfortable pair of sneakers. My only goal was to find comfortable shoes that didn’t add to my problems. That’s when I stumbled upon barefoot shoes.

At the time, I hadn’t heard much about barefoot shoes or the potential benefits they could offer. I just wanted something simple and comfortable to wear daily.

A Miraculous Transformation

The first pair I bought wasn’t from Saguaro, but what happened after I started wearing them was nothing short of miraculous. Within just a couple of days, my hip pain, which had been a constant source of agony, completely disappeared. I couldn’t believe it.

Within a week, the foot pain that had plagued me for years was gone as well. And within weeks, my chronic knee arthritis, once debilitating, had been reduced to a mere annoyance.

Discovering Saguaro Shoes

Curious about this incredible transformation, I began watching TikToks and reading about barefoot shoes. I discovered that many people had similar experiences—stories of how barefoot shoes had changed their lives for the better.

Inspired by their testimonies, I decided to add more barefoot shoes to my wardrobe and opted for the Saguaro brand, specifically the Purple Smart I style. This pair, with its deliciously rich color, features a very slight, non-restrictive arch and an adjustable string for a perfect fit.

Rethinking Foot Support

Given my medical history, I had always believed that I needed arch support to manage my foot pain. But to my surprise, I learned that, for many of us, the opposite is true. What our feet need is the ability to stretch, move, and connect with the ground beneath us.

This allows the muscles in our feet to strengthen naturally, leading to better balance and posture. As I continued wearing my Saguaro shoes, I noticed changes in my sense of balance.

Improved Posture and Relief

I realized that I had been leaning slightly forward due to the slight heel on my previous shoes. This misalignment had been putting uneven pressure on my knees, contributing to the pain. But as soon as I switched to barefoot shoes and my feet were able to lie flat, the pressure on my knees changed, and the pain vanished.

Spreading the Word

I’ve been raving about barefoot shoes to my friends and family, and while they might be getting tired of hearing about it, I’m determined to convince them to try these shoes for themselves. There are plenty of sales and opportunities on platforms like TikTok to get your feet into these wonderful shoes, and I truly believe they’re worth a try.

For me, barefoot shoes, especially my Saguaro pair, have been life-changing. I’m now living without any significant pain, something I never thought would be possible. I never expected these shoes to have such an impact on my life, but they have, and I couldn’t be more grateful.