The festival shoe that saved my feet

I’m all for the festival life, dancing in the unbearable heat, running between stages, soaking up the energy, and of course, planning outfits like it’s a full-time job. But somehow, every single year, I would forget one important thing: shoes matter. Like, really matter. You can have the best outfit, but if your feet are miserable, you just won't have the best time. I would say three things are most important when going to a festival, which is wearing sunblock, carrying a power bank, and wearing the right shoes!

Our founder, Anouk Anansi, at Burn Festival.

When I went to Coachella, I thought I had it all figured out. Cute outfit? Check. Cowboy boots? Also check. But fast forward to the end of day one... and I was hobbling back to my tent like a wounded soldier, nursing blisters the size of M&Ms. My toes were furious. My heels? Betrayed. It was a whole dramatic saga. You know that moment when your feet start whispering, "Hey, you messed up," and by the end of the night, they’re just flat-out screaming? Yeah. That happened. I had gone full aesthetic with my outfit, with boots that looked the part, but felt like medieval torture devices. I needed to find the best festival shoes out there.

"The next day, I ditched the aesthetics and slipped on my Earth Sole barefoot shoes. I kid you not, instant freedom"

So the next day, I ditched the aesthetics and slipped on my Earth Sole barefoot shoes. I kid you not, instant freedom. A friend had actually gifted them to me a while back because she thought I’d love the whole boho look they’ve got going on (she knows me too well), but I’d never really given them a proper try. I brought them along thinking I’d wear them as comfy tent slippers, nothing more. But man, let me tell you, they came in handy! My feet could breathe again. No stiff soles, no awkward rubbing, no regret. Just soft, light, bendy goodness that made me feel like I was barefoot, but better.

What I loved most is that I didn’t feel like I had to sacrifice style for comfort. These weren’t the kind of shoes you wear because you have to; they were actually cute. Like, people stopped me to ask where I got them, type of cute. Earth Sole shoes have this earthy, slightly boho look that perfectly fits the festival vibe. And because they're handmade, they feel special, like no one else is walking around in the exact same pair as you.

I danced. I explored. I even sprinted across a field at one point to catch a surprise set (worth it). And at the end of the day, my feet weren’t crying, they were simply vibing. The sole is so supple, it just moves with you. It doesn’t fight your foot. And if you’ve ever spent a day walking on dry grass, gravel, or sand, you’ll know how important it is for your shoes to be lightweight and grippy, which these absolutely are. They didn’t weigh me down, and I never had that “get these off me now” moment, which is honestly rare. For someone like me who enjoys festivals and tends to watch almost every act, this has become my new go-to. 

Later on, in true me fashion, I got curious and started reading up on barefoot shoes, and honestly? I was kind of shocked. I didn’t realize there was actual science behind how good they can be for your feet and posture. Apparently, barefoot shoes mimic natural movement, they help strengthen the muscles in your feet and lower legs, improve balance, and even reduce joint stress. One study I found in the Journal of Sport and Health Science explained how wearing minimalist shoes can help build up the small muscles in your feet and improve your overall stability.

So, if you’re wondering which barefoot shoes to wear to your next festival, I’ve got your answer. Earth Sole. Not because someone told me to say that, but because my poor feet and I lived through the before and after. And I’m never going back! Btw, did you know these shoes aren’t just ridiculously comfy and cute, they’re also made with recycled leather? So while you’re out there dancing under the stars, you can also feel good knowing you’re doing a little good too, you know... for the planet! Check out our latest designs, or design your very own barefoot pair.

Warmth, Aneeqah Ebrahim - Earth Sole fanatic.