One of the best things about summer is that we can ground barefoot more often. There’s nothing like that tingling sensation from planting your bare feet in the dewy morning grass and absorbing Earth’s natural energy!
Sometimes, though, it’s too uncomfortable, inconvenient or unsafe to walk around in bare feet, and that’s where grounding sandals (also known as Earthing sandals) come in.
Featured below are our favorite grounded sandals, flip flops and slides, organized by brand. Some are “barefoot design” with thin, flat soles, while others offer more traditional arch support. Several are waterproof, many are water resistant and some are best in drier conditions. There are grounding sandals for many lifestyles and occasions, and some brands even make grounding sandals for children!
Immediately below is some preliminary Q&A for those new to grounding. Just scroll a little to skip directly to viewing grounding shoe styles.
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A subset of grounding shoes, grounding sandals and flip flops are specifically engineered to allow the Earth's natural 7.83Hz electron flow, or energy, to permeate the wearer’s feet through conductive materials in the soles. They are a substitute for going barefoot in order to reap the health benefits associated with Earthing. Learn more about Earthing, or grounding, here.
In order to be effective, wearers need to be standing, walking or running on a natural earth surface like dirt, grass or sand, or unpainted concrete, brick or stone which lays directly on natural earth.
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Unlike most rubber-soled shoes, which insulate you from the Earth's natural energy, grounding shoes have naturally conductive leather soles and/or soles that are manufactured with conductive elements such as carbon, copper and/or stainless steel. When in direct contact with a natural earth surface like grass or dirt, such conductive elements will deliver the natural energy from an earth surface into the feet, providing an experience akin to being barefoot, but with the added protection that sandals and flip flops offer.
For example, some grounding sandal brands blend, or add, conductive carbon into the rubber soles, while others insert copper plugs or rivets into the soles. The copper rivets then touch parts of the feet and/or are connected to laces threaded with a conductive metal such as stainless steel. The copper may also be connected to a leather inner sole, which further disperses the energy throughout the soles of the feet, especially when the feet sweat (sweating improves conductivity). If the outer and inner soles are leather, they will also conduct Earth energy, especially when sweat is present.
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Dirt, mud, grass, stone, gravel, sand and unpainted concrete, tile and brick are all conductive surfaces, and you can absorb Earth energy from them. Your yard, parks, beaches, lakes, mountain trails and the forest are all great places to ground in grounding sandals. You can also ground on concrete and brick sidewalks and walks, as well as stone patios, as long as the brick, stone or concrete lays directly atop the Earth, without a layer of plastic or other insulator in between. Water is a fantastic conductor, so you can also ground by wading in an ocean, lake or river in grounding sandals.
Wood, vinyl, asphalt, rubber and composite wood are all insulative, or non-conductive surfaces. So you can't ground on most roads, decks or interior floors.
SHOP BY BRAND
* Water-resistant, non-slip sandals and flip flops for women and men
* Most styles offer medium arch support
* Vegan-friendly options available
* Grounded via conductive footbeds / outsoles or grounding plugs
* $36-$75 per pair
* Exceptionally handcrafted with premium leathers; women’s styles only
* Barefoot design: thin, zero-drop, minimally cushioned soles (no arch support)
* 100% natural materials - nothing synthetic
* Grounded via copper rivets in soles
* $105-$120 per pair
EARTHING FLIP FLOPS - COACHELLAS
* Clint Ober’s signature, unisex grounding flip flops
* Waterproof, slip-resistant and ergonomically-designed
* Eco-friendly, high quality materials
* Grounded via proprietary technology from the makers of the original grounding mats and sheets
* $29 per pair
EARTH RUNNERS GROUNDED SANDALS
* Waterproof, slip resistant adventure sandals for adults and children
* Minimalist / zero-drop soles (no arch support); designed for barefoot style running
* Vegan-friendly grounding shoes
* Grounded via copper plugs in soles and conductive stainless steel stitching in laces
*$29-$39 for children; adults $68-94 per pair
RAUM SLIDE-STYLE GROUNDING SANDALS
* Expertly handmade with premium leathers and hand-stitched; women’s styles only
* 100% natural, eco-friendly materials
* Flat sole (no arch support) to mimic barefoot experience
*Grounded via copper rivets and all-leather soles
*$125 per pair
What can you expect with Groundz grounded sandals?
Expert craftsmanship with premium-quality leathers that are gentle on the skin. Over time, the straps mold to your feet with wear.
100% natural materials - no synthetic rubbers, fabrics, dyes, glues or plastics.
Minimalist / zero-drop soles (no arch support) with some cushioning; natural rubber outsoles for traction.
Highly conductive grounding technology: 100% copper rivets in the soles to transfer Earth’s natural electrons from a naturally conductive surface into the feet. The electrons travel directly through the copper and into the skin as well as the surrounding leather inner sole, which becomes more conductive with sweat.
Best on drier or slightly wet surfaces; avoid wearing these grounding sandals on rainy days and do not submerge them in water.
$105 - $120 per pair
*Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. Your support facilitates our research in the Earthing/Grounding and wellness space, which we'll continue to share with you. We only recommend products we use ourselves and have found to be effective!
HARMONY 783 GROUNDING SANDALS & FLIP FLOPS FOR WOMEN & MEN
Of all the grounding shoe brands we shop from, Harmony 783 offers the widest variety of styles, and their collection of grounding sandals and flip flops is no exception!
HARMONY 783’s FOUR LINES OF GROUNDING SANDALS:
All have conductive grounding footbeds and outsoles to keep you connected to Earth energy (when on a conductive surface).
Most are unisex and offer anatomically-contoured arch support.
All tread the line between casual and dressy for optimal versatility, featuring suede or knit straps.
All are water-resistant (it’s okay to get them wet, but avoid soaking them for longer periods).
$75 per pair
SCROLL BELOW TO VIEW ALL STYLES…
HARMONY 783’s TWO LINES OF FLIP FLOPS:
Women’s line includes four styles; three offer sturdy rubber soles with built in (low) arch support and proprietary carbon and rubber plug grounding technology near the ball of the foot. The fourth style - Gold - features a fully conductive footbed made with conductive carbon.
Men’s line includes two classic styles, both with a fully conductive footbed (same grounding technology as women’s Gold style).
All are water-resistant; just avoid drying the plug styles in the sun (to prevent shrinkage).
$36 - $38 per pair
*Exclusive discount for Grounded.com visitors - SAVE 15% on your next order with code GROUNDED15; code is for one-time use on non-sale items, and is not combinable with other promotional offers.
Harmony 783 GROUNDING SANDALS
Harmony 783 GROUNDING FLIP FLOPS
Earth Runners sandals are made for down and dirty adventuring! Because they have grippy soles and wash so easily, they are great in dusty conditions and perfect for navigating wet, muddy surfaces and water wear. They also dry relatively quickly.
Grounding technology: copper plugs in the soles which connect to stainless steel-threaded lacing; both metals are conductive
Minimalist design - flat / zero-drop soles; no arch support; soles are 30% to 50% lighter than regular rubber soles.
Vegan-friendly and made to order in California
Exclusive offer for grounded.com visitors: take 10% OFF your next Earth Runners order - use code 10GROUNDED at checkout!
Earth Runners offers four styles of unisex grounding sandals fOR ADULTS:
These sandals differ based on sole thickness (thin, mid and thick) and sole type - Vibram or Walkbase. While Vibram soles are domestically sourced, Walkbase are sourced globally.
PRIMAL - Thinnest - 7.5mm thick Walkbase soles for those looking for the closest thing to barefoot.
CHRONOS - Mid - 9mm thick (7.5mm Walkbase soles + 1.5mm moisture wicking canvas footbed)
CIRCADIAN - Mid - 9mm thick (7.5mm Vibram soles + 1.5mm moisture wicking canvas footbed)
ALPHA - Thickest - 10.5mm (9mm Vibram outsole and 1.5mm canvas footbed).
Each of these sandal types is available in several different colors and lacing can be also customized to suit your lifestyle.
Performance Laces offer the most secure lace construction and are better for hiking and water wear. Lifestyle Laces are more flexible; better for casual wear and the only lace option for kids’ grounding sandals.
Adults $68-94 per pair; $29-$39 for children’s sandals.
With Raum, our newest recommended grounding shoe brand, what’s classic becomes new again…with grounding technology!
Uniquely constructed with soft, premium quality leathers that are hand-stitched together with heavy gauge, 100% cotton, beeswax-soaked thread - a method that’s been passed down by European cobblers over more than five generations.
Grounded via a 100% copper rivet piercing through all layers of sole, which makes direct skin contact near the balls of the feet on the KD 1 acupuncture point.
100% natural materials - no synthetic dyes, fabrics, threads or glues; all leathers are vegetable-dyed.
Uppers are top-grain leather or premium suede, premium sheepskin lining throughout; insoles and outer soles are water buffalo. Note: leather sole may be slippery on some surfaces.
Minimalist sole design - zero drop / flat, free of arch support to mimic the barefoot experience.
$125 per pair
OUR TEAM’S TAKE: GROUNDING SANDAL REVIEWS
HARMONY 783 - Stella Gold Creme Shimmer Suede Sandals - Very comfy and keep my feet blister-free when all-day walking. Great to wear to the pool and beach; I love the how the straps glisten on sunny days! No break-in period needed.
EARTH RUNNERS - Adult Circadian & Chronos; children’s Circadian - Awesome for navigating wet rocks in rivers, oceans and lakes! Lightweight and fully submergible in water, they stay on better than flip flops in ocean waves and dry relatively quickly; also make great hiking / walking sandals. Straps take a few days to get used to; try adjusting them one or more times for comfort, especially with children.
GROUNDZ- Canary Retro Sandals - Surprisingly comfortable for all-day walking, once the top strap breaks in a little; minimal cushioning and premium quality leathers make this barefoot design sandal a favorite in dry conditions (avoid getting them wet).
EARTHING - Coachella Flip Flops - Sturdy yet lightweight, these waterproof powerhouses are my go-to for gardening, summer yard work, boating and the beach.
More reviews to come: RAUM Acorn Slides and BAHÉ Stone Grounding Sandals - stay tuned!
-Marchann Sinatra Blake
Why dID our medical advisor, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, wear his Grounding sandals WHEN HE WASN’T ABLE TO GO BAREFOOT?
“I want that Schumann effect!””
The Schumann effect, or resonance, is the Earth’s fundamental frequency of 7.83 Hz. Named after Winnfried Otto Schumann, who was the first to prove it existed, the Schumann resonance is also known as “Earth’s heartbeat.” It is this resonance, or flow of energy, that we absorb through our skin when we ground.
Page last updated June 25, 2024.