Page reviewed May 8, 2024 by Dr. Drew Sinatra, N.M.D., F.A.C.N, L.Ac.
aS IDEAL AS 100% “barefoot living” WOULD BE, IT’S JUST NOT PRACTICAL…
THE ANSWER?
GROUNDING SHOES!
While virtually all regular shoes disconnect, or insulate, you from the Earth’s natural flow of electrons, grounding shoes facilitate the flow of Earth energy into your feet while offering the same protection against cold and injury as regular shoes. We’ve tried numerous brands and highlight our favorites below, which are among the best conductive shoes on the market!
FAQ ABOUT GROUNDING SHOES
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All grounding shoes contain conductive elements which deliver the Earth’s natural energy from the ground into your feet. Some grounded shoe brands utilize all-natural leather soles, which -unlike rubber or other synthetic soles-allow ground electrons to pass through the leather and into your feet. Sweating in leather-soled shoes will make them more conductive. Other brands employ copper plugs and/or silver or stainless-steel threading (in the soles or lacing), as these metals are great conductors of electrical energy. And a few even include conductive carbon in their outer soles. Such conductive elements transmit, rather than block, Earth’s negatively charged energy so you can stay grounded without going barefoot.
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Natural earth surfaces like sand, dirt, gravel, stone, and grass are conductive, as are some man-made surfaces, like unpainted brick or concrete. Other man-made surfaces like asphalt, vinyl, wood, turf, and rubber will insulate, or block, you from the Earth energy below them.
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Yes, but you will only be grounded, or connected to Earth’s electron flow, if you’re standing on an indoor surface that is conductive of Earth energy, such as stone, brick and unpainted concrete or tile Such conductive surface must rest directly above the ground, and not be separated by a plastic or other insulative barrier; otherwise, it won’t ground you. Carpeted surfaces and flooring such as vinyl and laminate are non-conductive surfaces that will block the flow of Earth’s electrons into your feet.
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No. Grounding shoes made with leather, suede and wool (like Softstar, Groundz, and some Harmony 783 shoes) are best in dry conditions, as rain and sleet can damage their appearance, and eventually soak through the shoes.
Bamboo knit or mesh grounding sneakers are better options for light rain conditions. Bahé grounded running shoes have treated mesh uppers and splash-proof panels to make them water resistant. Mesh sneakers are also more breathable, making them better options in warmer weather.
Some grounding sandals (like Earth Runners) are waterproof, while some others (such as Harmony 783) are pre-treated to be water resistant. Many leather grounding sandals are not pre-treated, though, so be sure to read product pages carefully.
We don’t know of any grounded rain boots or snow boots; however, in our experience, most grounding shoes with rubbery outer soles can be worn on very light snow and wet surfaces (not puddles).
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By helping you stay grounded, or connected to Earth’s natural electron flow, grounding shoes offer many of the same potential benefits as grounding when barefoot. Such benefits may include reduction of inflammation, pain and stress in the body, improved sleep quality and mood, and positive effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. These are important, yet simple, impacts, as uncontrolled inflammation, excess stress and lack of sleep are thought to underlie and exacerbate numerous debilitating, chronic illnesses. Even more exciting is research demonstrating that grounding helps improve zeta potential for healthier blood flow.
It should be noted that most research on grounding benefits has utilized grounding devices or barefoot grounding, not grounded footwear; more targeted research is needed.
Here are some additional resources to learn more about grounding health benefits:
What Are the Best Grounded Shoes on the Market?
HERE ARE the TRIED-aNd-TRUE BRANDS WE RECOMMEND:
-Vegan-friendly, ultra lightweight adventure sandals with grippy soles; barefoot design
- Great for water wear as well as trail running/walking
-Copper rivet in sole and steel-threaded laces conduct ground energy through the feet
-Each unisex pair handmade to order in California, USA; child sizes available
-Fashionable, comfy, and high-quality; numerous styles for men and women - sandals, sneakers, hiking shoes and more.
-Grounded via proprietary technology with conductive silver or carbon in 5 sole layers; each pair tested for conductivity
-Sustainable, eco-friendly materials in midsoles; some styles are vegan-friendly, others made with leathers or suede
-Medium arch support in most styles
-Most 100% handmade and hand-stitched in small batches from smooth and/or soft leathers and other all-natural materials.
-Glove-like slip-ons, sandals and ankle boots for men and women - BRAND NEW sneakers too!
-Most styles grounded via conductive copper plugs in soles; some have conductive stitching and carbonized rubber elements
-Minimalist design with zero drop soles and wide toe boxes to mimic barefoot experience
-Lightweight, breathable, performance running shoes with multi-layer ground flow system to keep you connected to Earth energy
-Water-resistant uppers with splash-proof panels
-Vegan-friendly; made using plant-based and recycled materials
-2 Styles: barefoot /minimalist and regular-fit, cushioned runners available for women and men
-Made 100% from ethically-sourced, premium leathers; leather soles in select shoe styles provides ground conductivity
-Each pair handmade to order in Oregon, USA; Unisex shoes with child sizes also available;
-Minimalist / barefoot design (no arch support)
-Some styles fully customizable to suit your unique color preferences
-Grounded flip flops from the original grounding products pioneer, Clint Ober
-Waterproof, durable and slip resistant
-Ergonomically designed with cutting-edge, proprietary grounding technology for no-nonsense, everyday summer grounding
*Select men’s and women’s sizes available
With names like Step and March, we were born to love shoes (and arguably also boots, with Sinatra as our given surname)!
And as grounding enthusiasts, we’re always on the lookout for the best ways to stay grounded, and ultimately look and feel our best.
Given these two passions, grounding shoes are always on our radar. We love and hand-selected all the brands on this page, and look forward to sharing new brand discoveries with you in the near future.
What About Grounded Socks?
LEARN MORE HERE
*Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn 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 SHOES FOR MEN & WOMEN
Fashionable, sustainable, high-quality grounding shoes designed with health and comfort in mind!
Fashion forward
Bio-mechanically designed
Eco-Friendly styles
100% Conductivity tested
BACKED BY the HARMONY 783 promise
30% OFF HERO DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
MOST STYLES ARE UNISEX
GREAT WINTER GROUNDING OPTION
HARMONY ALSO MAKES GROUNDING SOCKS
Harmony 783’s styles include ankle boots, walker and jogger sneakers, ballet flats, loafers, drivers, trail shoes, flip-flops and sandals. Stay connected every day of the year with this collection of comfortable, fashion-forward grounding shoes.
FEATURED STYLES FOR SPRING AND SUMMER WEAR
The Sandal - From shimmery suede to perforated knit straps, Harmony 783 sandals offer a variety of thong sandal styles to keep you fashionably cool while out and about in the heat. Medium arch support and water resistant materials offer comfort and versatility.
The Walker - An iconic way to get grounded in style. A classic, minimalistic streamlined tennis shoe design for the laid-back look, yet versatile enough to dress up. These top-of-the-line walkers combine the best features of sneakers and contemporary kicks. Available in leather, velvet and suede styles.
The Trail Shoe - Great for grounded hiking and walking in nature in dry conditions. Rugged tread outsoles provide grip, and uppers are made of leather or suede and eco-mesh for breathability.
The Sneaker - A staple for any active or casual wardrobe. Pair these lightweight, bamboo-knit grounding sneakers with red laces for a patriotic look, or with white laces for a nautical look.
The Driver - Available in brown and black leather, Harmony 783’s classic drivers are a dashing way to get grounded. Versatile for daytime casual and night-time stepping out in comfort and style.
In our experience, Harmony 783 shoes are comfortable enough to wear without socks. However, when temps drop, socks are a must! Harmony also now offers a line of grounding socks threaded with silver for enhanced conductivity with organic cotton and merino wool blend options.
*GROUNDED15 code is for one-time use and is non-combinable with other codes; offer excludes sale/already discounted items
learn more about Harmony 783’s Groundworks™ proprietary technology
Most Harmony 783 shoes help keep you grounded via five sole layers, each made with conductive materials. Conductive silver or carbon in each layer enables the flow of natural earth energy from a conductive surface into your feet.
Patent pending, proprietary Groundworks™ technology utilizes pure silver and fully conductive materials:
1. The footbed closest to the feet is stitched with highly conductive, 99.99% pure silver.
2. The next, lasting board layer is also stitched with pure silver.
3. A 99% pure silver fabric loop under the board layer further facilitates conductive flow.
4. BLOOM Rise Eva, a bio-friendly, algae-based material also built into midsole as a sustainability measure.
5. Carbon & rubber conductive outsole with trampoline heel for a stable stride.
GROUNDZ: LEATHER EARTHING SHOES FOR WOMEN & MEN.
Exceptional quality meets barefoot design comfort and style in Groundz’s lines of “coppers” and “BIOS” grounding shoes. All are:
eCO-FRIENDLy with ALL-NATURAL, RECYCLABLE or RECYCLED MATERIALS
MINIMALIST / BAREFOOT DESIGN
EXCEPTIONALLY CRAFTED WITH SOFT AND/or SMOOTH LEATHERS
100% HANDMADE or partially handmade & hand-assembled
GROUNDED WITH highly conductive copper - OR - STAINLESS STEEL AND CARBON
WEAR WITH OR WITHOUT SOCKS
How do Groundz SHOES GROUND YOU? TWO DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES…
Groundz offers two lines of grounding shoes: “coppers” and BIOS. Each utilizes a distinct technology to connect you with Earth’s natural energy when you’re on a naturally conductive surface like dirt, sand, unpainted concrete or grass.
Groundz’s original line of 100% handmade, leather grounding shoes contain highly conductive copper plugs in the soles. These plugs carry electrons from the Earth’s surface directly to the wearer’s skin. The smooth, all-natural leather surrounding the plug is also conductive, and becomes more so with sweat.
Groundz’s coppers line include: sandals, slip-ons, sneakers and ankle boots for women as well as men. All are minimalist / barefoot design with thin, zero-drop soles and wider toe boxes.
Groundz’s newest sneaker line, called “BIOS,” grounds you in a different way than the coppers…through a multilayer conduction system with carbonized rubber conductive pads in the outsoles and complementary patterns of conductive stainless steel stitching in the insoles.
Combining modern synthetic and bio-based materials, BIOS sneakers are hand assembled with some handmade materials. Like the coppers they are barefoot design with flexible, thin, flat soles and roomy toe boxes - for men and women.
Wildly comfortable, Groundz slip-ons, sneakers and boots are appropriate for all-season use.
SHOP GROUNDZ SHOES FOR MEN AND WOMEN
EARTH RUNNERS: GROUNDING ADVENTURE SANDALS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN
Vegan, ergonomic outdoor sandals designed to keep you grounded wherever the road may lead.
Earth Runner grounding sandals are perfect for exploring rivers and navigating wet, rocky surfaces. In our experience, those with Performance laces stay on in the ocean waves and dry relatively quickly - must-haves for water wear!
VEGAN & CRUELTY FREE
HANDMADE to order IN California, usa.
CHOICE OF 3 DIFFERENT SOLE THICKNESSES and 3 types of LACEs; customizable lace colors
BAREFOOT / MINIMALIST DESIGN
NON-SLIP RUBBER TREAD
GROUNDED via COPPER EARTHING PLUG and conDUCTIVE laces
UNISEX STYLES
Earth Runners’ minimalistic, adventure-ready designs keep you grounded and wild. Featuring a wide range of adult’s and children's grounding sandals in a variety of sole thicknesses, Earth Runners allow you to stay uninhibited, protected and connected, anytime, anywhere!
LIGHTWEIGHT, BAREFOOT DESIGN EARTHING SANDALS
“HOW DO THEY WORK?”
Earth Runner shoes utilize lightweight, ultra flexible Vibram® Gumlite, Vibram® Morflex, or Walkbase® GumEVA outsoles.
All of these soles contain a conductive copper Earthing plug that grounds you. i.e. conducts Earth’s energy into your feet.
That copper plug connects to the laces, which are also conductive because they are woven with stainless steel threads.
On most styles, you can customize laces depending on how thick and flexible you want them.
We prefer tried and tested Earth Runner sandals with Performance Laces, which are the best options for water wear and trail walking / hiking.
Exclusive discount for Grounded.com readers…use code 10GROUNDED for 10% OFF your next Earth Runners order!
GROWING UP GROUNDED - EARTHRUNNERS GROUNDING SANDALS FOR KIDS!
Because they wash so easily, these minimalist sandals are great for kids’ daily adventures….mud mixing, climbing on rocks, yard play, walking in streams and hiking trails. At only $33 a pair, they’re a great option to keep kids grounded while their feet are still growing.
In our experience, there was a learning curve when breaking them in - we needed to adjust the straps once or twice for comfort, and then it was ready, set, go time.
Introducing our newest recommended grounding shoe brand...
Bahé: performance grounded running shoes for men & WOmen
Synergizing loves for both running and nature, Bahé founders have artfully designed sustainably-produced running shoe styles to help keep Earth’s natural energy flowing into our feet while minimizing our environmental footprint - for healthier people and a healthier planet.
2 styles: REgular, MORE CUSHIONED fit (recharge) and minimalist / Barefoot design (revive)
Multi-layer Ground flow system keeps you connected to earth’s natural electron stream
BUILT FOR LONG-LASTING running PERFORMANCE, DURABILITY and comfort
VEGAN SHOES made with recycled and plant-based materials
Bahé offers two styles of running shoes for your escape into nature…
REVIVE: BAREFOOT DESIGN
A lightweight, minimalist running shoe with zero-drop sole and wide toe box to mimic barefoot experience and increase ground feel. Highly flexible under ball of foot for enhanced toe mobility.
A traditional fit running shoe - cushioned and supportive with full coverage grippy outsole and water-resistant finish. Durable outer sole, mid-sole and upper for long-lasting performance.
Each style is available in four nature-inspired colors: forest, eclipse, frost and sandstone.
How do Bahé Running Shoes Keep You Grounded?
Bahé’s Ground Flow System employs a series of conductive elements to facilitate the flow of Earth’s free electrons from the ground into your feet.
Connective stitching and looping through multiple layers of inner soles help deliver Earth energy, which originally passes into the shoe via conductive carbon areas of the outer sole.
Bahé’s Recharge (regular fit) outer sole is 65% natural rubber and contains conductive carbon.
Please note, Bahé is a U.K. company, so shipping to the U.S. will cost slightly more. Learn more here.
Exclusive offer for Grounded.com visitors: Take 10% OFF your first BAHÉ order with code: GROUNDED10
Last but not least, one of our very favorite grounding shoe brands...
SOFTSTAR: HANDMADE CONDUCTIVE LEATHER SHOES DESIGNED TO MIMIC BAREFOOT MOVEMENT.
Stylish, handcrafted 100% leather grounding moccasins, chukkas, slippers, and ballet flats, lovingly made in the USA.
MADE WITH PREMIUM, rESPONSIBLY SOURCED LEATHERS
haNDMADE to order IN OREGON, USA
lightweight, FLEXIBLE, FUNCTIONAL FITS - MINIMALIST DESIGN
SELECT STYLES GROUNDED VIA 100% LEATHER SOLES
FREE SHIPPING & RETURNS WITHIN 45 DAYS
GENDER NEUTRAL (UNISEX) STYLES
BABY & CHILD GROUNDED SHOES AVAILABLE
SUSTAINABILITY-FOCUSED COMPANY
Softstar’s collection of handcrafted, barefoot design, 100% leather grounding shoes keep you connected and comfy! Each pair is made to order - lovingly crafted by skilled artisans in Portland, Oregon, using the finest quality, ethically-sourced leathers. Designed for a comfortable, flexible “glove-like” fit, these breathable all-leather shoes become gain increasing conductivity with wear, growing more consistently grounded as the natural leather soles absorb moisture.
SLEEK, ELEGANT GROUNDING SHOES THAT KEEP YOU CONNECTED AT HOME, the OFFICE AND EVERYWHERE in-BETWEEN.
A sleek, supple 100% bullhide leather sole, which conforms to the shape of the foot with wear, connects each pair of Softstar grounding shoes to Earth’s energy and enables a natural, flexible fit with every step.
FEATURED STYLES FOR MEN & WOMEN
The Hawthorne Chukka combines an elegant, structured silhouette with a minimal lightness and flexibility you’ll need to step inside to believe. Form and function meet to carry you comfortably and conductively through your adventure.
The Ballerine Flat (pictured with the Sport Closure) keeps you looking effortlessly chic and grounded on all occasions! Versatile and elegant, these minimalist leather ballet flats deliver a barefoot-like experience - so comfortable, you’ll forget you’re wearing shoes…
Stay cozy and connected with the Fireside Sheepskin Slipper, a luxurious, featherlight house slipper! Fully lined with plush sheepskin fleece, this slipper will keep your feet toasty, protected and connected all winter long!
Experience a fresh take on the original “Grounding Shoe” as worn by indigenous cultures for centuries with the Roo Moccasin. A natural, flexible, and functional fit allows for comfortable barefoot movement, taking inspiration from history to accompany you through a modern world.
Why dID our medical advisor, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, wear his Grounding sHOES (when not barefoot)?
“I want that Schumann effect!””
Want to hear more about grounding shoes and the Schumann effect?
Listen to Step’s interview with his father, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, recorded in France!
Another way to get grounded with your shoes? Convert your favorites and make them grounded with the Earthling 3.0 Erthe Wearable Strap!
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Page last updated June 12, 2024.
Although all articles and content at Grounded.com containing health information are reviewed and fact checked by one or more members of our Medical Advisory Board, such information should not replace consultation or a visit with a qualified health professional. As such, we recommend that you consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about how grounding may impact your health; view medical disclaimer.
Share Your Experience!
As I wrap up this page, I have to say I love all of the grounding shoes I own and wear daily. They really are all I wear if I am not barefoot. My mix up is usually between the SoftStar Roo Light Elk Leather Sandals, White Leather Walkers from Harmony and some version of Grounded Sandals. As I matter of fact I am packing them all up now for a flight from Columbia to Aruba tomorrow. I am flying to Aruba to get some solid Ground time in at the beach…and its on the way back to the States! Much Love and Stay Grounded! Step - March 2023