When I started experiencing the benefits of sleeping grounded, I naturally wanted to extend those benefits throughout my day. That kicked off a surprisingly frustrating (and expensive) journey to find the best grounding shoes—something I wish someone had written a clear guide about. So here it is.
Going Barefoot: A Natural but Impractical Start
At first, the simplest option was to go barefoot. I walked barefoot in my yard, on dirt roads, and even into the local gas station. That earned me some strange looks from the cowboys and diesel mechanics in my very rural, very conservative town. Eventually, I had to accept that going barefoot into public places wasn’t sustainable if I wanted to remain a functioning member of society.
Leather-Soled Shoes: Traditional But Slippery
My first real grounding shoes were leather-soled barefoot shoes I found on Etsy for $80 from Atlantis. The theory made sense: leather is naturally conductive and was the dominant sole material for centuries.
Unfortunately, there’s a reason we moved on from leather soles. They’re dangerously slippery unless you’re walking exclusively on dirt. I slipped on grass, gravel, hills, and even concrete—much to my wife’s amusement. Worse, the shoes fell apart after just two months of light wear. Stylish? Yes. Practical? Absolutely not.
Groundz Shoes: A Promising Brand That Didn't Last
Next, my wife and I tried shoes from Groundz. They looked great and had solid grounding claims. But within two weeks, both our pairs started coming apart. We later learned the company had changed their glue formula and hadn’t tested it properly. Quality control matters—and this wasn’t it.
DIY Grounding Inserts: Painful and Impractical
Frustrated, I tried a more creative (and cheaper) approach: turning my favorite regular shoes into grounding shoes using a DIY copper insert kit. In theory, it was the perfect solution.
In reality, the copper plug dug painfully into the K1 point on my foot. Even after sanding it down as much as I could, it was still uncomfortable. I hobbled around for a few days before finally throwing the shoes out. If you’re a skilled metalworker with custom tools, you might make this work—but I wouldn't recommend it for most people.
The Winner: Bahe Grounding Shoes
Just when I was ready to give up and go full barefoot-hippie again, a friend recommended Bahe Grounding Shoes. I’m glad I listened.
Here’s why Bahe shoes are the best grounding shoes I’ve found:
- Durability: After months of daily wear, mine (and my wife’s) still look and feel great. No tears, no sole separation, no issues.
- Design: They look like regular running shoes—no weird five-finger design or leather elf shoes. That matters in a small town where people notice everything.
- Comfort: With a wide toe box and zero-drop sole, they support natural posture and healthy foot mechanics.
- True Grounding: Bahe uses conductive rubber soles to keep you grounded without sacrificing grip or comfort.
Even my mom—who doesn’t wear minimalist shoes or know what “zero drop” means—called them the most comfortable shoes she owns. That sealed the deal for me.
Final Verdict: Bahe Shoes Are Worth It
After testing multiple brands and methods, Bahe Grounding Shoes stand far above the rest. I’ve now gifted five pairs to family members, all of whom rave about them. I even had the chance to meet the founders—a couple of British runners and designers—and they genuinely care about what they’re building.
Shipping from the UK takes a bit longer than ordering from a U.S. store, but the wait is worth it. It’s a lot faster than dealing with cheap shoes that fall apart in two weeks.