Earth Shoe

This photo is from an Etsy site that sold out of their Earth Shoes.

Extra room for toes and a "bare-foot" feel was the appeal for me about Earth Shoes.

I wore Earth Shoes from my late high school years through my early college days ('77-'79). Advertisers of the shoe touted how they were they simulated the most natural state of one's feet. Room at the front that would never pinch one's toes. Less elevated heel than the front of the shoe to give a more natural walking experience with each step as it was inspired by how the heel of the human foot sinks more deeply in soft earth or sand. What's not to like?

Why did I give them up eventually? I can't recall. It was most likely due to the "siren call" of more fashionable or sporty footwear.

But I have fond memories of the days when trends favored such items as the AMC Pacer, Pet Rocks, Plastic Pyramids that could sharpen razor blades. And Earth Shoes.

Here's another blogger's reminiscence about the Earth Shoe

___________________________More info Wikipedia___________________________

 Earth shoe

The Earth Shoe was an unconventional style of shoe invented circa 1957 by Danish yoga instructor and shoe designer Anna Kalsø. Its unique "negative heel technology" design featured a sole that was thinner at the heel than at the forefoot, so that when wearing them, one walked heel downward, as when walking in sand, with various claimed health benefits. In 1970, Raymond and Eleanor Jacobs founded the Earth Shoe company in the United States, after discovering Anna Kalsø and her negative-heel shoes in Copenhagen, Denmark. The shoes were introduced in New York City on April 1, 1970, three weeks before the first Earth Day. The shoes quickly became a popular countercultural symbol of the 1970s. The company expanded to 123 stores to sell the shoes, boots, and sandals, all with the negative-heel design, across the United States, Canada, and Europe. The shoes surged in popularity and were prominently featured on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and in Time magazine.Wikipedia