My path to custom-made barefoot shoes

I am a sewing instructor and creator of customized barefoot shoes under the brand Dobrobotky. I am also a wife and mother of three children.

How I got into barefoot shoes

The barefoot concept made sense to me. I decided nine years ago to try it on myself first before I started buying barefoot shoes for my oldest son.

So I got my first pair of booties. The transition was not easy. For two months I felt like a duck when walking, I had to slow down considerably, and the increasing weight of my son, whom I carried in a sling, was also a challenge.

But I have noticed a near disappearance of back pain. Plus, I could finally fit into my shoes. After all, I have very wide feet and just a few shoes made it through the selection screen. Suddenly I could be in my shoes all day and not have to look forward to finally taking them off. When I put on traditional winter boots in the winter, I was unable to walk to the bus stop 20 meters from the house, so I humbly reverted to uninsulated “barefoot” boots.

The cold stopped being a big problem because my feet were suddenly able to warm themselves by walking. Earlier, when I did a hike after sleeping in a tent with the first frost, my feet were warming up an hour and a half of intense uphill walking. Now it only takes a few minutes and I’m not nearly as vulnerable to getting cold as I used to be.

My lecturer beginnings

The following summer I taught the community of moms around me to make their first sandals called huaraches.

Then, in September, when the opportunity came up to make leather barefoot ballerinas in a nearby town, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. I have been very creative since I was a little girl, I enjoyed painting, creating, sewing. I’ve made historical costumes and costumes for belly dancing and fire shows. I only had my shoes made back then, I didn’t know how to do it myself yet.

I went to the class with a clear idea of versatile black ballerinas and left with burgundy and green shoes with flowers. Anyway, I was so excited that I immediately tried making lace-up shoes and wanted to teach everyone how to do it.

For three years after that, I taught women to sew different types of shoes in live classes. At home, in my spare time between the kids, I tried other ways, techniques, from slipper boots to tall zipper boots.

My transition to last shoes

However, when I tried lasts, I absolutely loved making shoes on them. It was clear to me that I would never go back to shoes without lasts, at least when it came to closed shoes. (I still find last rather redundant for sandals.)

So for five years now I’ve been making custom and bespoke last shoes. I mostly enjoy designing, pattern making and sewing. I’ve made a few specialties, e.g. diabetic shoes in addition to children’s and adult pairs.

I am constantly learning and innovating. Last year I completed a retraining course as a shoemaker for custom production. I am also developing my own line of uniquely shaped lasts with a colleague in the industry. They are already available in a ballerina version on the DIY Barefoot Shoes eshop.

In Ostrava, Czechia, another colleague and I have opened a shared sewing workshop called Kraftorie. In addition to sharing machines and space to sew, we’re also happy to share knowledge with you, whether for sewing clothes or shoes, if you prefer live classes.

I understand that live classes are not for everyone, or maybe you don’t have the opportunity to attend a live class due to time or organizational constraints. That’s why I accepted Karolina’s (Karolina Castkova) offer to pass on my experience and knowledge also in the form of online courses under the brand DIY Barefoot Shoes.

Now you know about my path. And I am here to help you find Your path to custom-made barefoot shoes. In our free challenge we are preparing for you with Karolina, you will learn how to measure your feet properly, how to choose the right lasts and how to customize your shoes. You will never have to choose between the style and the comfort again!

Sign up to te challenge and make your first step towards custom-made barefoot shoes now.