If you haven’t heard about earthing and grounding, I strongly recommend checking out this article that explains how these practices work and their incredible health benefits. I’m excited to share my experience with a new pair of earthing shoes I recently received. Whether you’re already familiar with earthing or just curious, this article will give you an in-depth look at how these shoes work, my testing process, and the results.

First Impressions

The shoes arrived just a few days ago, and I couldn’t wait to try them out. For context, I have extremely wide feet, so I decided to order a size up. Normally, I wear an 8.5 wide, but I opted for a size 9.5. To my relief, they fit perfectly! The design seemed thoughtful, and the materials felt durable yet lightweight. I was eager to put them to the test.

How Earthing Shoes Work

These shoes are designed with a conductive strip embedded in the sole. This strip connects the Earth’s natural electric field to your body, facilitating grounding as you walk. Inside the shoe, there is a layer of black conductive material that connects the sole to your foot. However, I’d read some online reviews claiming the shoes were not conductive to the feet, so I wanted to verify this myself.

Before getting into the technical aspects of my testing, let me explain the shoe’s design in more detail. The insole is not conductive by itself, but it features small perforations throughout. These perforations allow for intermittent contact between your foot and the conductive material underneath, especially when pressure is applied during walking or running.

Testing the Conductivity

To ensure the shoes truly work as advertised, I used a couple of testing methods. First, I used an EKG grounding patch to measure conductivity. I placed the patch directly on the shoe’s conductive material and performed tests with and without socks. I made sure to use cotton socks, as they help conduct moisture from perspiration, which can enhance electrical conductivity.

For the first test, I used a product tester from the earthing company. This tester features a metal plate and a snap-on nipple. By touching the metal plate and pressing the button, I could determine if there was a continuous circuit. If the circuit was complete, the tester would light up, indicating conductivity. Initially, when I tested the shoe without applying pressure, it didn’t light up. This made me curious. Were the negative reviews correct?

However, when I mimicked the motion of walking—compressing the insole with my feet—the circuit completed, and the tester lit up. This demonstrated that the shoes were indeed conductive, but only when there was enough pressure to bring the foot into contact with the conductive material beneath the insole.

Testing Body Voltage

Next, I used a voltmeter to measure my body voltage. This test allowed me to see how well the shoes grounded me. Without grounding, my body voltage was slightly over 1 V AC. By standing still and applying pressure to simulate walking, I observed a gradual drop in body voltage to below 600 millivolts. This confirmed that the shoes were grounding me effectively during normal use.

Curious if my socks were affecting the results, I repeated the test without wearing any socks. The results were the same, confirming that my cotton socks were not hindering conductivity. To further compare, I tested barefoot grounding by attaching the voltmeter’s electrode directly to my bare feet. With this method, my body voltage dropped even lower, to under 70 millivolts, which is the optimal range for grounding.

Why Grounding Matters

If the concept of earthing and grounding is completely new to you, let me provide a brief explanation. Grounding, or earthing, is the practice of physically connecting with the Earth’s natural electric field by walking barefoot on grass, soil, sand, or conductive surfaces. Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that this practice can help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and lower stress levels by allowing your body to discharge excess positive ions and absorb the Earth’s electrons.

I’ve been practicing grounding for over five years, and it has made a noticeable difference in my health. As a physician and an admin for a Facebook group with over 46,000 members dedicated to earthing and grounding, I’ve seen countless testimonials from people who’ve experienced remarkable health improvements. Whether it’s relief from chronic pain, better mental clarity, or enhanced energy levels, grounding has proven to be a simple yet powerful tool for overall wellness.

Limitations of Earthing Shoes

While these shoes are an excellent tool for grounding on the go, they do have some limitations. For example, their grounding effectiveness depends on the surface you’re walking on. Natural surfaces like grass, dirt, or sand are ideal, while asphalt or synthetic materials won’t allow for proper conductivity.

Additionally, the shoes require some “breaking in” to maximize conductivity. The longer you wear them, the more your foot’s heat and moisture will enhance contact with the conductive material. This process might take 30 minutes or more, but it’s worth the effort if you’re serious about incorporating grounding into your daily routine.

Barefoot Grounding vs. Grounding Shoes

There’s no denying that barefoot grounding provides the most direct connection to the Earth. When I tested barefoot grounding with the voltmeter, my body voltage dropped to its lowest levels. However, walking barefoot isn’t always practical, especially in urban environments where surfaces might be dirty, full of parasites, unsafe, or uncomfortable.

That’s where earthing shoes come in. They allow you to stay grounded while enjoying the convenience and protection of footwear. Though they may not achieve the same level of grounding as walking barefoot, they’re an excellent alternative for busy lifestyles.

Maximizing Grounding Benefits

If you’re new to grounding, I recommend starting with barefoot grounding whenever possible. Spend at least 15–30 minutes a day walking or standing on a natural surface like grass or sand. If you’re looking to deepen your practice, consider using grounding tools like mattress covers, mats, or earthing shoes. In my experience, sleeping grounded offers the most profound benefits. During sleep, your body undergoes repair and rejuvenation, making it the perfect time to stay connected to the Earth’s energy.

My Final Thoughts on Earthing Shoes

In summary, these earthing shoes are a fantastic way to stay grounded throughout the day. While they may not be as effective as barefoot grounding, they provide a convenient and practical solution for those who want to incorporate grounding into their lifestyle without sacrificing comfort or safety. The key is to use them consistently and on the right surfaces to maximize their benefits.

For me, the biggest takeaway is that grounding—whether through shoes, barefoot walking, or sleeping grounded—is a simple yet powerful way to improve health and well-being. As someone who has practiced grounding for years and witnessed its impact on myself and others, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try.

If you found this article helpful, I’d love to hear from you. Don’t forget to subscribe for more videos and articles on earthing, grounding, and other health topics. Until next time, stay grounded and have a wonderful day!

I recommend the Earthing mattress cover under a 100% cotton sheet: https://tinyurl.com/5fa5b9ut

Earthing Shoes: https://bit.ly/4i3o5lB