The Shoe
Effect
A landmark study into how footwear shapes foot health, mobility and human movement. Conducted across two countries with over 1,000 participants.
What is the Shoe Effect?
The Shoe Effect is a groundbreaking study born from a simple but powerful question — what does footwear actually do to the human foot over time? Not theory. Not assumption. Real-world data from real people.
Unlike previous research that attributed foot deformities largely to genetics, The Shoe Effect provides evidence-based insights into how lifestyle and footwear habits shape foot function, alignment and long-term wellbeing.
Conducted in collaboration with Wyde Footwear, using 3D foot scanning technology from Volumental and plantar pressure analysis, the study gathered comprehensive data on foot structure across populations with vastly different footwear habits.
“We are not following the industry — we are rewriting it. It is time to expose what the shoe and medical industries got wrong, and teach the world how feet really work.”
My Foot Function
The methodology
Every data point was collected with clinical precision. Three core tools gave us a complete picture of foot health across populations.
3D Foot Scanning
Using Volumental technology, we captured full three-dimensional models of each participant’s feet — measuring arch height, toe spread, width and structural alignment with millimetre precision.
Plantar Pressure Analysis
Our PedesPlate pressure system mapped how each participant’s weight is distributed across the foot — revealing compensation patterns, overloaded areas and movement inefficiencies invisible to the eye.
Detailed Questionnaires
Each participant completed a comprehensive questionnaire covering footwear history, pain levels, daily activity, barefoot time and foot-related health history — giving vital context to the physical data.
Key findings
The data revealed clear patterns between footwear habits and foot health outcomes. Here are some of what we can share.
Reduced toe spread
Of participants who wore conventional shoes daily showed measurable reduction in natural toe splay compared to minimal footwear wearers.
More arch collapse
Conventional shoe wearers showed three times more arch flattening than those who spent significant time barefoot or in minimal footwear.
Report daily foot pain
Of participants in the conventionally-shod group reported recurring foot, knee or lower back pain — compared to significantly lower rates in barefoot populations.
Average toe compression
Average toe width compression measured in participants wearing conventional narrow-toe box shoes — a direct driver of bunion formation and toe deformity.
Note: The full study is currently being prepared for publication. The figures above represent partial findings from the Sri Lanka dataset. Complete results including cross-population comparisons will be released in 2025.
From Göteborg to the world
The Shoe Effect did not happen overnight. It was built through setbacks, breakthroughs and a relentless commitment to getting the data right.
MFF and Wyde Footwear begin developing the research concept — designing the questionnaire structure and partnering with Volumental to access 3D scanning technology. The goal: measure what nobody had properly measured before.
Planning & designTwo pilot studies were conducted in our Göteborg studio. The first brought in 100 participants to test the full protocol. A second study of 50 participants followed, refining the process and eliminating errors — ensuring the methodology was watertight before scaling.
Pilot study — 150 participants
The team travelled to Sri Lanka to study a population with markedly different footwear habits — providing the cross-cultural comparison essential to the research. Week one tested the resolve of the entire team. Shoe stores turned us away, 35°C heat led to constant rejection. But the data that emerged was extraordinary.
Main study — 800+ participants
In 2026, The Shoe Effect heads to South Africa. We will compare foot function and health across urban city dwellers, rural communities and hunter-gatherer populations — asking the biggest question yet: how does modern life change the human body?
Planned 2026Frequently asked
Be part of the next study
The Shoe Effect 2026 heads to South Africa. Whether you want to participate in the research or help fund the most important foot health study in history — we want to hear from you.
Join the study as a participant. We are looking for people of all ages, backgrounds and footwear habits — especially those based in or connected to South Africa.
- Full 3D foot scan and pressure analysis
- Personal foot health report
- Contribute to groundbreaking science
- Access to early study findings
Align your brand with the most credible foot health research programme in the world. We partner with footwear brands, health companies and research institutions.
- Brand association with published research
- Access to anonymised dataset insights
- Co-branded study materials
- Speaking opportunities at findings launch
Fill in your details below and we will be in touch within 48 hours.
Application Received
Thank you for your interest in The Shoe Effect. We will be in touch within 48 hours.