A Barefoot Shoe That Lets You Cut Cushioning in Three Steps
Puchheim – November 09, 2026 -- The Kjavik One, a barefoot shoe from German brand Kjavik, is designed to look like an ordinary everyday shoe and comes with three insole stages so wearers can reduce cushioning at their own pace. Founder Elias Jochner built it around two hurdles that keep many people from switching: the look of classic barefoot models and the sudden change in feel.
A jogging injury turned a skeptic into a shoe founder
Jochner started researching feet, balance and barefoot shoes after he repeatedly rolled his ankle while jogging and had to pause training. He was skeptical of minimalist models at first, but his view changed over time. When he could not find a barefoot shoe that matched his ideas, he began developing his own.
That led to Kjavik GmbH, based in Munich, with models developed and designed in Berlin. The first shoe reached the market about two years ago.