Inescop launches its “Soft Barefoot” certification with the first validated model
Inescop presents a new certification aimed at technically evaluating footwear that incorporates barefoot principles while maintaining certain cushioning, structural, and support elements. The professional footwear company, Dian, has obtained the first "Soft Barefoot" certification from Inescop.
Inescop has launched its new technical certification, "Soft Barefoot," a seal that identifies and technically validates models that incorporate principles of barefoot footwear, even while maintaining certain cushioning, support, or structural elements characteristic of conventional footwear. In this way, Inescop recognizes an intermediate category geared towards users seeking footwear that is more respectful of the foot's natural biomechanics without sacrificing certain levels of comfort and protection.
The certification was created in response to the growing market interest in so-called "respectful footwear" or barefoot footwear and the need to provide objective criteria that allow for the technical analysis of these products beyond purely aesthetic or design aspects. With this new certification, Inescop acknowledges a growing reality in the market: the existence of models that incorporate barefoot principles without meeting all the requirements to be classified as such. Therefore, the technology center has created a specific category that allows for the identification and technical validation of this type of footwear.
The evaluation is carried out through Inescop's Footwear UX-LAB, a laboratory specializing in footwear comfort, health, and biomechanics. The process includes physical-mechanical tests related to flexibility, heel-to-toe drop, cushioning, geometry, and foot-ground interaction, as well as analysis of the shoe last, especially in the forefoot area.
DIAN obtains the first SoftBarefoot certification
The first model to obtain this certification is the SENDA model, from DIAN, a company specializing in professional footwear.
The results obtained show that the model exhibits characteristics aligned with the barefoot concept, especially in aspects such as longitudinal and torsional flexibility and the width in the upper area. At the same time, it incorporates certain cushioning and support elements that place it within the “Soft Barefoot” category.
Furthermore, the certification includes a traceability system using a QR code that allows access to the complete technical report of the evaluated model, reinforcing transparency and trust for both companies and consumers.
With this initiative, Inescop continues to advance in the development of its own certifications aimed at providing technical value, differentiation, and confidence to the footwear sector, further strengthening its position in areas related to comfort, health, and product innovation.
About “Soft Barefoot”
“Soft Barefoot” is a certification developed by Inescop to identify footwear models that incorporate characteristics aligned with the barefoot concept, while maintaining certain comfort, protection, and support elements typical of conventional footwear.
