Bahé Modes
Flex, Adapt and Endurance are
Most Cushioned
Endurance Mode
Balanced Cushioning
Adapt Mode
Most Flexible
Flex Mode
What Mode Is Right For Me?
Most people start with Endurance, move to Adapt, then Flex as they progress - but your best Mode can change by activity and training intensity. For example, many experienced people still prefer Endurance for running. And beginners may prefer Flex for technique focus.
| Mode | Barefoot Beginner | Barefoot Experienced | Barefoot Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance: Most Cushioned | Start here for everyday + easy runs. | When you want cushioning without losing foot function. | When you’re pushing your limits but don’t want to compromise on comfort or foot function. |
|
Endurance: Most Cushioned Barefoot Beginner Start here for everyday + easy runs. Barefoot Experienced When you want cushioning without losing foot function. Barefoot Pro When you’re pushing your limits but don’t want to compromise on comfort or foot function. |
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| Adapt: Balanced Cushioning | Everyday walking - build tolerance. | All-day wear + steady runs. | Longer days, harder surfaces, mixed training. |
|
Adapt: Balanced Cushioning Barefoot Beginner Everyday walking - build tolerance. Barefoot Experienced All-day wear + steady runs. Barefoot Pro Longer days, harder surfaces, mixed training. |
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| Flex: Most Flexible | Lighter use + technique focus. | Dynamic strength training + casual use. | Max ground feel for training and daily wear. |
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Flex: Most Flexible Barefoot Beginner Lighter use + technique focus. Barefoot Experienced Dynamic strength training + casual use. Barefoot Pro Max ground feel for training and daily wear. |
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New To Barefoot Shoes?
Take the quiz - or follow the 0-12 week barefoot shoe transition guide
Modes Details
| Mode | Grounded | Zero-drop and Foot-shaped | Stack Height (With Insole) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance Most Cushioned | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | 22mm |
|
Endurance Most Cushioned Grounded
✓ Yes
Zero-drop and Foot-shaped ✓ Yes Stack Height (With Insole) 22mm |
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| Adapt Balanced Cushioning | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | 14mm |
|
Adapt Balanced Cushioning Grounded
✓ Yes
Zero-drop and Foot-shaped ✓ Yes Stack Height (With Insole) 14mm |
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| Flex Most Flexible | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | 10mm |
|
Flex Most Flexible Grounded
✓ Yes
Zero-drop and Foot-shaped ✓ Yes Stack Height (With Insole) 10mm |
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Endurance Mode
Cushioned Option
Endurance Mode
Cushioned Option
Provides cushioning for higher-impact activities or longer-distance runs when you need it. Endurance Mode maintains a high degree of flexibility, for natural foot movement. By avoiding ‘toe spring’ it allows full foot engagement unlike most cushioned shoes.
- Long distance runs
- Higher impact activities
- All day comfort
- Easy transition shoe
Adapt Mode
Balanced option
Adapt Mode
Balanced option
A fantastic everyday option, Adapt Mode offers enough cushioning for higher-impact activities whilst still maintaining an incredible range of movement and excellent ground feel.
- Hybrid fitness activities
- Middle distance runs
- Versatile, all day wear
- Barefoot transition shoe
Flex Mode
Most flexible option
Flex Mode
Most flexible option
Featuring our thinnest sole and maximum flexibility, the Flex Mode allows the most ground feel beneath your feet and delivers a deeply immersive experience.
- Better signals, better movement
- Ultimate barefoot-shoe experience
- Maximum ground feel
Why Bahé Modes Exist
Barefoot principles make sense - but modern life changes the playing field. Hard surfaces, long days, and years in cushioned shoes can make “going minimal” feel like a big leap. Modes exist so you can adapt at your own pace: the same foot-shaped, zero-drop base, with three different sole cushioning levels, so you can start where your body is and progress over time.
How To Progress
Modes work like a transition dial. The best Mode is the one you’ll actually wear - comfortably, consistently, and for the activity you’re doing. Most people start with more cushioning, then move towards less over time as they adapt (Endurance -> Adapt -> Flex). And on higher-volume days like long walks, travel, or running, it’s normal to choose a more cushioned Mode so you can stay consistent.
Unsure which Mode
is for you?
Bahé Modes FAQs
Bahé Modes are three sole cushioning levels on the same foot-shaped, zero-drop platform, all featuring our grounding technology. They let you choose how much underfoot cushioning and ground feel you want, so you can start where your body is and progress over time.
If you’re new to zero drop, most people start with Endurance. If you’re already comfortable in zero drop, Adapt is a common start. Flex is usually best once you’re adapted, or when you want maximum ground feel, such as when focussing on technique. If you’re unsure, take the quiz.
Yes, it can be. Barefoot is mainly about the fundamentals: a foot-shaped fit (room for your toes) and ideally a zero-drop platform, though this element can be adapted to gradually using our heel lifts.
Cushioning changes how much ground feel you get, not whether the shoe can support natural movement patterns.
They’re the same platform, with different cushioning levels:
- Endurance - most cushioned, least ground feel
- Adapt - balanced cushioning and ground feel
- Flex - most flexible, most ground feel
Your “best” Mode can change by activity, volume, and surface as well as your experience level.
Modes work like a transition dial - so it’s normal for your “best” Mode to change. You might choose more cushioning for higher-volume phases (long walks, travel, running), then move towards less over time as you adapt (Endurance -> Adapt -> Flex). The aim is simple: pick the Mode you’ll wear most, for the activity you’re actually doing, so you can stay consistent.
Often, yes. If you’re new to zero drop, your calves and Achilles can do more work at first. More cushioning can make the transition feel more comfortable, especially on harder surfaces or longer days. If you’re getting persistent or sharp pain, reduce volume and follow the 0-12 week barefoot shoe transition plan.
Our heel lifts are an excellent option to reduce the load on the calves and achilles as you transition.
It depends on your current tolerance and how much volume you’re doing:
- Walking and everyday: Adapt or Endurance are common starting points
- Gym and strength work: Adapt is a steady all-rounder, Flex can suit technique and ground feel once you’re adapted
- Running: many people prefer more cushioning (often Endurance), even if they’re experienced, because volume and impact add up
If you’re unsure, use the quiz and the 0-12 week plan to build gradually.
When you can wear your current Mode consistently without your calves or feet feeling “worked” for days afterwards. A good sign is mild tiredness that settles within 24-48 hours, plus confidence on your usual surfaces. When that feels stable, try stepping down next time (Endurance -> Adapt -> Flex), or use less cushioning for shorter sessions first.
They can. If you’re new to zero drop and your calves or Achilles feel like the limiting factor, a small heel lift can make the transition feel smoother by easing the change in angle while you build tolerance. You can use them temporarily, then reduce them over time as you adapt - alongside the 0-12 week barefoot shoe transition plan.
