Affiliate Disclosure

Last Updated: March 27, 2025

At BareTread, transparency is as important to me as the ground feel in a great barefoot shoe. This disclosure explains how I test products, when I earn commissions, and how I maintain editorial integrity while supporting this site.

How BareTread Supports Itself

BareTread.com is reader-supported. When you purchase through certain links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help fund the countless hours of research, testing, and content creation that go into maintaining this resource for the barefoot shoe community.

As someone who’s spent years transitioning to and exploring barefoot footwear, I’ve experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to find accurate, honest information. The affiliate model allows me to provide comprehensive reviews and educational content without charging readers directly.

My Testing Process

Every barefoot shoe review on BareTread is based on extensive personal testing. Here’s my review methodology:

• Minimum Testing Period: I wear each shoe for at least 300 miles or 3 months of regular use before publishing a review
• Varied Terrain Testing: I test shoes across multiple surfaces (urban, trail, indoor) to evaluate versatility
• Long-term Updates: For many shoes, I provide durability updates after 6-12 months of continued wear
• Contextual Evaluation: I assess shoes based on their intended purpose (e.g., a trail shoe isn’t criticized for not being office-appropriate)
• Consistent Rating System: All shoes are evaluated using the same 5-point scale across key barefoot criteria

I purchase many of the shoes I review with my own funds. Some products are provided by manufacturers for review purposes. Regardless of how I obtain a product, my assessment remains unbiased and honest.

Affiliate Relationships

BareTread currently maintains affiliate relationships with the following companies:

• Xero Shoes
• Vivobarefoot
• Softstar
• Wildling Shoes
• Be Lenka
• Amazon Associates Program
• Other barefoot shoe retailers and brands

This list is regularly updated as relationships change. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I typically earn a commission of 5-15% depending on the program. Again, this comes at no additional cost to you – you pay the same price whether you use my link or not.

Editorial Independence

My primary commitment is to you, the reader. Here’s how I maintain editorial integrity:

• No Brand Approval: Brands never review or approve my content before publication
• Honest Assessments: I always highlight both strengths AND weaknesses of every product
• Consistent Criteria: All shoes are judged by the same standards regardless of affiliate status
• Comprehensive Reviews: I cover products from brands with and without affiliate programs
• Clear Recommendations: My “verdict” on a product is based solely on its merits, not commission rates

The existence of an affiliate relationship never influences my opinions or ratings. In fact, I’ve given negative reviews to products from affiliate partners when warranted.

Types of Content & Disclosure

BareTread publishes several types of content, each with appropriate disclosure:

How I Identify Affiliate Links

For transparency, I identify affiliate links in several ways:

• A disclosure statement at the beginning of articles containing affiliate links
• Occasional notation of “(affiliate link)” after specific links where appropriate
• Distinctive styling for call-to-action buttons that contain affiliate links

I strive to make these identifications clear without disrupting your reading experience.

FTC Compliance Statement

This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” BareTread strives to comply with similar regulations in other jurisdictions, including UK ASA guidelines and EU directives.

I will only recommend products I would personally wear and believe will benefit your foot health journey.

My goal is to provide the most valuable, honest resource for barefoot shoe information anywhere on the internet. The commissions I earn allow me to continue this mission while maintaining complete editorial independence.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions about my affiliate relationships, testing methodology, or anything else related to this disclosure, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Transparency is a cornerstone of BareTread, and I’m always happy to discuss my approach.

Happy barefoot adventures,

Alin Ciocan
Founder, BareTread.com