Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on BareTread earn me a commission if you buy through them. You pay the same price. I wear each pair for at least 30 days before I publish a review, and the commission does not change my score.
How I fund reviews
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. Commissions help fund the shoes and the time I spend reviewing them.
Commissions let me publish the reviews without charging readers.
How I test
I wear every reviewed pair for at least 30 days. The fit and wear notes come from using them.
- Minimum Testing Period: I wear each pair for at least 30 days before publishing a review
- Varied Terrain Testing: I test shoes on surfaces relevant to how I use them
- Long-term Updates: I add wear updates when I have further evidence
- 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: I score each pair on a 1-to-5 scale
I purchase many of the shoes I review with my own funds. Some products are provided by manufacturers for review purposes. The source of a pair does not change its score or my verdict.
Affiliate partners
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
Affiliate links can change. I may earn a commission on an eligible purchase; the price you pay does not change.
My verdict stays mine
My primary commitment is to you, the reader. Here’s how I maintain editorial integrity:
- My own words: I write the reviews and the verdicts
- Honest Assessments: I describe the strengths and the drawbacks I found
- 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.
Where links appear
Some pages carry affiliate links. Here is where they may appear:
| Content Type | Description & Disclosure |
|---|---|
| Product Reviews | Individual shoe reviews based on extensive personal testing. May contain affiliate links with a disclosure. |
| “Best of” Lists | Curated collections of recommended products for specific needs or categories. May contain affiliate links with a disclosure. |
| Educational Content | Informational articles about foot health, transitioning to barefoot shoes, etc. May contain affiliate links with appropriate disclosure if product recommendations are included. |
| Brand Comparisons | Direct comparisons between barefoot shoe brands. May contain affiliate links with a disclosure. |
How I mark links
For transparency, I identify affiliate links in several ways:
- A disclosure statement on 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 try to make affiliate links clear where they appear.
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.
A commission does not change my score or my verdict.
Commissions help me keep reviewing shoes and publishing the results.
Questions?
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. If something on this page is unclear, please tell me.
If anything here is unclear, ask me.
Alin Ciocan
BareTread