The Functional Joint

The Functional Joint Open by appointment only. Retailer of VIVOBAREFOOT, Be Lenka, Barebarics & Groundies shoes. WGAC products, toe socks, Chief and Ancient Lakes electrolytes.

view our store at www.thefunctionaljoint.com.au. Local pick up available

No idea where to start when looking to buy your first pair of barefoot shoes? Firstly  - congratulations 🎊  on making th...
02/06/2026

No idea where to start when looking to buy your first pair of barefoot shoes?

Firstly - congratulations 🎊 on making the choice to give your feet more freedom. When done with awareness this simple 'step' will change more than just your footwear, it will change the way you walk, stand and feel.

Secondly, you are in luck 🍀. There are so many barefoot brands available now that there is something for all tastes and budgets.

Currently we stock
Vivobarefoot - from the UK
Groundies - from Germany
Be Lenka - from Slovakia
Barebarics - from Slovakia

Each brand has different styles and different focus however the underlying design is fundamentally the same.

🦶🏾Wider across the toe box to give your toes room to splay without being squashed.

🦶🏾Zero drop - which means they are flat. Sole thickness will vary.

🦶🏾Flexible soles - in a typical human foot we have 33 joints. It makes NO sense to prevent those joints from moving in a healthy individual. To support those joints are some 100 odd muscles and ligaments to move those bones. Muscles need to move. Again it makes no sense to prevent that from happening in a healthy individual.

🦶🏾Lastly, style! Arguably the hardest part is finding the style you love. There are plenty of Vegan and sustainable fashion options. Generally the RRP depends on how the shoes are made, the materials used and where they are made. You will notice the high end leather shoes are handmade in Portugal usually with traditional techniques. Then there is the costs associated with labour and of course shipping!

Just remember that shoes wear out at different rates, depending on how much you wear them, how you walk, how thick the sole is etc. A 5mm sole is not going to last as long as a sole with big chunky tread.

Personally we prefer our shoes to wear out over our feet.

Some feet are tricky to fit, while we are unable to offer free returns, we are happy to try and answer any of your questions via email before you purchase.

It doesn't make any sense to bind our feet in restrictive shoes, or numb the senses with foam so thick you struggle to f...
18/05/2026

It doesn't make any sense to bind our feet in restrictive shoes, or numb the senses with foam so thick you struggle to feel the ground.

Kids kick their shoes off when they're uncomfortable.

Shoes need to be wide enough to not squash your toes and flexible so that you can walk using these toes!

Pictured: Vivobarefoot Gobi Sneaker in Limestone

Primus Lite Knit NaturalDesigned for everyday movement, lightweight, made with a blend of 59% Tencel and 24% Woolmark wo...
05/05/2026

Primus Lite Knit Natural

Designed for everyday movement, lightweight, made with a blend of 59% Tencel and 24% Woolmark wool for an improved natural fibre feel.

Free moving tongue, flat laces and breathable fabric.

Available in Eclipse (pictured) and Coconut.

✨️ATTENTION PLEASE✨️We are taking a short break this week. The store will be closed from Tuesday 5th through to Friday 8...
03/05/2026

✨️ATTENTION PLEASE✨️

We are taking a short break this week.
The store will be closed from Tuesday 5th through to Friday 8th May.
We reopen on Saturday.

Please note any online orders placed during this time are unable to be posted until Saturday.

For locals please understand that while our gym remains open for certain classes, our staff will not be able to assist you with any purchases while we are away.

Thank you for your understanding

Kimberley & Brent

ELECTROLYTES Here at TFJ we use Ancient Lakes Mineral Balance Essential Electrolytes from Western Australia.This electro...
30/04/2026

ELECTROLYTES

Here at TFJ we use Ancient Lakes Mineral Balance Essential Electrolytes from Western Australia.

This electrolyte offers a unique blend of vital, naturally sourced macro minerals designed to replenish and support your electrolyte levels.

Sourced from Lake Deborah in WA.

Take up to 6g daily based on your individual needs. When starting out we say "less is more". If you need more you can always add more. If you have too much, you will struggle to drink it exclaiming "it's too salty!" We prefer to add Ancient Lakes to our drink bottles to sip on throughout the day, but you might like to add it to some soda water and add a twist of lemon 🍋

Enhance its effects by combining with Ancient Lakes Natural Liquid Magnesium drops or use it as a salt substitute in meals. This supplement complements a balanced diet and regular exercise but is not a complete nutrition source.

Not recommended for children under 15 or pregnant women and should be used under professional guidance.

For Pregnant people we recommend Franjo's Kitchen Motherhood Hydration powder, which we also stock.

23/04/2026

Be Lenka Kids!

Kids love being barefoot! As parents and caregivers we know that isn't always suitable.

Barefoot shoes allow your kids to feel the ground they stand on, which their growing brains and developing nervous systems need in order to train their balance, hone their senses and build the strength in their feet!

Kids don't need slabs under their feet, they don't need cushions and they certainly don't need their toes squashed. Their toe nails are hard enough to trim without squishing them together.

Be Lenka make fun and durable Kids shoes. Easy to put on, high volume for kids with bigger feet. If you live in cooler climates the 5mm sole may help to keep your children's feet a little warmer with that little bit of extra thickness.

The canvas models are $79.95 while the leather models are $139.95 for kids and $149.95 for Junior models.

22/04/2026

GROUNDIES - first steps - my review.

Firstly, comfortable as!

Lightweight, knitted upper. Very flexible.
I feel secure at my midfoot, didn't know I needed it but if this matters to you, I feel this is important to know.

They have a tongue to allow for a better fit. They do run small compared to Vivobarefoot. I'm usually a 39eu in other brands. These are a 40eu.

The standard fit is no wider than a Vivobarefoot Primus lite knit.

Groundies does offer a Barefoot+ in some models, which is wider. We don't have any yet but hopefully we will see some next season.

Groundies. Get grounded!

New brand alert! G R O U N D I E SWe have just received our first pairs of   and we are very excited to try something ne...
20/04/2026

New brand alert! G R O U N D I E S

We have just received our first pairs of and we are very excited to try something new.

We tried on the 3 styles that have arrived today and for our VIVO customers, we recommend going up 1 size. The width is comparable with Vivobarefoot and like all shoes the fabric of the upper will determine how they feel across the foot.

The G- Flex Precision (pictured) and G-flex are designed for all things fitness.

Take a look!

Winter is coming Be Lenka Entice Neo - for that barefoot fit and feel in the classic Chelsea boot style.Designed in Slov...
07/04/2026

Winter is coming

Be Lenka Entice Neo - for that barefoot fit and feel in the classic Chelsea boot style.

Designed in Slovakia, where it gets cold and wet. Part of their core range.

Features:

👟 foot shaped, no squashed toes
👟 zero drop, so you aren't pitched forwards
👟 flexible, to allow your toes to flex as they should
👟 leather upper, fleece lining to keep your feet warmer
👟 well made
👟 unisex design and sizing

Address

Rear 3 King Avenue
Mildura, VIC
3500

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