Manel Garcia Prats, Co-Founder of OHNE PROJECT / Barefoot Sneakers

In this episode of the Menswear Style Podcast, we speak with Manel Garcia Prats, co-founder of OHNE PROJECT (https://ohneproject.com/) , the Spanish footwear brand challenging the conventional shape of the modern trainer with its stylish take on barefoot design. The idea for OHNE PROJECT began when Manel and his partner were researching footwear for their young children. Learning about shoes designed to respect the natural shape and biomechanics of developing feet led them to a bigger question: if this approach is considered beneficial for children, why do adults so often spend their lives forcing their feet into narrow, rigid shoes? That question ultimately became the foundation for OHNE PROJECT. Manel explains the philosophy behind the brand, including the belief that shoes should be designed around the natural shape of the foot rather than forcing the foot to conform to the shape of the shoe. OHNE PROJECT’s first model, the Project 080, combines the core characteristics of barefoot footwear with a design inspired by iconic 1980s sneakers. We explore what makes a barefoot shoe different, from its wide toe box and zero-drop construction to its thin, lightweight and highly flexible sole. Manel demonstrates just how flexible the shoes are, explaining why allowing the foot to move naturally can help it perform more like it would when walking barefoot. The conversation also gets into the wider implications of conventional footwear, including the way narrow toe boxes an