New York City | October 2025 — A new player is stepping into the footwear industry with a bold mission: to reconnect people with the natural way their feet were meant to move. SDS Shoes, founded by Cristen Carroll, is set to launch on December 1, 2025, offering minimalist, barefoot-style shoes designed to support both foot health and mental well-being.
Rooted in a clean, modern design philosophy and built for everyday use, SDS Shoes aims to challenge conventional footwear norms with a product line that promotes natural movement, anatomical foot function, and even anxiety reduction.
“We’re not just designing shoes — we’re helping people return to their natural rhythm,” said founder Cristen Carroll. “When your feet move the way nature intended, everything else starts to fall into place — posture, balance, even your sense of calm.”
The brand is debuting with a full line of barefoot shoes for men and women aged 18 to 45, a market that increasingly values functional fashion, wellness, and sustainable living. While the shoes are minimalist in look, they’re big on performance — using flexible soles, wide toe boxes, and zero-drop designs that mimic the feeling of walking barefoot, while still offering protection and durability for modern urban life.
Made for City Life, Inspired by Nature
Headquartered in New York City, SDS Shoes brings a street-savvy sensibility to the barefoot movement. The sleek silhouettes and neutral tones make the shoes easy to style, while the health-forward design quietly supports better mobility, posture, and stress relief.
Looking Ahead
With its official launch scheduled for December, SDS Shoes is already building buzz. The company will take the spotlight again in February 2026 with a featured appearance in a New York fashion runway show, where it plans to showcase the connection between foot health and high-style.
About SDS Shoes
Founded by Cristen Carroll, SDS Shoes is a New York-based footwear startup dedicated to creating minimalist, barefoot-style shoes that promote physical and mental well-being. With a focus on clean design and natural movement, SDS offers modern footwear for the conscious consumer.