Grounding FAQs

Grounding is simply the process of making contact with the earth's subtle negative charge (which has a plethora of health benefits for our bodies). If you're curious, dive into our page on how grounding works and why grounding benefits us!

• Grass
• Soil
• Sand
• Gravel
• Unsealed ceramic tiles
• Rock (on the earth’s surface)
• Water: Ocean, Lakes & Streams
• Trees & Living Plants
• Unsealed Concrete (like sidewalks!)
• Indoor grounding mat (during those cold months)

You cannot get grounded on:

• Asphalt
• Carpet
• Painted or chemically sealed concrete
• Plastic
• Rubber
• Tar or tarmac
• Vinyl
• Wood floors
• Most indoor surfaces

If tile is unglazed, and sits directly on a slab or ground, yes, you are grounded. If the tile sits on plywood or some other kind of wood, plastic, or vinyl understructure, you will not get any conductivity. Grounding does not work if standing on carpet or wood floors (which insulate and prevent contact with the earth's electrons).

Many research studies report that pain, chronic conditions and even some diseases and other disturbances in our bodies are often caused by chronic inflammation. Such inflammation may be caused by positively charged molecules OR free radicals. When you make direct contact with the earth, such as by being barefoot outdoors or by wearing grounded shoes, the negatively-charged electrons from the earth enter your body. Several studies suggest that grounding reduces inflammation, a condition that is not a disease but often accompanies disease and usually causes discomfort or pain. Inflammation also tends to beget inflammation because inflamed tissue is more easily irritated than tissue that is not inflamed. The body, therefore, continues to have inflammation when its original cause is removed. While the reason is not fully known, it appears that grounding may reduce chronic inflammation and it may be that excess positive charge may be the cause of chronic inflammation.

We recommend a minimum of 20-30 minutes per day; an hour or more is even better.

One cannot be too grounded and you can’t overdo it. It would be ideal to be grounded 24/7, but it is not realistic. Set a grounding goal to ground for 1-2 hours a day with 20-30 minutes a day as the recommended minimum.

The longer you ground the more you may feel the difference, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Yes! Rain will not interfere with grounding; it will, in fact, enhance it because moisture mixed with the ions that occur naturally in the earth is conductive.

Use common sense and don't stay outside anywhere, during an electrical storm.

Some folks experience a slight tingling sensation in the beginning. Others feel nothing at all. Grounding is a very subtle energy. If one is wearing conductive footwear or going barefoot, they are actively getting grounded.

Absolutely not. There is no such thing as being over-grounded. If you could be grounded 24/7 that would be ideal. In more technical terms, the flow of electrons gradually diminishes to nothing as you become electrically balanced with the earth. By grounding you can only come into more balance.

Being indoors and not connecting to the earth is more common now, more than ever. This disconnect can lead to an electron deficiency. Certain synthetics, and high-tech materials, used in footwear for example, create a barrier between our bodies, and the earth’s energy, which can tend to cause us to accumulate an excess positive charge, and be deficient of electrons. Grounding eliminates this excess positive charge and brings us back to our natural state of being in harmony with the earth. Excess positive charge adversely affects various physiological processes. Many people can feel the difference that grounding makes.

Emerging research is under way related to the mitigation of EMF/RF shielding when grounded. Grounding does not block microwave radiation. We are not aware of any data regarding effects on one's sensitivity to microwave radiation. Grounding does not block any form of radiations or any field.

ESD shoes are primarily designed for discharging static electricity in factories with a lot of high-tech machinery to keep equipment from shorting out. They are not designed or constructed to enable the flow of the earth’s electrons into one’s body, thereby not providing the wellness benefits of grounding.

Grounding is not related to magnets. While some people experience benefits from magnets, the effect of grounding is different.

Yes, our grounding footwear works when worn with socks too. The best kind of socks to wear with our shoes are our exclusive grounding socks. The second best option is to wear a sock with cotton or natural fibers. The ions (from the moisture of our foot) allow conductivity through the fabric of the socks into the body more easily. Everyone's individual physiology & level of hydration is different. Because of this, it may take a little longer for some people to get grounded wearing socks than if they were sockless or barefoot.

The moment you wear your grounding shoes on a grounding surface like grass, sand, soil, brick/tile, or concrete you are receiving the benefits of grounding. The longer you wear them, the more you will benefit.

But to feel the benefits more easily, we recommend grounding 1-2 hours per day, and a minimum of 30 minutes.

HARMONY 783 shoes are currently only offered online. However our shoes will be available in select retail stores, resorts and spas in the future.

Our shoes are designed as medium width. However, we consistently receive customer reviews indicating they find our shoes comfortable for wide feet. Explore product page Fit notes based on customer feedback.

Our shoes are not specifically zero drop or barefoot style shoes. Our footwear is grounding footwear, for receiving the natural energy from the earth. Our footwear has been bio-mechanically engineered (designed around an actual foot) for comfort and support, and are designed to connect people to the earth's natural energy through our grounding construction. While we don’t claim that we have 0 drop/lift, we also don’t have a sole or foot bed like a marathon running shoe that has a mega amount of cushion.

If you have physiological foot problems (like bunions, hammer or claw toes, Achilles tendonitis, flat feet, Morton’s Neuroma, heel issues, arthritis, neuropathy or diabetic foot disorders) solely wearing grounding footwear will not heal or fix foot conditions. Grounding helps with the reduction of inflammation and increased circulation which some may find beneficial.

Only footwear with "conductive” soles allows for earth's natural energy to pass through the shoes and into a persons feet, grounding the individual.

Pure leather soles with no footbeds are also conductive, however, these are usually traditional moccasin styles for very casual wear.

HARMONY 783 shoes are grounding thanks to our unique Groundworks Technology, including silver and carbon. All of our shoes are tested for conductivity.

Yes, absolutely. Wearing grounding shoes is gentle, subtle, and safe for all people.

Feeling the benefits of grounding can come quickly or gradually over time because our physiologies are all different. But regardless if you feel the benefits of being grounded, you are becoming more grounded when you wear grounding shoes, and connecting to the earth is reported to perpetuate good health.

Barefoot is a natural way to get grounded, for sure. And that is awesome if you're getting plenty of time outside barefoot on grounding surfaces. However, if you're like us, going barefoot all day, all year, is not practical or safe, especially in winter months, in everyday modern life. Some people also have concerns about pesticides, insects, and even animal urine, especially in public parks, so they choose not to be barefoot.

We welcome returns and exchanges within 30 calendar days of the original order date. All items returned or exchanged must be in brand new, unworn condition and in the original footwear packaging to be eligible for refund, excluding original shipping costs. Be sure to read our Shipping & Returns page for further information, and to initiate an exchange/return.