Free Your Feet - go bare-foot

[MysticTree]

Following on from another thread . . .

Who's into bare-foot walking, running, living?

I wear shoes as little as possible and always have. In the summer I walk on the pavements to the local shop and I will drive into town and walk round town without shoes.

I am often surprised by the number of people who say "I'm not brave enough to do that" - it's easy; kick off your shoes and put one foot in front of the other :throwhearts:

[Revvell]

I walk/run barefoot as much as possible. I drive and go into stores barefoot.

Funny the expressions I get from people. I'll sometimes wear a minimalist shoe.

The question I have is, why do people think shoes are cleaner than feet? Shoes step into all kinds of things that those of us who are barefoot would walk on/in. Why do we need shoes to go into a restaurant?

People live in fear... constantly.... and, they want us to join them. Not doing it! :D

[Revvell]

Thanks MT for starting this! I've been slacking in my almost daily walks in going barefoot. Last night, I began again with a two mile barefoot walk! My feet feel so alive this morning!! :throwhearts:

Going back to my Vibrams too for when my feet need a bit of a rest.

[KaleMama]

Hooray for going barefoot!

I also use shoes as least as possible. Also bought the DWolfe's grounding flip flops for walking over sprayed grass. I love being barefoot. It just FEELS RIGHT! Always connected to MamaPacha.
:throwhearts:

[MysticTree]

I wish I went barefoot hiking. I must find some places to go.

[Lady Green Jeans]

What an interesting thread. I grew up back east and was always barefoot in the summer--still am year-round whenever possible. Will definately try the barefoot walks. Restaurants here most have signs for no shoes, no service. Funny one I saw awhile back at a Thai place read:

No shirt
No shoes
No service
No sorry

[MysticTree]

What an interesting thread. I grew up back east and was always barefoot in the summer--still am year-round whenever possible. Will definately try the barefoot walks. Restaurants here most have signs for no shoes, no service. Funny one I saw awhile back at a Thai place read:

No shirt
No shoes
No service
No sorry

I was shopping the other day and a mother and her two under 6 year olds were all in pajamas and slippers!

I'm lucky in that I live in a fairly hippy city although not in the hippiest part.

When I lived on a main street in a small flat there was a lovely Indian chap who ran the shop over the road and he asked why I wore no shoes and said that back home only the very poorest went barefoot and I explained that my feet were happy without shoes and he called me "his barefoot girl" after that. He was very non-judgmental and accepted my feet's happiness even though it was so low a status symbol in India.

[Revvell]

I've walked outside, on the street (sidewalk, actually) 1-2 miles each day, for the last 2 days, totally barefoot. Was thinking of going to Whole Paycheck to get some produce and realized I've got this lil organic shop right up the street soooo, going to walk there instead of drive!!! That's what feet are made for! :eat

[OrchidRaven]

I am barefoot as often as I can be, if i'm not working or driving i'm barefoot, lol we have Karate camp coming up this weekend and they always tease me because we do a lot of stuff outside on less friendly terrain but I do it barefoot, lol

[Revvell]

I am barefoot as often as I can be, if i'm not working or driving i'm barefoot, lol we have Karate camp coming up this weekend and they always tease me because we do a lot of stuff outside on less friendly terrain but I do it barefoot, lol

Good on ya! When our movement classes were outside, I was the only one barefoot. Now, my teacher and some other of his students are out running barefoot. I drive barefoot although, I think it's illegal... not sure though.

[OrchidRaven]

Lol I drive barefoot sometimes and it is illegal here lol I just keep a pair of flip flops in my truck

[mellowgirl09]

I would if I could but I live in LA so I opt for flip flops instead. Wouldn't want to walk on glass, a druggie's needle or someone's fresh wet loogie spit.

[Revvell]

I live in LA... well, just outside of it.

[mellowgirl09]

I live in LA... well, just outside of it.

The nicer neighborhoods are okay to do it in and I have. I go without shoes around my neighborhood a lot and have a habit of kicking off my flip flops if I can. People see me bare foot so often they can't believe I still have nice feet LOL. But right smack in the city areas no way.

I am interested in barefoot running though, I've heard it's the best way to run. I wouldn't mind doing it on the running paths I use either, they're fine. I just have to work myself up to training myself to tolerate running on bare feet.

[GreginND]

I went to the Y yesterday to work out and forgot my shoes. So I thought I would just go without shoes. I did wear my socks because of cleanliness. They kicked me out. I HAVE to wear shoes or not use the facilities. They are worried about injuries and liability. Damn lawyers.

[streetsurfer]

I'd be interested in hearing you all's foot pampering and repair treatments.

Foot baths in epsom salts, coconut oil rubs, pedicures, etc.?

As a child I would go barefoot in the summers but almost always suffered painful deep cracks which were slow to heal. What special treatment do they get to keep them looking nice, not cracking (As an adult my fingers started cracking regularly, but after eliminating wheat from my diet, that has ceased for the most part. I suspect the foot cracks may have been of the same cause.)

My brother is hoping to attend a school of pedorthics, which kind of has me thinking of the same.....I hear there is a real shortage and need for pedorthists, relating to the care of our nations disabled veterans' feet. I would like to share your information with him as well, for his benefit should his pursuit come to being.

Thank you kindly!

[Revvell]

I went to the Y yesterday to work out and forgot my shoes. So I thought I would just go without shoes. I did wear my socks because of cleanliness. They kicked me out. I HAVE to wear shoes or not use the facilities. They are worried about injuries and liability. Damn lawyers.

Yeah, like tennies are going to help when you drop a kb or other weight on them, eh? Only time I've injured my foot since going bare is when I dropped my hula hoop on my lil toe. The way it looked, you'd a thought I'd broken it. Someone was amazed that I'd still go barefoot and swing kb's with my toe looking like it did. Ah well!

[Revvell]

I'd be interested in hearing you all's foot pampering and repair treatments.

Don't need 'em.


Foot baths in epsom salts, coconut oil rubs, pedicures, etc.?

No more than what I usually do or have done.




As a child I would go barefoot in the summers but almost always suffered painful deep cracks which were slow to heal. What special treatment do they get to keep them looking nice, not cracking (As an adult my fingers started cracking regularly, but after eliminating wheat from my diet, that has ceased for the most part. I suspect the foot cracks may have been of the same cause.)

One way to find out!

I'd suggest maybe picking up some books on barefoot running. There's not much on barefoot walking that I've seen. Also, my teacher has a few vids up on YouTube about it... He's Zenkahuna there.

After 3 straight days of walking on sidewalks ~ cement and asphalt, my feet felt a bit shredded yesterday so, today they get the day off. If they feel good tomorrow, back on ~ although, I will be hooping in the grass today barefoot. :dance:

[MysticTree]

never needed to pamper my feet really. They certainly don't crack. I guess they get a little hard skin in places which I pumice down occasionally.

[streetsurfer]

Thanks Rev,

I'll add too, that I think barefoot helps build all the stabilizing muscles of the legs and core. I'm sure you find that to be, as well.

Thank you mystic!

[Revvell]

Thanks Rev,

I'll add too, that I think barefoot helps build all the stabilizing muscles of the legs and core. I'm sure you find that to be, as well.

Thank you mystic!

That is the point my friend. Some folk have found that the more expensive the shoes are with all their "support".... they become like crutches which weakens the feet. Many have had to take it VERY slowly when getting out walking barefoot, especially if they've been wearing heels of any sort because their tendons have shortened. So, lengthen and strengthen.

Also, many have found back pain has disappeared and bm's are easier because the feet contain all the reflexes w/in the body. That's where foot reflexology comes in. Our feet aren't stimulated anymore so others have to do it for us unless we go barefoot and our feet can feel the earth again.

[MysticTree]

I would if I could but I live in LA so I opt for flip flops instead. Wouldn't want to walk on glass, a druggie's needle or someone's fresh wet loogie spit.

One of the good things about bare-footin' is that you become so much more aware of your surroundings. You simply don't step on bad things.

[Revvell]

I would if I could but I live in LA so I opt for flip flops instead. Wouldn't want to walk on glass, a druggie's needle or someone's fresh wet loogie spit.

Yuh! I'm questioning why you even go in those areas in the first place. That's a very small part of LA.

[DawnD]

I crave going barefoot sometimes. I developed a fallen arch 2 years ago and invested in Orthoheel shoes. Recently my knee felt like it was moving out of joint when I went barefooted plus I will get the heel pain again. So now to protect my knee I wear the Orthoheel shoes all the time. One day I strapped on an arch support so that I could jump on the trampoline bare footed.

Barefoot is a wonderful thing but I would never go to the store or walk around town barefooted.

[MysticTree]

I've just come back from a short barefoot walk - up to the shop on the pavements and then collected the dog and went round the park. My feet are all tingly and relaxed!

[MysticTree]

here they are ... shows how much weight I gained in the past few years after slipping of the raw - they look pudgy!

Toes are a little misshapen from chilblains in childhood - my mother told me not to park cold feet next to the hot air vent :rolleyes:

[Revvell]

I met a gent today who wears Vibram 5-fingers and we discussed going barefoot. He told me that he's had problems with arches and when he first began wearing the Vibram's his achilles hurt, his arches hurt. Now, he wont wear any other shoes. He says he runs in them; his arches have healed; he's got happy feet! :excited:

[MysticTree]

those shoes are still a bit of a culture shock to me :o I'm glad he healed his poor feet though.

We have had very heavy rain over the weekend and I didn't get out much without shoes of some sort on but then I only went out if I had to.

[Revvell]

They're still shocking to most folk here. I get all KINDS of comments when I wear mine. Been barefoot so much I've not been wearing them. Might have to get back to 'em.

[siennagray]

After the rain is my favorite time to go for a barefoot walk.

[Revvell]

After the rain is my favorite time to go for a barefoot walk.

Where the heck is the "like" button? :hug

[Schutzengel]

I am always barefoot unless in a building that requires shoes (and in that case I wear Vibrams). I go barefoot running often and it is very fun.

[soulvibe]

I've only started doing this in the past few months or so. Sunny mornings, I go into my garden and just walk around bare foot for a while... I've had some of the most grounding and electric feelings I've ever felt from doing this. We forget that we are in fact electrical beings, and that our base energy fields are always supposed to be deeply connected to the Earth. It's shows how far as a race we have strayed from nature, as mentioned - when people give you funny looks for walking around bare foot. Time to reconnect! :)

Thank you for posting, this is an important topic!

[Revvell]

What's interesting to me is, why we need to wear shoes in restaurants. I wash my feet quite often yet, I NEVER wash my shoes! How/why do they think wearing shoes is cleaner than barefeet??? Oh wait! Now that I said that, it's not about cleanliness, it's about safety ~ such as if someone drops a glass and you step on it. Nevah mind!!! :D

[levamssg]

I'm starting to pay more attention to how my feet feel when I wear certain shoes/sandals., I prefer barefoot, but don't have that option in my job .. but do try and go barefoot as much as possible around the house/yard, etc. It is pretty easy to get in my 'barefoot' time in the summertime. Wintertime .. well, not so much.

[Revvell]

I'm starting to pay more attention to how my feet feel when I wear certain shoes/sandals., I prefer barefoot, but don't have that option in my job .. but do try and go barefoot as much as possible around the house/yard, etc. It is pretty easy to get in my 'barefoot' time in the summertime. Wintertime .. well, not so much.

Where the heck is the "like" button?

[MyRedPanda]

Well, I have transitioned from 5 inch heels to more practical flats. That is about as barefoot as I am going to get, lol

[greenrunner]

I walk around barefoot a lot in the summer and toss in a short run a week barefoot. On the other 4-5 runs in the week I wear trainers and/or minimalist shoes. Running form is what is important not barefoot per se, but barefoot is a good training queue in terms of helping to develop efficient mechanics.

Enjoy!

[Revvell]

Running form is what is important not barefoot per se, but barefoot is a good training queue in terms of helping to develop efficient mechanics.

Enjoy!

AND, building up the natural padding on one's feet. I've had people tell me how very thin-skinned the bottoms of their feet are. That changes with barefoot walking/running.

What are the minimalist shoes are you wearing? I've got the Vibram 5-fingers and looking at Zemgear.

[greenrunner]

AND, building up the natural padding on one's feet. I've had people tell me how very thin-skinned the bottoms of their feet are. That changes with barefoot walking/running.

What are the minimalist shoes are you wearing? I've got the Vibram 5-fingers and looking at Zemgear.

I had a pair of Vibrams, but while I like my injinji toed socks, I wasn't crazy about the vibrams. I now run with NB Minimus Trail (on streets, trails, treadmills, etc) and Newtons for trainers. Have a pair of Luna huaraches on order too that I'm looking forward to!

[Revvell]

I had a pair of Vibrams, but while I like my injinji toed socks, I wasn't crazy about the vibrams. I now run with NB Minimus Trail (on streets, trails, treadmills, etc) and Newtons for trainers. Have a pair of Luna huaraches on order too that I'm looking forward to!

Thanks. Pretty sure I'm going for the ZemGear. I have a friend who has them and loves them. I run barefoot on streets; don't run on treadmills... haven't heard of those huaraches. I'll check 'em out though.

Gotta laugh. 2mm soles with laces ~ "now only $115".... "only" uh huh.

[greenrunner]

Yes, pricing a bit crazy - I ordered the original w/ no footbed (50) and vegan laces. Mostly a novelty item for me as it's owned and operated by barefoot ted who is a pioneer/trendsetter in the whole barefoot movement in the USA (as depicted in Born To Run).

I like running barefoot too, but run on way too much on very hot pavement and urban areas when traveling, which would create havoc.

Re those Zems- I like the split big toe. Not sure I would want to run on trails/rocks with them, but look great for all other activities that make us wear footwear.

[Revvell]

Yes, pricing a bit crazy - I ordered the original w/ no footbed (50) and vegan laces. Mostly a novelty item for me as it's owned and operated by barefoot ted who is a pioneer/trendsetter in the whole barefoot movement in the USA (as depicted in Born To Run).

I like running barefoot too, but run on way too much on very hot pavement and urban areas when traveling, which would create havoc.

Re those Zems- I like the split big toe. Not sure I would want to run on trails/rocks with them, but look great for all other activities that make us wear footwear.

Yep! That's what I'm looking at. The low ones with the split toe. I'll do a trail with 'em... if/when I get them. Still waiting for them to get back to me on narrow feet fittings. Says "yes" but, want to be sure. I do have a pair of the Invisible Shoes but the knot drives me crazy.

[brydee]

I use to walk and run barefoot, last year I had my first barefoot disaster and sliced the inside of my foot open when jumping over a dog agility jump and landing on a random twig.Have got plenty of thorns. Put me off for a while.
I love to walk barefoot but find myself constantly being over cautious looking at the ground to make sure its clear. We live in a very thorny area.

I cant imagine enjoying walking through a town/city barefoot, I dont know any that are clean enough.

I have very lightweight running shoes that are suppose to be close to barefoot, i think they mean the base of the shoe though, have got thorned through the sole. the rest of the shoe is still shaped though.

[Anastasia Alston]

Interesting thread! I'm an aid barefooter. As to the legality or not of driving barefoot: myth! No laws exist regulating any such thing! Here's a site/society devoted to the education & support of those of us who prefer to live without shoes as much as possible: http://www.barefooters.org/

I can sympathize with thorny areas! I live in the southwestern US & we gots PLENTY thorns/prickles/things to make you yell OUCH! If I'm going in any area I suspect may have nasties lurking I bring or wear shoes & will happily remove them if I see the coast is clear! As for bare feet in town, I have noticed that places of intense human habitation/usage are the nastiest even if there aren't any obvious gross things on the ground. A quick stroll in natural places, even when it's muddy never leave my feet feeling sticky & covered in black ew like even just the shortest zip across a parking lot in town. Even so, dirt or not my feet are always happiest unshod & tend to get cranky if I stuff them in shoes after wandering unshod for any amount of time! :excited: :wuv

[Revvell]

Thanks for the link Anastasia. I'll check it out!

Yup! I know 'bout thorns. Went to a park to hoop and they'd mowed the lawn and those big round thorny things that one can see and avoid? Well, they were chopped up into a whole BUNCH of thorns. Just walked right into that area... and back right out again pulling thorns out of my feet.

I also tend to carry shoes or sandals, anyway.

And, cranky feet are a no-no. I've taken to wearing shoes when I hoop due to having injuries to toes and foot. It's called self-preservation. As soon as I'm done hooping... the shoes are off!


Interesting thread! I'm an aid barefooter. As to the legality or not of driving barefoot: myth! No laws exist regulating any such thing! Here's a site/society devoted to the education & support of those of us who prefer to live without shoes as much as possible: http://www.barefooters.org/

I can sympathize with thorny areas! I live in the southwestern US & we gots PLENTY thorns/prickles/things to make you yell OUCH! If I'm going in any area I suspect may have nasties lurking I bring or wear shoes & will happily remove them if I see the coast is clear! As for bare feet in town, I have noticed that places of intense human habitation/usage are the nastiest even if there aren't any obvious gross things on the ground. A quick stroll in natural places, even when it's muddy never leave my feet feeling sticky & covered in black ew like even just the shortest zip across a parking lot in town. Even so, dirt or not my feet are always happiest unshod & tend to get cranky if I stuff them in shoes after wandering unshod for any amount of time! :excited: :wuv

[Anastasia Alston]

Fortunately we have no real grass around here, but humans LOOOOOVE gravel for some reason & most of the roads round here are dirt so you have the requisite gravel. ::sigh:: Hard to see pokey things in gravel when everything is pretty much some shade of brown. I risk it anyway! ;)

[Revvell]

Fortunately we have no real grass around here, but humans LOOOOOVE gravel for some reason & most of the roads round here are dirt so you have the requisite gravel. ::sigh:: Hard to see pokey things in gravel when everything is pretty much some shade of brown. I risk it anyway! ;)

Where the heck is the "like" button? :D

[MysticTree]

Walking over gravel was one of the things we did when we were children. It was part of some homespun club thing - different grades of gravel. The Brownies and Guides had sewing, cooking and camp setting badges etc ... we did gravel and tree climbing ... I love tree climbing.

I went for a lovely walk yesterday, actually the day before now since it's gone midnight, just a short one round the park. People were actually agog!


Fortunately we have no real grass around here, but humans LOOOOOVE gravel for some reason & most of the roads round here are dirt so you have the requisite gravel. ::sigh:: Hard to see pokey things in gravel when everything is pretty much some shade of brown. I risk it anyway! ;)

[Revvell]

The Brownies and Guides had sewing, cooking and camp setting badges etc ... we did gravel and tree climbing ... I love tree climbing.


THAT's why I luffs ya!!!! I LOVE tree climbing tooooo!

[MysticTree]

You'd have loved my tree I had when I was a kid. It was a 300+ years old yew tree the height of a three storey building and I would climb right to the top and one branch just grew in the right shape (like a swing) and I would sit in it and the wind would blow and swing me about like crazy. All the branches that were used to climb had names. What a Wonderful Tree; one of my best friends when I was growing up.

[Revvell]

You'd have loved my tree I had when I was a kid. It was a 300+ years old yew tree the height of a three storey building and I would climb right to the top and one branch just grew in the right shape (like a swing) and I would sit in it and the wind would blow and swing me about like crazy. All the branches that were used to climb had names. What a Wonderful Tree; one of my best friends when I was growing up.

I had a good tree but not as wonderful as yours. We have a few acres of woods behind our house and one of the really big (well, it was to us) trees came down and that was our pirate ship.

[MysticTree]

I had a good tree but not as wonderful as yours. We have a few acres of woods behind our house and one of the really big (well, it was to us) trees came down and that was our pirate ship.
Oh your tree sounds cool too. We'd have loved a fallen one too :)

[farry]

I am barefoot as often as I can be, if i'm not working or driving i'm barefoot, lol we have Karate camp coming up this weekend and they always tease me because we do a lot of stuff outside on less friendly terrain but I do it barefoot, lol

[Conscious Midwife]

Okay I am so going to go barefoot sometime today. Sounds so yummy and it's been a while since I've been intentional with it.

[streetsurfer]

I've been barefoot gardening much of the summer. I've turned my compost pile barefoot even.