How would you describe a barefooter?

Someone who is barefoot most of the time, and prefers to be that way.

How long have you been barefoot?

8 years roughly

Why did you decide to be barefoot?

I had a hip replacement, and was unsure I would be able to run anymore. I read the book, born to run, and it talked about running barefoot. I decided to try that to see if it would allow me to run again. It took a long time, but I was eventually able to run barefoot for long distances. Once I started going, barefoot, I found that I really enjoyed it, and didn’t want to go back.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how “extreme” are you?

9

What is your opinion on shoes and socks?

They have their purpose, but they are rarely necessary.

Do you think being barefoot is socially acceptable? Why or why not?

I don’t know. It seems like a lot of people think that it isn’t socially acceptable, but it’s hard to know how prevalent that is. There are some settings in which it is clearly considered to be unacceptable, especially places like restaurants. However, it’s hard to tell what people are thinking most of the time, and it’s possible that we assume they are thinking negative things when they really aren’t.

Have you ever not been able to go in somewhere/refused service because you didn’t have shoes on?

Once I boarded a plane, barefoot, and one of the passengers pointed that out to the flight attendant, who hadn’t previously noticed. When she saw that I was barefoot, she asked me if I had shoes and instructed me that I needed to have shoes in order to fly. Interestingly, she didn’t make me put them on. Other than that, I haven’t had too many situations where I’ve been turned away. However, I’m not particularly aggressive about going into stores and such barefoot.

What are the best and worst reactions you have gotten? How do you deal with bad reactions and unsolicited opinions?

My favorite reaction was from someone who saw me running, barefoot in San Francisco, and said, are you doing that on purpose? It was funny. Most of the reactions I get are positive or curious, especially from kids. I frequently hear a child asking their mom or dad why I don’t have shoes on. I usually can’t hear their answer, but when I do, it’s usually something like he just likes to do it that way. Of course, it’s hard to know what people who don’t say anything might be thinking.

How do you go about feet care?

Most of the time, my feet don’t require much care, they’ve gotten pretty tough. However, in the winter, I do have to put lotion on, especially on my heels, because they like to crack. I will walk and run in a pretty cold temperatures, down to about 35°, and that can be hard on my feet.

Do you wear foot jewelry?

No

Have you dealt with fetishers?

No

Do you walk on everything or are there surfaces you don’t walk on?

I strongly prefer hard, smooth surfaces. I generally try to avoid gravel and other surfaces like that that are very sharp and uneven. I do, however, I like to hike barefoot, especially on dirt.

What is your favorite surface to walk barefoot on and why?

See above

What are the worst things you’ve stepped on?

Thistles are really bad, you can end up with so many of them in your feet. It becomes really difficult to even move. I also stepped on glass once, and it got buried in my foot. It took several days for it to work its way out, that really sucked. However, I find that people worry way too much about class. I have literally done millions of steps, barefoot, and have only had an issue with glass that one time. I don’t really worried about the cleanliness of the surface. People also tend to worry about that way too much in my opinion.

Have you had any mishaps?

Other than what’s listed above, my biggest issue was early on when I tried to transition too quickly. My feet, like most people’s, we’re not used to going barefoot a lot and I overdid it early on. You have to go slow when transitioning.

How do you handle cold temperatures?

I walk and run barefoot down to 35°. I dress warmly, so that my core stays warm, and my feet tend to do fine. I’ve tried going colder than that before, and find that I tend to enter my feet when I do that.

In your experience, what season is best to be barefoot?

Winter is the hardest, but otherwise there isn’t a best.

How does being barefoot affect aspects of your life (love, career e.t.c)?

My wife is very accepting. Most others, if they know that I go barefoot, are pretty excepting, and generally find it curious or interesting. However, I don’t talk about it a lot. So, unless you see me, barefoot, you probably wouldn’t know.

What challenges do you run into (physically, socially e.t.c)?

Mostly, it’s just convincing myself that it’s OK to go barefoot. I do it a lot around the house and around the neighborhood, but I generally don’t do it in stores or other places where I would be going inside.

What are misconceptions about being barefoot?

Like I said, before, people seem to be way too afraid of glass and dirty surfaces. Also, I think, barefoot tends to be associated with hippies. It’s possible that I am a bit of a hippie, but I don’t think those two things are connected for the most part. Anything that is different is often considered weird, which is a bit frustrating.

What are your fears that stem from being barefoot?

I don’t want to be thought of as the person that goes barefoot. This is just some thing I do, but it doesn’t define me. There are many other attributes that are much more important than what I choose to wear, or not work, on my feet.

What advantages of being barefoot have you experienced?

General good health and comfort.

What disadvantages of being barefoot have you experienced?

Social stigma, or the fear of social stigma.

What are things to NOT say or do to barefoot people?

As long as you don’t insult me, you can say anything to me that you would say to anyone else. I’m generally pretty good natured.

How do you feel about how barefoot is portrayed in media? What are some of your favorite pieces of media with authentic representation?

I don’t think much about that.

What would you like to say to barefooters?

Nothing, in particular that I wouldn’t say to anyone else.

Give tips to new barefooters and people looking to go barefoot.

If you’re not used to going barefoot, then start slow. In fact, it’s probably not possible to start to slowly. Your feet, and legs, and body in general, need time to transition. Also, don’t worry too much about what other people might think. This is definitely something I need to continually work on, but some of my best times are when I forget that I’m barefoot and just go about doing what I enjoy out worrying about other peoples views. It’s not easy to do, but it’s worth it.

How do you wish our society would perceive and treat barefoot people?

I wish that people would treat what you wear on your feet, the same way as they treat what you wear on your hands. Gloves are worn for specific purposes like keeping your hands, warm or otherwise protecting them. I feel like she should be thought of the same way. Other words, where them when you choose to or they’re necessary, but it’s no big deal if someone chooses not to wear them.

What would you like people to know about being barefoot?

It’s fun and comfortable

Tell your story, opinions, experiences.

I think I’ve told most of my story in answering the previous questions. I am a professional investor working for a medium-size corporation. Most of the people that I work with are not aware that I’m a beer footer. It’s not so much that I’m trying to hide it, although I suppose that’s part of it. More importantly, though, it’s just not something that I normally talk about your day today conversation. Like I said, before, I’m not looking to make it my identity.