How would you describe a barefooter?

Someone who prefers to not where shoes whenever possible.

How long have you been barefoot?

I was born barefoot. I spent alot of time barefoot as a child. About 7 years ago I started going barefoot much more frequently.

Why did you decide to be barefoot?

Shoes are complicated. Wearing the wrong shoes can lead to subtle injuries. Finding the right shoes is not simple. Buying the right shoes is not cheap. Many shoes are not ethically produced.

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

5. I run barefoot and spend most of my time barefoot but when I go out I usually where sandals.

What is your opinion on shoes and socks?

They are nice when it is cold or I am injured.

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

No. People stare, people comment, some places have signs prohibiting barefoot people. There are places like a pool where it is acceptable but in general it is not.

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

Only once. I was told once that shoes were required at a convenience store but they let me checkout without them. I usually wear sandals if I anticipate conflict

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

The best reaction is no reaction. Although I enjoy being barefoot it is best when it isn’t on my mind and being around people who don’t care is liberating.

The worst reaction is being told that I should wear shoes.

I try not to dwell on the negativity, sometimes it is harder than others. It is definitely on my mind when I visit places where people have reacted negatively, so it is taxing when something negative happens somewhere I frequent. I often end up wearing sandals to avoid confrontation.

How do you go about feet care?

I clean my feet when they are dirty. Sometimes I paint my toe nails because it makes me feel more confident. I have found that having clean feet and painted nails makes a better impression on people.

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?

Sometimes I have no shoes and no choice, but in general I will avoid coarse gravel or rocky asphalt.

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

Cold smooth tile. Tile is an easy surface to walk on and indoors it is often a few degrees colder than the air so I find it refreshing, like ice water.

What are the worst things you’ve stepped on?

Thorns and other pokey parts of plants.

Have you had any mishaps?

I’ve had countless slivers and a few cuts, nothing major.

How do you handle cold temperatures?

Avoid outside, move really fast, or put on my winter sandals.

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

I love running barefoot through the rain so I prefer spring but anything other than winter is great.

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

I tend to wear sandals whenever barefoot would lead to problems so I would say it hasn’t had a significant impact. Years ago I would push boundaries more and that would embarrass my wife so I don’t go barefoot as often as I would like to spare her any embarrassment.

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

I think the biggest challenge is trying to guess what will be tolerated socially. If I leave the house I have to ask if I will only be going places I can be barefoot. If there is any possibility of unexpected stops I often bring shoes or sandals just in case. It sounds like a minor problem but it is taxing to have to constantly think about.

What are misconceptions about being barefoot?

That it is unhealthy.

What are your fears that stem from being barefoot?

Being alienated from people.

What advantages of being barefoot have you experienced?

I run barefoot and I feel like the muscles in my feet and ankles are much stronger. There is nothing really specific but I just feel better balanced and more agile when I move around barefoot. Also I have saved thousands of dollars on footwear.

What disadvantages of being barefoot have you experienced?

Definitely more minor injuries. I’ll step on a rock wrong and my foot will hurt for a few minutes. I hate thorny plants. It is nice not having to pull thorns off shoes and socks but not fun pulling them out of my feet.

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

Tell them they are going to get hurt. We have spent alot of time barefoot and are much more aware of any dangers than you are.

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

I’ve never thought about it much. I feel like there are barefoot people in the media but like everything in the media it is beautiful people doing beautiful things. The norm is certainly shoes but that is mostly an accurate representation of society so I can’t complain too much.

What would you like to say to barefooters?

Hello?

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

Take it slow. If you always wear shoes it will take time and effort to strengthen foot muscles and skin to tolerate being barefoot more.

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

I wish it wasn’t an issue and people could wear or not wear whatever they want.

What would you like people to know about being barefoot?

That it doesn’t hurt.

Tell your story, opinions, experiences.

I’ve always enjoyed being barefoot but about 7 years ago I got some negative news about my health and decided to try to get in shape more. I started running and was struggling with ankle injuries and proper footwear. I mostly started running barefoot out of indecision, until I could figure out what shoes were the best to avoid injury I might as well run barefoot because it seemed better than bad shoes.

After a few months I just gave up on finding good running shoes and have run barefoot ever since. Some people claim being barefoot magically solves all their problems but I was still experiencing minor injuries like strains and sprains at about the same frequency. I would just take a break for awhile and let things heal before getting back to running. The last few years have been injury free so eventually I think the human body can adapt to anything. I think I would have had similar experiences if I wore shoes but for me barefoot is simpler, I don’t have to figure out what shoes to buy and I don’t have to pay for them.

Outside of running I try to go barefoot whenever I can. At first I tried to be more extreme and go barefoot everywhere but now I often wear sandals to avoid any potential conflict. I’m always barefoot outside or at a few places near me where I know they don’t mind but elsewhere I just default to sandals. It is funny that so many people respond to barefoot people with lectures about safety but it is not safety that drives me to put on shoes, it is always just to avoid confrontation from them. I do wish we lived in a more tolerant world but I don’t really think barefoot discrimination is comparable to what other groups experience so I just try to live my life and tolerate everyone the best I can.