[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]If you want more info about the benefits of going barefoot there’s a really good podcast called The Movement Movement. It’s about different ways of moving more naturally, which includes going barefoot but also discusses a lot of other movement related topics. Just look up “The Movement Movement” or “Steven Sashen” on Youtube. He has a lot of really interesting guests and is pretty interesting and entertaining himself.
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@StevenSashen-JTMM
Website: https://jointhemovementmovement.com/
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How would you describe a barefooter?
Someone who prefers to go barefoot whenever possible, even at times/places when shoes are expected and others would find it unusual (or even “inappropriate”) to be barefoot.
How long have you been barefoot?
10 to 15 years – about 75% of the time (excluding work and church).
Why did you decide to be barefoot?
This answer is a little longer. At first, I just felt it was more comfortable, especially driving home from work on a summer day.
I also started training Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art). That meant the most physically active thing I was doing was done barefoot. That made my feet stronger and more flexible, and less comfortable in shoes.
That pushed me to look for a more minimalist style shoe which crossed over into finding out that some people preferred to ditch shoes altogether (busting myths about barefoot being illegal, etc.). I decided to experiment with it, by spending a month going barefoot everywhere I could, and seeing what reactions I got. Most people didn’t notice or say anything, and those who did, mostly reacted positively. After that first month, I decided I liked it enough that I didn’t stop.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how “extreme” are you?
I’d say about 7 or 7.5
What is your opinion on shoes and socks?
About the same as my opinion on gloves. They’re useful for protection when unusually harsh conditions require it. The average public street, park or business doesn’t qualify as ‘unusually harsh conditions’ so I don’t wear them.
Do you think being barefoot is socially acceptable? Why or why not?
I think it’s totally acceptable. It isn’t hurting anyone or breaking any laws. It’s a personal choice just like wearing a hat or not; wearing long pants or shorts; wearing a hoodie or a tank-top. Some people think bare feet look unpleasant, but that could be said about a lot of things. Others might think sleeve-tattoos and facial piercings are ugly, but we don’t go around telling people who have them to cover up because “no one wants to see that.”
Have you ever not been able to go in somewhere/refused service because you didn’t have shoes on?
Only twice in 10+ years. In both cases I went back a few weeks later without any problems being barefoot.
What are the best and worst reactions you have gotten? How do you deal with bad reactions and unsolicited opinions?
Best reaction I had was at Subway. When the guy behind the counter, and the other customer who was there, noticed I was barefoot, they asked about it and it led to a brief conversation about the health related reasons for going barefoot, and they generally approved of the idea.
Worst response was at Winco. Two of the employees were convince that it was a huge liability issue (it’s not) and that they’d get fired if someone found out they’d let me in barefoot. A few weeks later, I went barefoot there again and no one cared.
How do you go about feet care?
I keep them clean. I use a file to keep the skin on my heels from getting too thick, and moisturizer (like CeraVe, Aquaphohr, or Bag Balm) to keep the skin flexible and prevent cracking. So, pretty much the same things as people who wear shoes.
Do you wear foot jewelry?
No. I’ve considered it but it’s not really my style.
Have you dealt with fetishers?
Not in person, but the prevalence of it in on-line platforms is a little frustrating. It gives the inaccurate impression that the only reason people go barefoot is because it’s a turn-on. For the majority of barefooters, it’s healthier and more comfortable. End of story.
Do you walk on everything or are there surfaces you don’t walk on?
Most surfaces are fine. If I’m at some industrial facility, like a scrap-metal yard or garbage dump, I’ll put shoes or sandals on, but I rarely need to go places like that. I also live in a place where the temperature can get as high as 110F in the summer so I’ll wear sandals when the ground gets too hot.
What is your favorite surface to walk barefoot on and why?
New fallen snow in the winter (as long as it’s not too much below freezing)
Freshly tilled soil in the spring
Cool, damp grass in the summer
Dry leaves in the fall
Why? Try it, and find out. ;^)
What are the worst things you’ve stepped on?
I called it a hell-weed but it was either a Bull Thistle or a Spear Thistle. The leaves have really thin spines that, if you touch them, leave your skin stinging and itching for a good 20 or 30 minutes. I also stepped on a Goat’s Head plant. Hurt about as bad but didn’t last as long.
Have you had any mishaps?
Nothing while barefoot. I did lose most of a toe to a lawn mower in my late teens, but I was wearing heavy hiking boots at the time. The shoe barely slowed the blade down. “You need shoes for protection when using a lawn mower or other tools,” is something of a myth. Anything that will seriously damage your foot will go right through a shoe too.
How do you handle cold temperatures?
If I’m going to be out in the cold – below 35F – for a long time, I’ll wear shoes (and maybe gloves too). If it’s just going to be fore a minute or two (getting something out of the car, taking out the trash, checking the mail) barefoot is fine, even if the temps are well below freezing and there’s ice/snow on the ground.
In your experience, what season is best to be barefoot?
I like fall and spring the best. The extremes of winter and summer need a little more thought to be sure going barefoot would be comfortable.
How does being barefoot affect aspects of your life (love, career e.t.c)?
I’m not currently dating anyone so no effect there. Family and friends are pretty much used me being barefoot more often than not.
I wear shoes to work. After all, they’re paying me so they get to set the dress code. I may or may not kick them off under my desk when I’m in my office. I also wear shoes at church because, while I wouldn’t care if someone was barefoot there, it’s unusual enough that it might make others uncomfortable and distract from the spiritual growth and learning we’re there for. So I choose not to rock that boat, and put up with shoes for a couple of hours.
What challenges do you run into (physically, socially e.t.c)?
Nothing beyond the occasional negative comment from a random stranger, but those are few and far between. Physically, I might get the occasional cut or scrape but I get cuts and scrapes on my hands too, probably more often. That’s just part of life. You clean it off, put a band-aid on it, and get on with your day.
What are misconceptions about being barefoot?
This could be a long one, so brace yourself.
1. It’s illegal – There aren’t actually any law against being barefoot in public, in businesses, while driving a car, etc.
2. It spreads disease – Going barefoot doesn’t spread anything that shoes don’t. Any germs that are on the ground generally stay on the ground. And there isn’t some unique population of crazy, strange flesh-eating germs that only exists below the ankle, just waiting to make your hair fall out and turn your bones to pudding the second you take your shoes off.
3. It will make you sick – Most germs make you sick when they get in through a mucous membrane (nose, mouth, eyes, etc) not by somehow absorbing through your feet (or hands or elbows, or shins or any other part of your skin) The exceptions to this that seem to come up all the time are:
* Tetanus – Not specifically a foot infection. It can come from any cut or puncture wound contaminated with tetanus spores, and evidence suggests that wounds on the face or head can actually be worse. Whether you go barefoot or not, get a tetanus booster every 10 years or so. You’ll be fine.
* Hookworm – extremely uncommon in the U.S. or anywhere else with a working sewer system. To get hookworm, you would have to walk on a surface that was recently pooped on by someone who’s already infected. Even then, you would have to walk there within a fairly narrow time window during which the conditions haven’t been hot, cold or dry enough to kill the larvae. And you would have to stay in contact with the larvae for several minutes without entering an environment that’s hot, cold or dry enough to kill the larvae.
* Athlete’s foot/toenail fungus – Exposure to a fungal infection isn’t likely to result in anything unless you give it a dark, damp, warm shoe to grow in.
* Ringworm – Not a worm and has nothing to do with going barefoot. It’s a fungal infection, similar to athletes foot, but affects other parts of your skin.
* Touching germs in general – You’re worried about your feet touching germs on the ground? Take a bacterial swab of the inside of your shoes after you’ve been wearing them all day and see what grows. I dare you.
4. It’s bad for your feet and will cause bunions/flat feet/plantar fasciitis/etc – Most of these issues happen because people wear shoes all the time, which weakens the bones, muscles and tendons in your feet enough that they’re not very good at their job anymore. On top of that, most shoes aren’t very foot-shaped so we end up with feet that are shoe-shaped. Shoes cause more foot problems than going barefoot does.
5. Grounding – Anything that talks about connecting with the Earth’s electrical field, or magnetic energy, or exchanging electrons, or moving ions around, is pseudo science, heavy on the pseudo and not much science. There are health benefits from going barefoot but they’re almost entirely because getting out of shoes that immobilize your feet with a bunch of padding, arch support, heel lift, toe spring, and poor shape, allows your feet to work the way they’re supposed to. Your joints are aligned better, walking/running produces less impact, you get more sensory feedback telling you how your body is moving, you get better blood circulation, and the bones, muscles and joints actually move the way they’re meant to.
I could go on, but I’ve probably already lost you and I think I’ve made my point.
What are your fears that stem from being barefoot?
None really. I was really nervous the first time I went barefoot into a business but when no one seemed to care, I relaxed and got over it pretty quick.
What advantages of being barefoot have you experienced?
My feet and ankles are stronger. My balance is better. I think it’s improved my reflexes a little. Mostly I just find it more relaxing and comfortable to be barefoot.
What disadvantages of being barefoot have you experienced?
None that I haven’t already mentioned in previous answers.
What are things to NOT say or do to barefoot people?
“Hey, you forgot your shoes!” or anything else that’s supposed to point out that I’m barefoot, as if I didn’t already know. It’s not as clever as you think, and you’re certainly not the first person to make that joke.
If you want to know why I’m barefoot, just ask. I don’t mind talking if you’re genuinely curious. Even if you disapprove of it, I’m happy to have a conversation as long as it’s civil.
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 see it portrayed in the media much, and most of those portrayals aren’t what I would call authentic. Most movies, commercials and TV shows show people with shoes on almost all the time. Even when they’re just relaxing at home, which doesn’t really reflect reality. When it is portrayed it’s usually to highlight the character’s very eccentric personality. It would be a huge improvement to ust showing people going barefoot in places where it’s fairly common – at home, backyard, park, beach, etc – not with any special emphasis. They’re just barefoot because they are, like it’s no big deal. Because it’s no big deal.
What would you like to say to barefooters?
Cool! I’m glad I’m not the only one. Have a nice day.
Give tips to new barefooters and people looking to go barefoot.
Start slow. Years of wearing shoes has probably made your feet weaker, just like your arm would be weaker after wearing a cast for a couple of months. It will take a little time for the muscles and bones to get up to the strength they should be.
Also, don’t worry about what other people think of you going barefoot. Most people don’t care. If you’re barefoot in public, walk with confidence. If your demeanor is timid or nervous, as if you’re doing something wrong, others will assume you’re doing something wrong. If you’re walking like it’s totally normal and just another day, people will mostly assume you know something they don’t and leave you alone.
How do you wish our society would perceive and treat barefoot people?
The same way society treats any other people. Like people.
What would you like people to know about being barefoot?
Most of the time shoes are just unnecessary, and going barefoot is a lot healthier than wearing shoes. People think it’s dangerous, dirty or even illegal but it’s none of those things. Just like any other part of your body, your feet need to be used and exercised to stay healthy. So go barefoot more. Not necessarily in public if you don’t want to, but maybe around the house more. Go barefoot in the yard or out to get the mail or for a short walk around the neighborhood. Trust your feet, give them a chance to do their job, and they just might surprise. It’s not a magic cure-all but you will be healthier for it and you might even start to like it.
Tell your story, opinions, experiences.
As a final thought, I think it’s sad that our feet get such a bad rap. Most people, even podiatrists, assume that our feet just aren’t up to the task of walking, running, jumping, climbing and generally moving us around the world. We think they need the help of a well padded supportive shoe. No other part of our body gets treated this way, as if it was designed wrong. It would be nice to see that change, but we have hundreds of years of negative attitudes and bad information about feet to overcome.