Barefooter's footwear configuration

Hi guys,
i read about barefooting just 1 week ago and i realized that it's impossible in every situation.
I was intrigued in this practice when i read that it's healthy (posture, varicose veins, etc...) and it could cure my flat-feet (my case isn't so much grave).
So, before starting this lifestyle, i want to plan a configuration to protect my feet when i can't go barefoot.
My idea:
-wear always a small backpack where i store a pair of flip-flops, so i can walk securely even when it's dark, when i am in the dressing room of my gym, etc...
-wear a pair of Chuck Taylor All-Stars on the snow, when i'm in the chemical lab or when it's really too cold.
STOP.

I live in north-italy and the climate is continental

It's only an idea, i haven't any experience in this area so i ask you if there's a more healthy configuration in relation with posture, flat-feet and even comfort.
Finding some brand of footwear it's impossible here (for example terra plana, vibram) or specific model (for example nike free), so i prefer an advice regarding common footwear (for example all-stars chuck taylor, asics tiger) or a category of footwear (mocassins for example).
I will try to go barefoot everytime, everywhere, disregarding that here it's a tabu (in Italy i never seen a barefooter in my whole life).
Finally a question: hypothetically i start the day barefoot and later i have the necessity to wear shoes, then i have to put in shoes my dirty feet , so can i catch diseases (fungus for example)? and if i wear and slip off my shoes more times a day?
Sorry for my bad english
:cheers2:

 

Preferences:
a) most time ---> barefoot
b) too dark/grass/locker room/sauna/pool ---> flip-flops
c) too cold/snow/labs ---> sneakers (e.g Chuck Taylor)

Post yours!

 

It's not really something you have to delve so deeply into.
Barefoot wherever you can, and when it isn't safe to, IE in a chemical lab, too cold conditions, or if you are in an area where you could potentially encounter stepping on sharp objects or glass, then don't.

Barefoot within reason, that's what I do.

 

I agree, indeed i'm asking what do you wear when you can't go barefoot.
If you almost always go barefoot, then you can't wear uncomfortable footwear.
Some kind of footwear are more healthy.

 

In that case docksiders (boating shoes) or mocassins are very close to being barefoot since the tops and sides are very soft. You just won't get much traction uphill in the snow.

 

This summer, I was barefoot 70-80% of the time, in flip-flops about 15%, and in Vibram FiveFingers about 5%. The occasions I wore close-toed shoes could probably be counted on 2 hands.

Now that the weather is changing over, though, I'm slowly transitioning to sneakers.

 

IMHO:
Barefooting is itself embarrassing, so why wear FiveFingers or soft-soled mocassins which are uncool?

 

Chuck Taylors provide decent traction in the snow if they are not well worn. If they are canvass they breathe pretty well and your feet don't sweat - and they feel great without socks! Otherwise, flip flops the rest of the year when you can't go barefoot. Never had any problems putting my 'dirty' feet into shoes - after all they have less bacteria and fungus then if they had been in shoes all day. Enjoy your new lifestyle!

 

thanks bftEd


Regarding the hygiene, i have read that you have to be careful switching footwear. Read this:

 

I've only worn my FiveFingers "in public" once. I usually wear them for running when the pavement is too hot or too cold or for golfing.

 

I don't find going barefoot embarrassing.

 

know what? i think you don't belong to this board, nor to this forum. consider finding some other place to spit your bullshit.

 

I think you should not exclude people from this forum who still find it difficult to be barefoot in public.

 

i am doing that for reasons that go well beyond the topic of this forum. it is strictly an Italian thing that all the non Italian folks can safely ignore . i know that and he knows that and he also knows well why i am just plain sending him to fuck himself in hell . no problem from my side if i get banned for this, it is a good cause. i hate racist, violent, ignorant, intolerant nazi asswipes.

 

You must be pretty angry!

 

The healthiest footwear: sandals; also the most comfortable - even with socks (OK I know it is pathetically dorky, but not in the winter in Pennsylvania).

Bare feet are the most fun, but not safe or practical everywhere. A friend's daughter is a college freshman, and was bummed she could not go to classes barefoot (I don't know why she thought she could). She carries flip flops in a back pack for when she enters campus buildings.

 

Bare feet are the most fun, but not safe or practical everywhere. A friend's daughter is a college freshman, and was bummed she could not go to classes barefoot (I don't know why she thought she could). She carries flip flops in a back pack for when she enters campus buildings.[/QUOTE]

Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW) campus seems to be very barefoot friendly as I saw 3 students barefoot yesterday if you add me that's four

 

Barefoot is barefoot,and thats the plearsure of it.You need to toughen your feet m'boy.Start of by walking barefoot in and around your yard,and the sidewalk for app. 2 weeks,then on the tarmac,1 week,everytime you go somewhere, then around a park,its rougher,app 2 weeks,then reguluary,a forest path or dirt road.THEN DO A MOUNTAIN WALK.Once You're comfortable,do a 4 day mountain hike bare feet.IF you have been barefoot ,and then put ön shoes,no danger of illness,sweat is sterile,but after a day,it starts to smell!,rather stay barefoot.In snow,wear warm shoes and socks,in thorny patches,shuffle your barefeet.Tis the old fashioned toughning!Solidly barefoot,toes in the dirt barefooting!NO BAREFOOT- WEAR.

 

I have to wear "shoes" to work, so I wear crocks, which bends the rules quite a bit as it is. By wearing crocks, I can easily just slip them off and putter around the office barefoot from time to time. I'm pushing my luck doing that at work. Other times or places I'll wear flipflops and slip them off too when I think its safe and I won't be hassled too much. Most everywhere else I'm barefoot, like this afternoon at Walmart (no problem!).