started going barefoot

For the past couple weeks I've been going barefoot everywhere and I'm loving it.

The only downfall is all the glass. but you learn to watch out for everything when your walking.

I can't wait for my feet to toughen up! How long did it take you for your feet to toughen up?

 

I'm glad to hear that you've decided to enjoy going barefoot! It's such a simple pleasure, but very primal, and unfortunately it's so simple that it just goes so easily overlooked.

You will get used to watching where you are about to step. That's a natural development of self-preservation that becomes necessary when you go barefoot in places where people have been inconsiderate enough to let trash go astray.

As far as your feet getting tougher... I have to say that I agree with Blackie that it doesn't really necessarily happen. I go barefoot for almost all of every day, and when I wear shoes I simply wear flip-flops. I spend far less than one full day per year in actual closed shoes. My feet are NOT all calloused-up and toughened as one might think. They still have some softness to them. BUT, I don't want to depress you, so I'll tell you this. I have no problem going barefoot all over the place, even on rough gravel and rocks, despite the fact that I don't have like a quarter inch of "leather" on the soles of my feet.

What I'm saying is that even if your feet don't get visibly tougher, and even if the skin doesn't feel any tougher, your tactile sense will get used to going barefoot and that will be enough. It will.

Have fun and be safe.

Blue skies,
-Jeffrey

 

The most important thing is not to drag your feet. Skin -even normal skin- can stand quite a bit of pressure from a sharp edge, but as soon as you make a cutting move along it, you'll easily do some damage (even very tough, thick skin will get some 'surface damage', and depending on the rest of the circumstances, perhaps more). You can easily see what I mean by taking a piece of scrap leather, or even try it on a piece of meat at the table (not chopped meat or a burger ). Take a knife, press it straight down, then lift it... next cut like you normally would, see the difference.

Of course you can't go around hopping straight up but make sure you don't shuffle your feet more than necessary, and if you see broken glass anywhere, make extra-sure to step lightly. I rarely go around but I do step 'lighter', not pushing off as much, when I come across a broken bottle laying in the street. The danger is mostly from tiny splinters (which are usually easily picked out and no great nuisance) and large, jagged pieces (which can usually be seen & avoided.. I wouldn't step straight on to the bottom of a bottle no matter how light my step!).

 

ive been going barefoot for quite some time now, always in the house, during summers i would never wear any shoes. been that way since i was a kid.

 

thx for your input.

 

Thats great, im real happy for you. Im sure its a real pleasure for people walking by to see your beautiful feet, at least I know it would be for me. I hope you enjoy yourself and stay comfortable

Besides im sure it takes more than a lil bit of glass to do anything to your feet If anybody's feet can get through glass saftey its yours.

If you go barefoot enough theyll get toughened up real quick and theyll look just as great too.

 

well ive been "unshod" for 3 yrs or so now and ive stepdded on things such and tacs and thought they were nothing more then small rocks

i am actualy transfuring to a college in tennessee so i can go barefoot longer then here in maine (9 mos winters)
just keep at it and enjoy

 

Spring is a wonderful time of year to begin barefooting. Although I've yet to feel much warmth I know it's coming. Last year I was able to do my first long bf hike (2.5 miles) around the middle of march. I came across a few guys who also were hiking who asked what I was in training for I told them I just love to hike barefoot they thought it was the coolest thing. One of them said he had a friend who did martial arts and barefooted alot. I think they would have joined me but the packed snow on the trails was more than they were ready for. As for toughness build strength in your foot muscles by walking or running on a variety of terain your soles will develop in their own good time. You'll notice your calves the most as they need to stretch more than they would in shoes. like jay said above "just keep at it & enjoy" I know you will.

 

Trust me I have nothing stopping me from going barefoot, always.... You know I never really even thought about barefooting until I starting enjoying this site! ... and now I could never go back!

 

i've been barefoot for a while and find that most of the bits of glass, etc i step on dont actually pierce the skin. But I live next to a small car park that has a lot of broken glass and little stones in it.. so i always have a pair of jandals/flip-flops in my bag that i can put on when i come across a potentially painful place to walk. Also i study science and i'm not allowed into the labs without footwear on so i have to keep a pair of shoes handy so its easy enough to just whip them on if i think i'll get cutted feets.


wow that was a helpful post.. haha.... .. . ... .

 

I do that near the local primary school.
Honestly, the streets are so dirty, it looks like a garbage truck exploded.

 

You live in Calgary and you're barefooting already? Damn, that's gotta be pretty cold! You've got my respect!


Me, I'm waiting till it's a bit warmer. I can't wait though, and there have been a few sunny days that were warm enough for a bit of barefooting, which I greatly enjoyed.

 

I want to go barefoot. I always do the whole summer, but how can I when you have to ware shoes in order to be let into certain store, and my school makes us were shoes too. so even if i didnt go barefoot ALL the time, could I still say i am being barefooting? or how do i even say that? can i say that i do barefooting? or can i say that i am a barefooter? if anyone of those makes sense... haha

 

You'd be a barefooter, or going barefoot.

And yes, that counts. It's hard in our society to be a full time barefooter, but given that you do it when you can (depending on the seasons or business/school), yeah, you're a barefooter.

 

"Way to go" all you new barefooters it's no secret since humans first stood on their own two feet there have been barefooters. Join the fun as much as you want ! Really who's to stop you but yourself. nobody's gonna tie you down and force shoes on your feet.

 

The snow is melting...in about a week it will be barefoot walking time! *squeals in delight*

 

carry flip flops around, very easy to slip on