Any other Barefooters out there? - Page 36

[A_Random_Phrase]

Start with socks.

I never got used to rocks, even when I was a kid/teenager going barefoot all summer. I got out of the habit of going barefoot because, for about 8 years, I lived where it snowed in the winter and stickers, bullheads, etc. inundated the ground in summer. I've never been hard core barefoot, like some of the women on this thread. Now, this thread has encouraged me to resume my barefeet and even to try to go farther into it.
 

Originally Posted by mosomers 

This is an old thread, but if any of you are still reading it, maybe you can help me out. Barefooting sounds great to me--right up my alley as far as idealism goes. The problem is that I like how shoes feel! I hate walking in my kitchen which is always in need of a sweeping and having crumbs stick to my feet; I hate walking outside and having gravel and rocks jab me (part of the reason I'd like to go barefoot more--toughen them up!); shoes keep my feet warm; I hike a lot; it snows here and I hate the cold; I could go on, I'm sure. So my questions is, how can I break free of my shoe dependence and embrace the crunchiness of going barefoot?

[Brendalee]

I'm curious if wearing socks only is better than shoes; I mean, you still don't have that natural function, kwim?  There's still more slipping/sliding than would be with just bare feet.

Having said that, I am not a fan of shoes, but I do like socks (even - perhaps especially? - toe socks!)  Recently, I've noticed that wearing shoes has become EXTREMELY painful, esp in the arch area.  I have "flat feet" & had been wearing the same pair of sneakers often for a few years; I had some serious toenail/foot fungus problems going on & they smelled REALLY BAD, so I'd leave my shoes on out of embarrassment - which of course made the fungus issue worse!  I finally broke down & got a 'script & it's finally cleared up & I have resumed wearing just socks most of the time; I try to keep it to cotton socks & am in the process of making wool & wool/cotton socks.

When my fungal infection finally started to clear up, I got new shoes, not wanting to "catch" the fungal infection again; I haven't worn down the arch support yet.  Walking more than 5 minutes or so (sometimes less!) in them HURTS SO FREAKIN' BAD, though!  Even wearing the old sneakers hurts, just not as bad.  I dunno what I did, but my feet are in rough shape right now.  I'm having DP give me foot rubs every few days (now that I'm not embarrassed anymore!); I'm hoping between that & wearing just socks I'll get better.

So, I'm thinking of getting/making some moccasins, since I get cold easily & it's wet/snowy out here in Massachusetts.  I saw this advertisement in the current issue of Interweave Crochet (which has a website @ crochetme.com); anyway, the advertisement features 11 pairs of "slippers" that are made with what appears to be a soft moccasin base & either a crocheted or knitted upper & are crazy stupid adorable. (the ad itself is marketing the "slipper soles", thus giving away the actual patterns)  I'm sure that if what they are featuring as the "slipper sole" *ISN'T* just soft leather, that you could substitute the soft sole that comes in a moccasin kit (or just get a piece of the soft leather at, like, tandy leather or something & punch your own holes to knit/crochet through after you trace around your foot - this same concept might work with, say, a double-layer of old denim, too).

Anyway, some people have mentioned wanting to make their own shoes, and the instructions for all 11 pairs are available for free (so says the ad) at http://www.simplicity.com/t-slipper-sole-booties.aspx and are super cute.  1 pattern is supposed to look like bare feet (heh), some are boot height, some are just slip-ons (like moccasin-style); one design is even made to look like Converse All-Star high tops.  There are designs for kidlets & adults.  If you have knitting or crochet skills, I'm sure you could use some of the patterns as a base to make your own design.  So I thought I'd throw it out there for us crafty folk. :)

After I'm done crocheting this shopping bag (which should be finished later today), I think my next project is going to be figuring out how to make "barefoot socks" with sock yarn.  Just something that will keep my toes warm, and maybe cover the top of my foot, possibly the arch, but leave the ball of my foot & my heel exposed so I'll still have that natural gripping action of bare feet & thus maybe rebuild my arches a bit again?  I don't know if it's going to work out, if having my toes covered is going to affect it too much & I'll be better off/might as well just wearing "real" socks, but I figure I'll give it a try.  I'm hoping it works, though!

I used to walk all around the city of Boston in bare feet when I was a young teenager!  I had some older woman  run after me once to tell me I should put my shoes on (I was holding them in my hand) because I might step on broken glass.  I just smiled & told her that I walked w/out my shoes all the time & my soles were tough & could handle it & besides - I look where I'm going when I'm walking!  ;)  That was about the extent of people bugging me about it, & I carried my shoes for getting on the bus or going into stores, because I didn't know any differently at the time.

In regards to someone getting asked to leave the LIBRARY?  That's so strange to me, because my local library has a "boot box" by the door, so you CAN take your shoes off when you're in there & not track snow & dirt around!  Of course, it's kind of silly, since they don't REQUIRE people to take off their shoes, but still...no one would be asked to leave for not wearing shoes!  That makes me wicked irritated!

Hoping to be able to go barefoot far more often like y'all!  Looking on for inspiration!  *giggle*

[EchoSoul]

Yes! My fiance was always into it, it was just natural to him. I'd always scoff because whenever we went out he'd just step right outside with his socks on, and I could never understand why he did it. So I decided to research it, and I was so shocked to find out the health benefits, and all the negative impact that comes with wearing shoes! I'm still in the process of learning, such as realizing walking over different surfaces(grass, blacktop, pebbles, sand...) all require to walk slightly different. But I love it, :-D

[jenP]

Originally Posted by mosomers 

This is an old thread, but if any of you are still reading it, maybe you can help me out. Barefooting sounds great to me--right up my alley as far as idealism goes. The problem is that I like how shoes feel! I hate walking in my kitchen which is always in need of a sweeping and having crumbs stick to my feet; I hate walking outside and having gravel and rocks jab me (part of the reason I'd like to go barefoot more--toughen them up!); shoes keep my feet warm; I hike a lot; it snows here and I hate the cold; I could go on, I'm sure. So my questions is, how can I break free of my shoe dependence and embrace the crunchiness of going barefoot?

ah, the crumb thing!! I'm so glad someone else gets that! Personally, I wear my SoftStars pretty much all the time. All the health benefits and comfort of being barefoot, but with no little bits of stuff getting stuck on my feet. I just hate that feeling!

I came to barefooting last year. I wanted to lose some weight so I started running. I never could stand "running shoes"  with the ridiculous built-up heel, so I went in my Land's End "river trekker" sandals  (like a Keene but without the high heel of the keene.) Next thing I knew I had Plantar Fasciitis. Everyone wanted to blame it on running without "proper running shoes,"  and insisted that the cure would be to have shoes with othotics and never go barefoot, but that just did not make sense to me, especially since the only time I got relief from the plantar fasciitis was when I went barefoot!!  I looked into it, and discovered a book called "Barefoot Running" by Michael Sandler, and was lucky enough to go to one of his workshops, where I discovered I had injured myself not because of my choice of footwear but because of the way I was running (long stride, coming down on the heel.) Now all I ever wear are Softstars and my feet are getting stronger and healthier all the time. Going barefoot totally cured my plantar fasciitis!!

I also really cannot stand any shoe with "arch support," like Birkenstocks or Danskos. My arch is just fine, it doesn't need something pushing on it all the time to hold it up!

My big challenge has been winter. Can't find warm, waterproof boots that don't have big built-up heels and thick soles. I just ordered some Earth boots; I think they will work okay but they do have the dreaded "arch support." I also tried Uggs but though they are flat, the sole is so thick I felt no contact/gripping with the ground and my foot actually got all crampy trying to walk long distances in them. I think they are more for feeling warm and cozy while being mostly sedentary; I need a winter boot for hiking and sled-riding/playing in deep snow!

[bcblondie]

Jen P. A lot of barefoot runners wear water shoes. They're half decently warm, if you can believe that. You could wear socks underneath. And they definitely have the zero drop, and thinness/flexibility that you need.

[jenP]

Originally Posted by bcblondie 

Jen P. A lot of barefoot runners wear water shoes. They're half decently warm, if you can believe that. You could wear socks underneath. And they definitely have the zero drop, and thinness/flexibility that you need.

BCblondie, Thank you very much for your help, but I should clarify what I was talking about in my post. I'm good on the running shoes, using the softstars 'cause I run on trails (packed snow) or on sidewalks/street when it's cleared.

What I need is boots for winter outdoor activities other than running. Like, just playing in the snow with the kids, sledriding... that sort of thing, where I'm tromping around in deep snow. So I need something that comes up to mid-calf at least. It's been quite the challenge to find!

[bcblondie]

Oh. Yeah. I don't know anythign that high. I have the same problem. We have snowcover for 6 straight months. I'm ready to sew something myself! Fleece and a PUL layer or something... Dip it it shoe goo and then into sand for traction?

[jenP]

Originally Posted by bcblondie 

 I'm ready to sew something myself! Fleece and a PUL layer or something... Dip it it shoe goo and then into sand for traction?

That actually sounds like a pretty great idea!

[bcblondie]

Thanks. :) The shoe goo and sand thing I got from a member of a forum called Runner's World. Check it out. They have a barefoot section. Lots of great ideas for footwear.

[sweetpeppers]

shoe goo and sand, huh? interesting...

[bcblondie]

They should make vibrams that go to your knee lol.

Not sure if I'm allowed to post this but here's a blog link of a lady that did the sand thing. http://barefootkatiek.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-new-winter-running-bff.html 

And if I'm allowed to post the forum link I'll do that too. I have a thread full of winter minimalist shoe suggestions.

[greenacresmama]

I love to take off my shoes in nature and the shoes always get removed at the door here (as a house rule). I sadly forget my children's shoes all the time, here in Hawaii it is not a biggy, but the stores and certain sidewalks and parking lots do freak me out.. we try to avoid them. I wear Earth shoes, Birkinis (a great one I like because they can handle mud like no other shoes!) Naot's and I recently got the Mary Jane Keen's.. nothing like sandals.. I have been paying attention to my feet and the connection to the Earth for a long time now :) I think about 10 years.. My dress shoes are gold Earth shoe sandals.. a really dressy look. I love so much that I figured out my feet before I got pregnant and had kids! I too am looking for a nice winter boot.. certainly something to wear with stockings and skirts and hike as well. 

[Magelet]

I never used to have foot problems, but this winter, since I've been wearing shoes more because it's cold, and my feet have been causing me so many problems late. I've been having so much pain.  Barefoot seems to help, but it's been a problem.  I went to a podiatrist who said I needed expensive orthotics, which clearly is not the answer, but it's been an issue.

[jenP]

Winter boots.

Well, I finally found some Earth winter boots in the right size....and, disappointingly, they hurt my foot. What is up with that crazy high "arch support"?? It feels like walking on a golf ball. I had hopes they would be comfortable, but they are NOTHING like going barefoot. Sad, cause they were warm and fuzzy and OMG SO SO SO Cute!! My plantar fasciitis was flaring up within an hour of wearing them around my house. :-( So the search is back on.... here are some leads that might help any others of you looking for winter boots that don't hurt:

http://toegirltina.blogspot.com/2010/11/winter-wonderland-in-brooklyn-boots.html

[onyxravnos]

So in the summer time do you gals bring along a pair of shoes for the kiddos 'just in case you need them'? My ds'2 spend all their time from the moment the snow is gone until it comes back barefoot and my MIL is always on me about never having shoes for them. 

how many of you throw a pair in the car just in case something comes up where you need them? what kind do you keep for backups?

[greenacresmama]

Keens for both boy and girl (we went with brown and girl gets the old pair.. until the purple go on sale I guess). I got them once for $17 and bought two sizes! The other ones are "local slippers" flipflops and the girl baby has a pair of cloth shoes from Etsy. The boy also has a pair of rainboots and the baby can't wait for her turn! 

Shoes are fun sometimes! Just hard to remember.. We aren't into laces though.. just a thing that doesn't really happen around here.. 

[LessTraveledBy]

Originally Posted by mosomers 

This is an old thread, but if any of you are still reading it, maybe you can help me out. Barefooting sounds great to me--right up my alley as far as idealism goes. The problem is that I like how shoes feel! I hate walking in my kitchen which is always in need of a sweeping and having crumbs stick to my feet; I hate walking outside and having gravel and rocks jab me (part of the reason I'd like to go barefoot more--toughen them up!); shoes keep my feet warm; I hike a lot; it snows here and I hate the cold; I could go on, I'm sure. So my questions is, how can I break free of my shoe dependence and embrace the crunchiness of going barefoot?

I think for health, it is not so important to actually be barefoot, but to let your feet work as if you were. You could try wearing some sort of slippers, Feelmax "shoes," leather moccasines or something that would have extremely thin and flexible bottoms and enough space for your toes. I live in Northern Europe and cannot be barefoot for months out of each year. Winter with lots of snow is tough. (I can make my own boots for that but the  problem is that the soles can't be too thin because it gets so cold.) However, fall and spring are ok, as I can wear something that looks like shoes but has just a super think layer of rubber and a layer of leather under my feet. No padding of any kind, so I can stil feel the ground without my feet freezing.

[jenP]

Originally Posted by jenP 

Winter boots.

Well, I finally found some Earth winter boots in the right size....and, disappointingly, they hurt my foot. What is up with that crazy high "arch support"?? It feels like walking on a golf ball. I had hopes they would be comfortable, but they are NOTHING like going barefoot. Sad, cause they were warm and fuzzy and OMG SO SO SO Cute!! My plantar fasciitis was flaring up within an hour of wearing them around my house. :-( So the search is back on.... here are some leads that might help any others of you looking for winter boots that don't hurt:

http://toegirltina.blogspot.com/2010/11/winter-wonderland-in-brooklyn-boots.html

update: the Brooklyn boots were beautiful, and the foot part was very comfortable. However, the shaft was incredibly, painfully tight, and not adjustable (and that was with only a thin pair of tights on and me not having large calves. No way could you wear thick warm tights or heaven forbid tuck pants into those), and also too tall, like an English riding boot. So, sadly, back they went.

[yippiehippie]

Anyone tried luna sandals? I'm thinking about getting a pair for my mother's day present to myself:) They have a DIY kit which I thought was neat...

[mamayogibear]

Does anyone use vibram five fingers shoes? I have been wanting a pair for a while but can't afford them. It would be nice to hear some comparisons between the five fingers and barefooting by someone who has experience with both. I live in a city so rarely go barefoot outside of my house anymore but long for the days when I did.