Going Barefoot – It’s OK

More people are going barefoot then ever before. On a recent business trip to San Antonio, being a people watcher and a foot watcher, I couldn’t help but notice how frequently people go barefoot. Many people are taking this a bit further than I’d choose to do. I noticed several people walking barefoot through the hotel lobby. This was a large upscale hotel in downtown San Antonio. Then I noticed someone in the airport walking around the terminal in bare feet. On the plane coming home were several people in their seats with bare feet. One young lady walked up and down the aisle and into the plane’s lavatory in bare feet.
     Lest you think that going barefoot is only for walking and runners, consider the group Barefoot Hikers. Barefoot Chris (his trail name), a member of Barefoot Hikers, recalls the shocked reaction of hikers they encountered while on a weeklong barefoot backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. They heard stories of many other barefoot hikers, including at least two that had done the entire trail without shoes. Those interested in exploring the outdoors barefoot should check out  and the Society for Running Barefoot and Barefoot Living. The book The Barefoot Hiker by Richard Frazine is about hiking barefoot. Barefoot Hikers have chapters in many states.
     I met Ken Bob, the founder of Running Barefoot, when I was in Los Angeles last month. He was going to run the LA Marathon the next day–barefoot. Nice guy. I like the quote he has on his website from Stephanie Tourleson, the author of Natural Foot Care, "The best treatment for feet encased in shoes all day is to go barefoot. One-fifth of the world’s population never wears shoes, ever! But when people, who usually go barefoot, wear shoes, their feet begin to suffer. As often as possible, walk barefoot on the beach, in your yard, or at least around the house. Walking in the grass or sand massages your feet, strengthens your muscles and feels very relaxing. If you can cut back on wearing shoes by 30 percent, you will save wear and tear on your feet and extend the life of your shoes."
     When venturing barefoot onto trails or even pavement, you should take a few precautions. Start slowly with short barefoot excursions to give your feet time to adjust. Your feet are used to the support and cushioning of shoes, and going without will make a sudden change. Be attentive to the conditions of the path underfoot. Your feet can be cut or punctured by debris on the road or trail. If you want to run barefoot, start by walking. This strengthens the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the feet and ankles.
     Walking and running barefoot can be an excellent way to condition your feet in order to prevent blisters when you do wear boots or shoes. Your skin will be tougher and you may develop calluses. Yet, be forewarned—this is no guarantee that you will not get blisters! Blisters under skin-toughened calluses can take four to six weeks to heal, significantly longer than the usual two weeks it takes a normal blister to heal.
     Aside from the possibility of cutting your feet on glass or metal, if you have any cuts or open skin on your feet you take the risk of picking up an infection. Another concern is skin that calluses over. These calluses can split into fissures, or cracks in the skin. This opens the inner layers of skin to a greater risk of infection. If you step on something sharp and get a puncture wound, seek medical care. Puncture wounds typically close up and this seals any debris, germs, or contaminants inside the wound. If you choose to go barefoot it’s smart to take care of your feet. There is no point in getting an infection through carelessness.
     It’s OK to go barefoot, in fact it is fun and refreshing and makes your feet happy.