How many barefooters out there enjoy barefoot hiking in the woods/forest, enjoying the rich variety that Nature lays down?
Love barefoot nature walks and hiking. Haven't done much this year, but got in a good number of hikes last year. Longest was 8 miles on moderately rocky trails in the local mountains @5500 ft. I especially like mud and wet grass, but we don't get too much of that here, only average about 10-12" of rain per year. That trail in Austin in the photo above is not bad at all. The key is to start on real easy terrain and work your way up. Your feet will get in condition way faster than you think. Be prepared for comments. I prefer to hike during times and in areas with few people (more enjoyable), but even so, a surprising number of trail users notice and say something. All have been friendly comments. Have yet to see another BF hiker although I have on rare occasion found bare footprints (which are not mine).
forests are among my favourites. so many ways to roam around, and plenty of mud for most of the year.
I absolutely love it. Especially in springtime, when the ground may still be soggy, wet and muddy. I also used to hike in the New Mexico desert. It's mostly hard-packed earth, not the soft burning sands that'll cook your feet. Just look out for rattlesnakes, tarantulas, scorpions and cacti!
I spend a lot of time in timbers, forests, etc. I don't really want to be there barefooted though. But I get why some people might want to.
going barefoot in the wild poises some risks, mainly if you march alone for long distances or if's populated with poisonous animals, plants etc. i'd probably give up barefoot hiking in some countries... here the only serious threats are a few vipers. i can understand why some are not willing to take the risk. guess everything comes for a price... the higher the price the higer the value. maybe. i happened to cut my big toe pretty bad in the forest with nothing to bandage it, so i tore away the pocket from trousers to fix me the worst part was that when i finally came out of the wood i had to pick my bike and kickstart it, for good measure.
I don't like wearing anything in the forests, especially on my feet. There are so many nice textures to walk on, from stepping on crunchy leaves to dipping my feet deep in the mud.
