Barefooting exceptions?

I like seeing conversation here cause it's fun so imma imm another thread:

What are some places you will absolutely, definitely not go barefoot? Places that you are willing to put shoes on for?

For me:

- A scrapyard of any kind, or any place with a high density of small, sharp objects
- Gas station bathrooms
- Probably some really awful neighborhoods


Where do you guys avoid?

 

I guess for me this depends also in the situation but here are some examples I prefer some foot protection:

• Crossing scree slopes with loose material during hikes
• Climbing spiky iron ladders during hikes (but the usual ladders without spikes are ok)
• Very hot surfaces like the iron deck of a ship riding under the bright summer sun the whole day
• Areas with sharp-edged or cutting ground material

But sometimes you can bypass the “bad” section. For example on the steamer with the hot deck I was able to find a spot that was endurable because it was in the shade of some structure; or when I wanted to leave a train station recently and realized there were tons of broken glass outside the main exit I did prefer taking the time and looking for a side exit.

Concerning gross conditions at certain places for me it depends much on the circumstances and the kind of the dirt. I don’t have problems with the usual urban dirt, or walking with bare paws in a horse stable, and also using restrooms as long as there is no complete mess, but for example I would avoid running around in a slaughterhouse and step into blood puddles (I would avoid visiting a slaughterhouse, anyway).

 

Work but suspect that’s most of us! I could probably get away with it if I lock my office door but if anyone does come in it wouldn’t look right. Other than that I’ll go barefoot pretty much anywhere in normal life...hate public toilets though

 

I try to avoid public toilets if I don't need to, but if I need to go I don't usually mind going as long as there isn't poo smeared absolutely everywhere or something. I don't mind a bit of pee or whatever, I need to go.

I never thought about the slaughterhouse...I haven't been to one in ages and I remember definitely wearing boots for that.

 

Haha, this was just an example that came in my mind when i was thinking about places I would prefer to avoid going with naked paws. Have no experiences about it.

 

Molten lava.
Steel works.
Tool and die factory.
Iron maiden.
Ice storm.
Shit pile.
Cactus field.

 

Molten lava up to ice storm definitely.

Shitpile to be absolutely honest, I don't mind. I grew up on a farm without shoes except for extreme weather events and I don't even mind poo. When I was younger, I was indifferent in stepping in it but nowadays I definitely try to avoid it although it wouldn't bother me much. Although it would definitely depend on the poo. Cow or chicken poo? Fine. Human poo? Just no.

For cactus it would probably depend on the type of cactus. If it one with really small spikes then I wouldn't particularly mind although massive ones I'd not go anywhere near.

 

Huh? "Cactus field?" I've spend extensive time in the southwest and have never seen a cactus field. I've hiked barefoot extensively in the southwest, amidst cacti, without problem.
Now, Crossing scree slopes with loose material during hikes I would agree with. I've hiked the Rocky Mountains, and I know scree slopes. Murderous. Very dangerous even in sturdy boots.

 

I've come across a few a couple of times there but they haven't really been an issue for me. I usually just bypass it. And the one time I did cross a scree slope (a very long time ago), I did do it barefoot because I thought it would be easier barefoot because that way you can utilize your toes better plus have more flexibility. Not that I would do it again. It's not my sort of thing.

 

The scree slopes I've hiked were at 11-12 thousand feet, very steep and very loose. The rocks are going to shift. And they are sharp!
I still can't picture a "cactus field." I've been in cactus filled deserts, but the cacti are distinct; it isn't like you're going to step on a cactus no matter where you step.

 

I'd imagine a cactus field to be a place with a huge density of cactus and thorns everywhere. The tbkr a typically are flat on the ground though so depending on how you step, it won't be an issue. It'll just be extremely uncomfortable.

 

Likely fire ant areas. That was no fun.

 

OK, so you "imagine" what a "cactus field" is. Sorry, not trying to be argumentative...but I've been all over the southwest on my bare feet. Mostly you see barren ground with cacti here and there. I was just curious what a "cactus field" was.

I don't understand this comment: "The tbkr a typically are flat on the ground."

Actually, I was curious so I searched "cactus field" and found some eye-popping images, including this one. So yes, ouch! I'd rather be barefoot on the beach. But many beaches aren't very foot-friendly!

 

You will not catch me stepping on shit under any circumstances, unless the whole thing is a pure, 100% accident in circumstances wildy beyond my control. So unclean toilets, animal pens and such are boots only-material for me. I just don't enjoy the idea of hook worms or flesh eating bacteria from feces entering my system.

Also, I'm hesitant to barefoot in conditions where there might be corrosive materials, like quicklime, acids or gasoline on the ground. So gas station fuel pumps for example will see me wearing at least sandals for safety. I really don't enjoy burnt/rashy skin.

Naturally, if I'm aware of any sharp items on the ground (broken glass, metal shrapnel, nails) I'll avoid going trough that area, since I'm not yet aware of anyone, who could land his/hers full bodyweight on the sharp business end of a 3-inch nail that points straight up in the air, and not incur any damage as the fucker pierces one's tissues. I actually stepped on a nail about 4 years ago, and that kept me out of any barefooting action for about a month, as I waited for the wound to heal to avoid infections. Was September, luckily, so the prime barefooting season was by then over anyway.

Also, once temperatures drop below -10 Celcius (14 Fah), or colder, I'll stop all outdoors barefooting activities, including any short trips I might have otherwise made to pick up the mail for example, and switch to using boots. In my experiments, I've noticed that -10 C is the treshold, where your feet begin to get numb really fast, to the point of not feeling safe anymore.

Generally speaking, it's still wise to play safe to be able to play longer. If you lose your feet to some permanent injury, you will not barefoot ever again after that.

 

Human poo is something I will never get comfortable with but farm animals don't bother me really. Unclean toilets are an emergency only kind of thing, which happens rarely. Hookworm spreads through human feces which is why I don't use extremely bad bathrooms (gas station bathrooms) or any ones I think are really bad.

Corrosive stuff is an obvious, but gasoline is something that I've never found much of an issue where I live. Either way I have sandals in my car. I also own winter boots for...well winter. Same reasons as you.

 

Well for a start sadly I have to wear shoes and dreadful socks for work so that's the one place I go to daily that I'm not barefoot but as for other places I'm not a fan of the barbers barefoot I hate feeling hair under my bare soles, car auctions lots of people and lots of cars whizzing around and I think that's it.

 

my office is located at a wastewater plant so even "if" I could go barefoot at work I would not.

 

i once hiked through cactus fields that looked quite similar, during a tour round the mystic mines of Rodalquilar (Spain). It was no problem, as on the paths there did grow none of them, just along. But probably this depends on the species too.

Para los hispanohablantes con interés (desgraciamente no disponible en ingles):
Minas de Rodalquilar - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Btw. some scenes of the movie "Indiana Jones and the last crusade" were filmed here and around.

 

As I've stated before, I've hiked a lot in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. Usually when you see a patch like the one above, you can go around it. You definitely had to watch your step, though. I was actually more nervous about rattlesnakes than cacti. One of my favorite places is (or was) Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado...although now that it's a national park I can see It's already gotten too crowded. You can play in the water-a perfect wading stream, or scramble up into the sand. There is also a mountain hike, but too rocky and anti-climactic. The best time to go is spring as the sand gets scorching and I mean like baked potato hot in summer, and in the fall the river has mostly dried up. My favorite was to hike up river and get away from the crowd. Plus you get ankle and even knee deep in mud. A hike for the senses...not to get anywhere.

The cool thing about this river is that is flows in pulses, because it pushes the sand downstream. Sand will collect and cause a slowdown, but then the river pushes it along creating a ripple. A very fun river to play in! And as the picture shows, very shallow. And no rocks.

 

Another favorite place: Oregon Sand Dunes. Just make sure you go to the part where ATVs are banned! (unless ATVs are your thing)