How far could you walk barefoot?

So, I work from home, and go barefoot for most of my day. I was getting the mail yesterday, and the pavement was hot and it crossed my mind...I wonder if it would be possible to walk everywhere, barefoot? Like could you walk long distances barefoot? Like walk all the way to work barefoot or possibly from where you live to another state? lol I think about weird things, sometimes.

 

Deidre... have you never looked at the barefoot subforum? : P

I walked the Heaphy Track barefoot this year (74km I think?) over four days. I'm just so used to being able to do everything without shoes I didn't really give it a second thought. I didn't even take shoes. If I had been a normal person I would have had to be air lifted out of there, I think : ) But I am used to it, and managed. But it was painful, and I walked much slower than I usually would. I hadn't really considered the difference a heavy pack would make, or that it would be several days back to back. It was my barefoot limit. A great experience, but next time i'm carrying shoes at least.

 

Sure its possible. Think how many people around the world exist without any footwear. Could I do it? Not right off the bat. I'd have to build up to it.

 

And how far could I go? It depends on the surface. I could certainly spend all day barefoot on a trail in the woods but certainly couldn't do that on hot asphalt.

 

I've done longish hikes barefoot, 4-8 miles. It feels really nice on well worn forest paths that arent covered with leaves and acorns and other prickly things

I dont like hot pavement though, I wouldnt attempt a walk on hot pavement barefoot. To the end of the driveway and back is my limit there

 

lol I know but...I've never read about long treks barefoot. Maybe I need to read more threads.

This is exactly what I was wondering...and if it would slow someone down greatly. I walk very slowly barefoot out to my mailbox...not sure why, but maybe it's because I'm so super aware that I'm shoeless, and I'm concerned of getting stabbed by a piece of glass or rock in the driveway.

 

I do lots of barefoot walking on pavement. Miles. That’s also the Latin word for soldiers. So I’ll soldier on...delightedly barefoot!

 

I am always barefoot except for in deep snow in sub freezing temperatures. Even then I spend winters barefoot as much as possible, packed snow and ice isn’t a problem. I’ve hike mountain trails for miles and spent entire days walking around in the city.

 

It's just a matter of routine / training. Remember millions of people walk barefoot their whole life, it's the way to walk we're constructed for.
I've done hikes of up to 25 km wirhout problems, but this also depends on the trail ground kind if course.

 

25 miles = 15.5 miles. No thanks. I've had a couple days recently where I walked at least 10 miles (16 km). I'm presently wearing the only pair of shoes I own. They're both worn on the bottom. My feet could not take the rough surfaces. As for hot driveways or sidewalks, you'd get a good test here in central Connecticut. Definitely still late summer as we're into the low 80s (F) right now.

 

Low 80's are fairly mild in lots of places!

 

I grew up in the Caribbean...small island. Everyone goes about barefoot. I have walk miles barefoot. Through the mountains, rivers, streams, climb trees, you name it. Shoes were for school, church, and going to town. But in your neighborhood...barefoot.

 

Keep on keeping on! If you love doing it barefoot (as I do), gradually build up. If you choose not to, screw it. It’s merely a choice, not an obligation.

 

4-6 feet.


actual answer: i would think pretty much infinite? i can't remember any time in my life that my feet cried "hey, i need shoes."

 

On a nice soft plush carpet – indefinitely

 

"Big Girls Blouse"......



Cheers Glen.

 

The longest I've walked in one continuous walk is about 10/11 miles on a hike across all kinds of surfaces gravel, mud, stones, grass, pine needles more mud, wooden bridges (very slippery when damp)

 

That was one hell of a hike. Sounds great.

 

It was o ly last year and I have very fond memories of that walk one of my most enjoyable barefoot experiences.

 

Oh, I have. As some others have said, it depends on the surface. I've hiked the Rocky Mountains and had my dogs screaming for even a pair of flip-flops. Why do you think they call them "The Rockies?" I was on a short hike and didn't think I needed to worry. Wrong!