Good Morning all, For months I have really wanted to try barefoot hiking but cannot get myself up to do it. I was going to a local park that has a river running by, at like 630 in the morning in hopes I wouldn't see anybody else as I am trying to gradually progress into barefooting outdoors with minimal people if any at all, seeing me doing it. I Went a few times but there is always people there letting their dogs run loose etc so I would panic, turn around and leave. Last time I went a group went down there and trashed it. There was beer bottles and litter everywhere. I was pissed. Luckily the trash truck was there and I got a big bag from him and cleaned it. I decided this trail probably isn't going to work because of its small size and location. I downloaded the AllTrails app and found some local parks. I have looked at pictures, reviews, and most of the trails are paved. Then I seen some pics of a parks trails and decided I need to just drive there and at least walk it with shoes on to see if I like it. But even that I would get really anxious and not go. I would just wake up, fantasize about it and then go about my weekend. I woke up this morning with a big urge to just get up and go (Still overcoming foot shyness and have never gone anywhere with nothing on my feet period). I decided to bring my backpack, I put my water jug in it and if I felt comfortable, i'd take my shoes off and throw them in the bag. My backpack served as my security blanket, and I would wear sunglasses as well to make me feel more comfortable about people potentially seeing me barefoot. Remember, although it seems pathetic, I am just starting out with this and trying to overcome shyness as for I truly do hate shoes and socks. I got to the park and the parking lot was empty, so I knew I was most likely alone. It started out as a paved path along a creek, and then it had a wooden bridge over the creek, and a bunch of different unpaved trails in all directions. Shortly after crossing the bridge, I looked around and said fuck it. I took my shoes off and put them in my backpack. The trails felt absolutely amazing. I think I went maybe .5 miles in, then I crossed over the creek on a log bridge and decided to head back. I was having fun finding the cool hard dirt spots and just rubbing my feet into those spots. I took my time navigating over the trails that were full of roots, rocks, leaves etc. And here were some small yet big interactions I had. I was hiking back and seen a lady coming on the other side of the creek, I wasn't too bothered because the vegetation was hiding me from the knees down for the most part. Then I could hear chatter and laughter on the path I was heading down. I stopped, panicked, and turned around and started to speed walk to give time to put my shoes on but then I remembered crap that lady is down there now. Then I was like wait a minute, F these people, don't be a b*tch lol. So I turned around and headed towards them. We eventually met on the path, They got to single file, I said good morning, and the girl said it back. That was it. I was like phew that wasn't so bad. Later on I crossed paths with a guy running the trails, he nodded and kept on. I then passed two guys hiking, maybe 20ft of distance since I was now on the actual creek, and one of them waved. I kept on through the creek along the paved path at this point, and an older couple maybe 60s/70s went by. Guy waved, then the lady said good morning. I could hear them talking shortly after but that could of been anything. I finished up the hike, and I honestly wanted to keep on going for hours and hours but since it was my first time I figured an hour was enough for my feet being on the gravel, sharp rocks, roots etc for the first time. Which has me looking forward to the next time. I didn't put my shoes back on either when I got back to my vehicle. This was just an overall great experience. I am sure they won't all be like this. I kept wondering throughout my hike if those people even noticed me barefoot or not, and if they did, what did they think? Curious mind, not that it matters. I can't wait to go again, and I am glad to have found a new happy place I can hike at! Although I got hesitant and had some panic, I am really proud of myself that I kept on despite my uncomfortableness of people seeing me barefoot. I just had to remind myself this was about me, I was doing this for me and my pleasure. Screw what they think. p.s. if you're the first one to a trail in the morning, you're going to be a karate master by the time you're done. I have never walked into so many spiderwebs in my entire life LOL.
Hopefully, you will get a lot more addicted to barefooting than other peoples' approval. You're actually doing them a favor giving them the idea. Even if they reject it at first, they may just hear their soul crying ......"try it.....you just may like it."
The more you do it the less you’ll start to care about what others think. For the most part they don’t actually care, but you might sometimes get positive comments and conversations with people who say they’re going to try it too or are even barefoot at well. A good way to build confidence is to go to busy areas where the volume of people means your feet are almost hidden, especially if it’s summer and others are wearing sandals. I used to worry about people seeing me but have been barefoot pretty much everywhere since I cared less - cities, restaurants, shops, pubs, countryside, hills, usually with no problem!
When you go barefoot in public just act normal and some people won’t even notice that you’re barefoot.
I am more than certain you're most definitely right. These days I wear minimalist sandals the most. I am down to 2 pairs of shoes and outside of the gym and cold weather, they're being worn less and less as the years have gone by. Maybe someday I will actually go barefoot in a store. For now, doing it while hiking is my progression
much like anything else, confidence is always the key. I have struggled with that in many areas of my life, and still do. Getting better though. .
They suck! This morning if I had to guess I hiked atleast 2 miles as for I was on the trail for 1.5hrs. The spider webs this morning were unreal!
I would've just left the shoe thingies in the car to lighten the load, and maybe brought along some bandage instead, in case a wound requires it. But that's just me. Yes, this absolutely happens, and is a very real thing. You can build up confidence. I've barefooted in a lot of public places again (including a bank building) now that the summer season is upon us. Over time it just becomes second nature. The trick is to just stubbornly keep at it. Spiders? I don't see how they could be threatening.
They aren't threatening at all, it just sucks when you're walking along a path and your face catches one... like every 10-25ft lol.
