I only went on a real barefoot adventure once, last summer. A friend and I walked barefoot to a local park, that has a huge forest and we went on a hike. It was really cool. We're doing it again a lot more this summer.
Yes, there's nothing like a good barefoot hike, i do one every month from the reserve. It's a pity i'm the only barefooter, but the others often claim to be jealous of me! (especially when they get blisters and i don't) There is a pic of me at their website, www.watersedgecountrypark.org click on "events" and i am at the top left.
I don't think I could even hike in shoes anymore. There's a park near my house with several trails. I take my dogs there most days and walk about 3 mi (5 km). Some weekends I take the whole 8.5 mi (13.5 km) loop. I figure I've walked at least 700 mi (1100 km) each year for the last 7 years without blisters or twisted ankles. Of course, I have injured my feet a few times—nothing that didn't heal within a couple of weeks. It's not a bad trade-off. In all that time, I've only seen a handful of other people walking barefoot. In fact, I think I've seen 5 children and 1 adult to be exact. The adult was carrying her shoes. Sometimes I see people in campsites barefoot, just not on the trails. If you ask me, hiking barefoot is the only way to go!
I LOVE barefoot hiking -- I try to get in at least 2-3 miles on a woodsy trail 3 times a week. It feels amazing. And great for one's feet, and spirit.
Barefoot hiking is actually safer in some ways as it is very hard to twist your ankle without the leverage of a boot heel. You are also less likely to trip and fall over things as you are more aware of the ground. Remember "barefooted is surefooted"!
I hike at least 3 miles every weekend with my dogs. Been BF hiking for 5 years and have only seen 3 other people BF on the trail. Last weekend, I saw footprints in the mud on a trail, but they turned out to be from a person wearing FiveFinger shoes. I've hiked all over the country and have had many conversations with people interested in why I do it. I tell them that hiking is a sensory activity. You have the sights, sounds, and smells that everyone enjoys, but you have to be barefoot to really enjoy the different textures on the trail. Every step is different. I've stubbed toes and ripped the ends off before, but that doesn't stop me. That only happens when I get in a hurry or my legs get tired. People always ask me if I'm afraid I'll step on something sharp. I tell them that I know exactly what each foot is going to step on before I step on it. I can predict the feeling I will have with each step.
