Barefoot Sandals

I’m curious about people’s experiences with “barefoot sandals.” They’re the “fake sandals” that consist of a loop around the 2nd toe, with a strip connecting to a wrap around the ankle. They leave the sole completely bare but give the impression you’re wearing something on your feet.

I looked on-line for some suitable for a male, but couldn’t find any – except for some funky “male barefoot sandals” with seashells on them. Fine for a beach event, but would leave people scratching their heads otherwise. The female barefoot sandals are typically adorned with jewels, crystals, and/or multi-colored stones/beads. That wouldn’t do it for me, so I made my own using some leather shoelaces (~$4 retail). In my opinion, they turned out pretty decent, so I decided to give them a try.

I wore them to a Home Depot (no shirt, no shoes signs posted, but I’ve never had it enforced) to buy a piece of drain pipe for our flower bed. I’d been to this location barefoot previously, so I looked at this as a “dry run” (actually more of a “wet run” as described below). I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I asked an employee about my age for help. He said all the flex pipe was outside. He went with me to show me where it was. It was drizzling, and the area where the flex hose was located was uncovered and the concrete was wet. I mention this because after getting the hose and walking back inside to pay for it, I left a trail of wet bare footprints behind me! It was pretty funny! I don’t know if the employee noticed, but I realized the footprints were a dead giveaway that my sandals had no soles!

I gave them a few other tests as well. I pushed it a bit further and wore my barefoot sandals to lunch at a local “Olive Garden.” My policy has been that I’d go barefoot to fast-food type places, but wore flip-flops if it was a table-service type of restaurant – just my own guideline. As with most Olive Gardens, the entrance was wide with a podium where one requests seating. I figured without my barefoot sandals I’d likely get hassled/denied service as my feet were fully exposed in the open area of the restaurant. To my relief, one of three people at the podium picked up a menu and led me to a table. I ate lunch with my barefoot sandal-clad feet in view. It was sort of funny - I was seated in a room along with a lot of older ladies playing cards. Apparently the restaurant lets them in a bit early to use the tables for their games. No comments from anyone. I finished lunch, and left without incident.

To further test my barefoot sandals, I wore them to breakfast at a local sit-down diner chain, Gunther Toody’s. No issues. I also wore them to revisit the few establishments that have hassled me in the past when I entered barefoot. This includes a Target store I was asked to leave when I entered in my bare feet (see old thread “Bummer at Target”). Still I had no problems. I also went to a Walmart Super Center in my barefoot sandals. From what I’ve read in this forum, Walmart can be a bit of a challenge. I went in, passed the greeter, and went all over the store without incident. Realistically, I had the impression bare feet would have been fine, so I don’t know how much of a test this was.

I’m just curious about other’s experiences. I plan to revert to my standard practice of naked feet in public, but feel that I can fall back on the barefoot sandals if I have concerns about where I’ll be going. For the most part this means I’ll be able to take my bare soles into a broader selection of restaurants than I’ve visited in the past. The barefoot sandals are extremely comfortable (why wouldn’t they be?), and I’m really not seeing a downside to them – except that I’m a “barefoot purist” who would much prefer to expose my feet without any pretence of wearing shoes/sandals.

 

I've had positive experiences with barefoot sandals. Once in a Walgreen's I had a manager give me that second look at my feet. He replied "cool shoes" and stated his wife had a pair of them back in the 60's.

 

I've only liked a couple that I've seen, most are too lady like for my taste. They were made with what looked like black tubing. The leather lace idea sounds good. Be interesting to have a look at them. Restaurants were a great proving ground.

 

Here's how they turned out. Looking at the various designs I saw on-line, I think they turned out pretty decent. Similar design to what's sold, but without all the feminine ornamentation (Sorry ladies, no offense intended, but jewels, beads, crystals, etc. look great on feminine feet, but look a bit strange on a guy). Kiwi sells leather shoelaces (called "Outdoor" on the package). I've found them in grocery stores and department stores. Each lace is ~72 inches in length, and a pair of two sells for $4-$5. Surprisingly I probably used 50-60 inches of the length to make each sandal. If there's interest, I can explain how I made them.

I really don't think they fool anybody if they're really trying to decide if you're wearing footwear. The reasons I think they're effective are:

• Just casually noticing anything on a person's feet makes the observer think the person has footwear.
• Even if an employee is suspicious, I don't think many want to risk a conflict by asking you to show them the bottoms of your feet.
• If there is a "No Bare Feet" policy in effect, the barefoot sandals give employees an excuse not to risk a conflict. They can always tell their manager, "It looked to me like he/she was wearing sandals."
• I still think there are a lot of folks who could care less if you're barefoot, wearing barefoot sandals, wearing closed-toed shoes, or whatever. They're just happy you've entered their business!

 

Your design is very similar to what I have done. The difference being I have one loop around the ankle and tie them in the back. If you make them a bit loose you can slip them on and off without untying them.

 

,,

 

I'd like to see your design if you don't mind. Yeah, I was trying to decide where the best place would be to tie them - front, back, side. I just went for the side and figured I could make another set if I didn't like it.

How have your experiences been with your barefoot sandals in public?

 

Here are a couple of pics of mine. I apologize for not getting these up sooner but life has been a bit crazy lately.

I don't wear them in public very often, and when I do its with jeans so I really can't say whether they are effective or not. I'm not even sure thy have been noticed at all.

Good luck with yours.

 

I made me some as well, but without the string, its just two loops tied together one for my toe and one fot the ankle. Looks like Im wearing toe slippers but without the nasty feeling

 

Thanks for the pix bft4evr! Yes, yours are very similar to mine. I guess great minds think alike (LOL)! Most anytime I go out barefoot (or with the barefoot sandals) I wear shorts. I mention this because I think it helps prove the barefoot sandals work to some extent as my feet are totally exposed. As I mentioned, the barefoot sandals appear to open up a new world of restaurants opportunities for me and my bare soles. I want to try them out more, but right now I'm trying to lose a few extra pounds (~10 lb/4.5 kg) I put on over vacation, business travel, etc. Maybe in a few weeks. It hard to resist all the greasy, gooey stuff on restaurant menus. Even the "weight conscious" items usually have a higher fat content and calorie value than I'd normally eat at home.

Would you mind posting pictures? I'm always looking for ways to improve my design. Thanks!

 

feeeeeeeet
these r my barefoot sandals- kinda noobish, because everyone is still staring at my feet like I committed a crime, but i like them

 

Hmm, the picture didn't come through. Try again? Thanks!

 

id didnt?? weird..cause I can see it.. okay here comes another one

 

Don't know what's going on with some of the pics... maybe there's an internet connection out there that's not working? Not sure.

Anyway, I've been wanting to either buy or make my own barefoot sandals too, but as far as buying them, I've run into the same problem - being a guy, I haven't found anything for me. I might have to make them.

It's encouraging to know that they seem to do what I hoped they would. If someone working in a store is going to tell me to put shoes on, I might as well wear the "shoes" that I want to wear.

 

They're quite easy to make. It took me about 15 minutes at most. Here are the laces I used (Kiwi leather "Outdoor" laces - 72-inch length). I doubled-over each lace.


Then I tied an overhand knot to form a toe-loop.


I slipped the toe loop over my second toe and tied another overhand knot at the base of my ankle.


Then I wrapped the ends around my ankle, tied them, and cut the ends to length.

 

THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!

Here's the top.


Here's the bottom - completely bare!

 

Thanks for posting the informative photos. Great technique and they don't look lady like at all.

 

Today I wore my barefoot sandals to go to lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Boulder. Once again, no problems!!

 

never wore them myself, I guess if someone bought me a pair.

 

Well, I had my first negative barefoot experience of the year today, but avenged it a little later.

I went to Liquor Mart in Boulder to buy either a top-shelf tequila or a nice single malt scotch – or both. When I tried to enter, the guy at the door asked if I had any shoes. I said no, and he replied that he couldn’t let me in without shoes. I wasn’t much in the mood for arguing, so I just left. Later, I realized I could use this as a test for Barefoot Sandals. I slipped them on and returned. No problem getting in! I walked around the store – no issues! I decided I really didn’t want to buy expensive liquor from them after I wasn’t good enough to enter earlier in the day. I thought about buying some inexpensive white wine my wife likes, but they wanted about 50% more than what it costs at another local store. So after strolling around in my Barefoot Sandals, I felt I had proven my point, and left without buying anything. Too bad for them – they lost about $130 in sales.

Liquor Mart isn’t a bad place. The staff, particularly those in the Wine Department, acts as if it’s an exclusive ‘liquor boutique.” The reality of it is it’s a party store for the nearby University of Colorado (walking distance). It’s a converted grocery store with linoleum floors and warehouse lighting, but it does carry the good stuff in addition to party kegs (No, there’s nothing wrong with a good college party; I spent many nights getting wasted, but I can’t remember! I’m just trying to set the scene. While the staff can be elitist, I’m sure they’d be hurting if the college crowd took their business elsewhere.) Upon entering, there’s a ~5 ft (~1.5 m) high “judges bench” that everyone must pass. An employee sits there and screens for underage customers. Nothing against screening underage drinkers, I’d do it myself if I had a liquor store. It’s just the setting that’s funny. The guy at the desk should wear a curly wig and black robes!

Oh well, I was busted earlier in the day, but I showed the power of Barefoot Sandals in a pinch. I’m still a purist who believes in 100% naked feet – bare soles and bare toes!!