Others Barefoot in Public?

Interesting how many people are commenting on your new choice of footwear. Sounds like they are quite the conversation piece! I'm always willing and able to discuss barefooting and its benefits with a stranger, shows that we are not totally alone on this forum.

It still puzzles me why it is a topic of embarrassement for some folks.

 

Yeah, yesterday I was in Hobby Lobby and the manager, a 50-ish guy, looked down at my Vibram's and got a big grin on his face. He wanted to know what they were and where he could get some. I told him about the Vibram's and how they're designed to with the barefoot experience in mind. He thought they'd be great because he's on his feet all the time. I cautioned him that they may not be good for work (just thinking that many like stout shoes when they're on their feet quite a bit). No, he wanted them for when he got off work. I didn't want to debate it with him. Personally I think bare feet are more comfortable and much less expensive! But if that's his thing, who am I to discourage him? I went barefoot to that Hobby Lobby two weeks prior. The only reason I wasn't barefoot was because it was near freezing outside and I don't like my feet getting cold.

As far as embarassment, I think there's just a lot of misunderstanding about why people go barefoot. There's still a lot of misinformation about the practice being illegal, against health codes, unsanitary, etc. I think some people just don't want to see feet - maybe they're too sensitive about their own. Maybe some see it as a deviant fetish thing. For those who enjoy going barefoot just for the experience, the feeling, and/or the freedom, I guess there's a bit of embarassment admitting you're into something that's a bit countercultural.

 

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.

To any of you heading into a cold winter and are not looking forward to wearing footwear, you have to try Vibram Five Fingers. I have been wearing these exclusively for the past 8 months for work and everywhere shoes are needed. They are awesome, the closest to being barefoot as you are going to get. Your feet stay tough because you are still using all of your muscles and feeling everything underfoot. When it's wet, you're wet. Cold, you're cold etc.I have 6 pair! They are wonderful. Please check them out.

vibramfivefingers.com
birthdayshoes.com

Kevin

 

After reading so many good things about the VFF, I am really intrigued. Tell me one thing though. I have read that VFF's are not very sturdy and will fall apart easily. And then on the other hand I hear that people go rock climbing, and do all sorts of demanding physical activities in them. Who is more accurate? How long could I expect a pair to last? Thanks!

 

I have had pretty good luck with mine. A couple of small problems but no deal breakers. I walk in mine rather than run. I wear them everywhere. I have 6 pair and will explain why.

The first pair are Classics. Very minimal coverage and the best for being as close to barefoot as possible. I don't feel comfortable wearing them to work because they look very feminine to me. I usually use them for around the house as needed. size 45

Second, black KSO's. The soles are almost worn through in spots but I still wear them to NYC and Boston. These are my favorite, most comfortable pair. Think of an expensive glove for your foot. Once you put them on you don't even think about them until someone stops you on the street to inquire about the weird shoes. I never have to adjust them and find myself forgetting to take them off. size 44

Third, grey/lime green between the toes. These look great in jeans and I like them for everything but work though in the hot summer I will wear them with light Khakis. Very comfortable and good looking. Size 45

Forth, new black KSO's, should be exactly the same as the old ones but seem very snug. I have an opinion on this and will address it later. They are good without socks but a bit too tight with them. I've been wearing them on and off but the're talking too long to break in. size 44

Fifth. Brown KSO Treks. Brand new, limited distribution. Kangaroo leather and a thicker lugged sole make these awesome for cold weather. They feel more like a moccasin than a minimalist shoe but the trade off is worth it. They are very flexible. I did have a problem with these. The sole cracked between a toe pad and ball section. I was going to return them but couldn't be bothered. I used Goop and never looked back. The're fine. These are a great choice for work or if you need to draw less attention to your feet. Expensive but quite cool.

Sixth pair, black KSO Treks. Because I was having trouble with the fit of the regular kso's I decided to buy these instead of having constricted toes. I haven't even worn these yet.

Pros and cons
When it's wet you are wet. Vibram does not have a water resistant option yet.

When it's cold you need to always be moving. Standing on pavement for more than ten minutes may be a tough task. The cold come in quickly when the temperature dips below 40.

If you are dealing with wet snow or slush you may want to consider another option. There is no greater feeling than ice water slipping under your soles when the air temp is below freezing. Fun over!

They stink to high heaven if you don't wash them often. Not the leather ones though. In hot weather I was only getting two wearings before I washed them. I use the garden hose and simple green, scrub them with my fingers, rinse and hang. I'm a sales rep so I need stay fresh.

I wore the kso's all winter with Injinji outdoor socks. I was careful, mostly running to the store or going to church. I kept a pair of boots and socks in the car just in case.

I walk 3-4 barefoot, city miles a day and use the Vibrams when it gets too cold.

If you are a hardcore barefooter or were when you were younger you owe it to yourself to at least try these. I smiled for months. I felt like I was 15 again.

They are tough and long lasting. The most worn out ones are a year and a half old. Hope I didn't over answer your question. Kevin

 

Barefoot is best. Regardless of what others do or think, I'll keep my soles with nothing between them and the ground.

 

Spend a winter in Connecticut and you will be forced to change your mind. Losing toes to frostbite is a little too hardcore for me.

 

As far as others barefoot in public,...

I delivered a two-day seminar at a company this past week. One of the attendees was a nicely dressed, very fashion conscious woman. Both days she came in wearing flats. The moment she sat sat down, she kicked them off and remained barefoot as long as we were in the seminar. She made no effort to hide her feet, and at one point propped them up in a chair next to her.

I was very curious how her going barefoot was received by the company, but being in a professional setting, I had to maintain the appropriate decorum and avoid topics such as appearance, etc.

Later I was thinking about her being barefoot in the office. In a typical office a woman has an advantage over a guy in that respect. Often a woman will wear shoes without socks or hose, so it's just a matter of sliding off the shoes to be barefoot. Also, it's more accepted for a woman to remove her shoes; so many of the stylish ones look uncomfortable that removing them is almost expected. As for guys, we typically show up in the office wearing shoes and socks. I've known many guys to slide off their shoes in the office, but very few who removed their socks (although when I worked in Boulder I did see men barefoot in the office on occasion). I doubt I'll see any guys bending down at at conference table to peel off their socks after sliding off their shoes. Just another double standard. Oh well!

On another note, Re: Vibrams

I was about to buy the Classics, but had the same concern that they looked too feminine. The "Sprint" model I bought isn't exactly macho, but I'm more comfortable wearing them out. In a previous post, I mentioned some exchanges I had during my recent trip. On the way home, I caught a few people staring at my Vibrams out of the corner of their eye. I overheard a couple of people discussing them while I was at the gate for my flight. I think they thought the Vibrams were just black low-rise socks that had toes. I didn't feel like correcting them though.

Thanks for the comment about washing them frequently. I haven't had mine very long so I have yet to do this. I'll try to get into the practice. I believe the instructions say to let them air dry.

I agree they're worth trying. At ~$80 (U.S.) they're a bit pricey, but if you can swing it, I'd recommend at least trying them as well.

A few folks question the need to wear anything on your feet at any time. When it gets cold, bare feet can be quite uncomfortable. When it drops near freezing, it can be unsafe. At sub-zero (< -18 C) temperatures, any exposed skin is at risk for freezing. For me, a rough rule-of-thumb is that bare feet are okay above 50 deg F (~10 C), although I've gone barefoot at lower temperatures and been fine and I've worn shoes at warmer temperatures and had cold feet. Probably everyone has their own standard.

 

No thanks, I'll stay within 15 degrees of the equator. I do, however, get weary of hearing folks extol the virtues of SHOES on a barefoot forum...:beatdeadhorse5:

(BTW, this attitude towards this very topic got me kicked off the SBL list) :reddevil:

One other note: This topic really belongs in either its own thread, or in this one, where Myranya makes some well thought-out comments about barefooting in cold weather.

SO, Back on topic:

Being barefoot in public is pretty common in Micronesia. Seeing anyone in something more than flops is relatively unusual. On some of the more remote islands, shoes of any type are the exception, rather than the norm. In Thailand, shoes are not allowed in temples, a public venue, and anyone wearing shoes inside someone's house would be committing a grave social error (as is the case throughout most of Asia).

 

Good to see you are supportive of the new guy who posted in the wrong thread. Please feel free to go fuck yourself!

 

Let's all play nicely!!

As they say, no harm, no foul! I'd like to say I've never posted in the wrong thread, but I'd be fibbing. Holeymoc, I'm sure you meant to post in the "Winter Shoes?" thread, but I appreciated your comments nonetheless. Often I read a bunch of new postings and forget what I read and where and later discover I put the wrong comment in the wrong thread. Oh well!

 

Attack post reported - What is it about discussions of Vibram 5-fingers that evokes such unreasonable hostility? You'd think that they were sacred or something...

 

I can't remember if I posted this before, but last year one of Denver's television newscasters, Ernie Bjorkman, retired. He was well respected and worked for the local ABC affiliate before going to the CW2 network. He was very professional in his delivery, but would walk around the office barefoot and even broadcast barefoot!! See the following link. His barefoot practices are discussed about 2/3 of the way through.

www.2thedeuce.com/kwgn-ernie-bjorkman-says-good-night-160739,0,6822784.story

When he retired, newscasters from several of the local television channels delivered taped farewells. I remember the news staff from the local NBC affiliate propping their bare feet on the news desk in tribute to Ernie as they said goodbye! Oh well, sorry if I'm repeating an old post - I'm just not sure I mentioned this before.

 

I've got a few people to go barefoot at school. It's a shame you get detention for it. Feet are just is dirty as shoes, except with feet you at least wash them occasionally.
I try and get some local stores to allow bare feet and I know lots of kids who go bare foot all summer. =]

 

Detention would be worth it to go barefoot at school. Do they let you do detention barefoot? Might as well.

 

Yesterday was a relatively mild December day. As I was driving away from a quick run to the liquor store, I saw two women talking in the parking lot and one of them was barefoot!! It's good to see there are others who don't let a little chill dampen their enthusiasm!

 

Hey ST. That's cool. I am sadly shod until March/April. Do you know if she went in or just waited outside?

 

Yeah, I've got the shoes on as well for the most part. I'm always looking for that odd warm day during the winter to "expose the toes"!

I don't know what happened with the woman at the liquor store. She was by her car talking with another woman. She could have been on her way out, could have been on her way in, or could have been waiting for someone. Personally I was just impressed there was somebody else in this world out in their bare feet this time of year! I do so on occasion, but feel awkward when it's cold out. Monday was still a bit cool for my taste so I was in jeans and sneakers. As for the liquor store, I've been there several times barefoot without incident.

 

Tomorrow for Christmas :xmastree:, we're supposed to have sunny weather and a high of 67F / 19.4C. I plan on taking a barefoot walk in my favorite park in the late afternoon, after having Christmas brunch at my sister's house. Then we're supposed to get rain starting on Sunday and into Monday.

 

I admit i have been barefoot in public around other people occasionally lately, it is mostly because i did not care to put on my shoes and then we ended up doing more than we origanally planned, so i ended up being that dude that is barefoot.
It is pretty gross doing it on streets and stuff so im going to put in more of an effort to not be as lazy lol.
On the plus side, I live in santa cruz, so its considered normal either way lol.