going barefoot...

Especially in the woods , my feet are my sole means of transportation ( pun intended:)) I'm wearing protection. I don't even like open-toed sandals. I bought some Keens that have a toe box for protection that still allow my feet to breath in hot weather.Rest of the time it's boots.
 
Going barefoot is healthy, it makes a person walk in the proper posture -good for the back spine, and barefeet are part of the body's cooling system. I sweat alot when I have to wear shoes, they don't feel like a part of my body and I am glad to get them off at my first chance. Shoes make my feet stink, they compromise traction (the only way I can feel safe on a roof is with barefeet with which one gets the best traction.

Walking in the bush trails barefoot is alot less tiring than with shoes, and shoes give me backpain. I know I shouldn't do it, but I work barefoot when running the chainsaw and splitting the wood at the wood pile. It's the only way to be comfortable and not sweat, and I have done it this way for over 50 yrs of my life.

I watched Cody with great interest, I tried his wool sock idea in snow and it works. The snow freezes on the outside of the sock and the feet stay dry and warm. Good traction also.
 
I go to some length to train my feet to be able to perform well when bare. I can tell you that the first time I tried it, walking barefoot gave me some really sore muscles.
Being comfortable walking with and without shoes was my aim - but finding comfortable shoes has become somewhat difficult. Just a little bit of raised heel and my knees start hurting ... and orthotics haven't really helped.
 
I had about a 30 min chat with cody around 10 years ago. I worked at REI and he came in to buy a few pairs of thorlo socks for wintertime. After pur chat i did a little bit of research and it is true that people feet from years ago were "healthier". It does come from years of training. I have tried it a couple times and just really hard to do. It is no different than the beatings my hands took for the first month i started rock climbing. Similar to training for ice climing when you see guys soak their arms in ice water. It is about training the body over time. Sure it is totally not for everyone.i love my boots and sandals.but it does train you to walk slower, pay more attention to your surroundings and the toe first then heel is key. Cody did freak me out because he truly has a very soft spoken tone but the guy is friggin huge.
 
Bufford said:
Shoes make my feet stink . . .
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More likely, your feet make your feet stink!

Just givin' ya' a hard time, Bufford. I hear what you're saying -- I had a good friend in college (hippie type) who almost never wore shoes. The bottoms of here feet were like tough leather (and she was only 17-18 yrs. old), and she hated putting on any kind of footwear. I guess if it's what you like, then go for it. Me -- I still like my boots.
------------------------------------------

Wifey: "Hey honey, do these jeans make me look fat?"

Hubby: "No - your fat makes you look fat."

~ Larry the Cable Guy
 
Right now the research doesn't show if five fingers are really all that beneficial. Over the long term, you will stretch out our ligaments in the metatarsal region of your foot. This in turn will increase the space in between your metatarsals, and could result in calcius deposits forming in between each joint, and could cause serious problems when you reach an elderly age. This is all speculative though-research should be coming down the pipe soon. I highly recommend you see a podiatrist, or pedorthist before committing serious time to walking barefoot, as many of us did not grow up walking without shoes most of the time. As a result, our feet are "conditioned" for footwear, and a radical change like that (going from shoes to barefoot) "could" be detrimental.

As for me, I have a flexible arch that results in a 3rd degree flat foot-the worst you can have. I've also got Plantar Fascitis. I wear five fingers, but ONLY at the gym or during periods of instruction. If I wear them for too long, then I get problems in my metatarsals for a few days. As for my education, I'm a certified MCMAP instructor, and am currently working on attaining a Certified Strength and Condtitioning Specialist cert. Seriously, ask an expert like a podiatrist on their take. Too many companies out there thrive on snake oil.
 
The other big change between the peoples of yesteryears and primitive peoples still going barefoot is the type of terrain. We walk in a concrete jungle most of the time now which is a big difference from non developed areas.
 
BUFFORD, please please reconsider wearing safety footwear while running a chainsaw......i have seen far too many serious amputations and deep gashes in loggers and firewood guys who use chainsaws.
 
+1 for the Vibrams. I've had mine since summer and love them. If you want to feel the ground under your feet while still having a little protection and better traction, these shoes are the way to go.

I get a lot of goofy looks and comments when i wear mine.

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I run marathons and trail ultramarathons and really had not considered barefoot running until reading "Born to Run." I think there is some sound logic in layering "barefoot" running in Vibram-type shoes into a weekly workout in the gym on the rat wheel (treadmill) but I won't ditch my trail shoes when I head outside. There are too many pointy things laying around on the ground that I will probably step on. Just my $.02.
 
SheaMrgn said:
+1 for the Vibrams. I've had mine since summer and love them. If you want to feel the ground under your feet while still having a little protection and better traction, these shoes are the way to go.

I get a lot of goofy looks and comments when i wear mine.

IMAG0001.jpg
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Not sure what to think about those. But if they work for you go for it. As for me, I would probably have to turn in my man card if I wore them:D
 
guntram said:
so, i've been checking out the show 'dual survival' after hearing a few mention it on this forum and i really like it. i like how you get a two for one as far as survival techniques and advice.

anyway, i was wondering about the barefoot thing. it seems to only hinder cody on the show without much benefit. i'm not sure if there is supposed to be a benefit or not, other than just his own personal philosophy, but i figured i'd see what you guys think.

when i was back in central florida, i used to hike barefoot through the woods, but only in places that i knew well and that had nice soft ground. i always had a pair of sandals to throw on in case i found myself in harsher environment. i didn't have a reason to do it, other than the fact that there is really nothing like feeling the earth beneath your feet. ever since i left florida, the places i've been have been less conducive to barefoot hiking, which has led me to search for the perfect hiking sandals.

i went through chacos and found them to not be too comfortable after they got dirty. then it was keens. those are great for anything water related. after breaking them in, i love them.

the latest i've been trying is the vibram fivefingers. they've kind of become a fad now among gym goers. personally, i wouldn't wear them in the gym, but i do like them for hiking. they give you the contour of the ground and way more feeling than a shoe or boot, but with a small layer of protection. so far, these are my favorite because they really let you feel the ground like your are barefoot, but with a little less pain from rocks and roots, etc. the only thing i don't like is when they are wet. they suck for getting wet, imo.

what do you all think? cody seems to do alright without shoes, but he usually slows them down substantially on the show and they are always talking about it being a liability. can you think of any good reason to do this besides liking to feel the ground?

ramble complete for now...
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Wanted to go back and lock at the O.P. just to make sure we hadn't gone off of too much of a tangent.

sorry, just had to take a call from an old buddy.

So barefoot through the woods in Florida; not really worried about temperature, feet will calous/harden over time (100% sure of this). Feet are still suseptible to "everything" - no protection. Five Fingers are simply "wearing a sole", gauranteed to get strange looks - no doubt they're "faddish" and only offer protection to the soles. Yeah, they do give you an "earthy" feeling, affect your stride even if you're only wearing them "around and about" which, like posture, can have an overall impact on your overall health.

Also, did two one mile runs today in the "fives" running ball the whole way. Definitive hot spots on my calves, soreness like I ran 8 miles but only in certain areas of my calves. Pretty sure I'm gonna stick to regular running shoes from here on out. Still gonna use the fives for kayaking in fair weather, maybe a little "be-bopping" here and there.

Hope this helps.

T
 
Bushman your probably right about wearing the right foot gear tough barefeet may not stop the saw, but its amazing how tough feet become when conditioned regularly being bared.

I can spend short periods of time outside when it's -30 in barefeet and not be bothered by it at all. I regularly check up on the BBQ out on the deck in winter. Stepping out in the cold briefly is stimulating. Try it sometime.
 
when i was a kid i was always barefoot running around the farm, even the gravel driveway felt good on the toes. the hot sand out in the field was a good feeling too.

but since i packed on the pounds as a teen, going barefoot would be the worse idea. i can't say i'v ever gone into the woods without even closed towed boat sandals.
 
There are benefits to going barefoot,,,but there are also dangers I have found that the best solution for me is a modern boot built like a primitive moccasin. I wear feelmax kuuva boots.
 
scotsmanspride said:
Couldnt agree more. One of the guys came into the station the other day with them. Might go well in california with all the tree huggers but not around here...
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The accountant at the place I work walks around in them all day. She uses them for business meetings, meeting clients, etc. Kind of wierd...
 
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