Why I Quit Barefoot Shoes



I stopped wearing barefoot shoes – I have been wearing barefoot shoes for over two years and often wonder what would happen if …

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36 thoughts on “Why I Quit Barefoot Shoes

  1. All this talk about human evolution and design prompts me to comment. My feet are flat and I overpronate. Wearing off-the-rack flat shoes led to plantar fasciitis and heel spurs in my early thirties. Orthodoc advised me to use firm arch support insoles with firm (not that Dr Scholl's gel crap) heel cups. That's worked for me for over 25 years. I can still go barefoot for substantial amounts of time, but overall, my skeletal alignment is better with firm arch support, even if it's just croc flip-flops. Bottom line: different humans are different, and we're not really "designed" in the first place, and all evolution really does is equip humans to live just past reproductive age and then step aside — and that's *on average*, not in anyone's individual case. Evolution doesn't care if you, the individual, are happy or good or comfortable, especially beyond about age fortyish. Which means you do whatever works for you: Arch supports, eyeglasses, hearing aids, air conditioning, whatever. Barefoot shoes, no shoes, bread bags on your feet– anything goes, and nothing is universally better for everyone than anything else, and it's been that way for humans since they invented needle and thread, like 50k years ago, give or take.

  2. I've been wearing barefoot shoes for like 3 years. Tried them on a whim and I love em. My feet don't get hot, gross, and uncomfortable. I'll wear regular shoes if I need protection. Barefoot just feels comfy 😎

  3. I always hated wearing regular shoes since i was a little kid. I'm so used to being barefoot that i can't get my feet in most shoes. Also, whenever i wear shoes i drag my feet so bad i end up wearing down all that extra padding they come with in no time. Good thing barefoot shoes became a thing.

  4. Because of its wide toebox design and breatheable mesh, the Nike Pegasus, Windflo, or pretty much any other running shoe is a far better alternative for barefoot users than any other "casual" shoe like the AIR MAX.

  5. If you're stumbling by wearing normal shoes because of wearing barefoot shoes in the past I would go get some help immediately. Anyone can walk in normal shoes and it doesn't mean they're better than barefoot shoes but they don't cause you to stumble.

  6. I've been in barefoot style shoes for almost a year now and you couldn't pay me to go back. My feet and ankles are so much healthier and stronger and I don't get the knee pain I used to either. Honestly, it's one of the best things I think people can do for their overall health.

  7. I highly recommend Altra’s line of running shoes. Foot shaped, generous toebox, zero drop, and a bunch of cushioning. Kind of the best of both worlds.

    I wear thin soled ‘barefoot’ shoes a good portion of the time, but for long runs and when I’m on concrete all day, SOME cushioning is helpful.

  8. Question: Anybody else having difficulties with barefoot shoes due to body weight? I enjoy everything about bf shoes, but I'm still too heavy for the thin soles, causing me intense heel pain for at least a week after wearing them to the gym (what sucks for weightloss not being able to walk). My ideal shoe rn would be a shoe that's cut like a barefoot, but has a thick, flat sole with no drop, but since I can't find any I wear super wide toe box sneakers atm.

  9. Been wearing barefoot shoes for close to 10 years now. I buy the odd pair of zero-drop, wide width, cushioned shoes for winter running, but my knees usually hate me for it. Guess I'm barefoot for life.

  10. Barefoot shoes only work for certain foot types. Not for everyone but they don’t advertise that way. Maybe in this crumbling global economy, the best choice is to have no feet to save money on shoes

  11. I got my first pair of barefoots in 2016, Vivobarefoot Ra iis. Over the years I entirely transitioned to barefoot shoes and feel really, really foot blind when not wearing them anymore.

    It's been over 3 years since I've 'only' used barefoot shoes and have tried a few companies now.

    I even have done load bearing hiking with them up to 70lbs out to 22 km. I find both my primary and secondary stability much improved and the stabilizer muscles in my legs are much, much more defined.

    I really feel off wearing traditional shoes now.

    Bonus: They're really quiet. People always complain I'm too stealthy cause I keep scaring people that don't hear me walk up.

  12. The style of shoe makes a huge difference tho. I wear altra that has a wide toe box, it has cushion, and it’s no incline. This is the best option for me. Barefoot hasn’t been the best for me specifically (I don’t like how rough my feet get barefoot and prefer having softer feet. It’s just my preference 🤷🏽‍♀️), but I’m glad there are so many who have a better experience with it!!! :3

  13. Being a chef, has made me hyper aware of the importance of a good shoe. I used to wear Dansko's and I used to fall a lot, my knees used to hurt, and gave my feet blisters and calluses. I switched to the wide toe Birkenstocks and after months I noticed my toes began spreading and my Converse's didn't fit anymore. Now I'm in kitchen new balances and all I wanna do is work barefooted. Once I'm home and take off my shoes it feels like taking a bra off lol 😂

  14. Honestly, I may be alone in this but barefoot shoes look amazing. When I was a kid my mom hated buying shoes with me because I didn't like any. Now I have to be careful not to buy a bunch of barefoot shoes!

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