Footwear for Nude Bodies: Pros and Cons

[jbeegoode]

VFF-Vibrim Five Fingers, toe shoes.

Please, let us know how those sandals workout for you. It is a hassle to have to tie those shoes, but once on they feel so very bare. My rubber soles didn't work out for me and get used. I probably have another 4980 miles on the warrantee. I wear my homemade huaraches with thin leather soles and leather straps.

If I can train myself to walk more properly, I'll give the rubbers another chance. Around the house, when the ground gets too hot, I go for my slip on while standing up Chaco flip flops.
Jbee

[nuduke]

I'm looking at buying some of the newer ones with the pre-made straps.

I bought some of those a couple of years ago.      Most comfortable footwear I own. You hardly know you are wearing them.  I wore them to the gym the other day and did some walking on the treadmill with them.  They stayed on and remained comfortable.  Aqua Cloud model I think.
Trouble with Xero shoes now is their success means the original minimalist shoes they started the business with are being pushed out by the profusion of shoes and boots they now sell.  I have a pair of their walking  boots and they are also great.
John

[Greenbare Woods]

I ordered a pair of their new pre-laced sandals.  I'll let you all know how they are when I get them.

[nuduke]

I went to the podiatrist Tuesday to get my usual hard skin removed around my heels.  I had been experiencing uncomfortable pain in my left foot when walking a few miles, which I explained to her (the podiatrist).  She poked a finger into the ball of my foot "There?" she asked.  Bang on the spot first time!  Apparently I am experiencing a dropped metatarsal on account of my gait being slightly uneven and the hallux not taking so much of the weight as it should.  Buggeration!  And I've recently lost a load of weight as well!  You would have thought lightening the load on your feet would be helpful! I've now got to go back to get some treatment (which is mainly in-shoe supports) to correct my stance and gait.  At least it seemed like a clear diagnosis with clear remedies.  I certainly wouldn't want to lose the ability to hike! 
I'll let you know how I get on.
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/metatarsalgia
John

[jbeegoode]

Had that years ago. They offered pads. Went to my bootmaker at Stewart Boots. He identified that I had been walking wrong from the wear on my boots. He fixed a new pare to compensate. Immediate relief of symtoms. He had my heel jacked up to get me to walk more toe heel. It worked, but then years later I got Motison's Nueroma from it.

Hope, you continue to walk toe heel barefoot, so the impact is much less on your heel, which it sounds may have created this problem for you.
Jbee

[nuduke]

Well, many thanks to you, Jbee I am now aware of the danger of developing this neuroma.  I trust my podiatrist so I'll raise how to avoid it with her.
I guess, whilst I am aware of what toe heel walking is, I don't consciously (or unconsciously!) practice it except very occasionally.  So that's one to work on!
John

[jbeegoode]

Barefoot when possible, flat thin sole shoes when not. Walk by lifting thighs and be sure to wiggle the butt like a young guy. This is very effective for posture problems, like old guys that don't stand up straight anymore and stop wiggling. Beware the bifocal glasses that keep your head down, so you don't stub a toe. If you are not too far gone, the correction should work out naturally. Lots of walking on varied terrain will help keep the practice more mindful and there will be less likelihood of slipping into old habits.

On the other hand, I've been working on this for years and only recently have been seeing lots of progress in my bad posture and subsequent stride. Mostly due to not doing the above.

There are stretches for posture on youtube. The two go hand in hand.

Also, as DF's 100 year old mother says, "keep movin'"...and Ken Kesey. I sit in bad postures and have to get up frequently to readjust.
 Jbee