The kind of shoe that I wear graduates when hiking. Barefoot when possible, then my KSO five finger shoes that were designed for boating. They give just enough protection from the sharp and prickly, but only to a point. They are as close to barefoot movement, as I have found, but they can only to a degree give barefoot sensation. The next graduation is my thicker fivefingers with extra grip soles. The five finger shoes are close to barefoot, but not barefoot at all. DF wears KSO's in all circumstance. The condition of the feet and the weight on them does make a difference.
The condition of the feet and the weight on them does make a difference for modern man. This is one reason that I use ultralight (UL) and SUL. I can be closer to balance, not top heavy, less waist sway, my feet and ankles can perform more naturally. I figure and I'm discovering more and more, the subtle ways that the feet, ankles, legs, back, the whole system perform. The need for ankle support is fiction and cripples the body's ways and will cripple it literally in time, training it in harmful inefficient, unnatural habits.
As for bacterial growth, I wear socks that wick, sometimes two layers are efficient. The cloth overage of five fingers shoes breathes well, and dries well. The socks make a huge difference and cushion the feet and prevent the rubbing of feet towards raw.
Barefoot as often as possible, during breaks, in camp, I make a point of baring my feet, just as I recognize the benefit of baring my body as often as possible at every opportunity.
Just keeping in touch, beinging as aware as possible of a natural nude body, answers all of the questions about containment of a body in shoes and all other clothing. I have spent countless hours in meditation walking on uneven, natural rock faces, climbing bare all over. Mostly in Redington Pass or the slab of granite outside my front door. I take apart each step, slowing consciousness to the moment, to a point of washing away thought, and only be in awareness of the sensation's moment. I experience each step fully, slow motion sometimes, sometimes just watching the body do its automatic thing in hours of exploration. A very Zen process. The body in all movement is incredibly complex, adaptable, fascinating and it teaches that it has unimagined wisdom. Boots and ankle support are obviously man's ignorant compensation, maybe a temporary solution for a body that isn't being properly used and exercised. They cripple and damage the entire system, often dramatically in time. I suggest finding a nice granite surface in the desert, stripping barefoot all over and spending an hour just hiking in that space, observing the interaction of the body with the world. It is as wonderful as a long hike and the answers to all of your concerns will be evident, as you have a great time. NOT five minutes, or ten, but an HOUR.
When you are done, and as you tire, you will notice the wear on the system, the sore body areas, and then relate this to the movements and stretches that you experienced. It all becomes very evident, but difficult to explain in words, because of the fantastic complexity of the system. Eyesup, it is just stepping out of the old school completely for a little while and looking at the matter in a fresh way. Then comparing notes. It is better to trust ones nature, you know, as a naturist.
Jbee
