To answer some of the questions, I will give a bit of my barefoot story.
A number of years ago, I had a problem with one of my feet, exacerbated when on long walks. A sports podiatrist diagnosed ‘collapsed metatarsal arch’ and suggested I needed orthotics, and that I first try Green Superfeet, expecting me to go back for more expensive bespoke orthotics. He couldn’t explain why anyone would develop this condition and I was not entirely convinced but thought I would try the Superfeet. In practice, I noticed no benefit and actually made my feet less comfortable.
The above set me off on a journey. An idea that had clearly lodged in my brain from a Trail magazine equipment report on minimalist equipment ‘less is more’ prompted me to move to wearing lighter boots, to walking sandals, which I used for a bit of early morning running ‘au naturel’ as well, but the breakthrough came with discovery of Vibram Fivefingers. The lightness and flexibility of these transformed my running so that I began to really enjoy it.
Despite a calf injury, which took about 6 months to properly go away, largely because I couldn’t hold off my early morning runs for long enough, I had been hooked by minimalist running. I went to an Alexander teacher who taught the benefits of barefoot walking for gait, posture, avoiding back problems. He taught me how to walk barefoot, strange at first, but very similar to running, landing on forefoot, underneath my centre of gravity, rather than heel toe walking. I also joined the Society for Barefoot Living, several of whom stresed the importance of walking completely barefoot, for at least part of the time, for feet to benefit fully from the feedback from all the nerves in the feet necessary for proprioception. Basically, the brain needs to rewire to benefit from all the extra sensation.
In 2011, I scaled Sca Fell (hightest mountain in England) in 5 fingers. The following winter I was tackling the Scottish hills in winter barefoot, when not enough snow to ski. At the same time, I was able to go barefoot at work, so was by then about 95% barefoot.
At Nudefest I did a five mile run around the camp site, including over some sharp grit over the site track. A lesson in not being macho! Although no real harm at the time, this caused a callus that slowly moved until eventually it caused a crack behind the ball of my foot. This has been the biggest problem of my barefoot career and I still have to watch it carefully. Unfortunately, with wearing shoes we have largely lost the knowledge of how to look after our feet, but avoid calluses developing if possible, and use pumice or whetever to remove them before cracks develop. Cracks can also develop around the edge of foot if skin gets too thick, so either remove dead skin where cracks developing and/or use cream.
In 2012 I achieved a challenge I set myself, walking completely barefoot over Striding Edge, a famous exposed ridge leading up to Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in England, I think. It was easier than I thought, and great fun, much more enjoyable than boots. I did it again last autumn. Climbing around other people roped up on the one tricky section and seeing their jaws drop was very funny.
The only situations I routinely use footwear is for ski-ing. I walk barefoot in snow if not too cold, not too technical eg hard and steep) and can keep moving..... Also for sailing in spring and autumn, as sat in a boat there is nothing to get the blood circulating. Occasional formal meetings I feel the need to be a little less conspicuous, and will wear my moccassins.
As for other challenges. I have had a few pubs that didn’t like me being barefoot, usually town pubs where broken glasses a real possibility, but still generally minimal risk. I have only ever once worn footwear because of their requirement. Several others I just argued the needlesness of their concern. A security guard in Tescos once cited hygiene (ridiculous) and then safety for not being barefoot but relented when I said I was responsible for my own safety. Another security guard in a megashop in Birmingham said barefoot wasn’t allowed, but when I asked a manager it was ok. One fast food place in Aviemore the obnoxious manager said ‘because I say so’ when I asked what why I couldn’t be barefoot. I was only being polite looking at the menu after nipping in touse their toilet.....
All in all, minimal problems in eight years of largely joyous barefooting. Apart from Forestry Commission tracks... They have a habit of surfacing their tracks from one side to the other with sharp, granite chippings. One reason to carry backup shoes, either Sockwas (very thin and will roll up and go in pocket) or huaraches, very hardwearing and simple.
I have rambled on far too much, but should say that barefooting is necessarily a very mindful way of walking and running. Running barefoot and naked on a beautiful fine early morning through the woods I can only describe as a spiritual experience.
