46
votes
Accepted
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
My family walks around barefoot all the time, not just in the summer. We used to live in Santa Clara County, California, but now live in Humboldt County of the same state. We've never had any ...
21
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
In my town, which is a neighborhood in a suburban location in Massachusetts, barefoot walking is common once the summer starts. I'm old and stay cold longer than most, so I don't even switch over to ...
10
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
I can't answer about a small town in Canada, so I will answer about my own small town (really just a village center) in northern Virginia.
I don't think there would be any great physical dangers here ...
- 23.4k
9
votes
Vibram FiveFingers or Non-Hiking Boots as a Beginner in Hiking?
If you are normal weight,then I would strongly suggest wearing whatever runners you wear day to day.
Your feet are happy in them.
Your body mechanics are used to them.
I would never recommend 5 ...
9
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
The "worms" your mother mentions are likely hookworms, which in some regions can be acquired by walking barefoot. I've heard several sources say that they can be found in the southern US, which is ...
- 191
8
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
I think the possibility of a foot injury increases when going barefoot vs. wearing some kind of foot protection, even moccasins would help protect your feet. But it all boils down to the amount of ...
- 81
7
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
Well I live in London so my city as an example would give you heaps of problems walking on foot.
1) Injury: The streets on London are riddled with debris, broken glass and other sharp objects capable ...
- 171
6
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
I would like to add the snakes and the bees/other biting insects. Stepping on either may be dangerous/unpleasant.
- 61
6
votes
Vibram FiveFingers or Non-Hiking Boots as a Beginner in Hiking?
I have a pair of trail running vibram fivefingers but I find that the grip, while often good enough, isn't perfect for all situations.
If you didn't have sore calf muscles last time from walking in a ...
- 2,270
6
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
I literally stuck myself on a discarded hypodermic needle once as an adult, in Rome, through the side of the shoe when I was wearing light "training" shoes; connversely when I was younger than that (a ...
- 562
4
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
Sometimes it feels so relaxing to start walking barefoot. Doing this for about 30-60 minutes a day will allow you a vast improvement in your energy and overall well being. Walking barefoot improves ...
- 49
4
votes
Is it unhealthy to wear minimal footwear?
The answer to this question will vary on your level of foot strength and the terrain.
Human beings did pretty well for thousands of years without supportive footwear, but when they started walking on ...
- 53.5k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it unhealthy to wear minimal footwear?
If the pain is from muscles only, then there should be no long term problems. However feet are extremely complex with lots of small bones, cartilage and tendons. So it is possible that these are ...
- 21.7k
4
votes
Vibram FiveFingers or Non-Hiking Boots as a Beginner in Hiking?
I'd say it would depend on the terrain and whether you are going to carry a heavy pack with you. You had mentioned that the trail is intermediate, so having a bit of traction on your soles would be ...
- 809
3
votes
What are the dangers of walking barefoot in towns/cities?
Materials which quickly and efficiently heat up can be dangerous on hot summer days. I live in upstate NY, near Canada, and I have been burned by accidentally stepping on the wrong spot. Even if I ...
- 3,526
3
votes
How to harden feet for walking barefoot on harsh surfaces?
I used to have the most tender feet. However, I've found that by simply going barefoot year around is the best way to harden them. I live on a ranch in Texas, so I go barefoot whenever possible. Of ...
- 61
1
vote
How to harden feet for walking barefoot on harsh surfaces?
To walk barefoot on gravel, relax and spread your foot out as wide as it will go for each step, don't tense up and try to walk on the balls of your feet.
Been barefoot since the last century.
- 11
1
vote
How to harden feet for walking barefoot on harsh surfaces?
Walk barefoot a lot.
Rub your feet with alcohol. Use the 99% stuff, not the 70%.
Soak your feet in brine.
On hot surfaces it's cooler to run. When you walk, each foot is on the ground more ...
1
vote
How to harden feet for walking barefoot on harsh surfaces?
I live in San Diego and this past summer I've walked barefoot at home almost 100%. Meaning when the Asphalt in front of my house was 135°F, I'd purposely stand on it to toughen the feet up. I also ...
- 11
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