How to prepare to hike Bare(foot)?

[Doctari]

I would love to hike barefoot. But my feet are fairly tender.
What I have done:
I spent many hours every weekend for 8 weeks this year outside barefoot, mostly in grass, but on some gravel, I even walked to my local K-mart, about 3 miles RT, barefooted.
In addition to the extra barefooting I have done, I go barefot as much as I can when outside, only wear shoes when cutting the grass.
What I found:
My feet are somewhat tougher, but decidedly not trail worthy, altho the 3 miles of walking on concrete caused no FOOT discomfort.
During the 3 mile walk, the backs of my calves HURT LIKE H*** (I did forget to stretch).

Summation: I have roughtly 40 miles of walking barefoot this year (about 2 to 3 miles per day, weekends) some of it on gravel &/or concrete.
What else can I do to improve my barefoot trail walking ability?
Right now I cannot add miles to barefooting as I am working almost 7 days a week.
Is there anything I can apply to my feet to help toughen them?


Thanks!

[orangebug]

Why do you want to do this? Man invented shoes for a reason. You've worn shoes for 99.99999% of your life.

I expect that like getting trail legs, one has to do the deed to make your feet tough enough.

But why would you want to do this to yourself?

Bill...

[Blue Jay]

But why would you want to do this to yourself?

Bill...

90% of Americans would say the same thing about thruhiking. You want to be cold, wet, tired and hungry for months. Why would you want to do that to yourself?

[orangebug]

Good reason to be a section hiker! I only get to be wet, cold, hot, tired, sore and hunger for days at a time!

Bill....

[Lion King]

I would suggest taking a sledgehammer and banging the arch of your foot repeatedly for 8 hours a day, take an hour break, wash your face, and begin hitting your arches again.

The barefoot sisters did it, and continue to do it, but it isnt for everyone.

Until you begin your hike, walk on stumps, sharp rocks, roots, deep mud, stinging neddles, wet steep rock that has a sharp incline, walk in grass that hides nubs left over from fallen trees, kick your toes into rocks that you cant see that stick up behind the grass a quarter of an inch, and you will get a small idea of what to look forward to...me I love my shoes.

Lion King
walkingwithfreedom.com

[Peaks]

Those that hike barefoot will probably develop arch problems, unless they have flat feet to begin with. Myself, I use Superfeet for a good reason.

[highway]

..... You've worn shoes for 99.99999% of your life.
Bill...

I guess going barefoot is just a normal desire.Remember that our species has NOT worn shoes for maybe the same above percentage of its existence.

But we have worn sandals much longer, though

As a boy growing up in the wilds of rural Georgia, I recall that other than for Sunday religious services or family get-togethers where I had to dress nicer, that I seldom wore shoes during the summer months after school. It was normal then and I recall considerably more pleasure than discomfort doing it. I don't think it takes long to toughen (callous) up the bottoms of the feet

[cshir003]

though I love to leave the shoes at home, I don't think I could hike barefoot. It seems that even if your feet built up calluses thick engough to keep you comfortable they would peel off before they were useful, plus the shock from no shoes would mess with your bones. good luck to you though, let me know if it works out.

[Bandana Man]

I would love to hike barefoot.

hope you don't mind being asked this, but could you explain why? What is the attraction? Just curious because I saw someone hiking the AT barefoot. It was a wet, cold, miserable day, too. But he seemed to be doing fine.

[Tha Wookie]

hope you don't mind being asked this, but could you explain why? What is the attraction? Just curious because I saw someone hiking the AT barefoot. It was a wet, cold, miserable day, too. But he seemed to be doing fine.

Wearing shoes while hiking is like wearing a condom.

[Bandana Man]

Wearing shoes while hiking is like wearing a condom.

LOL

Well, on that same subject, life begins when the kids move out and the wife gets a hysterectomy...

[oyvay]

There are websites about barefoot hiking and can go into better detail about the hows and whys. barefooters.com is one, I'm sure you can google more.

[Doctari]

Thanks for all the replies, both for & against.

In answer to Bandana Man: I spent most weekends of April May & June this year Barefoot all day, outside (mostly in grass) and I loved it. I have always hated shoes, but wore the darn things anyway. I still cannot walk on gravel, was getting better, but my free weekends are gone till next year so the feet are almost back to "normal". BTW, good answer Wookie :-)

Also: With having the FSO weight down to 22 Lbs, with 2+ Lb pair of boots, I figured I could cut the weight more by loosing the boots. Will still carry ultra light shoes for in town & the many "Shoes & shirt required" signs.

Thanks to oyvay, I never thought to google, I know: "Duh". I Found quite a few helpful web sites, Thanks again!!!!

Doctari.

[stranger]

I don't see the point in "trying" to hike barefoot. There are many options out there in terms of footware and to be honest I can't see the point in "trying" to do something different for the sake of doing something different. Your feet obviously aren't in the condition to hike barefoot, and your back will not appreciate it either, so why try to force something that really makes no sense. You may like to walk around barefoot...that's great. But getting through GA is a different story.

If it's natural to you and your lifestyle...go for it, but if you are striving to do something that your body clearly does not want to do...then you might wanna consider why you are doing it at all.

[highway]

... and to be honest I can't see the point in "trying" to do something different for the sake of doing something different.

There are two types of people:

Those who lead and those who follow.

You go for it.

Besides, our species have gone barefoot for far longer than we have used footwear, probably the reverse of that 99.999999% earlier post

[The Solemates]

this is hilarious.

[gravityman]

There are two types of people:

Those who lead and those who follow.

You go for it.

Besides, our species have gone barefoot for far longer than we have used footwear, probably the reverse of that 99.999999% earlier post

Yes, and we had a life span of about 25-30 years so the feet didn't have as long to wear out.

But might as well try. It can't hurt. Well, actually, it can, but you can always put shoes back on

Gravity Man

[highway]

Yes, and we had a life span of about 25-30 years so the feet didn't have as long to wear out....Gravity Man

That's a good point. Touché

[Moose2001]

Doctari.....does this mean you're giving up your ballet slippers???

[Doctari]

Doctari.....does this mean you're giving up your ballet slippers???

Course NOT!!!
They are the "Ultra light shoes" I mentioned.

OH, and Stranger: I ALWAYS do things different, many/most times simply for the reaction I get from "Normals" Barefoot Is just one more "gotcha" I want to try. Besides, I think it will be fun, at least during warm weather, and I consider warm to be anything above 50 F.

Doctari.