Barefoot hiking
I had my longest ever barefoot hiking last weekend. It was in a challenging river gorge location with big boulders, water to wade through and across and the occasional trek across a trail around places I couldnt climb straight across. I had much more traction with my bare feet that even with the five fingers shoes I normally wear. In many spots I felt much safer bare. I even ran across another hiker that was barefoot. I saw his group in the distance and put my shorts back on before they were close enough to see what I was (not) wearing. Afterwards I had to walk up a unpaved road back to my car. Even though there was some gravel and small rocks I was very determined to make it all the way back without my shoes and I did! About 4 miles total for the trek. Only got one small cut on the bottom of one middle toe. Very minor but probably my own fault since I found I was slipping only when I got in a hurry or neglected to step carefully. I learned so much from this experience about how to step and place my feet. Ive learned how to change my technique so Im sure next time will be even better.
Well done! I'm way too much of a tenderfoot to strike out barefoot, but you soldiered on bravely and even felt more secure barefoot - a point on which I probably concur. There are times when I've been bushwalking that I've shed shoes and socks - especially when crossing streams. Toes give a much better grip!
Do you think you will give it another go?
I did again this past weekend. Hiked several miles. Went through the woods, through mud, up a rocky stream and across large rocks and boulders. Didnt wear shoes all weekend. Afterwards my feet felt so invigorated and stimulated from the activity! Im having a hard time keeping my shoes on today at work.
The hike up to the top pools at VVHS was very rocky. The first time I wore shower shoes that slipped off and I cut the bottom of my foot. This last time, I wore pool shoes that are close to being bare foot. It was harder on the bottom of my feet on the way down. The soles of the shoes were all cut up and my feet were in pain. I imagine that if I had been bare foot that my feet would have looked like the bottom of the shoes and swore that I would ware hiking boots next time. Reading your post however makes me think that I may have been going to fast but gravity has a way of pulling you down.
Over the last year I've done almost all of my hiking barefoot. I always have my Vibram Fivefinger shoes clipped to my day pack just in case but haven't had to use them yet. I've learned a lot and toughened up some as well. This past week I have hiked a few miles all barefoot. Even coming up or going down steep muddy terrain using a rope I have much better traction and have a better feel for where I am putting my feet. After all, the bottom of our feet have lots of nerve endings that provide feedback to whats down there. Why give that up? I can better tell if it is firm, slippery or stable when I put my foot down than when I have even the thinnest sole between my feet and the ground. Not only that my toes can get a hold on some spots no shoe could.
Lessons learned: You have to adjust how you put your feet down and adjust quickly if you encounter something sharp or slippery. Traction on wet rocks is better than any shoes I have ever worn. When your feet are wet they may be easier to cut on sharp rocks. If the terrain has a lot of smaller diameter yet hard roots be especially cautious of your toes. I lost a toenail like that last year. You may initially feel like you are moving more slowly than your shod peers who are just stomping along but once you learn you wont be! You will probably need to plan to scrub your feet when you get home. Maybe bandage a small cut or two but as you toughen up this part will pass. Most importantly, you will enjoy it so much more!
Barefoot hiking can be so much fun. Feels great to get grounded and connected to the earth. Modern society has totally been hood winked by the shoe industry. We would have healthier stronger feet if we hiked walked ran barefoot more often.
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