Sometimes you have to wear shoes to protect your feet. But did you know that many shoes can also cause lasting damage to your feet? You are protecting in one way and hurting in another. Not to mention uncomfortable. So on to barefoot shoes. "Barefoot shoes" may be a misnomer but there is no other term that really describes them other than maybe "minimalistic."

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about being "more barefoot" even when forced to wear shoes. I have been barefoot as well as naked as much as possible for years. Never wear shoes at home either. I also wear no shoes other than Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) for running/hiking. I've also done both barefoot as well. Being a nudist, I want to wear as little as possible when required and it must feel somewhat natural and not confining.

One of the strangest sights I have ever seen was people on a nude beach wearing shoes. Not just any shoes but heavy tennis shoes and socks that look like they were rescued from the 1980's. What the...? And heels or shoes that lift your heels higher than your toes? No thanks, my feet weren't made for that.

After recently starting to experience some foot pain I started thinking about the shoes I was wearing everyday to work and the unnatural shape they force the foot into. Looking at others peoples feet barefoot or in sandals I have observed that they have "shoe shaped feet" and that has to be causing some issues. It appears very unnatural and it is, the shapes their shoes are forcing their feet into. I'm not doing that anymore.

I have switched to zero drop shoes for just about everything I need to wear shoes for. I have some smooth black leather Vivobarefoot shoes for days with meetings or other proper business attire days. Those work for even the dreaded occasions when a coat and tie is required. I bought a pare of nice canvas shoes from Xero shoes as well. Of course no socks are worn with these!

For hiking I don't even carry flip flops or shoes in my backpack for wear after my wet (VFF) hiking shoes are hung up to dry at camp. I got the Xero shoes DIY FEELTRUE SANDAL KIT. Bonus: they weigh about half or the flip flops and about a quarter of the volume in my pack. Its nothing more than a strip of material for a sole and they lace between your toes and around your ankle. Sure I get some weird looks and comments from people with these but who cares!

My feet feel so much better now after just a couple months. Besides keeping up with VFF and other minimal shoe groups and sites I have also been following a group called thefootcollective on instagram. They are obsessed with bare footing and naked feet in general but they are spot on with what they are promoting.

I don't believe any part of our bodies were designed to be confined by restricting attire. So when I can't be nude its minimal attire. Shirt, pants, shoes and nothing more unless I need a belt to keep my pants up HaHa.

I know this is a long post but I've been hoping I could share what I have recently learned and it would help someone else here too. Not trying to promote any product at all but sharing what works for me. There are many, many options you will find if you start searching for zero drop shoes, barefoot shoes etc. Pro tip: step into minimal foot attire slowly if you transition from everyday normal footwear. Little used muscles in your feet and legs will wake up and require some adjustment time. Bones, arches and especially toes will try to return to their natural shape. Take it slow but the end result is worth the effort! Your feet will thank you!

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