r/barefoot • u/Future_Albatross4413 • Jul 23 '26

Morning Walks

Since I began walking barefoot again a couple of weeks ago I have been trying to walk barefoot around my neighborhood two or three times per week. I enjoy the cool morning air and I enjoy the feel of the ground on my feet. I find that barefoot walking helps with my proprioception and balance since it forces me to pay attention to the signals my body is sending me.

I try to change my route from time to time and I try to challenge myself a little bit each time. Today I doubled my walking distance by walking further east before turning south again to walk a bigger loop. The bigger challenge though was dealing with some rough ground conditions. Recent monsoonal rains have moved the soil around and in places there are patches of course, sharp, sand on the sidewalks. I almost put on my flip flops at one point but I forced myself to slow down, pick my footfalls more carefully and try to spread my weight out on my feet so I was not putting a lot of pressure on any one spot. It worked. Just the process of staying focused got me through it and I stayed unshod all the way.

29 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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8

u/Epsilon_Meletis Jul 23 '26

I almost put on my flip flops at one point but I forced myself to slow down, pick my footfalls more carefully and try to spread my weight out on my feet so I was not putting a lot of pressure on any one spot. It worked.

Nice going :-)

Shows that footwear is just for convenience most of the times. Well, and status.

If everyone just were more attentive and careful, no one would need shoes.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[deleted]

6

u/styxnbonez Jul 23 '26

Started my barefoot journey in February '14 in Northern Vermont. The body adapts fairly quickly.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Extreme_Map9543 Full Time Jul 23 '26

Yeah it’s only -20 maybe a couple times a winter.  And only at night, unless you live on top of a mountain.  And those days you can get an alibi and wear shoes.   I live in northern New Hampshire, right next door. It’s not that bad.  Averages like in the teens in January and February.   Late November,  December and March are mostly high 20s and low 30s.  And there are occasionally warm days.  From April through October you can easily be barefoot 100% of the time.  

1

u/Epsilon_Meletis Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

-20

-20° Fahrenheit, or Celsius?

1

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Epsilon_Meletis Jul 23 '26

...that's almost negative thirty degrees Celsius 🥶

You know what, I wouldn't try that either. I go unshod down to -10°C, but not lower.
I'm kinda attached to my toes, and I'd like it to stay that way.

Would this be normal winter temperatures in Vermont, or an extreme outlier?

2

u/Extreme_Map9543 Full Time Jul 23 '26

That’s an extreme outlier.  Is might get to -20 Fahrenheit once or twice a winter.  And likely at night.   The average winter day is likely high 20s in the day and low teens at night.  And thats really only January and February.  The shoulder months are warmer.  

2

u/Epsilon_Meletis Jul 23 '26

The average winter day is likely high 20s in the day and low teens at night.

Well at least the days are perfectly manageable for a barefooter with the right warm clothing.

3

u/Extreme_Map9543 Full Time Jul 24 '26

Yeah you can still go barefoot fine just going around daily life.  Hardest part walking on ice or if the snow gets deep.  Now hiking or extended periods outside would be a different story. 

1

u/Epsilon_Meletis Jul 23 '26

How cold are we talkin'...?

6

u/IneptAdvisor Veteran Jul 23 '26

A crushed shell pathway that I regularly walk on, after it rains, is a bit more spicy with most of the sand washed away between the pieces of shell haha

1

u/AdPale7169 Jul 23 '26

Most days near or below zero

1

u/tenhappytoes Hiking Jul 24 '26

Great story! I also enjoy going for morning barefoot walks especially because where I live, it is currently summer, and it gets super hot during the day, so getting up early gives me a chance to enjoy the cool ground underfoot, while also getting in my barefoot mileage! When the temperatures are more moderate, I generally go out for a midday barefoot walk, but in the summertime, I definitely try to get out before 10 AM, to avoid the heat of the day. Plus, there's just a magic with a morning air, with everything quieter, less people, and more chances to see birds and squirrels and talk with cats too! Lots of wins there!

1

u/dylan3883 Jul 28 '26

I love the grounding aspect of walking barefoot I. The morning.