Shoes act like casts, holding the bones of the foot so rigid that they can’t move fluidly, Steven Robbins [MD and adjunct associate professor of mechanical engineering at Concordia University, Montreal] explains. “The foot becomes passive from wearing shoes and loses the ability to support itself.”
I’ve been of this school of thought for a few years now, but never gone as far as to toss my shoes. Cleats for soccer, I’ve never biked barefoot much, but in the summer anywhere but restaraunts you’ll find me pieds nulles.
Being Barefoot makes me feel free. Liberated from shoes and also liberated from caring about approval or disapproval of society. My feet love the feel of the ground.
And boy, just wait until you feel the love of thorns, or slivers. I got a sliver the other day, and managed to work most of it out, but there is still a little sticking right in the ball of my foot. Under the skin, so I can’t extract it well. Then again, how can we appreciate the beauty around us without the ugly? I’d rather have a sliver in my bare feet then wear shoes, and not let them feel anything at all.