This page lists the “What’s New In Barefooting” articles and links that we featured in 2016 (shown in ascending order by date).

Mountain guide Gwen’s life inspires winning film – by Margaret Chrystall in What’s On North (December, 2016)

In December, the Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrated outdoor stories, including the short film, Operation Moffat, inspired by the life of Gwen Moffat, Britain’s first female mountain guide.

Moffat’s first book, Space Below My Feet, shares the 91-year-old’s first experience of climbing during the Second World War. In the film, writer Claire Carter and film-maker Jen Randall follow in Gwen’s footsteps – including climbing in bare feet. As Claire explains: “Gwen climbed barefoot to begin with because she couldn’t afford boots.”

Video clip from the movieOperation Moffat which highlights Moffat’s barefoot climbing exploits.

That time a pitcher threw a complete game barefoot – by Tim Hagerty, in Sporting News, (December 23, 2016)

Forget “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. Marlin Stuart went shoeless and sockless. Stuart grew up in the 1930s. By the time he was 18, Stuart was dominating the muggy sandlots of Arkansas. When the St. Louis Browns signed him in 1940, Stuart told them he had never seen a pair of spikes. “I can just naturally pitch better when I can feel the diamond dust oozing between my toes.” . . .

Titans’ Ben Jones plans to walk frigid field barefoot before NFL game on Sunday – by Mark Inabinett, in AL.com sports (December 17, 2016)

Lots of NFL players have a pregame ritual. Ben Jones, Tennessee Titans center, always takes a stroll on the field in his bare feet, regardless of weather.

Another article about Jones’s barefoot ritual by Jim Wyatt in Titansonline (December 15, 2016)

Get in touch with nature: Should you try barefoot winter walking? – by Jini Reddy, in The Telegraph, Well-being and Fitness (December 12, 2016)

“When we put our feet in shoes, we block their ability to communicate with the earth,” states Lynne Allbutt, a Welshwoman, author, TV personality and first woman to run across Wales barefoot, as she invites the author for a barefoot walk–in winter.

Related Links:

• Lynne Allbutt’s book: Barefoot and Before, One Woman, One Country, Two Bare Feet. In this autobiography, Welsh celebrity Lynne Allbutt describes how she decided to see if she could run across the country of Wales – barefoot.
• Article: on Lynne Allbutt’s successful barefoot run across Wales (June, 2014)

Why we walk on our heels instead of our toes – by Alexis Blue, in Phys.org (December 12, 2016)

An excellent article about a research study from the University of Arizona published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. In addressing the mechanics of walking and running, the study also explores the question of why barefoot runners often use a different stride that would feel unnatural when walking.

Wediquette Wednesday: Is it acceptable for a bride to go barefoot at her wedding? – by Melanie Warner Spencer, in Let Them Eat Cake, the official blog of New Orleans Bride magazine, offering a daily dose of all things weddings (December 7, 2016).

This Guy Is Walking Across America Barefoot to Protest Climate Change –By Tori Telfer, in Vice (December 2, 2016)

“Mark Baumer is walking across the United States barefoot, but this isn’t his first rodeo. He’s already walked the length of the country once before—though that time, he wore shoes.” This time, he’s walking to raise money for an environmentalist group.

SAD UPDATE: On January 21, 2017, as Mark walked along the shoulder of Highway 90 in Walton County, Fla., a car veered out of its lane and struck him. Mark died at the scene. Two news reports:

• Washington Post report
• NBC News report

Hyderabad woman runs barefoot for 350 km to raise breast cancer awareness – by Think Change India, in Your Story (November 29, 2016)

Hyderabad woman runs barefoot for 350 km to raise breast cancer awareness. Another report on this story here.

Update on a study previously noted. Earlier, we cited a report on research to study the differences between the feet of habitually barefoot South African children and their counterparts in Europe (Walking Barefoot Study Underway, scroll below to December 3, 2015) .

Updates:

• Link to an article summarizing the preliminary study findings (November 19, 2016).
• Link to an abstract of the study findings (October 31, 2016)

Three Reasons Surfers Should Start Training Barefoot – by Nick Holt, in The Inertia (November 15, 2016)

Studies show shoes are ruining our feet and here’s why – by Kelsey Robertson, Deseret News Service, in the Randolph County Herold Tribune [Illinois] (November 10, 2016)

Citing various studies comparing the foot health of those who habitually go barefoot and those who wear shoes, the article concludes, “Science shows why all of us should strive to embrace certain aspects of going barefoot.”

Michelle Obama’s Latest White House Rule: Shoes Are Not Mandatory – by Jillian Ruffo, in People Style (October 17, 2016) **

When a woman standing in line at the White House to meet Michelle Obama developed aching feet and asked if she could take her shoes off, the First Lady replied, “Yes, and you can tell anyone who tells you to put them back on that Mrs. Obama said you can take them off.”

** NOTE: the link above no longer works.  Here’s another similar article: Michelle Obama’s Latest White House Rule: Shoes Are Not Mandatory, Yahoo Finance (October 17, 2016)

Winnipeg man walking barefoot for 13 years – by Beth MacDonell, CTV News, Winnipeg, Canada (October, 17, 2016)

Simon Jardine took off his shoes in the summer after sixth grade, 13 years ago. He’s been going barefoot ever since. “Not wearing shoes is comfortable and wearing shoes is physically painful,” said Jardine. He added that walking without shoes is healthier and connects him to his surrounding.

Barbarian Invasion–Will society collapse if people go barefoot in public?  Probably – by Bruce Smith, in The Uniter/Winnipeg University and downtown community paper (October 12, 2016)

A somewhat deceptive subtitle for a very positive article!  As the author begins, “The author opens, “Little kids want to go barefoot everywhere, but later in life, something goes awry. It doesn’t have to be this way. I’ve been going barefoot for years, and I love it. And I think it’s gaining acceptance.”

Get Your Children Good and Dirty – By B. Brett Finlay and Marie-Claire Arrieta, Wall Street Journal, (September 15, 2016)

“Researchers are discovering how crucial microbes are to our health and to avoiding a range of newly common diseases. So it’s time to get dirty, eat better and stop overusing antibiotics”

[The article’s related photo suggests this obviously includes going barefoot.]

No Shoes, No Problem. These Bulgarian Lifters Trained Barefoot When Their Luggage Got Lost – by The BarBend Team, BarBend, (September 15, 2016)

Also: a previous post by BarBend (June 26, 2016) on other examples of barefoot weightlifting: Summer Is Barefoot Lifting Season. Here Are Our Favorite Shoeless Snatches

Savvy Shields Is Miss America 2017 Winning With Barefoot Dance Routine – by Luigi Lugmayr, I4U News (September 12, 2016)

(** Note: The link to this article no longer works)

For the talent portion of the pageant, Shields (Miss Arkansas) performed a jazz dance to “They Just Keep Moving The Line” from the American drama series Smash barefoot.

LOOK: Barefoot Olympian throws first pitch at Wrigley Field,Beach volleyball player April Ross threw out the first pitch at the friendly confines – by Mike Axisa, CBS Sports (September 02, 2016)

Chicago, IL, USA; USA Olympic Beach volleyball player April Ross throws ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago Cubs and San Fransisco game at Wrigley Field.

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Wellesley College holds its annual 24 hour Of Barefoot Soccer event on August 20, 2016

Photos from 2016 event here.

Participants pay $25 to play soccer barefoot for 24 hours (or as long as they want). Proceeds support a charity that raises awareness of AIDS in Africa.

Photo shown here from 2015 event.

Record-breaking Irish barefoot walker sets his sights on the United States – by Nick Bramhill, Irish Central [Irish online publication] (August 11, 2016)

Also (earlier article): This Mayo man has walked over 1000km around Ireland barefoot – and he’s not finished yet – by Roisin Nestor, The Journal [Irish online publication] (July 3, 2016)

The story of Eamonn Keaveney, who decided to walk barefoot around Ireland’s coast to raise money for Pieta house, which focuses on preventing suicide and self harm. The earlier article above points out a reality that any barefooter will recognize: “[Eamonn Keaveney] acknowledged that his feet have gotten used to the surfaces and that in the last few days, he’s been able to easily walk over surfaces he previously found difficult.”

When you walk with naked feet, how can you ever forget the earth? – by Dianne Traynor RECE, Pedagogical Team Leader and Beth Hartin RECE, Compass Early Learning and Care, Ontario, Canada (July 7, 2016)

A blog article by two educators on the benefits of allowing children to go barefoot in educational settings. As the article notes, “Children learn with their whole bodies. There can be an instinct for some educators to ask children in programs to keep their shoes on. However, we must not forget that being in their bare feet offers children unique sensory experiences.”

Related article from Compass Early Learning and Care on the benefits of Stepping in Clay, using feet as well as hands.

“It is what makes me happy’: Lethbridge pair lives the barefoot life” – By Sarah Komadina, Global News, Toronto, Canada (July 7, 2016)

The story of two Canadian women who have chosen the barefoot lifestyle, and who haven’t looked back or regretted their decision.

How a barefoot sawmill owner avoided making too much money – by Charles Wohlforth, Alaska Dispatch News (June 20, 2016)

The column begins, “As he has sawed up logs over the last 40 years, the ground has risen up under Steve Gibson’s bare feet. Sawdust and wood chips grow ever deeper on his three acres in the woods east of Homer, like the friendships and conversations that fill the day.”

Key West meets Northwest Iowa: No shirt, no shoes, no problem-o at Barefoot Bar – by Earl Horlyk, Sioux City Journal (June 9, 2016)

How about that: a successful food and entertainment establishment (located in Sioux City, Iowa) that understands fun and respects the barefooted customer!

• Barefoot Bar website

Want to enhance your memory? Doodling, yoga or running barefoot can help ramp up recall – by Seth Porges, Bloomberg, as reprinted in the Watertown Daily Times (June 7, 2016) and Tyler Morning Telegraph (June 13, 2016)

As the article relates, “…it turns out that slipping off your shoes — or at least paying attention to where you put your feet — may improve your memory.” (Note: Some may question the methodology of portions of these studies so more research may be needed).

Why Going Barefoot Has Become the New Status Symbol – by Shane Watson, The Telegraph (May 28, 2016)

The BBC One series, Love, Nina, featuring a barefoot nanny named Nina (photo), has highlighted the power of bare feet.

Thus, as the article above relates, “…bare feet have become a symbol of confidence, free thinking and a lot more besides. New research shows schoolchildren who don’t wear shoes in class get better grades, read more, and it turns out the Scandinavians insist on it. Bare feet now equals smart as in brainy, and smart as in fashionable.”

Why going barefoot is the new green juice ** – by Frankie Graddon in The Pool (June 1, 2016). This opinion piece also reflects on going barefoot as “the new status symbol,” with specific reference to the Love, Nina TV series. [This link found and added October, 2017.]

(**Note: The link to this article no longer works)

“Schoolchildren with no shoes on ‘do better and behave better in the classroom’, research shows“ – by Javier Espinoza, education editor, The Telegraph (May 24, 2016).

The article, siting new research by Bournemouth University, states, “Schoolchildren who attend their lessons wearing no shoes are likely to obtain better grades and behave better than those who wear them, a decade-long academic research has revealed.”

The article provides the rationale for no shoes and the observed results, based on a study of schools in Scandinavia, England, Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Heppell’s related website: “Shoeless Learning Places”

Related follow-up article: Take your shoes off! Barefoot kids do better at school – by Angela Mollard, News.com.au (June 3, 2016)

Why I Don’t Wear Shoes – Video by barefoot minimalist Brittany Taylor (May 20, 2016)

Her video introduction states, “I love living life barefoot! Embracing life without footwear has been such a blast and has contributed to the joy, health, and connection I experience in so many ways. In this video in my “why I don’t” series, I share my experiences and evolution around wearing shoes, sandals, and ultimately embracing the joy of being barefoot.”

BBC TV series, Love, Nina features a barefooted lead character named Nina, a nanny who moves to London to care for two children. Based on the real life experiences of Nina Stibbe.

• Radio Times article – By Michael Hodges (May 20, 2016): Love, Nina: confessions of a nanny in London’s literary set. Nina Stibbe on how Nick Hornby turned her youthful years into a new BBC drama starring Faye Marsay and Helena Bonham Carter.
• Love, Nina: Trailer – BBC one
• Love, Nina, Episode 2 Preview – BBC one

Barefoot Councilor Stands Out in Zambo – in Inquirer Mindanao, the Philippines, by Julie Alipala (May 15, 2016)

The inspiring account of the humble Councilor Rodolfo Bayot, who roamed his city barefoot to remove his campaign materials. He received the the moniker “barefoot councilor” for walking around and going to work with no shoes or slippers.

Actress Julia Roberts barefoot at Cannes Film Festival – in People, by Dave Quinn (May 13, 2016)

Is it legal to force women to wear high heels at work? – By Claire Bates & Justin ParkinsonBBC News Magazine (May 11, 2016)

A 27 year old woman working for a City firm in London says she was sent home for refusing to wear high heels. But is this legal, fair or healthy? An interesting twist on footwear choice that could have a bearing on the right (or at least option) to go barefoot.

Anna Klinge puts her best foot forward – on the Britain’s Got Talent TV program (May 7, 2016)

Anna offers a totally amusing, creative and entertaining performance using her feet. See also her German language website here.

Going barefoot may be good for your health – by Kyle Davey in the Statesman Journal (April 21, 2016)

The author observes, “…it’s really, really important to have healthy, well-stimulated, happy feet in order to have a happy, healthy, well-functioning brain. And shoes don’t make for happy feet.”

Man Plans to Hike Continental Divide Trail Barefoot – by Rob Cheney, The Missoulian, Casper Star Tribune (April 30, 2016)

Dave will attempt to hike the 3,100 mile trail over the course of two years. As Dave relates, “It took about three weeks but it got to the point where I could walk barefoot without anything bothering me.”

The CEO of a $1 billion company explains why he makes everyone who walks into the office take their shoes off – By Jacquelyn Smith, Business Insider (March 18, 2016)

The article relates, “Joshua Reeves, the cofounder and CEO of Gusto, recently told Adam Bryant of The New York Times that he’s implemented a no-shoe policy at work. ‘…Companies can be sterile and cold,’ Reeves added. ‘We want our workplace to be really comfortable. In some ways, people feel more like themselves when their shoes are off.’ And his employees agree...”

Orthotics or not > Our limiting foot beliefs are hurting us – article by Kristin Marvin, a sports performance recovery specialist (March 29, 2016)

The author writes, “Research on European, Indian and Asian adults who had never worn shoes in their lifetime all showed fan shaped feet with variations in arch height. Flat feet, middle arch or high arched unshod adults were all asymptomatic. That means no foot problems.” The article continues with the “Top 10 things to do for better foot/overall body health.” (Kristin Marvin’s website and blog: <http://kristinmarvinfitness.com/>)

Yorkshire’s first barefoot walking club aimed at curing stresses of Leeds city life – by Jonathan Brown, in Yorkshire Evening Post (March 14, 2016)

The article begins, “Hayley Gillard, an ecotherapist who runs the Wild Goose social enterprise, is quite literally stepping up her bid to help crammed city dwellers destress through the first barefoot walking club to be founded in Leeds and possibly Yorkshire.”

Comment: Why kids should go barefoot more (and probably adults, too) – by Lauren Knight, SBS News / Australia (March 10, 2016)

The author, provides a comprehensive overview of benefits provided by going  barefoot (for both children and adults).