Articles about Barefooting

  • The Reason Why Some Top Fitness Pros Actually Prefer To Train Barefoot – by Andi Breitowich, in Woman’s Health Magazine (October 30, 2024) – Experts explain the potential benefits and share tips for how to safely try barefoot training.  (Note: Ignore the first sentence which incorrectly discourages other barefoot activities–done successfully by many.)
  • Should You Deadlift Barefoot? Here’s What the Experts Say – by Ian Douglass, in BarBend (July 19, 2023) -Read the advice of two fitness experts whose very livelihoods depend on their ability to teach athletes to deadlift effectively.  Short answer: Deadlifting barefoot offers significant advantages, assuming certain precautions.
  • Barefoot in Vermont — Or Not – by Nara Petrovic, in Nara’s Substack (July 3, 2023) -Writer and barefoot world traveler, Nara Petrovic describes visiting the U.S. and hiking in the state of Vermont. Narrating his conversation with a fellow forest trail hiker, he relates the joys and benefits of barefooting as well as the unique ups and downs of trying to do so in the U.S.
  • What Happens to Your Body if You Don’t Wear Shoes for 30 Days? – by Robert Born, in BoxRox, Competitive Fitness Magazine (June 24, 2023) -Noting that going barefoot has gained popularity due to its potential benefits for foot health and overall well-being, the author responds to the title question by concluding, “You should definitely consider going barefoot.”
  • What Can Being Barefoot Do for You? – By Diana Zotos Florio, in Yoga U online (June 9, 2023)– by Robert Born, in BoxRox, Competitive Fitness Magazine (June 24, 2023) -Noting that, “Being barefoot can strengthen and mobilize your feet and promote proprioception,” the article outlines how to reconnect with out feet and enjoy the many health benefits of going barefoot.
  • Airlines Still Have Dress Codes for Passengers. Why? – by Victoria M. Walker, in Afar (December 2, 2022) -The author calls for rethinking many of the outdated and arbitrary (author’s term) “Contract for Carriage” dress codes–which often include prohibitions against bare feet.  Her conclusion: “Why care what other people who aren’t bothering you are wearing?  …attire shouldn’t be a barrier to travel.”
  • Biologist Offers Insight on the Human Foot – by Brianna Barbu, in  Discover Magazine (November 20, 2022) -According to research by evolutionary biologist Dr. Lieberman, the evolution of walking has everything to do with what makes us human.  Dr. Lieberman also addresses questions about when footwear came on the scene, how that changed our human species, and what he has learned from cultures who live barefoot,   As Lieberman notes, “For millions or even billions of people in the world, walking barefoot is the norm — and their feet are healthier for it.”
  • Is Training Barefoot the Secret to Unlocking Your Athletic Success? – by “Sports Performance,” in Trainheroic (October 28, 2022) – As the article explains, in part, “Having stronger feet [developed by barefoot training] increases your proprioception, stability, and coordination.”  But that’s just the start.  (Oddly, the article concludes with a section promoting various “barefoot shoes.”  But the main section addresses true barefoot training.)”
  • The Benefits of Going Barefoot – by “Nine to Noon” in RNZ/New Zealand (January 24, 2022) – An excellent interview with Australian Dr. Paul Thompson, the “Barefoot Podiatrist”.
  • Why You Should Train Barefoot – by Joseph Mazour, in Stack (January 24, 2022) – An informative article on practical ways to ‘strength train’ barefoot to develop strong and healthy muscles in the foot and ankle.
  • Barefoot Climbing: Time to ditch the shoes? – by Sam Laird, in Climbing Shoe Review (November 15, 2021) – More than a few pro rock-climbers ditch their shoes while climbing.  This article reports on a number of them and discusses techniques required for climbing shoeless, as well as the pros and cons of doing so.
  • How Walking Barefoot Helped Me Experience Language and Culture
    by Heather Markel, on her Blog page HeatherBegins (October 15, 2020) – Traveling Blogger Heather Markel relates how a big part of travel is observing and trying local traditions different from one’s own.  Thus, while in New Zealand, Markel describes her positive and even exhilarating experience with embracing a local Kiwi custom: going barefoot out and about.
  • Can bare feet work at home? – by Katy Bowman, on her Blog page NutritiousMovement (September, 2020) – Short answer: Of course.  Bowman, an internationally recognized biomechanist and author, responds to supposed foot health concerns due to increased barefooting at home during the COVID-19 quarantine.  Bowman also offers helpful exercises to promote healthier, stronger feet.
  • Meet the Yakima man who strived to walk barefoot across the world – by Jim Dever in King5.com NBC news, Seattle, (September, 2020) – Article and video -The story of Hippolyte Martinet, a Yakima cabinet maker who, one hundred years ago (in 1920), set out on a barefoot journey, walking from Seattle to New York, sailing across the Atlantic and continuing to walk through France, Egypt and India, living 100% off the kindness of strangers.
  • The barefoot feeling – by Rick Houser, in The People’s Defender (July 23, 2020) -The author reminisces fondly about his bygone, carefree barefoot days as a child.
  • The Barefoot Life Is The Best Life – by Jimmy Smiles, Blog entry in The Smiles Show (June 13, 2020) – The author offers his suggestions on adopting a barefoot lifestyle based on its advantages and his experiences.
  • Away With Words – Happy Feet – by L.E. Hughes, in The Irregular (September 11, 2019) – The author offers her cheerful and carefree reflections on the simple joys of going barefoot, which may include getting one’s feet dirty in the garden.
  • Going Barefoot Is Good For The Sole – by Karen Weintraub, in Scientific American (July 26, 2019) -Report on scientific research by Harvard professor Dr. Daniel Lieberman and colleagues in Germany and Kenya–finding that although calluses thicken as people walk barefoot more often, there is no trade-off in sensation from that extra protection.  (Original research study published in Nature here).
  • Barefoot Cycling: Why Is it Good For You
    by Max Shumpert, in Bikes Reviewed (July 11, 2019) – This helpful article notes reasons to ride barefoot and outlines techniques to make it workable and fun–including creative ways to modify uncomfortable peddles.
  • Why you should consider training barefoot – by Mallory Creveling, in Shape (April, 2019) – Working out sans sneakers, explains the article, might offer the key to better performance and bigger strength gains.
  • A Beginner’s Guide  to Working Out Barefoot – by Emily Abbate, in GQ Magazine (April, 2019) – Ditching one’s trainers could help make one stronger, explains the article, as it covers three main reasons, according to experts, for people to go barefoot at the gym.  The article also notes that the practice has grown in popularity among a certain segment of the gym-going population, including those at Performix House, a high-end New York City gym.
  • It’s science: Being barefoot boosts your kid’s development
    by Pam Moore, in Motherly (April, 2019) – An inspiring article, written by a caring mom, who cites authoritative research to support the conclusion that, “…optimum foot development in children occurs in the absence of shoes.”  The author adds, “I realized I was scared of all the wrong things when I insisted my kids leave their shoes on at the park.”
  • Does Walking Barefoot Have Health Benefits? – by Sara Lindberg, in HealthLine (updated: March 8, 2019) – Answer: yes!  This article outlines the benefits (including an excellent summary list), notes potential dangers, and explains the way to properly walk and exercise barefoot.
  • Why You Should Go to Church with Dirty Feet – by Delci Plouffe in A Life of Heritage Blog (February, 2019) – Spiritual reflections by a church music leader on the meaning of bare feet on Holy Ground, after removing her flip flops in church.

  • Woman who got married barefoot hasn’t worn shoes in three years – by Hatty Gladwell, in Metro/UK (April 10, 2018) – The story of Kasandra Smith, who found that ditching her shoes helped reduce the anxiety she’d suffered in the past.  As she relates, “I can’t quite explain it but I feel so much more calm and confident without shoes.  …When I’m barefoot, I feel much more relaxed.”

  • Winter barefoot walking – by Makendzis (April, 2018) -The author offers tips, benefits and precautions related to barefooting in cold conditions.
  • In Which I Go Barefoot – by Hannah Swithinbank (April, 2018) – An account of the writer’s barefoot travels during a spiritual journey in the mid-east
  • 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, “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.”
  • What Does a Regularly Bare Foot Look Like – by Laura Blodgett, in Fun Fitness After 50 (June, 2016) – An in-depth and informative review of the positive differences that result from going barefoot over shoe wearing.

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”

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

  • Sole Exposed – by Mark P. Davies (Sept., 2015) – A thoughtful article in Spirit of Change Magazine as the author reflects on the often overlooked benefits and delights of going barefoot, especially outdoors.
  • A Letter to the College of Western Idaho About Going to Class Barefoot – by Laura Blodgett, in Fun Fitness After 50 (The author, an understanding and well-informed mom, shares two persuasive letters written by her college-age daughter to the administration of her school requesting that they rescind its unnecessary shoe requirement on campus.
  • Going Barefooted – Blog article by In-House Counsel (August, 2012) – The author (unnamed) writes about her childhood experiences with two bare feet while growing up in Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Why I Dare To Go Barefoot – by Angela Kelly, The Express (Dec., 2011) – The story of Bea Marshall, inspirational speaker, coach and lifestyle barefooter (also featured on our “People” page).
  • Head Over Heels for Barefooting – by Bill Ades (Spring, 2011) – Pathways for Family Wellness – An excellent overview, with references, of the health benefits of going barefoot
  • For ‘Sole Man’ In China, One Shoeless Step At A Time – NPR, All Things Considered (December 20, 2010) – The article and audio begin, “He calls himself the “Sole Man.” Englishman Arthur Jones, who lives in China, has embarked on a yearlong mission to live his life barefoot.”
  • You Walk Wrong – by Adam Sternbergh (2008) – A New York magazine article on the problems with shoe wearing and the benefits of the alternative–going barefoot.
  • Barefoot Hiking – by Darren Richardson (Aug. 2006) in The Appalachian Voice
  • Barefoot Rights
    by Myranya Werlemann (1999) – Why “No shoes, no service” policies make no sense.  Let Myranya explain…
  • A Case For Bare Feet
    by Paul J. Lucas, Michael M. Berrow, Richard K. Frazine, and Robert A. Neinast (1999) – Despite the fact that laws  and health department regulations do not prohibit bare feet, people who go barefoot have increasingly and unnecessarily faced discrimination and even hostility. This paper presents the natural and healthy benefits of going barefoot and also explains the harm shoes can cause.
  • Endangered Pleasures
    by Barbara Holland (1995) – A wonderful two page essay on going barefoot. Anyone who enjoys going barefoot will relate.
  • The Barefoot League
    by James L.M. Bain (1914) – This paper, written over 100 years ago, highlights the virtues and delights of barefoot walking. At first, it might seem to have little to do with bare feet, but keep reading.
  • For online articles related to medical information, see our Medical Research page
  • For additional article links to other barefoot topics such as running, legal issues, etc., check our related sub-pages.