So You Want To Hike Barefoot - Tips To Make The Transition

[@Dinu-desculţ]

I started to hike barefoot at 2 years old (in 1961), when I grew up in a village in my country, Romania. These are my best shoes: 🦶🏼🦶🏼= ☺✌🏻❗

[@DoctorBen]

I love it!!!

[@Dinu-desculţ]

Dear @@DoctorBen , I don't like to wear shoes (any type of footwear or anything on my feet). For me, in bare feet life is much better (healthier, happier and more comfortable) than in shoes. In fact I don't hate shoes (footwear) - I just ignore this invention. I live only for myself but not for the shoe advertising agencies. With the money that I would give to buy shoes, I can buy more useful things. E.g : a good food, colors for painting, a (video) camera or books ... - For me, being barefoot isn't just a fashion statement: It’s a lifestyle, a way to express myself. So, I am a man with personality ! In fact, life's too short to wear shoes. ➖ On the other hand, humans have evolved barefoot and the feet are well-equipped to handle any problems they might encounter on the ground. Aside from accidentally stepping onto something that might be painful (e.g. a Lego) you’ll be fine. In fact, it’s much healthier to go barefoot, than to let your foot sweat inside your shoe, creating a dark, damp and warm environment, perfect for the growth of bacteria and fungi. Aside from that, your average modern shoe is too narrow for the human foot, meaning it will compress and eventually deform your foot causing all kinds of issues ❗

[@mgeers2603]

I would like to add that landing on your forefoot is adviseable instead of heel landing. Myself I’m walking and hiking barefoot after a three year transition from normaal shoes, to barefoot shoes, to barefoot sandals and now barefoot as much as possible. Love your tips.

[@DoctorBen]

Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching! I do a mixture of both depending on the terrain. Forefoot landing is the terrain is rougher and heel first if I'm cruising on comfortable, easy ground.

[@terrylee7812]

Hello from the future. I jumped in for a few hours the other day. Had a wonderful experience because it was spontaneous, intuitive and instinctive. I’ve been researching post-experience and my instincts were sound. For example, since I didn’t plan it, I carried my shoes on my walking stick. After a couple of hours, I knew it was time to return to shoes. It slowed me down. I know this particular trail well after a decade. I usually power through it but not barefoot!😂 It slowed me down and made me mindful of the step in front of me. I also had to not mind people passing by who may have found me strange. Another perk! I’d say the next morning I was a bit stiff but honestly, I still feel “activity” (I hope that makes sense) all along my body.

[@theyosemiteguyd]

Good advice!! 👍

[@DoctorBen]

Thank you!

[@uncipaws7643]

This film is assuming a hiker who is already used to hiking in shoes ... I'm the other way, coming from a daily barefoot lifestyle was what really got me into hiking. I had trekking boots until last year when they fell apart because the 15 year old glue dissolved. But the whole awareness thing (every area has its risk and some attention to the ground is always advisable) has already been well-practiced when I went to more difficult trails. And now it's my muscles that hurt after a long barefoot hike, not my feet.

[@DoctorBen]

You are a pretty special case. There are few people any more who are used to spending much time at all barefoot. I spend lots of time barefoot and still kind of envy your situation. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@edteach1419]

Best greetings from Barefooter from Poland.

[@DoctorBen]

Hello from Colorado!

[@cinmac3]

I do more barefoot i have used vibrant bf shoes, now i staring barefoot even hiking on a trail , not on rocks, or hot hot side sand or sidewalks.

[@cinmac3]

I walked barefoot and sometimes sticks thorns get me and the other day i stepped on a bunch of sand spurs , but , now I have stronger feet but things from sand spurs in my feet. Is there a way to ease .this kind of dilemma

[@DoctorBen]

When I go barefoot, I'm just much more careful about where I put my feet. Feet toughen up over time, but since we regularly all wear shoes, there will likely just be things that our feet can't get used to. Foot coverings were invented to ease this problem. It's about finding a balance that works for you.

[@indriadrayton1132]

I appreciate all of your videos. May God continue to bless you, in Jesus' Name.

[@DoctorBen]

Thank you!

[@Omer-gv2tp]

What do you do for the sharp rocks, horns, plants etc?

[@DoctorBen]

First I pay attention to where I put my feet. Second as your feet toughen up more and more things become less and less of a concern. It’s always a good idea to bring footwear that way if your feet tell you they’ve had enough you can put it on.

[@calfeggs]

I just hiked 1.5 miles down a mountain, I noticed that the typical way I would hike wearing shoes I aimed for tips of rocks and edges when going from one rock to the next. There's a lot of reprogramming that my brain did to try and find where to place my feet. The proprioception I get back from my feet ties into the visual processing but it's definitely much slower at the moment at least.

[@ErikaBrigitSkov]

Hi from Denmark 🇩🇰 I've walked in Skinners socksshoes for about 9 month now. I'm used to being barefoot or in minimalist shoes. But when I try longer hikes (over 7km.) my 2. toe/forefoot starts to hurt. This is very frustrating. Can you recommend anything that would help? I train to go on a long march this summer 2×45km. in two days. ☺️🥾🌲

[@DoctorBen]

I too have had issues with that. What I’ve found for me is that the muscle in the arch of my foot is tight not allowing my foot to bend and flex properly which puts extra stress on that part of my fore foot. Using a small ball like a high bounce ball or a golf ball to massage that muscle from my heel all the way out to my big toe helps a lot.

[@ErikaBrigitSkov]

@@DoctorBen Thank you 🙌 I'll give that a try for sure.

[@lynlu4955]

I like to go hiking but dont know how to

[@DoctorBen]

The best way to get started is find a local park with a trail that looks interesting!

[@alessiolorenzi5107]

Kiss 💋 your Feet.. Doctor Ben.. I like you

[@PierreJennihey-taxi]

Why do you keep such a long savage beard ? You still have to cut the mustache, why not adjust the rest ? What is the message of your look ? Thanks

[@DoctorBen]

There is no message to my look. I used to have a job that requires me to shave. I hate shaving. I had to shave for 15 years of my life because of work. I don’t want to do it. It makes my day worse. It’s my natural beard. There’s nothing savage about it.