In the US, some members of the historical trekking community (people to travel the woods like 18th century frontier folk) go barefoot for some portion of their scouts, while wearing moccasins the rest of the time.
And of course, barefoot running has its own subculture in the running community.
I was just catching up on my weekly anthropology reading and came across this fascinating piece:
http://neuroanthropology.net/2009/07/26/lose-your-shoes-is-barefoot-better/ that asks whether going barefoot is better.
It's a long read -- it goes from Zola Budd to Otzi back to 40,000 years ago and back to now.
But it's really fascinating and asks: is being shod really all its cracked up to be?
It makes interesting points -- among them is data that suggests running shoes actually increase injury rates and that arch supports end up weakening our feet. The ultra light backpacking community has produced similar data about heavy hiking boots vs. hiking in sneakers -- there is some support for the idea that heavy boots increase injury rates.
Anyhow, some of you might find this article interesting. In the end, the odds are good that the benefits of shoes in most cases outweigh the damage they do.
I think it's worth experimenting with when terrain and climate permits. I plan on toughing up my feet a bit and the next time I'm in the woods I'll slip off the shoes and go barefoot for a few miles to strengthen my feet.
And of course, barefoot running has its own subculture in the running community.
I was just catching up on my weekly anthropology reading and came across this fascinating piece:
http://neuroanthropology.net/2009/07/26/lose-your-shoes-is-barefoot-better/ that asks whether going barefoot is better.
It's a long read -- it goes from Zola Budd to Otzi back to 40,000 years ago and back to now.
But it's really fascinating and asks: is being shod really all its cracked up to be?
It makes interesting points -- among them is data that suggests running shoes actually increase injury rates and that arch supports end up weakening our feet. The ultra light backpacking community has produced similar data about heavy hiking boots vs. hiking in sneakers -- there is some support for the idea that heavy boots increase injury rates.
Anyhow, some of you might find this article interesting. In the end, the odds are good that the benefits of shoes in most cases outweigh the damage they do.
I think it's worth experimenting with when terrain and climate permits. I plan on toughing up my feet a bit and the next time I'm in the woods I'll slip off the shoes and go barefoot for a few miles to strengthen my feet.