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Anonymous01/05/26, 11:24No.2856498
Are barefoot shoes really that goated? Im buying new shoes soon, and i just wanna know if its truly the way to go. Especially considering that there arent many barefoot hiking shoes, that are somewhat waterproof.
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Anon01/05/26, 11:32No.2856499
literally what the FUCK is the point of shoes if it's not gonna protect your soles? mental illness thread
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Anon01/05/26, 11:40No.2856501
Barefoot shoes are stupid. I once bought a pair mainly because of the toebox (I do believe in that shit)and to see what the fuzz is all about. They came with a note explaining that the insole was so that you can first get used to the power of barefoot shoes and after a period od acclimatization you could remove those and giga barefoot. Such is the power of barefoot shoes! Normies need insoles first! Almost as if walking barefoot wasn't a thing.
What can I say. Normal shoes. Co. pared to sneakers the sole is a bit more flexible, thinner, you probably 'feel' more but nor really. If you're standing on a pebble you can tell that in heavy mountaineering boots.
Thread wore off in no time (who would have guessed) and within a month or so both shoes had holes. I guess that's a feature, right. So barefoot!
It's an odd form of modern arrogance to run around and constantly trash every concept of old, because the people of old supposedly had those things they figured out through centuries if not millenia of experience had it all wrong!
No ankle support, one bad step in a scree field, bye bye trip, maybe bye bye functional ankle.
Use proper shoes.
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Anon01/05/26, 11:56No.2856502
>barefoot shoes
make sure you have the right part of your foot bare. picrel is the final word in winter hiking sandals. suede liner grips in wetness, and polishes over time. the strap is easily repairable. I've had pairs last 5 years.take them out on an easy hike. it takes practice to not cause the thong strap between your toes to break because of slipping on a downslope. with shoes on, wedging your foot into the shoe during downslope is a habit, while hiking with sandals require you to go slow, take your time, and ensure your foot placement has as little slippage as possible.keep a pair of hiking boots in your bag with you, but definitely try sandal hiking. sandals in trails of course, but going offroad with them is a challenge. if you can get a good pair of tie-off ankle strap wrap sandals (not velcro or belt), also get some strong cloth and do the foot wrap thing soldiers used to do on the march back in the bronze age. they are similar to high rise jungle boots, except more ventilated and more flexible, sort of like the flex sole of barefoot shoes.you also get to drop lame jokes at people when wearing your sandals around town in the middle of winter. tell them "the boss wore them everyday of his life" and they usually chuckle and agree.
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Anon01/05/26, 18:40No.2856554
i got some thin xero shoes cant remember the model right now. really love the bare feeling even if stepping on pebbels occasionally hurt. i also love the feeling in the ankle and being able to wrap my foot around what im walking on, great for balance. also recently bought the xero scrambler low wp, its a low waterproof shoe as you can tell by the name. its decent so far but the thread doesn't grip too well on hard slippery surfaces like wet rocks in streams. otherwise they're waterproof and decently warm
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Anon01/06/26, 02:22No.2856605
They look ugly as fuck but the vibram toe shoes are the best shoes I've ever owned
Never did any difficult trails with them but they were great on mild stuff unless there are lot of sharp small rocks.
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Anon01/06/26, 23:54No.2856699
I'm a barefoot (Jim Green) shill but it depends on where you're walking.Maintained trails I would always go for a barefoot boot/shoe.
Off-track in shitty or steep terrain it's nice to have a more sturdy boot.
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Anon01/07/26, 08:20No.2856731
I find I get a similar use wearing cheap aquasocks, they're better than flip flops for allowing foot movement and sensitivity, but not as secure as lace up shoes especially on downhills. On heavily travelled trails they're fine. I actually found a pair at fucking walmart that is halfway decent and has a wide toebox so they look a bit like clown shoes, but they're comfy af, worst case scenario they make good camp shoes that you can river cross with.
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Anon01/10/26, 03:50No.2857001
No. Literal marketing gimick, and you probably fell for it.
All the cons of being barefoot, with none of the pros of shoes for foot protection.
Your toes get more freedom, but that's it.
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Anon01/16/26, 01:02No.2857792
I bought a couple of toe spacers on Temu and it fixed my knee issues overnight, literally. Started hiking in Altra Lone Peaks, which has zero drop and a wide toebox, but a thick sole. It took a couple of months, but my plantar fasciitis, which I've struggled with for years, is almost gone. True barefoot shoes, fully flexible with no soles, are good for short hikes, but not long hikes, or city walks, or jobs where you stand on tiles or concrete for long periods. Your feet need some protection, even if it's "unnatural". But absolutely get shoes with a wide toebox and zero drop, you'll feel the difference immediately and you'll never be able to go back.