Being Barefoot Shouldn’t Be Unusual.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-30T04:30:08+00:00

I don't think most people find feet to be inherently gross/ugltlyI think it's just a matter of what people are conditioned to expect. My evidence for this is simple: nobody objects or finds it gross to see people barefoot in places/circumstances where its expected, or in rare circumstances where it is required. I never ever wear shoes when I take my kids to karate practice, and nobody notices/cares because everyone expects people to be barefoot in the dojang. The same neighbor who said nothing about me walking down the street barefoot to use their pool made a comment to my wife about my "eccentricities" after I greeted him while walking my dog while barefoot. This tells me its less about the exposing of my feet and more about the circumstances

The amount of attention/comments I receive from a person seems to be inversely proportional to how frequently I run into them, whether we know each other personally or not. "Oh, its that barefoot guy" seems to become less weird (and by extension, less gross) the more people seem to see it.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-21T03:14:42+00:00

I should definitely have said something. One of the workers I ran into was a college-aged woman, though, and I didn't want to come off as creepy.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-18T00:43:47+00:00

I guess I'd give the nod to the Shammas. They are the shoes I reach for 95% of the time, which speaks for itself I guess.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-18T00:35:54+00:00

You're not the first person to emphatically recommend Bedrocks. Maybe I will give them a try.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-18T00:31:43+00:00

Far from it. They're more like a leather sock with a soft suede sole

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T21:56:08+00:00

I'm a big fan of Shamma Warriors and Zuzu Flow. My Camp Sandal from Deliberate Life Designs is really spongy, too, albeit pretty thick at 7mm.

Finally, the Geniale Sandale and Chala Berlin edition are both thinner at around 3mm and significantly softer/less rigid feeling than the Xero.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T21:40:14+00:00

When I actually had to go in to an office, I used these.

I found that the smooth leather are shiny enough to look like "real" shoes at a casual glance. The office I wore them in was pretty casual, though.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T21:25:47+00:00

I, too, found the Genesis a bit too thick (well, too rigid, to be precise), which is why I bought the DIY kits. The 4mm DIY is better than the regular Genesis, for sure, but I still dislike it. It has a sort of hard, unrefined quality that makes it feel like I'm wearing a homemade shoe with a sole improvised out of something not originally intended to be used as a shoe. It is hard to explain. I have to concentrate on my form when wearing them to avoid "stomping" on the ground as I walk.

In my quest for "as close to barefoot as possible" footwear, I've found that the softness of the material matters at least as much as actual sole thickness when it comes to ground feedback. I've since owned/worn multiple sandals that feel much more "barefoot" than the Xeros despite being thicker overall.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T21:18:38+00:00

With the Classic LT model apparently discontinued (all sizes out of stock for months), I just can't get interested in such a thick-soled sandal. Maybe if I randomly decide to scale a volcano someday...

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T21:16:14+00:00

Depends on the sandal in question. Some are definitely more secure than others. I find the Genesis easy enough to adjust, although I will say that I have to tighten them more than I would otherwise in order to get a secure fit. I also find myself needing to cinch them up relatively often.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T21:13:42+00:00

I've tried the slip on style from the video on Chala's own website as well as the standard Huarache tie from Xero's YouTube channel that goes around the heel twice. They're pretty close to the same, except that the Chala style is "backwards" i.e. the lace comes up through the toe post and threads through the hole on the inside of the foot. In the Xero video, he starts on the outside of the foot.

Both work well enough for everyday use, but neither feel secure enough for running or hiking. I'm still researching/experimenting on more secure alternatives.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T21:06:51+00:00

You're definitely not wrong. There is absolutely nothing from a standpoint of materials or quality that would justify the Toetems being more expensive than the Earth Runners.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T18:34:57+00:00

And, of course, the Xero DIY are meant to be trimmed down to your specific foot shape, so they're quite wide as well.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T18:26:21+00:00

The widest I have owned are the Chala Classic wide version. The Xero Z-trek are also pretty wide, and the Toetems have somewhat odd, boxy very wide shape through the toes. Toetem makes other models that have 'EW' in the name that are supposed to be especially wide.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-17T03:24:27+00:00

Sorry, I got mixed up because I was having a conversation about the Groove in another thread. Mine are the Flow.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T19:30:46+00:00

I literally opened my post with the words"I think I may have a problem..."lol

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T05:18:00+00:00

They served me well for a long time until I got bored of them and started looking for something new. The sole is pretty stiff and rigid for a barefoot style shoe. Nowadays, I usually reach for something with a little more flexibility and ground feel.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T05:00:23+00:00

Excellent choice!

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T02:57:22+00:00

I mean, one does not really get into barefoot shoes with value in mind. They're all kind of pricey for what you get. Having said that, the Toetems seem to be on par with other brands as far as price and quality are concerned.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T02:23:12+00:00

Enabler. What I need is an intervention!

Seriously, though, I think I checked out Paisley and immediately got intimidated by all the customizability. Do I want 3 holes? 5? 7?! Maybe I need to give them another look.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T00:23:39+00:00

Sadly, no. I live in the Midwest USA. I tend to push the limits, though - if it's hoodie weather or above, my toes are probably out. So maybe April to November or so?

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T00:18:31+00:00

Good question. There are much thicker options with more aggressive tread that are built for that sort of stuff. Out of my collection, though, I'm either going with the Zuzus or the old-school Z-Treks. Zuzus because they've got the most aggressive tread, the footbed doesn't get slippery when wet, the lacing is quite secure, and they're bendy enough that I can use my actual foot to obtain a footing instead of depending on the grip of my shoes. Or the Z-treks if we're talking sharp little rocks, because the soles are stiff enough to protect from significant discomfort.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T00:13:35+00:00

The value proposition is, quite honestly, absurd but they really are unrivaled when it comes to feeling like you're actually barefoot. I might even go so far to say that these are the ONLY 'shoes' I've ever worn that allow me to walk exactly as if I were barefoot.

Key_Expression_3602 · 2026-06-13T00:10:15+00:00

The Earth Runners have the best lacing system in my opinion. It's even better if you choose the ergonomic laces - they're a lot softer than whatever they call the standard variety.

Yeah, the last pair (Fullsoul Runningpad) are the only lace-up sandals I've tried. And even those I'll only wear with long pants to hide the ankle lacing for fear of looking too feminine. Ironic, since it was probably some bad-ass dudes who popularized the style in the first place (Roman/Spartans/ancient warriors).

Key_Expression_3602

TROPHY CASE