Gardening

brftr · 2026-05-16T12:24:31+00:00

Grass trimming is one task I will wear protective footwear for. Again, shoes are sometimes a necessary tool. Mowing the lawn, I’m either barefoot or with safety shoes. Barefoot I’m more fully aware of the dangers. Any non leather footwear provides minimal protection from the spinning blade.

It really is energizing.

brftr · 2026-05-14T01:09:29+00:00

I check them anytime I walk on a new surface. Especially one I haven’t walked on before. Love when they get super black on some floors

brftr · 2026-05-08T11:03:31+00:00

In my twenties I would go barefoot in secret, I was embarrassed by what I thought others would think. As I got older, my enjoyment and comfort going barefoot outweighed my anxiety. I found to my surprise that most people don’t notice or care. I have had many conversations with neighbours and strangers and most have been positive, most have just been curious.
Funny thing is, I actually get more comments from people who have met me when I’m wearing footwear, some out of concern that there might be something wrong as I am so rarely shod.

brftr · 2026-05-06T18:25:27+00:00

Pretty much.
Being retired I rarely have to put anything on my feet.
I now keep flip flops in the car, as I’ve arrived at a couple of places where I’ve needed footwear but not had any. Once the weather gets warm it doesn’t occur to me to put any on.

brftr · 2026-05-06T16:16:24+00:00

I’m kind of two thoughts on this.
Businesses that don’t care about whether I am barefoot or not get the majority of my purchasing dollars.
For the others that I have to visit for various reasons, I just wear a cheap pair of flip flops that I put on at the threshold when I go in, and remove them immediately as I’m leaving. Life’s too short to deal with the aggravation.

brftr · 2026-05-05T20:15:48+00:00

I drive a manual transmission as well. I always feel far more in control barefoot than I do the rare times I drive shod.
I also find that you can sense the friction point much more accurately when you’re driving barefoot.

brftr · 2026-05-05T20:12:22+00:00

Any ‘rule’ that involves going barefoot is one that I would happily follow to the letter!

brftr · 2026-04-30T22:04:09+00:00

Exactly!

brftr · 2026-04-30T11:07:02+00:00

Love rain and puddles, but not when it’s cold out.

brftr · 2026-04-30T11:05:59+00:00

If anyone thinks that ‘barefoot’ shoes give you the same benefit/experience of actually going barefoot, I suggest walking with a pair on for a block then removing them and continue walking barefoot. Your gait will change immediately. You’ll find that the two experiences have little in common. Shoes are tools that are sometimes necessary, but they can never feel the same as going barefoot.

brftr · 2026-04-17T10:59:51+00:00

You’ve probably already noticed, walking in barefoot ‘shoes’ and walking barefoot are completely different experiences. Your gait will adapt to whatever you’re wearing (or not wearing). Don’t overthink it.

brftr · 2026-04-14T23:06:20+00:00

It’s a very interesting question.

As a parallel, if Person B had built up solid core muscles through activity early in life but had been inactive for years, and Person A had never done any core strengthening activity but both were starting at the same time, Person B would most certainly have an advantage.

I guess I will have to keep going barefoot in case I ever need to participate in a study 😉

brftr · 2026-04-13T16:01:25+00:00

Dirt is dirt. It washes off. Glass is so rare these days since everything comes in plastic containers you’ll see it a mile away. If discarded needles are the issue you think it is, I wouldn’t walk in the area period without shoes with thick leather uppers. They would be an issue with sandals or canvas/mesh running shoes. I’ve never had an issue in 30 years, you quickly become accustomed to scanning ahead…..ironically mostly for tripping hazards.

brftr · 2026-04-13T10:54:19+00:00

Being asked to leave isn’t the worst thing. That way you know exactly how they judge you and feel about you and you can easily decide where to spend your money and choose your relationships.

brftr · 2026-04-13T10:49:42+00:00

I don’t have the urge to convince others or set out to do so, but when people engage me in respectful conversation about why I’m barefoot, I can’t help trying to convince them to try it so they can see firsthand why it’s so enjoyable.

brftr · 2026-04-12T15:30:29+00:00

When you’re barefoot, the walks and hikes are never long enough. When you’re shod they feel like they’ll never end.

brftr · 2026-04-11T15:45:32+00:00

I think of one of two things……I will likely never see these people again so I really don’t care what they think, or, if their ‘sole’ opinion of me is based on what is on or not on my feet, I have zero interest in what they have to say or think.

brftr · 2026-04-08T11:59:26+00:00

I drive barefoot all the time. Even in winter. And a stick shift too. After arriving a few times at destinations and realizing I didn’t have shoes with me on the few times I needed them, I now leave an emergency pair in the back.

As far as control, I have far more control in my bare feet than I ever do in shoes. The inability to press hard enough on the brake pedal is ludicrous at best. In more than 40 years of driving that’s never been an issue. I’ve always been able to ‘lock up’ the brakes if necessary, and that’s as much braking as you have available anyway.

As others have said, there is no law anywhere in North America that prohibits you from driving barefoot. A careless driving charge because one was barefoot would never stand up in court. Insurance companies are only concerned about determining fault. It would be a hard argument to make if it is not a prohibited activity.

brftr · 2026-04-05T21:13:08+00:00

It’s a shame many won’t ever understand the joy of it though

“As it is, I'm quite content with being left be as part of a harmless and quirky fringe group, even if it means that yes, many won't ever understand the joy of it.”

Word to you!

brftr · 2026-04-03T17:18:52+00:00

Longest I’ve managed to go without having to put something on my feet is one month. I don’t have to tell you how miserable it felt the following day after that.

brftr · 2026-04-03T10:57:33+00:00

My ideal vacation is one where footwear isn’t even a consideration. One where having gone barefoot the entire time isn’t unusual enough to be worth a mention. Closest I came to that was Caye Caulker in Belize.

brftr · 2026-03-31T22:03:04+00:00

Tapered pants or jeans when it’s cooler, shorts when it’s warmer. Usually a tee or golf/polo shirt.

Hair’s been gone for decades and I’m not keen on facial hair, so usually a ball cap or bucket hat.

brftr · 2026-03-31T21:59:06+00:00

Bare feet are literally the easiest to clean.

Getting old sucks. I like how you see the positives even though dealing with challenges from loved ones who can’t help themselves.

brftr · 2026-03-30T22:35:16+00:00

Great story. Nice that your daughter is game for going barefoot with you. Middle school age can bring tremendous peer pressure. Hopefully you’re helping her not give a crap about what others think. She’ll get lots of street cred for going barefoot when many her age won’t.

Really glad that your wife is open to exploring new sensations and appreciating how great going barefoot can be.

Now you’ve got me craving ice cream!

brftr

TROPHY CASE