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The majority of us travel about our daily ways without considering the consequences of our actions. Today, we will examine the health benefits and risks of walking around barefoot in public, and whether or not there lies some truth in this matter of barefoot-people living healthier and more carefree lives.

The Question

Is walking around barefoot healthier than walking around in shoes?

The Statements

Based upon the theory of evolution, we can assume that at some point early on in our history, the human civilization did not have access to such luxuries as shoes and clothing. Many drawings of primal cavemen depict them walking around barefoot, so why aren’t we doing the same as of today? In a way, some of us are. Practically at every beach around the world, we walk around barefoot, and during times of hot weather, we often wear flip flops or sandals as we stroll about outside.

However, the majority of us still wear shoes or boots on a daily basis. So what are the common reasons for people not walking about barefoot? A few explanations include: the floor being too hot or cold, not wanting to get their feet dirty, embarrassment from others, and nervousness of stepping on dangerous material such as broken glass or splinters of wood. Even with these concerns, some people still claim that walking around barefoot is healthy.

In a 1994 edition of Women’s Sports and Fitness, Cheryl Sacra states: “A recent study demonstrates that the skin on the soles of your feet resists abrasions and blistering and that going barefoot is beneficial to the musculoskeletal structure of your feet and ankles. Kicking off your shoes can help prevent a host of foot injuries: bunions, heel spurs, and bone deformities, among others.”

Steven Robbins, MD and associate professor of mechanical engineering at Concordia University, remarks that, “Shoes act like casts, holding the bones of the foot so rigid that they can’t move fluidly. The foot becomes passive from wearing shoes and loses the ability to support itself.”

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One common argument used by those who support walking around barefoot is that shoes and socks provide a warm, moist area that’s excellent for bacteria cultivation. They give preference towards having their feet dirty and muddy, rather than have them smell bad. Another common statement by these same supporters is that being barefoot makes you feel more aware of yourself and nature, as you can feel the earth on the ground and the dirt between your toes.

Then again, people supporting the use of shoes argue that walking around barefoot is too risky due to your feet being cut or punctured by a sharp object. In addition, they mention that poisonous plants and parasites can use these cuts as a means of causing further harm to your body.

Back on the topic of scientific research, Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois conducted a 2006 study on this very subject. Their results were as follows: “Peak joint loads at the hips and knees significantly decreased during barefoot walking, with an 11.9% reduction noted in the knee adduction moment. Shoes may detrimentally increase loads on the lower extremity joints. Once factors responsible for the differences in loads between with-shoe and barefoot walking are better delineated, modern shoes and walking practices may need to be reevaluated with regard to their effects on the prevalence and progression of OA in our society.”

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In an older study done in 1992, the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Kasturba Medical College in Karnataka, India had this to say: “We analysed static footprints of 2300 children between the ages of four and 13 years to establish the influence of footwear on the prevalence of flat foot. The incidence among children who used footwear was 8.6% compared with 2.8% in those who did not (p less than 0.001). Significant differences between the predominance in shod and unshod children were noted in all age groups, most marked in those with generalized ligament laxity. Flat foot was most common in children who wore closed-toe shoes, less common in those who wore sandals or slippers, and least in the unshod. Our findings suggest that shoe-wearing in early childhood is detrimental to the development of a normal longitudinal arch.”

Surprisingly, in terms of research, there doesn’t seem to be any major studies supporting the theory that shoes actually have long-term benefits, aside from protecting your feet from sharp and dangerous objects. Therefore, one could argue that provided you keep aware of your surroundings, then there’s no danger of throwing away those socks and shoes your feet call home. Nevertheless, the counter-argument would be that sometimes, to use glass as an example, the pieces are too small to be seen by the naked eye.

The Conclusion

So what have we learned? Well, scientific research continues to remain adamant that in the long-term, shoes are detrimental to our feet. Yet those who abstain from being barefoot are still confident that as soon as a small staple or splinter or piece of glass gets lodged in your soles, you’ll quickly find support on their side of the argument.

There are many people in favor of, and against, being barefoot. Some people find bare feet sexy and attractive, whilst others find them repulsive. Some people weigh their benefits against their risks and decide for themselves accordingly. The only question that remains…is which side you’re on.