Hi guys,

I started into barefoot hiking and running almost 3 months ago.  My recent summit ascents were Mt. San Gorgonio, Mt. San Jacinto, and Sierra's Matterhorn.  I'm loving it so far.  Ankle sprains, knee pain, and back pain have essentially disappeared.  My feet can also walk over almost anything now.   

My question is are there any other gay barefoot hikers out there?

This message was edited by gogoboy550 on 9-25-09 @ 2:27 AM

I'm not a runner; but I hike and walk a lot. You Walk Wrong got me started with barefooting. I've been barefoot at home for a long time. I haven't done much actual barefoot outside. But I bought the Vibram Five Fingers and love it. I've done a few hikes in them but mostly I walk in the small parks around where I live. And I wear it most evenings and weekends for most stuff like shopping and restaurants.

I originally started trying it to try to improve my back and knee problems. Why not give it a try. Amazingly, that was the first time I realized the shoes I've worn over the past 40 years have deformed my feet. Ick. Going barefoot strengthens feet and improves balance.

I love the feel of the earth underfoot.

This message was edited by snowsurfer on 9-26-09 @ 5:18 PM

Thanks for the reply snowsurfer.  I wear the Vibram Five Fingers KSO on the downhills sometimes or when the gravel on some terrain gets to be too much.  I also go to the gym, stores, and restaurants in the VFFs.  Great shoes!  I notice though that I seem to run into more injuries with the VFFs versus barefoot, so I'm trying to wean totally off them for hiking. 

Walking barefoot over rough terrain over a period of a week, years ago, provided me with an amazing learning experience. My spine realigned, along with my pelvis - and I actually experienced a somewhat astonishing shift in consciousness at the time! I've done some of the same over the years since, but not nearly enough! (Part of my problem is that my state of New Mexico has too much broken glass / bottles everywhere - except deep into wilderness. There's some risk.

Has anyone here also experienced somatic realignment - pelvis, spine, etc., while walking barefoot over rough terrain?

I suppose those acupressure points get lots of stimulation, as well....

Has anyone experienced shifts in consciousness associated with liberation from shoes?

My initial week of bare-footedness came about when a sandal broke on a trail. I tossed them both in the brush and moved on.

I am thinking of ordering the Vibram Five Fingers and give them a go.  Did you guys purchase online or at a retailer?  It would be good to see them in person first.

I purchased mine direct from Vibram. The measuring instructions on their site was spot on. There's a few millimeters space behind my heel; but that's no important. The toes fit well and I love how I can grip the ground and rock.

It's impossible to support all varieties of toes and feet. That will be the disappointment if yours doesn't fit the average. But the more people who buy them, the more incentive Vibram has to make more sizes.

City Sports and occasionally REI sell FiveFingers. But I think they have extremely limited and spotty sizes and styles. Definitely call ahead. There's probably some other retailers. Check the web site https://www.vibramfivefingers.com/productSupport/store_locator.cfm#.

Thank you Snowsurfer for the information.  It turns out that Sonoma Outfitters apparently has them, so I will check it out.  I wonder what Vibram's return policy is in case I order online.  How are they in water?  I'm thinking when I hang by the river or go creek walking.

The shoes and your feet are wet in water. But that's OK in warm weather. They feel OK wet and they dry fast. But it's not so good in cold weather. I live in the northeast and I'm looking forward to wearing my FiveFingers again in a few months.

gogoboy550 wrote:

I'm trying to wean totally off them for hiking. 

Wow, it makes your calves look amazing!

This message was edited by dxjnorto on 6-13-10 @ 3:59 AM

I just got back in to hiking myself but have been using Vibrams FF since last December and have been quite addicted.  That said I have not worn them hiking but am itching to this week.  I own 2 KSO's and the new Bikila which is more geared toward runners.  I'm working on training for an ultramarathon in 2012 with VFF's if not completely barefooted.  I just met a couple who hiked in their KSO's and thought they were great for hiking so I'm going to do it.

I bought my first pair through REI store and another through a local shoe store in NH.  I bought them last fall but really got into them with the help of the book, Born to Run.

Happy Hiking!

I hiked yesterday's Webster Slide in my Vibram Five Finger KSOs. That was the toughest hike yet in my KSOs - 6.4 miles and 1800 feet of vertical. But my feet felt great though the hike. Cooling off at the pond was certainly a welcome break.

BTW, thanks go to Mike (gandalf) for another wonderful hike!

Good for you!  I hiked Mt Liberty last week in my KSO's and it was great, no pain, no blisters, it was so much better than my hiking boots!  Can't wait to get a hike with a bunch of 'barefooters' one day!