I used to be a chronic barefooter as a kid. From as soon as the snow melted (and sometimes before) right up to the first frost. Indoors, outdoors, turf, gravel, whatever, I’d have naked toes wiggling around.

This changed when I was a teenager for two reasons.

First, I developed a raging case of mysophobia, i.e. a fear of dirt/germs (I’m one of those neurotic people that use napkins to open doorknobs). Running around in dirt/dust/shit of various animals/slug trails/etc suddenly became much less appealing.

Secondly, I broke my left foot while barefoot when I was thirteen. Despite the fact that my foot was entirely black and swollen, when I went to the doctor he claimed that because I could twitch my toes (through a great deal of pain) my foot obviously wasn’t broken and I didn’t even need x-rays. I (moronically) believed him and my foot went untreated. I limped for eight months and now have crooked toes.

Despite embracing a shoe-clad lifestyle, I really, really, really hate the feel of closed top shoes and even sandals and finally started looking for a good alternative. 23 months ago