This FAQ answers those questions that both non-barefooters and new barefooters ask of barefooters all the time, from the basic (obvious) questions to those on foot health, care, and treatment, as well as those on how to deal with a mostly shod world.

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Table of Contents

Why?

Q1: Why walk barefoot?

Q2: Doesn't it hurt?

Q3: What about broken glass?

Q4: What about hot surfaces such as asphalt?

Q5: Isn't is gross with all the dirt?

Q6: Don't you have to stare at the ground all the time?

Q7: Don't toughened soles lose feeling?

Health

Q8: Is it actually healthy to go barefoot?

Q9: Can I go barefoot even if I have flat feet?

Q10: How can I get my feet in shape?

Q11: What should I do if I get a blister?

Q12: What should I do if I get something stuck in my foot?

Q13: What about catching diseases?

Q14: What about public restrooms, i.e., urine?

Q15: Should I walk differently when barefoot?

Q16: What can I do if I develop "cracks" in my soles?

Getting by in a Shod World

Q17: What can I say to passers-by if they make a comment?

Q18: Is it legal to drive barefoot?

Q19: Why don't some stores permit bare feet?

Q20: Which stores do permit bare feet?

Q21: What do you wear when you are forced to wear shoes?

Q22: Is there such a thing as soleless footwear?

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Copyright © 1994-1999 by Paul J. Lucas. Permission to copy all or part of this work is granted, provided that the copies are not made or distributed for resale (except a nominal copy fee may be charged) and provided that the author, copyright, and no warranty notices are retained verbatim and are displayed conspicuously. If anyone needs other permissions that aren't covered by the above, please contact the author.

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