What’s New In Barefooting – 2025

This page lists the “What’s New In Barefooting” articles and links we featured in 2025 (shown in ascending order by date).

Q&A with Sr. Sabina Joseph, champion barefoot hurdler and lifelong PE teacher – by George Kommattan, in Global sisters Report (December 23, 2025)

A Catholic Nun and physical education teacher in India runs barefoot while clearing hurdles and finishing first in the Kerala State Masters Athletics Championship. Videos of the race went viral in India, drawing praise from Kerala’s education minister and thousands online.

New England Patriots’ Mack Hollins Enters Stadium Shirtless and Barefoot Despite Frigid Temperatures and Snow – by Toria Sheffield, in People (December 14, 2025)

Hollins, with his laid-back personality, unique pregame entrances and refusal to wear shoes in most situations, does it again ahead of the chilly Boston Patriots’ game against the Buffalo Bills on December 14

A Formidable Price of Comfort, How soft shoes weaken your bones– By Nara Petrovič, in Substack, the English translation (October 24, 2025) of the original article in Jana, a Slovenian magazine scheduled for publication on November 17, 2025.

Article addresses bone density and the value of going barefoot.  Written in response to a children’s shoe ad promoting footwear as protection from “harsh everyday realities”–protection that comes with a significant long term cost.

Try barefoot training to build strength, balance and healthier joints as you age – PTs explain how – Compiled by Kate Cheng, in Women’s Health (

The author consults two therapy experts to explain the benefits of barefoot training and how to get started.

Foot note in the outfield: Toronto’s Davis Schneider skips shoes a day before playing for title – by Ronald Blum, on apnews (October 30, 2025)

Before playing in a baseball game, pro ball player Davis Schneider goes barefoot in the park, a ritual shared by at least few other pro athletes.

Meghan Markle Goes Barefoot for Wellness—and She’s Not the Only One – by Anna Cafolla, in Vogue (October 25, 2025)

The Duchess of Sussex discusses her regular barefoot-and-jeans look and its emotional and health benefits.

Note: The article touches on the practice of “grounding,” which it describes as a practice for managing anxiety by employing all of one’s senses including putting one’s feet on grass or smelling the air to distract from feelings of stress and to make one more present.  This non-pseudoscience definition we can embrace.

Patriots wide receiver makes barefoot return to Buffalo to face former team – By Ryan Miller, in Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (October 5, 2025)

Hollins, with his laid-back personality, unique pregame entrances and refusal to wear shoes in most situations, has also launched a “Free The Feet” apparel line.

Sock it to the shoes: why more offices are going footwear-free – by Amelia Hill, in The Guardian (September 30, 2025)

British companies are testing no-shoes policies at workplaces as a way to improve focus, comfort and morale.

‘Alien: Earth’ Star Explains What’s Going on With Boy Kavalier’s Feet: “Why Would He Bother to Wear Shoes?” – by Meghan O’Keefe, in Decider  (September 20, 2025)

Sci-fi character Boy Kavalier always goes barefoot and uses his feet almost like additional hands.  The article explains the actor’s reasoning behind advocating for that preference.

Ultrarunner Ken Posner Explores Ego, Endurance, and the Catskill Mountains in Chasing the Grid – by Brian Mahoney, in Chronogram(September 12, 2025)

Ken Posner moved from a conventional-minded runner to a minimalist, mountain-climbing, adventure-seeking ultrarunner–and he does it barefoot.  The article relates his story.

Link to Posner’s book, “Chasing the Grid”

My Parenting Style Is Apparently Everyone’s Worst Nightmare.  I won’t Change! – By Michelle Herman, in Slate (September 7, 2025)

A mom seeks advice about supporting her kids going barefoot.  We support your parenting style, mom!  No need to change.

Intentional Grounding: Robert Hunt’s barefoot strolls are walks of gratitude – by Darin Gantt, in Panthers.com (September 5, 2025)

Another pro football player who takes pregame barefoot strolls on the turf to center his mind.  Stretching his toes on the grass quietly reminders him about what matters.

Rules of the Road: Considering the pros and cons of barefoot driving – by Doug Dahl, Washington Traffic Safety Commission, in Bellingham Herald (September 1, 2025)

While still urging caution–as typical for these articles–this one also recognizes and promotes the benefits of driving barefoot.  Now if only more of these articles also consulted the related resources available on our SBL website!

Portland veteran attempts Guinness World Record for walking barefoot on Legos – by Jenna Deml, in KOIN/6 News (August 31, 2025)

A man tries to break the Guinness record for walking on Legos.  We wonder if an experienced barefooter might have better luck!  We wish him well on his next attempt.

Links to New Zealand woman who set the record in January, 2025:

The Barefoot Manifesto: How I Stopped Wearing Shoes and Started Living,” book by Bunny Fitzgerald (Kindle edition, July 25, 2025 – posted August 8, 2025).

Based on a decision to shed her shoes and go barefoot, the author addresses themes of freedom, living non-apologetically and following a “barefoot philosophy” to choose one’s own way in life.  It’s about living life authentically rather than for approval.

Is it legal to drive barefoot in New York? Here’s what to know, by Erin Jones, in Democrat & Chronicle (August 4, 2025)

This time of year numerous articles address this perennial question.  Yes, it’s legal in all 50 U.S. states–enough said.  In the weeks prior to this piece, we also found at least ten articles, nearly identical but with different authors, for other U.S. states.

Unfortunately, all of them, including this one (though its the best in the bunch) go on to reference the same two or three so-called “expert” sources that discourage driving barefoot based on inaccurate assumptions regarding risk (likely written by people without any barefoot driving experience).

Our SBL website “Driving Barefoot”page provides accurate information.

‘Viola’s Room’ featuring Helena Bonham Carter takes you on a moody, barefoot field trip – by Matt Windman, in AMNY (July 27, 2025)

In this “immersive theater” experience, audience members first remove their shoes, hand over phones and slip on headphones before moving through a labyrinth of narrow corridors and themed rooms guided by narration.  Floor textures shift beneath ones feet, from soft carpeting to sand to cool tile.  Theater using all of one’s senses!

Another article about the experience: I tried NYC’s new barefoot immersive theater show ‘Viola’s Room,’ and it was unsettlingly awesome, by Sophia Rubino, in Time Out (

UK man challenges himself to walk barefoot for a year: ‘It’s been really liberating’ – by Imogen Howse SWNS, In New York Post (July 7, 2025)

As the man, who goes by the name Bear Intentions, explains, “The barefoot challenge is part of me challenging myself to live with intention – and particularly to live authentically and stand up for what I believe in.”

Oxfordshire woman completes epic barefoot walk challenge – by Jacob Manuschka, in ThisIsOxfordshire (June 23, 2025)

Isabelle Brough, from Henley in Oxfordshire, England, completed a challenge walk barefoot to support the charity effort “My Cancer My Choices.

Isabelle Walks Barefoot for Local Cancer Therapies Charity (June 10, 2025)

Trainers Swear By This Controversial Footwear Method for Lifting—Here’s Why– By Danielle Zickl, in Men’s Fitness (June 4, 2025)

Doing strengthening workouts barefoot offers a number of benefits as listed in this article. Noam Tamir, Founder and CEO of TS Fitness notes, “For years we have been told to wear performance sneakers.  Over the last decade, however, there has been science that has shown going barefoot or wearing minimalist sneakers has a lot of benefits.”

Hikers explore Barefoot Trail near Flagstaff– News report by Steve Neilsen, in Fox10/PhoenixAZ (June 4, 2025)

Video news feature by FOX10’s Steve Nielsen on a unique barefoot hiking trail in Bellemont, outside Flagstaff, Arizona.

Taylor Swift and Angelina Jolie did it, but is this trend for everyone? – by Mary Grauerholz, in Cape Cod health (June 3, 2025)

Despite a misleading headline (why?), a positive article on the benefits of barefooting for older adults–including a positive nod from a podiatrist.

Why barefoot dancing is so important to Boston Ballet’s “Roméo et Juliette” – video by Chris Tanaka, in WBZ TV / CBS News Boston (June 3, 2025)

Dancing barefoot can change and enhance the dynamics and expression of the dance.  As one performer notes, dancing barefoot allows the dancer to, “give as much of her soul as she can give to the audience.”  Though it does offer initial challenges to traditional ballet dancers.

Teen becomes youngest ever to run London Marathon barefoot – by George Jones / Talker News, in Watauga Democrat/Boone NC (June 3, 2025)

Cameron Jacob shown here after crossing the finish line barefoot.

Another link to the same story

GoldenEye launches ‘Little Barefoot’ Summer Camp in Jamaica – by Sheri-kae McLeod, in CNW/Caribbean National Weekly (

The iconic Jamaican resort Golden Eye, once home to James Bond creator Ian Fleming, will host its first “Little Barefoot Summer Camp” program designed for children ages 5 to 10.

I tried barefoot running — here’s what no one tells you about doing it – by Bob McCullough, in The Manual (May 28, 2025)

The author, a converted barefoot runner, notes, “If you’re a runner looking for a change of pace, consider barefoot running.”

Barefoot Benefits: Ditch Shoes & Boost Your Health? – by Ivanhoe Newswire, in WALB/TV News (May 13, 2025)

“Simply exposure to soils may have dramatic health benefits,” explains Christopher Lowry, Neuroendocrinologist at UC Boulder.  The news feature notes that, “Each year, 28 to 35 percent of people over 65 fall. Walking barefoot can help prevent this by activating foot muscles and nerves that improve balance and posture.”

Another link to this story on WGEM TV News (May 26, 2025)

The Barefoot Trail: A grounding experience in northern Arizona is back for its second season – by Nicole Gutierrez, in ABC15/Arizona (May 6, 2025)

News story about a Barefoot Trail in Arizona opening for its second season.  As the founder notes, “The world comes alive […] when you experience it with bare feet and we’ve put things specially on the trail for you to raise that awareness…”

Barefoot man takes on rowdy alligator with just a trash can, Florida video shows – by Mark Price, in Miami Herald ( April 21, 2025)

A barefoot Mike Dragich, a licensed trapper, improvised using a trash can to remove an alligator from a Florida home.  He’s done it before.  And his shoe-less state seems to help.