A ’gross’ trend
“I just think it’s gross,” journalism senior Karlee Prazak said of the trend. “I wouldn’t want to be sitting next to somebody in class who I know has been walking around barefoot all day.”
Prazak said she disliked the trend so much, she wrote an opinion piece for the Mustang Daily, Cal Poly’s student newspaper, on the topic.
“It just kind of grew out of me thinking that its kind of weird that people don’t wear shoes on campus,” Prazak said. “I think it’s kind of unsanitary. Especially with a lot of the construction going on around Cal Poly, you’re walking through dirt and rocks that normally aren’t there.”
The doctor’s take
According to “The Barefoot Book” author Dr. Daniel Howell though, going barefoot is good for your feet.
“Shoes are actually the leading cause of most foot problems in the U.S.,” Howell wrote in an email interview. “Many problems can be alleviated or prevented by not wearing shoes.”
Howell cited shoes as the leading cause of bunions, athlete’s foot, foot fungus and ingrown toenails, among other ailments. He wrote that in contrast, walking barefoot strengthens the skin, joints, bones and muscles in the feet, which improves posture.
So is it unsanitary?
Howell wrote that although some people may find the trend unsanitary, shoes are the real culprits.
“People sometimes think feet are stinky and unsanitary, but this is only because of footwear,” he wrote. “The same would happen to your hands if you kept them in gloves all day. Within hours your hands would be smelly, the skin would be compromised and athlete’s hand and fingernail fungus would take hold.”
Although Howell wrote going barefoot is better for foot health, Prazak said her main concern with the trend is more about safety than smell.
“I think there’s a healthier way that has less risk factors than going around campus barefoot,” she said. “You’re not allowed to go into science labs without wearing sandals, so why should you be allowed to go into the dining halls not wearing shoes where there are knives around?”
A growing college trend
Whether it is sanitary or safe, the trend has been on the rise for several years, especially among college students, Howell wrote.
“Not surprisingly, college students are interested in bare-footing,” Howell wrote. “Their circumstances allow them to explore the lifestyle more than others.”
One such student is Cal Poly philosophy senior Jacob Brandt.
“I enjoy being without shoes because it keeps me closer to nature, when the surface is not concrete or asphalt.” Brandt said. “Walking in the grass is cleansing.”
Brandt said he started walking barefoot last fall, after a friend encouraged him to “just do it.”
“I had been thinking about it for some time,” he said. “I think students should be smart about it and research instead of just assuming.”
Barefoot for beginners
For curious students there are several ways to sample the barefoot culture but not condemn all their shoes to the dumpster.
One way to try out the trend is through barefoot running.
“Barefoot running can be beneficial to everyone for many different reasons,” San Luis Obispo resident Joe Shannon said. “Whether you are looking for better balance and overall stability, or if you are a seasoned runner looking to improve your form and efficiency, barefoot running is a great way to do that.”
Shannon teaches barefoot running at Kennedy Club Fitness. Although he said he believes running barefoot is the best form of running, he cautions students to not jump into it too quickly.
“I don’t think that everyone should throw away their running shoes for good and exclusively run barefoot,” he said. “But there is a connection between what we put on our feet and the injuries we incur, and I believe the only way we can take a step forward is to first take a step back.” |
