How to Transition Safely to Barefoot

Tips for easing in: surfaces, time, soreness, and common mistakes. Reinforce that this is a process, not a flip switch.

Going barefoot might seem simple — just take off your shoes, right?

But after years (or decades) of wearing cushioned shoes on flat surfaces, most people’s feet have forgotten how to function naturally. The muscles are weak, the arches are stiff, and the skin is soft. So jumping straight into long barefoot walks on rough ground can actually cause pain or setbacks.