If we can turn this into a "Dear 'Dr.' Ken" column, at least momentarily, I'm interested how you control the "dry foot" conditions in winter going barefoot.For me, the more barefoot or Vibrams I do in those cold dry conditions, the more chaps and cuts I end up with on my feet.
Hey Tony! Here's my experience. Winter makes me appreciate shoes as a technology that provides warmth and protection. I've gotten plenty of scratches and cuts going barefoot on ice because I'm always interested in pushing envelopes, and part of the problem, as your feet lose warmth and feeling, you don't realize how much damage you're doing. After some icy hikes, my feet have been sore for days. Which is why experienced barefooters say "numb is dumb." I find running in cold/wet conditions on rough paved surfaces can be problematic, too. If it's cold and wet at the track, I stop periodically to make sure a blister isn't forming. On a couple of occasions, I've gotten frost nip -- once your feet thaw out, it hurts worse than anything I've experienced. Your body's way of saying -- "idiot don't ever do that again." In Vibrams, I've gotten blisters or hot spots on occasion because a seam in the fabric rubs on the arch or instep. Easy way to fix that is put a piece of leukotape over the vulnerable area as protection.
On the other hand, hiking on snow during a warm spring day feels refreshing!
Just imagine how our ancestors dealt with ice ages LOL!
Fantastic post, Kenneth. And congratulations on the book publication. Can't wait to read this one ...
Fantastic post, Kenneth. And congratulations on the book publication. Can't wait to read this one ...
If we can turn this into a "Dear 'Dr.' Ken" column, at least momentarily, I'm interested how you control the "dry foot" conditions in winter going barefoot.For me, the more barefoot or Vibrams I do in those cold dry conditions, the more chaps and cuts I end up with on my feet.
Hey Tony! Here's my experience. Winter makes me appreciate shoes as a technology that provides warmth and protection. I've gotten plenty of scratches and cuts going barefoot on ice because I'm always interested in pushing envelopes, and part of the problem, as your feet lose warmth and feeling, you don't realize how much damage you're doing. After some icy hikes, my feet have been sore for days. Which is why experienced barefooters say "numb is dumb." I find running in cold/wet conditions on rough paved surfaces can be problematic, too. If it's cold and wet at the track, I stop periodically to make sure a blister isn't forming. On a couple of occasions, I've gotten frost nip -- once your feet thaw out, it hurts worse than anything I've experienced. Your body's way of saying -- "idiot don't ever do that again." In Vibrams, I've gotten blisters or hot spots on occasion because a seam in the fabric rubs on the arch or instep. Easy way to fix that is put a piece of leukotape over the vulnerable area as protection.
On the other hand, hiking on snow during a warm spring day feels refreshing!
Just imagine how our ancestors dealt with ice ages LOL!
Thanks Ken, sound advice. Now I just have to look up a UK translation for leukotape!
This stuff is the best. I first became acquainted with leukotape at Badwater, watching a runner’s feet being taped up. Great stuff I always carry a roll with me! https://www.amazon.com/Leukotape-1-5-Inch-15-Yds-Cover-roll-Stretch/dp/B000FMMTKM/ref=asc_df_B000FMMTKM?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539281984865&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138871283541&psc=1