New Shoes, Old Shoes
I am not a shoe person, not like her. I’m a movie person, a book person, and a save-for-a-rainy-day person. My husband is not very like me in this regard. He buys clothes and shoes and stuff.
Me?
Not so much. Glenn is constantly sighing and going, “You need new pants.” “You need some shirts.” “You need new shoes.”
When we first met, a few months into our relationship, he took me clothes shopping. I thought he was trying to get brownie points, but I later learned that he was less than impressed with my wardrobe.
So it came to be, a couple months back, that I brought a pair of shoes to donate to my volunteering gig. They were appropriated one place, but as I was holding them, someone asked me for them. He pointed to his shoes, and explained why he needed new ones.
In looking at his shoes, I realized mine were ten times worse. We’re talking flapping soles, worn edges, frayed, loose threads. I was speechless. I kept thinking how weird and ironic this situation was.
The shoes were appropriated elsewhere, and given that I was still struck speechless, I gave up trying to make a joke and gave him a hug. I wasn’t quite sure if he laughed at me because I hugged him or because he saw my shoes and thought it was funny, too.
But I finally bought a new pair of shoes. “Barefoot” shoes. Designed to leave your foot free to develop the muscles God put in your feet.
Since several Facebook friends asked for picture, here they are. What do you think? Weird, huh?
Yeah, I know. Style really isn’t my thing.
35 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL
Natasha Fondren is an eBook developer, writer, and classical pianist. After a fifteen-year piano teaching career, she moved to Arizona and built a book design business. She enjoys the lizards and desert heat in Arizona with her Border Collie, Padfoot, and her cat, Dixie Doodle.
Well…ummm…they look very functional. Really. And I have to say, it takes a very cute, confident person to wear them!
*giggling* Very good, Rick! “Functional.” I like that!
Now I think I’d have nightmares about those shoes. Freaky!
LOL, Charles! I just might!
LOL I have to agree with Rick. In addition to being cute and confident, you’re brave.
I’m all right with shoes, but I need new slacks. I hate it that they’re going to skinny jeans again. I am not going to buy them.
I don’t know about brave, Edie! LOL!
I’m with you. I’ll join the skinny-jean strike! (Not that I was at all aware…)
Whoa!! Cool!!! For years now I’ve worn nothing but running shoes. A decent pair lasts pretty much forever if you’re not running in them and I’ve never found anything more comfortable.
Eric, did you know that these are running shoes? They’re barefoot running shoes, and they’ve been finding that the running shoes have been encouraging a “heel-strike” running form that has led to more injuries in the last thirty years, since the invention of the running shoe.
So they made a running shoe that simulates a barefoot.
I never thought I’d ever leave a comment about shoes, but I love the ones you bought, and if I ever see a pair of these for sale I’m buying them too. They’re so different they’re beautiful.
You don’t want style to be your thing. You want distinctiveness to be your thing.
LOL, Stephen! I never imagined you commenting on shoe fashion, either!
They’re REALLY comfy, and they help you use all your foot muscles. I really got them to help rehabilitate my bum foot.
I can live with distinctiveness. I like your spin, Stephen!
Oh, Natasha, I had to laugh. Were we separated at birth? My boss actually sent an email to TLC’s “What Not to Wear” and nominated me for the show!
As for your new shoes, I have to agree with Edie and Rick. That takes real confidence and style.
I hope they help your feet. 
ROFL, really?! LOL!
Confidence, or obliviousness, LOL…
I’ve been seeing more people at the Hoity-Toity Health Club wearing the Barefoot shoes. They say they really make a difference — and watching their stride (as I perch atop a spin bike), I can see it. I think these people might be onto something.
It is really like walking barefoot. You get free range of your feet, and you start using all the little muscles more.
Sooooo awesome!
Adam
They are, Adam! I love them!
Natasha, I doubt they’d appear in Amelda’s collection.
…or mine, but they look good on you.
LOL, Kath! Thanks!
I bet they look awesome on you! More importantly, they sound like they have the potential to help your foot pain. Since I’ve watched every TV show you’ve recommended and bought a Kindle, I have a feeling I’ll be buying these shortly.
Right and left feet are often unequal in length. The usual rounded toe design allows for this. Do people have to buy 2 different shoes? And socks. Do they bunch up under your toes? I’m very, very interested in this new shoe development.
Robin, they make special “toe socks,” if you want to wear socks, but they are more comfortable without socks.
And it’s European sizing, which I’ve discovered is much more precise. They fit perfectly. The back is stretchy, so the elastic or whatever fits snugly on both feet.
Very cool! I like! I like!
My man has a pair of those barefoot shoes as well. He really likes them and says they help with his bad foot/toes. Someday when I get some $$ I plan to get a pair as well.
Elizabeth, that makes sense. Shoes tend to make my foot worse, which is why these first grabbed my attention!
Can’t handle stuff between my toes,and I have weird shaped feet,so I’m sure they wouldn’t work for me.
I tend to go barefoot a lot.
I love barefoot, Betsy!
How do you like the shoes? Have you taken any hikes in them? I’ve been thinking about getting a pair of those for a while now.
Paul, I have. They fit like a second skin, really. It’s like walking around barefoot, and you sorta remember all the ways your foot can move when not confined in shoes.
The only difference is that underneath your foot, there’s protection from the ground’s surface. So it’s sorta like going barefoot, but with rock hard callouses so nothing can hurt the bottom of your foot.
Whoa! I’ve never seen those before. They make me smile. I can see someone thundering down the hallway with them
LOL… when on, they make one look a little like a Hobbit!
Those shoes make a statement, alright. Am not sure just what kind!
But if they are comfortable, that is what matters most.
I don’t “shop” either.So most of my clothes ( and shoes)n are like 15 years old.
Mine too, Bernita! I’m all about comfort, LOL!
There is no way I could wear those! The toe things would drive me batty.
I had toe socks that used to drive me batty. Then I got used to them, but yeah, I get that feeling!
My (27 yr old) daughter got a pair of running shoes — uh foot gloves? — whatever — a few months ago and she loves running in them. She doesn’t do long distances in them, just a couple of miles. She got fascinated by the concept you mentioned, that this avoids the problems of heel strike injury, etc. She loves running in them (with a note that stepping on acorns hurts) but finds that her legs are sometimes sore after running in them precisely because the leg motion is so different. Her five or six mile runs are still done wearing regular running shoes.
Oh wow, neat! I bet acorns hurt! Mine are pretty good on acorns and nuts and stones. (I hike the desert with them.) I’m hoping to be able to run here, soon!