Shoes do have place in certain running -- and/or social -- contexts, I cannot deny that ...
They are useful for things like rock-climbing where you need to be able to edge, walking on blazing hot or frozen ground. They are also good for dealing with the "ick factor": Ever since I saw a wino barfing on a city sidewalk, I prefer to wear my Nike Frees when running in urban centers like downtown Portland. But once I leave the concrete canyons and get up into the nearby hills, I stash my shoes in the bushes until I return.
And shoes do have a purpose in social contexts, I won't deny that. I wear shoes in places of business or out with friends. I don’t want to flout social conventions to the point it makes people around me uncomfortable. That’s not my goal, to make people uncomfortable. If I can though, I wear sandals instead of shoes. My toes like fresh air.
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