Since the human foot evolved without the benefit of Air Jordans, you would think it would be healthier without artificial support.
Is this a myth created by podiatrists?
Our feet could hold up without shoes, but because we’ve worn shoes all our lives, our skin is soft. At first, it would hurt everytime you stepped on something, but gradually, as the blisters go away and calluses form, you’d be able to take it. But they would get awfully dirty.
And I know it takes a long time for features to evolve, but we have probably been wearing footwear for at least 15,000 years.
I don’t know who first said “everyone’s a critic,” but I think it’s a really stupid saying.
Since the human foot evolved without the benefit of Air Jordans, you would think it would be healthier without artificial support.
Is this a myth created by podiatrists?
I personally go barefoot whenever possible, so yes, I see it that way.
The first part.
Not the second.
No myth, pods are doctors.
I also work on my feet, (meaning stand up or walk all day) and when necessary for protection, nothing beats a good pair of shoes. Sometimes I want something that can kick the shit outa concrete, and not be hurt.
And bare feet ain’t it.
And it ain’t just concrete that needs kicked, ice is just as hard.
Miles are just as hard, the wear rate is a little slower.
So, do those shoes hurt?
Everyone always say that.
I tell ‘em the shoes ain’t what feels the pain.
Gettin’ it yet?
Shoes are tools to protect your feet, when you need them. When you don’t need 'em, don’t wear 'em.
But when you need them, and it hurts to walk,
or run or whatever you do, and it hurts all the time, then, that’s what those doctors are for.
Now for some bs.
That means ‘basic science’ dammitt! Quit snickering!
One of the first things they’ll tell you, (po’ die’ a’ trist’s,) is to imagine walking on your hands all day.
While I always flashed back to my days in the circus, I still got the analogy.
‘Use plenty of chalk, that rope is slippery, keep your eyes on where you want to land, not that new babe in the spandex tights, and if you fuck this up again, you’re wearing the ‘Randy The Clown’ suit for the next two weeks.’
Oh well, it’s a living.
Let’s not forget, we evolved walking on soil and sand. Concrete and asphalt are relatively knew. Walking and running on these all day (like many of us do) can do damage to our feet. Shoes give us cushioning and support for when we walk on these surfaces.
Carpe hoc!
MrKnowItAll is right.
As it was explained to me by several different doctors: The arches in feet are natural shock absorbers, but they evolved for sand and loose dirt, and only occasional running (not very useful for hunting animals faster than yourself, so it’s mostly for escaping). Concrete, asphalt, and constant running or jumping cause foot problems, because the arches weren’t evolved for it and they wear out. This causes joint problems further up, because knees and hips weren’t evolved for that type of strain. They wear out too.
The (Army) doctors almost universally said that people should buy new shoes every two months, that people shouldn’t run more than two miles a day, three days a week (as if anyone had a choice…), and they should ask lots of questions about what type of shoes their feet need before they buy their shoes.
Revtim: Have you ever ran on concrete? dawnbird and MrKnowitall have it right, shoes protect our feet from the hard surfaces we all walk on every day. I go barefoot or in socks when im around the house, but going everywhere without shoes just inst practical :).
MrKnow, Dawnbird, and Doobidoobidoo 
are RIGHT!
Pete: where did you get the idea that “…it takes a long time for features to evolve”. Just what were you trying to say? That if we wear shoes for a long enough time, our feet will “evolve” to the proper shape, or something like that?
I’ve noticed that my legs get used to one type of shoe, and when you switch to a different shoe, with a heel that’s maybe higher or lower, the leg muscles get sore.
You can’t easily sprain an ankle walking or running barefoot. You can with a shoe. For this reason they have that odd shape for the ankle. They only ankle support that really seems to work is a higher top and lacing, such as in skates, ski boots, rollerblades.
Our feet like our eyes, ears, backs, and even our immunosystem, benefit from help or support. I am farsighted and boy I am glad I have my prescription fitted glasses.
Where would I be without my dentist? Probably trying to gum mashed potatoes!
Good replies, all. Ever notice how common back problems are? Could it be that we are still getting used to walking upright?
I wonder if loverock has back problems.
Carpe hoc!
Evolution takes a while. Probably if basketball was invented 50,000 and basketball prowess significanly affected the chance of breeding, then we would all have feet that could endure pounding up and down the court for hours.
But, chances are, our ancestors used thier feet when needed, and sat down the rest of the time. Hence our adequate feet and overpadded posteriors.
Because you are wearing loafers.
Another thing, my legs aren’t the same length so they need support. One is a half inch longer than the other [most people have something like this].
To find out, lay on the floor, have someone at your feet pull your feet so you slide about 5-7" . have them put your ankles together and if the ankles match up, legs are the same length. some doc gave me the old neck twist [yuck] and then showed me my legs were teh same length after that. Which they were. But for a while anyway.