Barefoot hiking

Update in italics
Do the words "barefoot hiking" strike terror in your heart? Do you get visions of sore feet, first aid kits, poisonous snakes? Chill out! We're talking about walking barefoot. It's been done for ages. Wearing shoes all the time has really softened our brains when we come to think of barefoot hiking as an extreme sport.
I have grown reluctant to part with my shoes as soon as I step outside, fearing for my feet who appear in the world without protection. What a sad state of affairs. Try googling "barefoot hiking" and browse sites devoted to the "new" sport... You will find interesting things. My brother sent me the Wikipedia link which contains the following gem: "In the Far East, some areas have officially established reflexology paths; the idea being that those who walk on them in bare feet, stimulating the foot reflexology points, will get the same benefits as a reflexology massage."
One of the benefits is that barefoot walking is softer on the ground. It reminds me of something I read about the delicate soil of Australia that was abused by non-native hoofed animals. We abuse the earth by walking on it with shoes.
What is my point? Hmmm... Try walking barefoot outside (try it as though you mean it) and let me know how people react to you and how you feel about this radical experiment.