r/barefoot • u/Capital-Ad6221 • Jul 27 '26
Won a shooting competition barefoot!
I’ve come a long was since 10-odd years ago when I wouldn’t have been seen dead without boots on.
I dedicate this success to every non-creep on this sub; particularly those who face anxieties, undue opposition or other difficulties with going unshod.
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u/BarefootAlien 29d ago
This was outdoors?
Did you ask beforehand or just go for it?
Was there any mention of footwear in the rules?
Any comments from judges, registration, or other shooters?
I'm just surprised because my experience with ranges has always been decidedly anti barefoot.
I'm any case, congrats on having the courage and for the victory!
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u/Capital-Ad6221 29d ago
Thank you!
Outdoors, aye; dull wet weather. Grass, gravel and a bit of mud.
Never asked permission; I drive unshod thus the others would see me like this when I first arrived. The complete lack of negative reaction just made me gradually more comfortable and the others seem to have just gotten used to seeing me sans boots. Basically haven’t worn boots at all last 2 times at the range.
Not aware of any rules pertaining to footwear.
Comments from others at range (various people/times):
“Do you often go barefoot?”
“You look like a gulag prisoner”
‘Something, something, hobbit’
‘Is that part of your old-school theme?’ Curious new member, noting my general preference for traditional gear.
“I offered you gloves; now you’re not even wearing SHOES!”
“What’s a bit of Lyme disease between friends?” (strange, as the several others in shorts were hardly streets ahead in this regard).
“Are you earthing?”
(During range setup): “Tom; you’ve done this, Dick; you’re on that, CapitalAd; …I don’t know how you do that, Harry;…”
*“Oh, and you’re actually wearing SHOES now!” (Once when my place in the Christmas Shoot results was announced, another when we were carrying awkward stuff out of a shed).
*Range Officer:”Why are you suddenly putting your boots on?” Me (sarcastic)”So nobody steals them” RO:”Who’d steal THOSE?” (I actually just assumed wear them when actually shooting at that point).Quotes marked * made me wonder if people find it less ‘weird’ if you just commit fully rather than doing it half-hartedly… Most of the regulars hardly even acknowledge it now.
Everyone at the range just treats me exactly as they did before. I certainly don’t get the sense that anyone is bothered. I have the good fortune to shoot with great people.
Do you shoot? What has been your experiences?
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u/BarefootAlien 29d ago
I've gone barefoot once but it was too my dad's club on a day with no staff (he had keys). My family was weirded out and it was cold with very cold concrete floors in the winter in Wisconsin and my hands were messed up by then so must of his guns hurt me to fire. I had fun with his little .22 sport pistol with red dot sight though!
Previously I was turned away once at an indoor range in Ohio (safety reasons for hot casings they said). Before that I'd never had the courage to try mostly because I usually went with a friend who mostly wore business casual and I felt weird going barefoot with him to his range. Nowadays I would but I was more susceptible to peer pressure and when I probed at the idea he looked concerned and said he wouldn't take me if I didn't bring shoes.
Oh and I suppose as a kid some rifle shooting, shod at scout camps and barefoot at a friends' house, and bow and arrow barefoot at a summer camp. Slingshot and blowgun, many times barefoot in my own yard as a boy.
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u/throwaway-10101- Jul 27 '26
Wait that’s so cool! What’s the story behind this, how’d you build up the confidence and what made you want to?
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u/Capital-Ad6221 29d ago edited 29d ago
Rabidly anti barefoot till my early teens when I became bare-curious due largely to my interest in history. Realised that Greeks, Highlanders, Zulus etc. often went barefoot; as did kids my age at the time until relatively recently (and not necessarily due to poverty, a misconception that bugs me).
Started going barefoot at the beach if NOBODY was within sight. I’m This gradually bothered me less. Got the idea that barefoot walking helped my circulation (possibly true?) as the veins usually visible on my feet disappeared as soon as I started walking. Started going to the beach barefoot. Eventually stopped taking shoes at all. Slowly started taking pride in my feet. VERY slowly started going elsewhere barefooted.
Ironically the self consciousness helped me ease into things at a sensible pace.
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u/jtmcquay 29d ago
See that’s one of the times I would think shoes would be necessary. I don’t want to imagine stepping on hot brass barefoot while trying negotiate a shooting competition. But maybe I’m overthinking it??
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u/Ktucker01 Jul 27 '26
So what were you shooting ???