Pros/Cons of Wearing Shoes
Pros by Adrian
Wearing shoes can be somewhat of a controversial topic at Reed, but with a campus like this, with hills and rocks and rain, it’s a wonder why. Shoes protect feet from all the dangers around, shielding them from the sensations of the world that can often be painful on the soft soles of feet. For example, exploring the Canyon is a great pastime for many at Reed, but that would be complicated barefoot, with mud and rocks and sticks and trash all mingling together under each tread. While wearing shoes, however, one can explore while being protected, and while protecting the natural world around them, as the Canyon does contain signs asking for people to remain shoed and out of the water in order to safeguard the delicate ecosystem. Students at colleges aren’t even advised to go barefoot in their dorm showers, much less around their campus. Even without the natural hazards, enough dirt, grime, and debris is left around by other humans to make navigating Reed without shoes a feat. Danger to one’s feet and the world around them is the main reason shoes are necessary, however, it is not the only one.
Shoes provide protection, but also a layer of style that cannot be understated. Reedies love to make fashion statements, and shoes are just another way to enforce those, with platforms and colorful laces and ever-present Doc Martens, also a great shoe for protecting one’s feet. Shoes aren’t always an act of style, and a well-loved pair of trainers is valid in its own right, but nevertheless, they have the potential to be a commentary, just as a jacket can. These are items of utility but have the capacity to be so much more. The right pair of shoes can make an outfit, and there are a lot of styles that cannot be achieved without them, such as a smart business casual or a Y2K look. While there may be some aesthetics being barefoot works with, they can by and large also be achieved with a low-impact shoe, that still provides the necessary protection against the elements.
How many students at Reed actually go barefoot? The answer is a very low percentage, and for good reason. While not wearing shoes may have its time and place, such as within the home – out and about on campus, nice close-toed shoes and a pair of socks are the way to go. It’s the smart choice, keeping the outside out and feet safe, an important job, as well as providing another aspect to Reedies’ impressive outfits. Plus, nobody wants to smell anyone’s feet.
Cons by Rowan
Most people at Reed choose to wear shoes, but that is not the only option on a campus full of the quirkiest, most out-there students. Students here go to great lengths to make a statement, whether a fashion one or a political one. Shoes are more the former; their presence or absence makes or breaks a student’s outfit. If your goal is to be the most stylish, one would think that the outfit should still hold up with items removed. After all, no one enjoys wearing an overcoat in 80-degree weather. The same goes for shoes. Many people ask that shoes be removed in their personal homes, and in some places, even commercial establishments. If your shoes are the crux of your outfit, you’re out of luck in those places. That is why you should be able to construct an outfit without shoes, or other pieces of clothing that are meant to be removed.
Style, however, is not the main reason that society at large wears shoes. People wear them to protect their feet from the outside world. Reed does in fact have a rather harsh landscape in some areas, such as gravel roads. But going barefoot for longer periods of time could help you to become more desensitized toward these harsh conditions. The less frequently you wear your shoes, the more the calluses on the bottom of your feet will build up, making the skin thicker and walking on gravel less painful. It will also help you strengthen your toes! In addition to this, walking barefoot in grassy places or places with softer ground is actually quite comfortable! And it helps you to connect more with the environment. Wearing shoes outdoors is akin to wearing gloves while cuddling. There is a barrier between you and the object of your affection. Also, a lot of modern shoes are bad for your feet! They crush your toes leaving you with bunions and loads of other health issues. Of course, in places like the canyon, if shoes are required, they should be worn. Rule-breaking is not included in one’s environmental experience.
Finally, a large population of students at Reed are neurodiverse or have sensory issues of some kind. Many can relate to meltdowns induced by socks as children, which is why we as a community should simply stop wearing socks. And by extension, shoes, since most shoes require socks. In fact, wearing shoes and socks every day actually makes your feet smell more, so going barefoot (and showering regularly) should decrease foot stink!