Barefoot/Minimalist Shoe Survey 2014:
Highlights
In this summary I have documented a few aspects of the
survey above that I thought are interesting. This is a personal extraction and
others may not find the same highlights noteworthy. I also generally refrain
from making a comment on the highlights I find interesting – I merely state
them. The sample of the survey is said to include barefoot/minimalist footwear
enthusiasts.
1.
Females with a minimalist interest tend to be a
little younger than males even though males outnumber females 3 to 1.
2.
Footwear type used most often is highest for
barefoot (higher than I would have thought!). Sandals as a category (flipflops
and sandals) comes in at 12%.
3.
Years going barefoot. Notable polarisation here
with many in the “more than 20 years” group as well as a very big
representation for the “less than 3 years” group at 33%. This suggests the
activity will grow if this trend is maintained.
4.
Interestingly those that prefer barefoot,
sandals or flipflops tend to have the same propensity for running (approx. 45%-
55%) while those that prefer going barefoot are more likely to also hike and
walk barefoot. (I looked at running, hiking, walking.)
5.
Women were more likely to “never” go barefoot
compared to men. When going barefoot women also tended to do so for less time
than men. Women more so than men see the “ground/surface” as a problem when
barefooting.
6.
Main reason for barefooting. Notably high
representation of “medical” reasons. Are previous injuries and ailments a
factor?
7.
Benefits of going barefoot. Notably high
proportion saying “happier” as well as a few saying “sexy”. Thus for this group
of people there are clear emotional benefits.
8.
32% said they’d “never” worn minimalist shoes.
This is strange. Presumably these are dedicated barefooters but one would
expect them to wear minimalist shoes if and when they do wear shoes.
9.
Cost of
minimalist shoes is a problem for over 15% and is second only to “fit or
comfort” 17%.
10.
Men are more likely to consider themselves (in
rank order) Normal, Nature lover, Athletic, Eccentric, Artistic while for women
the self-assessment is Normal, Nature lover, Artistic and Eccentric. (Athletic
is thus the male differentiator).
11.
Other findings from the survey are largely self-explanatory
and do not warrant further comment.
