I got really lucky with this one and had to be pretty patient. The seller didn't want to sell it when I first contacted him. He changed his mind a few months later and I'm extremely grateful for that.
I’m in Beaver too
sorry for late reply, I was traveling for work.
ID on boots? Looks like something in shinki, similar to the John Lofgren combat boot.
addict horsehide.
Thanks I appreciate that a lot
Now that’s a coincidence! My parents are still there.I’m in Beaver too
Yeah, it’s either Harley Davidson or military issue leather jackets I see around here…Now that’s a coincidence! My parents are still there.
Not too many folks wearing Freewheelers in those parts..
I keep hearing about this, but don’t know much apart from those Vibram “five-finger” sports shoe that became very popular 10 years ago here in Oz among the fitness community.
A "barefoot shoe" is simply a style of footwear that attempts to mimic, as closely as practical, the concept and feel of wearing no shoes while still providing protection for the wearer's feet. Usually that involves having no heel raise (which most shoes have nowadays) and no arch support (also very common), and the thickness of the sole is generally minimised to maximise "ground feel", which helps the muscles in the foot (and leg) develop and strengthen when walking, running etc.
One here
@Batoidea summed it up nicely. For me this "trend" really represents long term health vs short term comfort/aesthetics, but the most important thing by far is the wide/anatomical toe box.
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style. 
Thanks for taking the time, nicely explained.A "barefoot shoe" is simply a style of footwear that attempts to mimic, as closely as practical, the concept and feel of wearing no shoes while still providing protection for the wearer's feet. Usually that involves having no heel raise (which most shoes have nowadays) and no arch support (also very common), and the thickness of the sole is generally minimised to maximise "ground feel", which helps the muscles in the foot (and leg) develop and strengthen when walking, running etc.
Of course, the thickness of such footwear can vary since an extremely thin sole may not always be sufficient for activities like trail running, which could require a sole with better grip and perhaps more protection against small rocks and that sort of thing, but it depends on the experience of the wearer (some very experienced trail runners can run in those huarache sandals that are only 2-3mm thick without any issues).
They typically have a wider toe box than standard shoes as well, which is designed to help the feet and toes spread normally without being "forced into" the shape of the shoe, like so:
View attachment 522671
Aesthetically speaking it can make for unusual looking foorwear sometimes but some brands do it well without making them look goofy.
One here
