‘Barefoot Ben’ explains why he hasn’t worn shoes for eight years | UK News

A man who hasn’t owned a pair of shoes in eight years says he doesn’t mind walking through broken glass – but he hates the feeling of velvet.

Ben Donnelly has said he likes to prove to his friends his feet have evolved to the point he will never need shoes again.

The 39-year-old claims the muscles in his feet are stronger, wider and even smell better than before when he was wearing shoes.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Ben said: ‘Two or three times a year I get glass stuck in my feet which I have to dig out, but my skin is so thick now it doesn’t happen much.

‘Life is too short to be wearing shoes. Since I’ve gone barefoot my joints feel better and I feel less hot. My feet actually smelt worse when I was wearing shoes.

‘But I started wearing shoes less when I was at university, and I stopped owning shoes completely when I turned 31.’

Ben, who is a musician, has hiked across the UK and abroad, including in India, Bulgaria and Norway.

He also forgoes any footwear when at football matches and at the pub.

‘It is rare when someone stands on my feet, but the pain is temporary,’ he explained.

‘I was once on a crowded train and someone was stood on my for a full five minutes, that was painful.’

But he admits walking across crushed velvet is his least favourite sensation.

‘I have never liked walking on velvet, but thankfully I don’t come across it too much.

‘Warm rain on pavement is my favourite sensation.’

Ben is not the only person who has adopted the barefoot lifestyle.

Fiona Thornton so often forgoes footwear, strangers keep offering to buy her some.

‘People come up to me and say, “did you know you haven’t got any shoes on?”,’ she said.

‘I have had at least one car pull over asking if they could get me some shoes.

‘I was in London and a young girl started taking off her socks to give them to me.’

And Fiona thinks the barefoot lifestyle is gradually becoming more popular.

‘When I was out for a walk last year I saw someone else going barefoot, so I think people are getting more used to the idea,’ she said.

‘I get confronted by people at restaurants, and then you have to politely remind them you can be bare foot.

‘The world has changed so much but people are a lot more accepting now.’

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