When I got my elliptical and started exercising daily, I tried a few different footwear options. First I wore the best sneakers I owned. I thought the support was probably key. But given the number of times I’ve messed up my feet and ankles, maybe it wasn’t the best. I put checkerboard grip tape on the foot pedals of my elliptical  particularly bitchin’ if I do say so myself, but it was really tearing up the soles of my sneakers. And honestly I didn’t love wearing them.

I moved on to socks after considering other more conventional footwear options. Non Conventional too. Yogitoes, for example, have always held more than a passing interest. Ultimately, though, I went with socks. I’ve seen so much about going barefoot when it comes to walking or jogging or similar exercise. Who knew how rough the griptape would be, though. After a couple of weeks I needed a new bag of socks to replace all my holey failures.

Now I do it barefoot. Totally barefoot. And without griptape, because the first couple of days before I removed it ut calluses on my calluses.