Can't say I'm much of a free paw now. When I was younger I could go barefoot anywhere but now it's shoes out side, and either barefoot or socks inside depending on temp...or both since I don't really notice if they are heavily torn. Cant say it gives me a closer link to my sona though when I am bare foot, though I have found my self throughout the years trying to walk on my toes and my sonas are generally digitigrade.