I prefer being barefoot while in my house. We have carpet on every floor, so it's always soft. Plus, I always keep my toenails painted nicely, and it sort of defeats the purpose if I wear socks over them while inside.
We also have a large deck in the backyard with a fire pit, tables, chairs...ect.
So I can walk around out there barefoot, with no problems.
(The deck is made of a type of plastic called Fiberon, so I don't have to worry about splinters.)
*** Even though I'm barefoot most of the time in my house, My soles always stay clean, and very soft.
As for walking around while outside - I always wear some type of shoes (flip flops, ect). Since my soles are always very soft, it's pretty painful for me to walk around in the street, sidewalk, or even when stepping on rocks in the grass.
~~~One summer few years ago, I made the mistake of continuously walking around in the street barefoot. My friend and I would go on these nightly walks around our neighborhood at least 2-3 times a week, with each walk lasting up to a few hours. Well... After I did this (always while barefoot) for about a month, one day I realized that the skin on my soles had hardened into Calluses. It was almost like reptile scales. Omg....
My soles' sensitively were also greatly reduced.
~~~ Thankfully, my feet were heeled after a few weeks of wearing shoes afterward. I never, ever wanted this to happen to me again, and i have worn shoes outside ever since.
But yeah..... That's what happens if you constantly walk barefoot on rough
terrain (like asphalt).
~~~~~~ Final thoughts:
---- While inside:
If you have a clean house, and / or have carpet - then walking around barefoot is totally fine.
---- While outside:
Always wear shoes. You won't regret it.
Maybe I'm a little bias, cus I like being able to show off my polished toes.
Also, I prefer having softer-soles, cus I'm a ticklee <3 And anything that decreases sensitivity in my feet is something I'd avoid.