Hardwood floor footwear? (pool, installed, bathroom, kitchen)

[Sky-Blue]

I have my first hardwood floor at home I bought three weeks ago. I always take off my work shoes at the door to avoid tracking in dirt particles from outside. I tried wearing just socks on the hardwood floor, but the lack of traction could lead to a slip & nasty fall. Plus, lint was left behind all over the place. Recently, I switched to walking around in barefeet: not that comfortable on hardwood and will be less comfortable when the temperature drops. I guess house slippers are my next option.

What do you usually wear while walking on your hardwood flooring?

[Moby Hick]

Socks. I've never had a problem, possibly because nearly all my socks have at least one hole in the bottom.

[Pitt Chick]

I wear just about anything.
Usually I am barefoot (even in the winter), but socks, shoes, whatever, is fine.

[nightcrawler]

When I first had all my wood floors installed about 25 years ago, they were stained a light gray, (it was the style then), they have since been re-stained a dark chocolate brown about 9 years ago, anyway, I always took my shoes off and would not anyone walk on my brand new floors with shoes or anything other than socks.

Come to 2013, I don't care anymore, I wear my work boots until I go to bed, nothing has damaged them. I don't make anyone take their shoes off either. Wood floors are the best thing ever, they last, and also I like the little imperfections in wood anyway.

[HWTechGuy]

We got a mix of various floor types, and generally don't wear shoes inside the house. Many of the times, I'm in socks or usually barefoot because I'm in and out of the pool. I do have slippers I put on at night if I have to go out on the lanai and let the dog out, etc.

[rrtechno]

I'm sure the farmers always wore their workboots when they went into the old hardware store with the creaky wooden floors.

[Sky-Blue]

Originally Posted by nightcrawler

Come to 2013, I don't care anymore, I wear my work boots until I go to bed, nothing has damaged them. I don't make anyone take their shoes off either. Wood floors are the best thing ever, they last, and also I like the little imperfections in wood anyway.

Originally Posted by rrtechno

I'm sure the farmers always wore their workboots when they went into the old hardware store with the creaky wooden floors.

Just to clarify the OP: removing my shoes is not about avoiding damage to the wood. But rather keeping the hardwood floors relatively clean without having to sweep them every single day.

For the first couple of days I wore my regular shoes on the hardwood floors when I got home from work in the late afternoon, and then went barefoot by evening/night. However, I disliked like the feeling of stepping on tiny, random dirt particles on the floor brought in by my shoes. Also, by the end of the first week, my bathroom rug was visibly dirty by all the dirt my bare feet tracked into the bathroom.

[bmwguydc]

I wear driving loafers mostly, since I keep them as house-only shoes. The rubber blocks or knobs on the sole give enough traction so as to avoid a slip on the wood, marble, or tile floors.

[LOL_Whut]

I wear slippers with little rubberized "nubs" on the bottom for traction. Sometimes I wear wool socks instead. I'll go barefoot if it's hot, but my feet get cold easily.

[haggardhouseelf]

Ugg slippers



I like house slippers that have a non-fabric bottom so if I am in the kitchen and happen to step in a bit of water or something it doesn't get my socks wet (we have pets who are messy water drinkers).

These are perfect, warm, cozy, and just basically totally awesome.

There are other brands beside Uggs... you can google "sheepskin slipper" and find a bunch. I used to have some Minnetonka ones that were also amazing, but they were so old they eventually fell apart.