I recently ran across these pics on twitter (downloaded pics below in case tweet isn’t available). I like the idea of punishment shoes… something that mainstream people can’t see or know, but that you are acutely aware of.
I believe I found the vendor that sells these on Etsy (here), but they’re pretty expensive. Plus, as hot as they are, they may be a bit too intense. Those spikes look like no joke, and I feel like their primary attention is to keep slaves off their feet entirely. And if that’s the goal, mission accomplished. However, I’d like something that is at least walkable.
I realized there are other ways to achieve similar with a bit of DIY. One, I’ve heard you can fill your shoes with a layer of uncooked rice. I haven’t tried it myself, but have heard it can be pretty painful, so try it for short periods at a time to be safe. I would assume it’d be most painful if worn barefoot in shoes, and that perhaps wearing socks would provide a mild buffer. It could also be messy when you do eventually take off your shoes.
Another option would be making one from store-bought insoles, and gluing bottle caps onto them. I’ve done this already with flip flops (seen below)… there’s no reason to believe the same couldn’t be done with insoles.
They are painful to walk on, to be sure, but it is possible. Again, I would assume socks would provide a bit of a buffer. I haven’t tried this yet with insoles, but I think I may one day. And I suspect they can’t be worn long term. But they could be fun for a short outing, or around the house.
I should also add that TallGlassofOJ has a fun solution to keeping the shoes locked on the feet (as the first pics above with the Blue Nikes being zip tied onto the feet.
In case the tweet doesn’t show it, Amazon sells a steel, locking loop that be used to keep your shoes on.
