I have never needed them. I tried, once, and it was horrible. My feet felt confined, I couldn't move correctly, and I felt almost as if I didn't know where I was, because I couldn't feel the difference between dirt or pavement. There is hardly any proper traction, and they gave me blisters. I saw no reason to attempt to overcome the blisters for footwear that I found unsatisfactory, given that my feet are tough enough to serve very well with just a little wrapping to protect the soles. Shoes are a hindrance. Or at least, shoes are a hindrance in my own body. Human feet, it seems, are much more delicate.