Why Patriots Receiver Mack Hollins Likes Going Barefoot

When wide receiver Mack Hollins joined the New England Patriots for the 2025–2026 season, casual fans quickly noticed his unusual habit: he prefers to go barefoot and avoids wearing shoes whenever possible. Hollins is known to arrive at practice in Foxboro and for games in his bare feet, even when there is snow on the ground.

Hollins, 32, said he has been going barefoot for six or seven years after being introduced to the idea by Australian trainers while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. He said he will wear shoes if the temperature dips below 35 degrees.

"I may be barefoot, but I'm not a dummy," Hollins told sports reporters upon his formal introduction to the Gillette Stadium press corps.

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Why Mack Hollins Goes Barefoot

Hollins said walking barefoot is "getting back to your original ways of movement." Leaving the shoes behind, Hollins said, means "one less thing to pack, now the bag's under 50 pounds."

Not the First Shoeless NFL Player

There have been other shoeless NFL players, including former Eagles, Patriots, and Dolphins kicker Tony Franklin, who played from 1979 to 1988.

Barefoot kickers say kicking in their bare feet gives them a better feel for the ball and greater accuracy.

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Football is not the only sport or outdoor activity that attracts barefooters. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson played baseball in the MLB for years in the early 20th century.

The Growing Barefoot Movement

The Society for Barefoot Living (there is a Massachusetts regional chapter) was established in 1994, attracting barefooters from around the globe. There are barefoot hiking clubs, such as The Long Brown Path in New Hampshire, and Wikiloc.com is a site for barefoot hiking enthusiasts in Massachusetts.

Barefoot Hiking in New England

Weetamoo Woods & Pardon Grey Preserve in Tiverton and Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook in Little Compton are popular trails for Rhode Island barefoot hikers.

Crocs Are Taking Over the SouthCoast

Barry Richard wasn't a big believer in the comfort of Crocs until he went to the Dartmouth Mall and tried some on for himself. He left with them, but before he bought them, he snapped some pics of all the different designs available for other Crocs converts.

Gallery Credit: Barry Richard

10 Shoes That Still Influence Fashion Today

It doesn’t matter if you are a shoe collector or someone who only has two pairs. Odds are good that you have heard of every type of shoe on the shoe royalty list. These ten styles of shoes have held their ground through the years and are as popular today as they were the day they hit the ground running.

Gallery Credit: Tasha Stevens

Seasonal Problem with Shoes

When the seasons change it is hard to pick out shoes to wear for the weather. This in between the winter and the summer can be a tough time for deciding on footwear. I think Spring is worse than Fall. Our feet are ready to break out of the winter captivity but the temperatures and your pedicure may be saying No.

Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn