20 years a gym rat here. I've walked barefoot on every locker room floor from my high school to college and a dozen gyms in between and never once had athlete's foot or any other foot ailments. The key is to keep your feet dry and to wipe them thoroughly with a clean towel before putting on your socks.
“I’ve walked barefoot on every locker room floor from my high school to college and a dozen gyms in between and never once had athlete’s foot or any other foot ailments. “
My kid spent 4 days in the hospital with a case of MRSA, which required surgery. It was attributed to walking barefoot in a locker room. Three other people got it within a week. Of course the director of the building rarely cleaned even though we complained.
Sure you can go 20 years. I did. But it only takes one.
Maybe I didn’t dry my feet thoroughly enough, but I picked up some really nasty plantar warts. It was very hard and very painful to get rid of ‘em. I always wear shower shoes.