Barefoot Footwear

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
Jun 14th 2006 at 11:03AM

In the Wall Street Journal, last week, they highlighted the trend of barefoot running. Running barefoot is gaining popularity as studies continue to show that heavily cushioned and structured shoes are not the best choice for athletes' feet because they don't allow the feel to gain the muscle they need to properly support the body. Already there are organizations that endorse this practice, but many people who run in high risk areas - cities where the streets are paved, uneven or littered with hazardous materials - might be reulctant to toss off their footwear so readily. There is a middle ground. Five Fingers footwear is meant to simulate barefoot running without actually putting foot to pavement, or foot to hot sand, sharp rocks or glass shards, for that matter. The "shoes" allow for extra grip on slippery surfaces and have individual toe pockets to enhance dexterity, stability and "deliver a more natural walking motion. Price: $70.

Tags: barefoot, run, running, shoes, trend, trends