Neat article at Men's health, I found it interesting.

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=fitness&category=motivation&conitem=3b4b1ca01e91c010VgnVCM10000013281eac____

Was a good read. I read back a few years ago about the benefits of going barefoot. Since then I make sure I take my shoe/socks off while walking around at home (didn't always before). Much more comfortable anyhow. For safety and societal reasons I haven't increased barefoot walking outside the house much. But have made some compromises which are an improvement.

Use to always wear bulky cross trainer/basketball shoes for casual/work use. Recently bought some shoes which are less padded/supported and with a more neutral heel. They were orginally designed as athletic soccer shoes, but I use them for casual/work use. Classic Adidas Samba shoes.

Feet were sore at first (using foot muscles normally unused) but adjusted after a couple weeks. Alternated shoes during adjustment period (between old supportive shoes and new less supportive) so my feet could gradually strengthen to support themselves.

I've noticed I feel alot lighter and agile on my feet. Although I've never been a runner, I always have sprinted up/down any steps I travel (as long as I remember since childhood). Noticed that as was alluded in that article that springy landing on forefoot instead of heel strikes seemingly results in more quickness/less strain on feet/joints.

Obviously some people have weaknesses/injuries in their feet, etc... which wouldn't allow barefoot walking or less supportive shoes. But I'd imagine many people could do well with more minimalistic shoes, assuming they gradually strengthen their feet to become accustomed. Such as by starting off walking barefoot or with more minimalistic shoes for very short periods, and gradually increasing the amount of time doing so. Just as you would progressively increase the workload of any other workout (and not all at once). Then after building up a full tolerance to walking as such, running could be incorparated in the same manner (gradually).

I read that article many days ago myself, and have changed my running for various reasons.
1, I have a wide foot, which makes it ROUGH to find a decent pair of running shoe's at a good price. 2, my knees started to hurt after runs.
I hadn't tried to run barefoot, but I did move to a forefoot landing. HUGE help.
This was supposed to help with foot muscles and tightening them up. It did a bit, my foot went back to a smaller size, but is still too wide. :(
Well yesterday I did my sprint interval workout on the grass at the local high school football field\ track. I had muscles in my feet that started to feel it yesterday. I am thinking that from now on my sprints are going to be in grass barefoot. :tu:
I'm not sure if it will really help the width, but it is worth a shot, as I would love to be able to waltz into a store and slam my foot into whatever shoe appeals to me. I dont overpronate, and I have a normal arch (close to low, but good enough) so I look forward to buying what I want, and not what my feet dictate that I have to have as far as width.

That article is a great read. I didn't realize that shoes weren't helpful. I've always been a big fan of barefoot exercising. I guess I have an excuse now.