barefoot forward?

"Barefoot Running promotes Front and Mid -strike which allows the runner to take more advantage of elastic energy stored in both the Achilles tendon and the longitudinal arch of the foot. This develops more calf and foot muscle strength, and avoids uncomfortable and potentially injurous impact."
William Jungers. Barefoot Running strikes back. Nature Journal. January 2010 via Terra Plana

Yet again I find myself looking to innovative Terra Plana products (previously the designed for dissasembly "pop" shoe) and now the vivobarefoot range and research which I find really fascinating. The idea that performance running shoes and cushioning could potentially be making it worse for us to run is both scary and revolutionary and I've been trying to find out more about the research behind it.

"Vivobarefoot is a revolutionary, back-to-basics design based on the simple principle that being barefoot is the healthiest way for you and your feet to be. An ultra thin puncture resistant sole allows your feet to be as millions of years of evolutionary design intended - Barefoot."

Whilst being barefoot millions of years ago was as nature intends it, I'm sure there are various arguments against now - for one given the man-made often tarmacked environments we've created for ourselves - but it's interesting to see the professor in this video running barefoot in city streets. One thing's for sure given all of my foot and back problems, I'm really tempted to have a go!