This wrong idea was based on the premise of the Runner’s Repair Manual, written by Dr. Murray Weisenfeld, a famous Sports podiatrist, that the human foot is not designed for walking let alone running long distances. George Shein, a writer for Runner’s World Magazine, agreed that the foot need protection from running. However, studies now show that the more protected the foot is in the higher end shoe, the less natural movement there is, therefore deconditioning the foot. The more deconditioned the foot, the higher the rate of injury.
In fact, lead athletes now prefer to run barefoot to condition the foot and prevent injuries.
Look at the design of the foot; it has arches. The arches are like little domes with suspension bridges. If you have a suspension bridge, and you place support in the arch, it becomes a weaker structure. The idea behind the suspension bridge is that you load it from the top and it disperses through the suspension. That is when it’s at its strongest point. That is how the human foot is.
We recommend you run or walk barefoot. Start adding that into your training sessions!