[sn9]

It's really commercial products that have to demonstrate they're providing a benefit compared to what's been the norm for millions of years. And they've never done so to my knowledge.

That said, if you've been particularly sedentary or aren't used to walking barefoot, you should definitely be careful in the transition. Individual physical histories, mobility, etc. have to be taken into account when recommending advice.

I do think kids should be encouraged to run barefoot as often as possible, though. Activity in general will set them up to avoid many of the mistakes of their sedentary elders.

[Retra]

People stepped on glass an nails many times in the past. Is this not part of your knowledge? Perhaps I'm biased, as I have a scar running up my foot from having run barefoot as a child.

Furthermore, I can honestly attribute none of my current good health to it.

[sn9]

You're supposed to look where you're going. Like keeping your eyes on the road.

I've got lots of scars from being a child who doesn't pay attention to his surroundings. That's normal.

You can't exactly run an experiment to see how your life would have been different had you run around in cushy sneakers that didn't let your feet move as intended, but you can certainly see the ways in which shoes which significantly modify the way your feet are used can deform your feet and posture.