[namibj]

Well, heel striking sends shocks through your spine, unless buffered via sufficiently springy shoes.

If you have strong earmuffs, consider trying them while running, and you'll hear the shock if it travels up to your neck. Switching rapidly will probably cause injury, but I haven't heard about any sizable subset of the population being unable to adapt.

Another helpful effect is that you don't need shoes to run if you're toe-striking on a clean&smooth surface.

[vanviegen]

> Another helpful effect is that you don't need shoes to run if you're toe-striking on a clean&smooth surface.

Yes, and your running shoes can last you a decade, instead of (half) a year.