Go for a barefoot run -- with shoes

"Barefoot running shoe" is not an oxymoron. It's a shoe designed to give you the feeling — and substantial benefits — of running barefoot.

Vibram FiveFingers: Minimalist shoe with individual toe compartments and a form-fitting, pliable one-eighth-inch rubber sole.

Likes: Feels almost as close to barefoot as a sock — at just 5 ounces, you'll barely feel it. Great combo of protection and ground feel. No cushioning, so you won't be tempted to heel-strike. (Also provides nice dexterity and protection for surfers and sailors, for whom the product was originally intended.) Rubber sole wraps over the end to protect the toes. No need for socks. Dries quickly.

Dislikes: Takes an extra 10 seconds to put on.

Price: $70. (978) 318-0000; vibramfivefingers.com.
Roy Wallack
Gear

November 6, 2006

Long used as a common foot-strengthening drill by Olympic running coaches, barefoot running forces you to make a soft landing on the forefoot (not the heel) that helps eliminate many knee and ankle injuries.

But many runners — leery of wayward pebbles and splinters — are not quite ready to go completely barefoot. Hence the world's newest category of athletic footwear.

Nike Free 5.0: A "semi-barefoot" shoe that prepares you for full-bore barefooting, with a highly flexible forefoot and some heel cushioning.

Likes: A good transitional shoe. For some, skipping straight to a barefoot shoe may create too much calf strain. This lightweight shoe (8.5 ounces) has a half-inch-thick forefoot sole so flexible it can be rolled up like a newspaper, allowing a barefoot-like tactile feel. Very comfy; structure-less upper drapes over your foot like a sock.

Dislikes: The one-inch heel cushion still allows heel-striking, which is impossible in barefoot running. Lacks toe protection.

Price: $84.99. nike.com.