This is very topical as there is a recent study published in Nature about the biomechanical advantages of barefoot running.

Have a look and listen to this podcast on the Naked Scientist:

The Benefits of Running Barefoot - The Naked Scientists

One key seems to be that the barefoot runner adopts a different gait pattern. With wearing running shoes we tend to adopt a heel-toe pattern with the stance leg which is very jarring - we need the shoe to do a good job of shock absorption. In contrast the barefoot runner tends to land on the ball of the foot and lowers the heel down which is a more natural method of shock absorption and seems to have positive effects on posture.

However there are a few cautions with all this:

*Don't forget the obvious that you don't have the protection of a shoe and unprotected feet that are not conditioned to running barefoot are prone lacerations, and bruises etc. Feet that have been protected for years in shoes need to become conditioned.

*The effect can be achieved by a a shoe which provides more minimal cushioning - ie you can get the benefits of running barefoot in shoes anyway.

*If one just takes up barefoot running and fails to adopt a "toe-heel" gait pattern for some reason you could end up doing yourself a great disservice

*We have no good studies that attest to the comparative benefits or harm (injuries) of barefoot running vs shoe running. For example we don't know what effects the different types of running have on feet that have pre existing deformities.

This looks like it is going to become another fad so no doubt it will attract a lot of folllowers