Barefoot running is a controversial topic, mainly because there is a perception in the barefoot running community that podiatrists are opposed to it. Nothing could be further from the truth. See this thread on Barefoot Running Debate on Podiatry Arena. The real problem seems to be the use and misuse of research by barefoot runners. There is even a running barefoot website that is dedicated to debunking the claims that those in the barefoot running community make. There are also issues about how the media have also interested research on barefoot running. At the end  the day there is no evidence that barefoot running is better than using running shoes. All the evidence show is that they are different. There does appear to be a lot of barefoot running injuries with claims of an epidemic of stress fractures in the Vibram Five Finger running shoe. There are even things called barefoot running shoes, which kind of doesn’t make sense, as how can you be barefoot and wear shoes at the same time. Perhaps the term minimalist running shoes is a better option. The main problem that podiatrists seem to have with the concept of barefoot running is the fanaticism and zealatry of barefoot runners and the unsupported claims that they make for it. Even the French are debating the topic: Barefoot Running

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