Going Barefoot Is Good for the Sole

• One study showed that running in cushioned sneakers encourages people to stamp on the ground harder than running barefoot.
• Another study found that although calluses thicken as people walk barefoot, there is no trade-off in sensation from the extra protection. The hard surface of the callus send mechanical force through the foot to the nerves inside the skin in the same way as an unprotected sole.

With cushioned shoes, the sole slows the rate at which the body impacts the ground, making it more comfortable. However, the force is the same. The energy that shoots up your leg is about three times more in a cushioned shoe than if you're barefoot.

Soft soles of shoes might also impact balance. As people age, their feet become less sensitive. If your feet can't sense what is going on on the ground, you may become more vulnerable to falls.