Abstract
Running barefoot and in minimalist footwear as a sports activity has received much more attention than walking during everyday activities, despite humans typically spending more time and covering more distance walking than running. This article investigates common similarities and differences in health, anatomy and sensory aspects from publications that review and compare habitually barefoot with habitually shod walking.
Compared to barefooters, shod walkers have narrower feet with less evenly distributed pressure patterns, and thinner bones in the toes. Barefoot walking offers additional sensory input, which is beneficial for balance and gait stability, and is a good motivation for exercise. It is also linked with improving attention and working memory. Barefoot locomotion has shorter strides, offers lower peak mechanical loads in soft tissue, bones and joints. The hot, moist and cramped environment of footwear is a primary cause of excessive microbiome growth and ingrown toenails, and long-term use correlates with bunions and increased likelihood of developing high-pressure spots and degenerative arthritic conditions.
The majority of affected people do not choose surgical treatment, and accept the loss of quality of life from chronic pain and reduced mobility "“ with its increased economic and healthcare costs. While 87% of shod walkers develop long-term chronic issues, there is no study that measures the injury probability of habitually barefoot people. At work, only 10-12% of all injuries are on the feet and ankles. Footwear offers mechanical and thermal protection, but it does not reduce the severity of injuries.
Along with the injury probability, the unverified claims of electrical grounding are controversial. Evidence suggests that long-term risks of shod walking may outweigh the short-term risks of barefoot walking, but more data is needed to have a definitive conclusion.