Minimalist footwear seems to be all the rage these days. To me, most of this footwear (like Vibram’s FiveFingers and ZemGear shoes) looks like something out of the SNL skit "What's Up With That?" More bizarre than the look of these shoes (if you can even call them shoes) is the fact that the popularity and sales for them continue to grow. Almost everyone I've spoken to, including the people I know who own them, agree that they are just about the most hideous footwear in existence, which begs the question, "why do people buy them?"

To Promote Proper Running Form: A growing number of people believe that running shoes are actually bad for runners. This theory has been tested and touted by scientists, universities, and avid runners. The primary basis for this argument centers on proper running form, which is striking the ground with the middle or front of the foot, rather than the heel. Dr. Venkadesan, a researcher of applied mathematics and human evolutionary biology at Harvard, has concluded that repetitively striking the heel first sets runners up for repetitive stress injuries such as stress fractures and shin splints. One of his conclusions is that cushy running shoes cause heel striking because the comfort they provide essentially causes runners not to think about their form.

If you think about the way the human body naturally works, this theory makes sense. The next time you're in the park or on the beach, take off your shoes and start running. You'll immediately notice that your foot naturally strikes the ground on the balls of the feet. If you purposely strike the ground with your heel, it feels unnatural, and depending on the terrain, painful after any prolonged period of time. Purchasing shoes for running barefoot helps runners maintain proper form while providing vital protection and grip for your feet.

For those of you want to try out a pair of shoes for running barefoot (and who are secure enough to be spotted in public while wearing footwear that looks like some fad from the 80's), I recommend checking out the Vibram FiveFingers SKO or shoes made by Zem. For those who prefer a conventional looking running shoe but are searching for a pair of kicks that promote proper biomechanics and running form, I recommend running shoes made by Newton or New Balance's MT101.

Minimalist footwear may be ugly as sin, but it’s quickly becoming a fashion faux pas that runners who pursue proper form are willing to live with. To make the leap yourself, look into researching the brands mentioned earlier in this article.