I've always been amazed by people who run barefoot, a la South African athlete Zola Budd. I don't even like walking barefoot. People swear by its benefits, claiming less chronic ankle injuries and the like, but for crying out loud, what about injuries like...stepping on a nail?! Ouch!

So the recent Nike Free campaign with their "Run Barefoot" slogan piqued my interest and I checked out the web site to see what it was all about...apparently, the new Nike Free line of sneakers has flexible, segmented soles that are engineered to mimic the contours of the bare foot. When you wear them running, it's like running barefoot...in shoes!

I've also come across a shoe company called Masai Barefoot Technology, with a line of sneakers, sandals and even hiking boots that feature Frankenstein monster-ish platform soles. The multi-layered sole is constructed to transform hard, flat running surfaces into a more uneven ground, causing the wearer to simulate the walking action of our barefoot ancestors...but in shoes! Supposedly, wearing these over time also improves your posture, circulation, and even decreases cellulite. But they're ugly as hell, expensive, and I just can't see myself hiking in platform boots.

It's interesting that we always seem to need new, expensive technology to bring us "back to nature."