The benefits of BAREFOOT RUNNING

Being barefoot is so good for you, and while you may not want to run completely barefoot, except perhaps on sand, there are minimal shoes that help recreate the whole-body benefits. Holly Treacy investigates

- Holly Treacy

As the nights are beginning to draw in and the weather to lace up your trainers and head out for a run might drop quicker than the temperature. But what if you skipped the footwear step altogether and connected your bare skin to the ground? Already shaking your head? Stick with us! Barefoot running has more benefits than you might realise.

'In the modern world it's easy to opt for physical ease and comfort,' according to yoga teacher Scarlett Woodford. 'But one of the downsides is that we've pushed our feet into overly cushioned and padded shoes [think trainers] causing your toes to cramp up together over time. Most of the shoes you wear also have a heel, which means your body tilts forward over time, and this can have a profound effect on your posture.'

So, what happens when you walk barefoot? 'Your toes can properly spread,' says Scarlett. 'Like fingers, the toes are appendages designed to splay out and have strength. Recruiting toes properly by going barefoot increases their strength and grip as they take more of the body's load.'

Alex Ward, co-founder of barefoot running brand Bahé (bahe.co), agrees. 'Fundamentally, if you're used to wearing "traditional shoes", then your feet will have adapted to them, meaning your toes will be held more tightly and won't function as naturally. Traditional shoes have a "toe spring" (upward curve at the toe) meaning your toes don't hinge as much in particular your big toe, which should act as a hinge, but can't in traditional shoes. And, because regular shoes have padded heels, they modify your posture somewhat.