I've read Born to Run and am now reading Running With the Kenyans with all the discussions about barefoot running, forefoot v. heel running and minimalist shoes.
The descriptions of the soles of the feet of Kenyan kids being hard as leather make sense as does the reasoning that running so much without shoes from a very young age produces ankles and feet much stronger than those of your typical western athlete.
For the above reasons, I can't see going barefoot; I tried 7 oz. shoes for marathon training a couple of years ago and was injured.
The reading reminded of how common it was up until the eighties to run without socks.
I tried it this week and a host of nagging sorenesses disappeared and my gait felt much more natural.
I definitely felt more feedback from the ground, felt my toes and feet reaching to soften the landing and ran with a more 'barefoot' style despite wearing the same 11 oz. shoes.
Anyone else noticed this effect?