Vibram five-finger shoes

I use them for all of my running and walking. If you are not used to going barefoot, you will have to transition into them, as your feet will hurt if you run or walk in them a lot without toughening your feet first. They are a bit expensive for basically a protective layer for your feet, but I am afraid to go barefoot because of glass, car oil stains, bodily fluids, etc., that may be on the roads/sidewalks.

Also, be prepared for funny looks and questions from complete strangers. I have been stopped many times to inquire about my shoes.

did you see the article in Runner's World this month about these?  I don't know if they'd be worth the money - my opinion.  I rather just go out to the soccer fields and run barefoot from time to time or run barefoot on the tm...

Yea, that's what spurred my interest in the first place.

I have a pair. I try to do 10 percent of my running in them weekly. They are very good at teaching you to not heal strike so much when you run, because you cant when wearing them. Well you can, but you will not cuz it is uncomfortable to do so. Start out with short runs on them 1-2 miles as you will need different calluses for them.

Kenny (Ten9t6) has a pair. 

I have had a pair for several years. I like them because they are light. I don't like the individual toes. I get blisters from the rubbing in between my toes. If they just made them like a water shoe I would absolutely love them. There is another barefoot type shoe called Barefoot On The Grass. It is suppose to be coming out next year. I am looking forward to trying them if they are priced reasonably.

Try Nike Free shoes... they basically are what you are looking for.

I tried the Nike Free's and I can assure you that they are completely different from the Vibram FiveFingers.

If you don't want actual barefoot but would like a shoe that encourages you to not heel strike, doesn't oversupport, and offer some foot strength benefits, you could get a pair of cross country flats.  Still shoes, but without a built up heel.  Very light, usually around $50.

Check out the Nike Waffle Racers at Eastbay or Finish Line. Great prices.

These sound like the shoes "Shoes of God" AL Bundy invented in the old "Married with CHildren" show. Who knew he was a triatrhlete at heart

I have been running in my VFF for about 6 months now. I do about 80% of my running in them. The other 10% I do completely barefoot and the rest in Nike Frees. I had terrible IT band issues and I guess poor form to match it. I could barely run a mile without pain. I took a Chi Running course and bought these shoes in March.  I am up to 9 miles in them and am doing my first trail HM in Nov.  I can barely run 3 miles in shoes, even Frees (spelling) which are not nearly as good for me as the VFF.  The VFF have given me back the joy of running that I thought I had lost forever. Good luck and work into them slowly. Oh, and I still have some blistering on the seams with them, even after all this time.