Barefoot running shoes are gaining in popularity. Why they’re dangerous...

Have you seen those running shoes that look like a foot?

They’re called barefoot or minimalist shoes and their sales are sprinting. If you’re tempted to try them, be forewarned, those who make the switch are at risk of injury - especially women. 

The danger is in the transition from a regular shoe to the barefoot style. Experts say you need to follow the recommendations and let your feet adjust to the new shoes with shorter runs at first. Many runners who make the switch and run more than a mile out of the gate wind up with injury to bones in the foot, including stress fractures, pulled calf muscles and Achilles tendinitis.