You may have seen people running or simply hanging out in strange looking shoes with separate compartments for each toe.
Some people swear by them and other new styles designed to give you the feeling of running barefoot.
But, it seems the jury is still out on whether barefoot is best.
The footwear may look strange, sort of like gloves for feet, but that's the whole idea.
They're designed to create the sensation of barefoot running while protecting feet from hazards like broken glass and sharp rocks.
"What it does is it stretches out your feet, your toes, people have a hard time getting in them at first because when we wear shoes, our feet are all scrunched together," says running coach Hamlin Jones.
This line of shoes for running, hiking, and fitness is called "five fingers" because the toes are separated. People who love them say they're the next best thing to going barefoot.
"What they do is they strengthen your ankles, help with balance and stability."
Daniel Howell, author of "the Barefoot Book" says we were born to run without shoes.
"Because a shoe is a cast, and you don't get to flex and twist and grasp," said Howell. "Your feet can't do that inside a shoe the way it can when you are barefoot."
Dr. Kevin Myer, a podiatrist, says he'd rather have his patients wearing these shoes than none at all.
"So if you're gonna wear them, or if you're going to wear straight barefooted, I think the key is you really have got to slowly work your way into this," says Myer.
There is a defiinte adjustment period.
"They're fine. It takes some getting used to, particularly when you're running."
But some people report great results.
Fans of these shoes say your calves will get tight and hurt at first so gradually ease into wearing them.
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