After having various foot, ankle and knee problems for years, I turned to "true" barefoot shoes (Vibram FiveFingers) for running, which basically solved those problems, but I always felt a little awkward wearing the toe shoes in public.  I didn't get these for running, just for everyday wearing, but they are great for it!  Nobody gives me funny looks or makes awkward comments ("You got shoes like feet!"), but I can still feel the ground and it forces me to pay attention and not heel-strike so badly.  Barefoot shoes that look like normal shoes should come in more cute styles like this one!  Now if I can only convince Merrell to make more work-appropriate all-black and all-brown barefoot shoes, I'll be set!