When running or workout out with a high impact program here are the benefits of being barefoot or close-to-barefoot: Better posture, stronger legs and feet, less impact on your body, more of a connection to the world beneath you (And an increased awareness of your surroundings as a result), and an increased depth of sensation. All of the above spills over into other benefits that are less obvious: having less weight on your feet makes me feel more prone to play, break into a jog, or just move around. Toe shoes specifically are quite conversation starters, and while some find this a nuisance or feel uncomfortable with strangers checking out their footwear, I see it as another way to connect with others (even when my introverted self wants to be left alone).
If you pick up a pair of toe shoes (or just go barefoot more), bear in mind that you've got some foot rehabilitation in store — flat feet and shin splints are very likely related to your body having (mal-)adapted to modern footwear. If you've been running in and/or wearing heeled shoes (and who hasn't?), it's slowly degraded your natural, evolutionarily determined biomechanics and physiology. There are true experts on the human foot out there, but the arches of your foot (there are three) are supported by muscles in your feet and like any muscles, lack of use will weaken them over time. There are a few foot exercises you might try to rebuild your arches, and there are plenty of anecdotes of FiveFingers fans with flat feet developing an arch over time. Crazy, right?
Bear in mind that you're going to need to take it slow and be patient with the process. There are many things that are going to have to change — your body is going to have to get stronger as a lack of cushy shoes means your muscles will do more of the impact-dampening. Meanwhile, your brain will need to be reprogrammed to move without cushy soles, which have likely lengthened your stride and resulted in your legs being stiffer on impact with the ground. Your Achilles tendon is going to have to lengthen (it seems elevated heels in shoes can shorten your Achilles over time).
Just as much as your feet grew weak over years of disuse (likely a process that started shortly after you were a toddler), it's going to take awhile to get strong again. But it can be done and I encourage you to do it. Better now than later! Just be mindful about it and don't go run two miles on day one! Go outside and walk barefoot. You don't need shoes for that and it will make you aware of how different it feels to feel the earth on your bare skin. This is natural and the senses in your feet (plus your eyes!) are the best protectors against you hurting yourself by stepping on something sharp. Trust your body. . Walking barefoot on a concrete sidewalk or asphalt street is a feeling you probably haven't had since you were a kid. It doesn't hurt it's simply sensational. Go try it!
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