We don't like seeing anyone get hurt, but we can't always live our lives based on random "what ifs." Everything we do has potential risks and it's our responsibility to weigh those risks against the rewards for doing it.

We all have cut a finger at one time or another. Many times it's because we weren't being careful. The way we respond is to heal and try to be more careful next time. That doesn't mean that we start wearing protective gloves everywhere, though. If there's really not enough risk or need for them, why wear them?

We feel it's the same way with shoes. Could you step on something sharp and get cut? Yes. Could you step on a bee and get stung on the sole of your foot? Yes. Do the risks outweigh the rewards of improved sensory awareness, flexibility and strength in our feet? We don't think they do.

As with anything, just be careful. That's the biggest step to avoiding injury while barefoot...or doing anything else.