I have always run better and much faster barefoot, and naturally for some reason always feel more comfortable running on balls and toes rather than heel sriking first.
Barefoot is,technically, the default running attire for humans. While far from conclusive, there is evidence to suggest its much better for legs and back because of the impact you absorb while striking the ground wih heel as most people do with running shoes, and proponents of barefoot runnung correctly assert that the onus of "running with shoes benefits" is on those who oppose barefoot running, not the other way around. There is awiki on barefoot running, im on kindle so this may not work.
Barefoot running - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Also yes they do look goofy as shit but i love wearing them already.