Running barefoot in the jungle must have its perks. We have seen countless documentaries that show aboriginals trekking through harsh terrain on the hunt and running after game in their bare feet. They seem none the worse for it.

But running barefoot in our concrete jungle? That is another story.

This style is gaining some popularity among participants in big city marathons now and not just among the Kenyans and Ethiopians, already famed for their many shoeless victories in Olympic endurance events.

Its proponents say that barefoot running actually has benefits, provided this is done on natural surfaces like grass and sand.

Some doctors and podiatrists give the green light for this option but say it must be done with caution to avoid injury and other problems.

"Running barefoot is all right as long as the risks of skin injuries are minimised and it does not result in problems like foot pain, shin splints and knee pain," said Dr Teh Kong Chuan, a senior consultant at the Sports Medicine Centre at Alexandra Hospital.

Mr Greg Price, a podiatrist at the department of podiatry at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said running barefoot suits most people but he felt that the jury is out as to whether this mode is better than using running shoes.

Its proponents insist that it is better.

When you run barefoot, you are more likely to land on your midfoot and forefoot rather than on your heel which is the case when running with shoes, said Mr Adam Jorgensen, a podiatrist at The Foot Practice.

"The impact from landing on your heel can cause knee and ankle injuries," he said.

Still, getting the hang of running barefoot does not come overnight.

Dr Teh said that with exposure to running barefoot, the skin on our feet will become thicker and more tolerant to the pressure from running in this manner.

He said an article published by sportssci.org, a peer-reviewed journal and website for sports research, stated that to adapt to barefoot running, people should spend 30 minutes walking barefoot daily before advancing to jogging.

This allows the sole of the foot to thicken and gives the muscles and ligaments a chance to adjust.

The intensity and duration of walking barefoot should then be increased gradually before one starts to jog barefoot.

There are also some surfaces to avoid, said Mr Price. "Our feet were designed to run on natural surfaces such as grass and sand, not concrete and asphalt which will lead to an increased risk of lower limb injury," he said.

Mr Jorgensen recommends seeing a qualified running coach first if a person wants to run barefoot.

Mr Price added that while most people should be able to run barefoot, there are people who should avoid the practice.

For instance, diabetic patients, who may have conditions like neuropathy and poor wound healing, should not run barefoot.

Neuropathy is a loss of sensation, so a diabetic patient may not know when he steps on something sharp. "Combined with impaired healing, what would be a minor injury for most people can turn into an ulcer, or worse, result in the need for an amputation," he said.

Those with a history of ankle injuries will also benefit from good footwear rather than running barefoot. Footwear will help stabilise the ankle during running and help prevent the injury from recurring.

For others who want the benefits of barefoot running but worry about getting cut or injured, companies like Nike and Vibram have created shoes that mimic running barefoot. The Vibram FiveFingers are shoes that are more like gloves for feet. They allow users to enjoy the benefits of barefoot running without the risk of getting cut.

"These shoes will help keep their feet protected from dirt and skin injuries like cuts and blisters," said Dr Teh.