You can expect to be asked a lot of questions when you wear your Shamma Sandals for running or Skinners Shoe Socks. Everyone notices them and no wonder - These products are a revolution in footwear. Here are some Q&As to help you separate the facts from the fiction about what is best for your feet (and the rest of you). And it will give you some good answers for the people who can't stop looking at your feet…

Q. Why should I wear shoes that don't give my feet any support?

A. You weren't born wearing trainers were you? Our bodies, when still or in motion have all the support they need from bare feet, providing we don't let all those foot muscles get lazy. And they will get very lazy indeed if you wear trainers that cushion and angle your feet in an unnatural way.

Q. I have weak ankles, will wearing minimalist footwear protect me from injury?

A. Trainers can increase risk of ankle sprain by elevating your foot from the ground - just like stilettos. Wearing zero-drop shoes regularly can increase your ankle strength and flexibility. You will be more aware of how your foot is striking the ground and this will improve your balance and foot positioning as you move, helping protect you from joint injuries.

Q. How can wearing barefoot footwear help with back pain?

A. Wearing barefoot footwear can also improve the alignment of your spine and hips as you adapt your foot positioning. They can help you switch on your pelvic floor and your abdominal muscles. This all adds up to a lot less pressure and strain on your back.

Q. Will barefoot footwear help me run faster?

A. If you are willing to put in the time on your technique, the answer is yes. You'll find that your footfall gets lighter as you adjust to a non-supportive shoe. Less of your energy will be used to hit the ground and more of it can be concentrated on moving forward. Chi Running and Pose Method are both styles of running that work well with barefoot footwear.

Q. Can I wear Skinners to the gym?

A. Skinners are ideal for gym work. They give you excellent grip on any surface. They also help you to switch on your pelvic floor and your core, very important for any type of resistance training.

Q. Can I wear Skinners in water?

A. Yes. Skinners 2.0 offer excellent grip in wet conditions and they dry very quickly.

Q. You have to wear Skinners on bare feet. Do they get smelly?

A. They will over time, yes! and so would the rest of your training gear if you never washed it. Just pop your Skinner in your machine on a gentle, cold or low heat cycle with your usual laundry detergent - use a delicates bag if you want to. Line dry them and they'll be ready to wear in the morning.

Q. How long do Skinners last?

A. Original skinners last for up to 650km during normal use ane the new Skinners 2.0 range last for up to 800kms. Some runners have logged well over 1000km in a single pair - though not all in one run as far as we know!