Tip-toeing around mechanically makes sense when one wants to be quiet.
I find walking on concrete is more comfortable when using the whole foot, so just barely tip-toeing rather than my usual heel striking. In general, it's not a good idea to walk on hard surfaces barefoot or in sandals excessively, no matter what the FiveFingers crowd might believe. I discovered plantar fasciitis the hard way [pun not intended].
> In general, it's not a good idea to walk on hard surfaces barefoot or in sandals excessively
I think cultures where going barefoot is the norm also tend to have fewer hard concrete and stone floors. We've engineered a whole alien environment for ourselves that then require augmenting our body to deal with.
Yup. We haven't had dense hair/fur for eons because we and other hominids made clothes from the skins of animals. It makes me think we'll just keep evolving ever more gracile and requiring almost armored exoskeletons to do anything.
I find walking on concrete is more comfortable when using the whole foot, so just barely tip-toeing rather than my usual heel striking. In general, it's not a good idea to walk on hard surfaces barefoot or in sandals excessively, no matter what the FiveFingers crowd might believe. I discovered plantar fasciitis the hard way [pun not intended].