I don't know, sandals work pretty good.
> they have a carbon-fiber plate in the midsole, which stores and releases energy with each stride
... the achilles tendon + calf already play this role.
Just don't heel strike.
> they have a carbon-fiber plate in the midsole, which stores and releases energy with each stride
... the achilles tendon + calf already play this role.
Just don't heel strike.
(Above is speculation.)
One can speculate why all elite runners use shoes. Worth noting that running shoes designed for racing, as opposed to training, tend to be thinner and lighter and closer to a simple sandal [2]. I personally reverted from bare feet back to shoes after the occasional thorn or bit of glass getting stuck in my foot became too annoying.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abebe_Bikila#1960_Rome_Olympic...