Two companies, Swiss Masai and Nike, have introduced unique shoes which are designed to help the feet function more naturally during the gait cycles of walking and jogging. Swiss-Masai's model, called Masai Barefoot Technology, creates an unstable feeling of walking on a ball or on sand, and it allegedly strengthens the muscles of the feet, increases circulation, burns more calories, and even reduces back pain and cellulite. Nike's entry, the Nike Free, has a minimal midsole, potentially allowing the feet to move more naturally during walking and thus strengthening the "small muscles" of the feet. Can these shoes help your exercise program and assist in the weight-loss process? We'll provide our inside report on both the Masai Barefoot Technology and Nike Free in an upcoming issue of Weight-Loss Research. To subscribe, please click here.