Nature 571, 261–264 (2019)

Foot calluses protect feet while allowing sensory feedback that aids walking mechanics.

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Shoes have only been widely affordable since the Industrial Revolution, and because they reduce the level of friction encountered by the soles of the feet, they prevent the formation of calluses.

To investigate the relative benefits of cushioned shoes as compared to calluses, researchers analyzed thickness, hardness and stiffness of calluses, along with foot sensitivity and walking kinetics, of individuals in Kenya and the US who ranged from not wearing shoes to wearing shoes every day.

They found that calluses protect feet while also allowing the perception of tactile stimuli and moderation of ground force. People who wear shoes have a resultant alteration in walking kinetics, whose health effects are unknown.