"After 30 years of making shoes with large amounts of cushy foam and structured stability, shoe companies have gradually gotten into the act -- starting with Nike's Free in 2004. Although most brands have always had some type of lightweight trainer or racer in their line, this spring many manufacturers are offering some type of shoe specifically designed to promote a natural running gait. "More people are shifting toward this type of product, or at least trying it," says Sean Murphy, manager of advanced products engineering and sports research for New Balance. "I think this movement is going to start to affect even the training shoes you see on the wall [in running stores]."
The article is definitely worth a read, so check it out!