When you skip barefoot, every time you land, your feet, ankles and even your knees absorb the shock. That's a lot for your joints to endure. For that reason, you should really only think about skipping barefoot once you're sure you've got the proper form down. Beginners should always wear shoes. For experienced skippers, skipping barefoot can help make your feet stronger and improve stability and mobility as your feet are coming in direct contact with the ground.