Ok, I'm going to chime in here, only because it seems like there are a lot of recreational runners here with some information, but not complete information.
Background: I'm an RRCA-certified running coach, a former competitive runner (ultramarathons), personal trainer, 500-ERYT, etc. I don't make my primary living as a fitness professional anymore (though I did a few years ago), but I am still very active in that community at make a good amount of side money (well into the 5 figures) at that job.
So, on to the information, if anyone's interested:
1) As one poster said, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to footwear when running. People's natural stride is different, and there are different types of shoes available for different types of runners. Most running stores will give you a "free" gait analysis, and then pressure you into buying expensive shoes from them. But you're smarter than that, right? RIGHT? You'll get your free analysis, take the info they give you with a "Thanks, let me think about it," and then find some last-season/last-year shoes appropriate for you online for far less.
2) Running is a Mustachian way to keep in shape. Having said that, please, please, please don't skimp on shoes or sports bras. Unless you're male. Then you can skimp on the sports bra. Bottom line, though: for the health and long-term financial benefits, spending $60-120 for shoes is well worth it to keep you out of injury.
3) The science on barefoot/minimalist running is not mixed. With the exception of "studies" with serious external validity issues that were funded by Vibram and a couple of other shoe companies, the science makes it clear that running barefoot or in minimal shoes INCREASES, not decreases, injury. The only exception to this is if you are running in (loose-ish) sand, when it is fine to go barefoot. (Side note: the minimal running movement came out of a strange bastardization of Chris MacDougall's book Born to Run, which highlighted ultrarunner Scott Jurek (NOT a minimalist/barefoot runner) and a tribe of runners who ran barefoot on sand. The "evolutionary" argument that we are meant to run barefoot discounts the fact that our forefathers who ran barefoot did so in a mostly sand environment, and certainly never on pavement.)
4) The science on forefoot landing (which is unrelated to minimalist shoes, contrary to their marketing materials) is more mixed. For a while, it seemed like it was a better option, injury-wise, but more recent data shows that might not be true. Specifically, the link between forefoot landing and lower injury incidents has only been empirically established with competitive collegiate runners, and some studies have shown that forefoot landing has a lower number of injuries, but the injuries that do occur with forefoot landers are more serious. There is, however, some data that forefoot landing will make you faster. (If you want to try forefoot landing, think about leaning forward from your ankles when running. Keep the rest of your body straight, but try to keep your feet under/behind you.)
5) If you are running, even recreationally, it is also in your best interest to do weight training and flexibility training to prevent injury. For weight training, I recommend basic core/lower body exercises (squats, deadlifts, Pilates 100s, etc). For flexibility, nothing beats King Pigeon pose in yoga. (Any of these variations:
http://www.yogaoutlet.com/userfiles/Guide/image/Yoga/Yoga-One-Legged-King-Pigeon-Pose-300x350.jpg)
If anyone has other questions, feel free to PM me for advice. Or, if you think it's relevant to the entire class, post here and I'll try to check this thread and respond.
Hope that helps!