Rock the Boat (Don't Rock The Boat Baby) - MBT Shoes
Written: Apr 13 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Takes complete pressure off of your feet and joints.
Cons: The price will scare many folks.
The Bottom Line: The best pair of athletic shoes you'll ever purchase for yourself.
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| kristinafh's Full Review: MBT Shoes - M Walk Orange Discontinued Style |
Look at these shoes.
Don't they look weird? Funny? Bizarre?
Just plain unnatural?
I totally agree. But hang with me. I'll tell you why they're the best pair of athletic shoes that you'll ever purchase.
Who / What is MBT?
MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) is a very young company - about thirteen years old. Get this - they discovered that walking barefoot over natural, uneven ground - helped some folks alleviate their back pain. At the same time, they were researching types of footware they could design for folks to use when they trekked across Korean paddy fields or the East African savannah.
From this research sprung up the MBT company - which has its roots in a small town in Switzerland. Since 2001, MBT shoes have been sold across the world although here in the U.S., you won't find MBT's at your local JCPenney's or Macy's. You'll have to visit a handful of online stores or the dozen or so small specialty, brick and mortar shoe stores in your city/town.
OHMYGOSH! THIS SHOE LOOKS LIKE A BOAT!
Yes, thank you for noticing. It's something that stood out for me from the very first look-see.
The main design of the shoe has been tweaked just a bit over time. If you go to their website, there is a full history including pictures of how their unique heel structure has evolved over time.
I will tell you that it took several smacks across my head for me to even think about trying on a pair of these. Let me explain.
I like to walk. I purchase new athletic types shoes often because - my theory is - the amount of pronation in my feet, causes the soles of the athletic shoe to break down very quickly. When the soles break down, that means less support. Less support means that it will be less pleasurable - i.e. more painful - to walk. Not walking means less exercise. Less exercise means lots of bad things.
I first saw a write-up of these shoes when I received a catalog from Bliss. For some reason, in between touting their new beauty products, they also decided to promote MBT Shoes. I thought that was weird.
When I began looking for a replacement for my New Balance shoes, I decided to go to a place that had expertise in athletic shoes. Frankly, I was tired of spending so much money (aka dropping $100 every six months). I went to a reputable shoe establishment (one which carried shoes for specific needs) and what do you know - they stocked MBT's along with some other brands.
When I described to the guy what my challenges were, we went through a series of scenarios, he watched me walk, and my feet were measured.
He told me that my best bet for everyday walking - the kind of walking that I wanted to get pleasure from - was from the MBT line. I rolled my eyes. Told him that I thought the shoes looked big and hideous. He laughed - somewhat agreed - but then told me that he has never had one person who purchased a pair EVER not fall in love with them.
So I was game.
I thought if I had to buy big boat-looking shoes, that I at least wanted them to have a cool color. That's why I picked the ones with the orange detailing. Orange is a happy color :).
Style
If you happen to see all of the different shoes in the MBT line - you're first question undoubtedly is - which line is right for me? That's the cool thing. Every shoes is the same functionally (the technology is all about the sole) - it's the upper part of the shoe or the 'styling' of the kind of shoe you want to wear that is only a cosmetic difference.
For example, some people like the sandals because they like an open toe style. That sole though, on the sandal, is the same one on the other styles.
Size
I really really encourage folks to have their feet measured by a professional. One thing I discovered during this process is that my right foot is about 1/3 of an inch longer than my other foot. Makes it difficult to buy shoes that are comfortable :).
MBT shoes tend to run on the small side. If I would have attempted to purchase a pair online (like at Zappos), I would have probably ordered a size 10.5. That's because all of the literature and all of the product reviews I've seen recommend that people order a half-size up. Based upon my foot measuring exercise, the guy recommended we go with size 11 and for me - and in these particular shoes - that size works best.
What It's Like To Walk In My Shoes
The experience - especially the first time - it feels like you are walking on platforms. It feels odd, unnatural, and like you're going to tip over at any moment.
The manufacturer (and the dude at the shoe store) recommends that for the first week, you limit the amount of time that you spend walking in your MBT's. Why? Because I'm telling you my friends....walking in these shoes is like no experience you've ever had. All of the pressure - every single bit of it - is taken off of your joints. And that means that the pressure is displaced to other parts of your body - namely - muscles that you never thought you had!!!
If you don't break your body in for the change in how it's going to approach walking, you're liable to end up having sore muscles. At least that's what I'm told. Me - I followed directions on this one, wearing them for only an hour or two a day. I could FEEL the changes. It was totally awesome not having pain in my feet or knees. It was totally awesome that when I walked, it felt like I was walking on sunshine :).
Wear and Tear
I've had these particular shoes for a year now. Although they aren't exactly as pristine as the day I purchased them, I can tell you that the support that they give my feet and joints remains the same. When I'm not wearing them and I'm wearing other types of shoes which require me to walk in them for long periods of time, I can definitely feel the difference in how my body reacts to the pressure I'm putting on it.
On average, it appears that MBT's last 2-3 times longer than other athletic shoes. So far, I'm at at 2 times mark and I don't have any doubt I'll make it to the 3 times mark.
Care and Feeding
One thing about MBT shoes - you can't throw them in the washing machine. If they get dirty, wipe them down. Keep as much moisture away from them as you can. In times where I've had to walk through rain, I always come home, dry my shoes, and hang them upside down so no moisture stays on them or gets inside of them.
Other than that, I can promise you that I don't do anything special to them. I'm high enough maintenance as it is - I don't need shoes being the same way.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kristinafh
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Member: Kristina Frazier-Henry
Location: Indiana
Reviews written: 1344
Trusted by: 1169 members
About Me:
Cannot breathe. Missing Barbara.
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