MBT shoes a WOWER!!!
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free skin care · Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:37 pm

I just purchased a pair of MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) shoes this week, since reading all of the reviews on Bliss Spa and around the globe, I had to try them! So I have worn them only for an hour, and lordy, I already feel them working my legs out! I will keep you posted if I lose any weight or if my legs become toned.

I have also noticed that my posture is better than it has been in years, and my back pain is slowly going away. I am well impressed...too bad they are so darn expensive!

On a side note, I bought them at a pharmacy, and I saw all the women there working wearing them, every single one...so I inquired about their thoughts, and they all deeply recommended them. In fact they all said they had several pairs, and that they dropped two dress sizes wearing them. Hmmm...

Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:09 am

Glad to hear that they are working for you! I do have a pair (I have to admit, they are the most expensive UGLY shoes I've ever bought Laughing

) and I can feel them working the legs as well. You feel muscles in your legs that you never knew you had. I am amazed that you see a difference in levels of back pain in just an hour of wearing them, but I'm happy for you. When I started wearing them my lower back was actually a bit more tense because of the muscles being worked. That is a positive but it wasn't comfortable. I have worn them a fair bit though I don't wear them everyday because they still give me blisters. And I don't mean little blisters - I never knew blisters could be THIS bad! I did have them professionally fitted so I guess I'm just one of the unlucky ones that has the blister problems. Anyway, I can believe that they help to tone up the legs but I'm just not sure how they could contribute to dropping two dress sizes, unless of course they actually encourage people to walk more because of the novelty etc Smile

Overall, if not for the spectacular blisters, I would say that I am happy with the $$$$ purchase. But unless my feet somehow get used to these shoes and become "blister-resistant" these shoes are not going to be on the top of my list. There is another brand - Chung Shi - that make shoes based on a similar concept. In a 1000 years when I repay my mortgage I might try those instead of the MBTs Laughing

free skin care · Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:47 am

It is true, I think my posture is corrected, hence alleviating pressure on my back. They are indeed ugly though. I saw (when I was doing my research on them) that they sell insertable pads for those who get blisters. I think they sell them on feetfirstfitness.com and they sell the MBT shoes on sale!

Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:20 am

Thanks for that link! They are good prices on the MBTs as well, way better than what I paid for mine! I'll look into getting those tongue pads they mention. Would love to be able to wear the MBTs more often.

free skin care · Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:28 am

No problem, let me know how those pads work for you.

Checking out the Chung Shi shoes... hmm

m I wonder which ones are better?

free skin care · Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:09 am

I get those humungous blisters too, Mabsy, and had to stop wearing mine. Thanks for the pad rec, Sangria.

free skin care · Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:08 am

I had seen these mentioned, was interested, and forgot about them. I'm glad you posted; it reminded me to go looking Smile

free skin care · Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:19 am

I posted an old review between Chung Shi and MBT in a different thread, but here it is again in case it helps:

ginnielizz wrote:

Ooh, interesting: I found one article that compares MBT and Chung Shi and rates the latter as better, and one that rates the former as better!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Chung-Shi:-Sizing-up-to-MBT?&id=356577

and

http://www.walkerswarehouse.com/chung-shi-shoes.asp

Happy informed shopping! Smile

I think the Chung Shi ones are WAY less ugly (at least the cute red ones), but it seems like MBT are more effective. My boyfriend said he forbids me from buying the MBTs because they're so hideous, hahahahaha. We'll see! I need to try some on in a store before I make any decisions, anyway.

free skin care · Sat Oct 20, 2007 12:54 am

Mabsy, did you get your MBTs in Australia, and if so, where? I am interested in getting some but would like to try them on first rather than buying online unseen.

Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:30 am

Bushy - no, I've looked for them here but have not seen them anywhere so far. I bought mine while I was living in the US for a while earlier this year. Getting them professionally fitted is very important though, so online shopping can be risky. Having said that, the site that Sangria posted seems to have a very detailed fitting guide that you fill/draw out and then email to the shop for them to recommend a style and size. I'm now tempted to buy another pair, I think shipping via vpostasia might come in handy here. The shop has free shipping within the US, and vpost should be much cheaper than $95! Although, granted, the shoes are pretty heavy...

free skin care · Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:14 pm

Wow, I didn't know they were so hard to fit. Guess I lucked out w/my first pair & been wearin 'em for about 3 yrs now. Inside, outside, rain & snow - they just hold up like iron.
Ugly as sin but they feel so good! I didn't have the problems others have with breaking them in. As I said, they are just the most comfortable things.
Can't say I dropped 2 dress sizes but I love 'em, plus they even make me look taller! And they're a lot more comfy than my platforms!
2 thumbs up for MBTs

free skin care · Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:42 pm

I love mine and think they are cute! I bought my hubby a pair this week. He has to "get used to them."

free skin care · Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:08 am

I bought mine last month and have been wearing them to work (the black sporty ones-so ugly- I feel like a geezer from the future), and I have to say I lost some weight. Not a ton, but a few pounds in my tummy and thighs. I have not changed my eating patterns or anything, so unless its my metabolism going bezerk, I assume its the shoes? I also notice that my body feels a bit firmer? Has anyone else had this happen?

free skin care · Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:51 am

This is making me want to try a pair of them!! I usually look for Santana Canada or La Canadienne or Mephisto or Dansko! Hm... maybe I will ask Santa for a pair for Christmas! Smile

free skin care · Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:19 pm

I like the I-roc shoes better than the MBTs, and they're not as pricey. Though, for me, the critical factor is whether they agggravate or mitigate my pantar fasciitis.

free skin care · Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:59 pm

I am glad to know I am not the only one who gets blisters from them. I will have to check out the pads. I really like mine, even though I feel silly wearing them.

free skin care · Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:17 am

I bought two pairs recently. The maryjane did not give me blisters.

The runners gave me blisters the first few times I wore them and now they are fine.

I do not notice much difference with my lower back pain though, maybe in the beginning. I still have back pain.

I do notice I need to "work harder" when I walk so I suppose that is a good thing - burn more calories.

Sat Jun 06, 2009 5:00 pm

I love these shoes...(yes they are UGLY as STANKIN' SIN LEFT OUT IN THE SUN), BUT you can feel them workin' them thighs! I got mine as a gift (I would NEVER spend that much on a pair of walking shoes, simply because I don't have the coin to drop Sad

. However, I'm very impressed with these shoes, AND I've noticed some company is coming out with a flip-flop version FOR CHEAP...(don't know how well that would work, cuz flip flops don't really give you any upper support...)

free skin care · Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:20 am

My sister is a physio therapist, and the MBT sandals are one of the shoes they can wear. (they get discounts)

All of the therapists agree that they have not done anything for them physically. They are just the only sandal in the list.

just FYI

free skin care · Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:08 pm

I love my fuggly MBT sandles. I can wear them all day and my body doesn't hurt. I have to say they did take some getting use to. When I first wore them and was standing still it looked like I was drunk. I kept swaying and rocking. Bad Grin

I thought I might fall on my rear.

free skin care · Wed May 12, 2010 9:38 pm

Just got my first pair of MBT's... have them on right now.. It's 9:30, kids in bed... can't really TRY them.

Immediate report. They take all the pressure off your heals..

The rolling through the foot feels pretty good... Excited to test them out tomorrow... Hope they feel good out there!

Anyone else try these since they were last discussed???

free skin care · Wed May 12, 2010 10:01 pm

I have three pairs of them now and pretty much wear them all the time. I could not go back to normal shoes after wearing these.

free skin care · Thu May 13, 2010 11:21 am

I agree with Bushy, once you begin wearing them you won't want to wear any other! However Claudia, if you wear them all day long the first day and do a lot of walking & standing, you may be achy in spots from the workout.

free skin care · Thu May 13, 2010 2:08 pm

I have had a pair for about a year. It really makes a difference - not just in toning, but in relieving pressure from knees and lower back.
LOVE THEM... worth every penny!

free skin care · Sun May 16, 2010 6:58 am

I've had my MBTs for about a year now, and they are my "go-to" shoes on casual days. Several of my co-workers tease me about how much I paid for them, but if you consider cost-per-wear, they are SO worth it! I'm ready to buy a new pair. I agree with bushy and mogulicious, I don't want to wear anything else! They provide so much reliefe to my knees, and I believe they have contributed to strengthening my back muscles.

Has anyone tried the Skechers version?

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