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Ever want a shoe that fits like a glove? Now you can have one – the Vibram FiveFingers shoes. These are by far the most unique-looking shoes I’ve ever seen, and I was anxious to try them out!

These are the only shoes you’ll find where each of your toes fits into its own “finger,” like the fingers on a glove. Why is this important? This allows your toes to move more naturally. It also helps to strengthen muscles in your feet and legs. The heel is not raised; rather, it’s lowered so that your body weight is distributed evenly across the shoe and therefore encourages spinal alignment and proper posture. All of these factors together help to improve balance and agility. You get all the benefits of walking barefoot, with the protection of a shoe.

 Vibram FiveFingers makes shoes for a variety of activities, such as:

 The KSO- a great general-purpose fitness shoe. The patented Vibram sole is slip resistant, and razor siped for extra flexibility. (The Vibram sole material extends up over the ends of the toes, adding protection.) This is a fine shoe to wear for running, water sports, yoga, and even light hiking. The upper is a thin, breathable and abrasion resistant polyamide fabric that stretches to conform to your foot shape. The antimicrobial microfiber insole adds a little bit of cushioning. I can easily see myself wearing these to go rafting, or boating, or for a short trail hike. And it’s machine washable!

The Komodosport– the ultimate shoe for the serious fitness enthusiast.  Take the KSO and ramp it up with functional improvements to get this shoe designed with the athlete in mind. The durable 4mm Vibram outsole makes this shoe perfect for running and cross training. The footbed is stitch-free and seamless to ensure as little friction as possible. You can get a custom fit by using the hook and loop closures over the top of the foot and around the heel. Machine washable like the KSO, it’s a rugged shoe that you can feel great about as you train.

The Performa Jane – women have a great option to wear for indoor activities. The Performa Jane was designed specifically for indoor fitness activities, yoga, and pilates. You get all the great benefits of all the Five Fingers shoes with added flexibility in the sole plus a Kangaroo Leather upper. You can customize your fit with the hook and loop closure over the top of the foot. You also get maximum feel of the exercise surface along with a slip-resistant sole. Just note that this shoe is not designed for extended outdoor wear.

If you love walking barefoot, you’ll really love the Vibram FiveFingers collection. Protect your feet while strengthening the muscles in your feet and legs. Just be sure to wear them just a few hours at a time at first; since you’re probably not used to using these muscles, you’ll need to strengthen them gradually. But in the long run, it’s worth the wait!

One of the ailments we hear about the most is Plantar Fasciitis. It can hit you completely out of the blue; one morning you can just wake up with tremendous heel pain. Pain can occur at any time of the day, but it tends to be most prevalent when you first wake up – even before your feet hit the floor! Plantar Fasciitis can be caused by inadequate arch support, obesity, stress on the feet due to walking and standing, and even running. Inflammation of the Plantar Fascia sheath (which runs from the heel to to the toes) can be debilitating! This is a very common problem, and Footwear etc. carries a lot of products that address this issue.

Toning shoes like MBTs, Skechers, and Sano by Mephisto are extremely helpful in terms of keeping the plantar fascia stretched as you walk. This can alleviate the pain in your heel and arch, and can dramatically improve your quality of life. Other types of shoes that are helpful include rocker sole shoes, including Dansko, Aravon, Alegria, and FitFlop. Shoes with outstanding support (thus protecting the arch and having deep heel cups for comfort) include Orthaheel/Dr. Andrew Weil, Mephisto, and Naot. You’ve got lots of choices of styles to choose from.

Another product that many find helpful in alleviating symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis is the MBTs. Pedag products are endorsed by the American Podiatric Medical Association, so you can feel confident that they’re good for your feet. This particular insole is thin enough to fit into most shoes, yet has a firm longitudinal arch. The soft heel cushion relieves pressure on the heel, soft pads support the metatarsal area, and the overall design helps relieve pronation and flattening of the foot. This product is highly recommended for those with Plantar Fascia since it provides excellent support and helps keep your feet in alignment. Definitely worth a try to see if it helps you!

You don’t have to suffer from Plantar Fasciitis. Consider these products to help you get back on your feet again – without pain!

MBT fans can rejoice at the gorgeous new styles from MBT this spring. Long gone are the days of few choices; there are literally loads of shoes you can wear for all different occasions. Men and women both have many styles to choose from, so there’s a great feeling shoe for every occasion, and every person! And all of these shoes have MBT’s patented rocker sole, which takes pressure off your joints, creates natural instability to make you walk and stand straighter, help you tone muscles, and can alleviate many types of back, hip, and foot pain.

Women’s styles include:

Katika – a great little sandal for warm weather. You can get a truly custom fit from the hook and loop closures on top of the foot and around the ankle. It’s a sporty and versatile sandal available in black, brown, and birch.

Kesho Mary Jane – a classy-looking Mary Jane in soft nubuck leather you can use for sporty or dressy applications. This shoe is available in black, tan, and military to give you lots of fashion choices.

Mahuta – sporty athletic-styled shoe that’s perfect for those power walks, or even power shopping at the mall. Available in aqua and white mesh to keep your feet cool and comfortable.

Meli – rocker sole technology meets “boat shoe” style! Available in navy or tan, this shoe lets you have some fun with this very different style for MBTs!

Nafasi – a great little oxford that you’ll want to wear all the time. Pamper your feet in this stylish shoe that’s available in white or black with full and split-grain leather.

Pia – a dressy, streamlined sandal perfect for work or a night out on the town. Available in black and beige, the Pia offers a customized fit with hook and loop closures at the top of your foot and around the ankle.

Tabia – now MBT makes sporty slides! So easy to wear, so versatile for your wardrobe. Available in caviar black and tan, this comfy slide will be a summer favorite!

Men also have some fantastic new styles available:

Asante- if you love loafers, you’ll really love the Asante. It has the classic loafer style we all love, combined with MBT’s phenomenal rocker sole technology. This shoe looks great with a suit, or even with jeans. You’ll love this comfortable, versatile shoe that’s available in black full-grain leather.

Jawabu – a light and airy sandal that will keep your feet comfortable all summer long. Available in black and chocolate.
Mahuta – a great all-around athletic-styled shoe that you’ll love wearing anytime. Available in blue mesh or white mesh, this stylish shoe will have you looking forward to those fitness walks!

Meli – now you can have a “boat shoe” style for casual wear. Try them out in navy or sand for complete wardrobe versatility.

Nafasi – this casual oxford is available in several colors that you’ll love: black, white, charcoal, and syrup! You’ll have a hard time deciding which one you like best. Check out this fantastic new style for comfort anytime.

All of the Spring 2011 models are available for pre-order right now, and will be in stock and ready for delivery by mid-February. Get ready for warm weather with these great new styles! Your feet will love the TLC that these shoes provide. MBT is the gold standard for rocker-sole shoes; make the investment for yourself!

Every day we receive emails and phone calls from happy (real) customers who LOVE their MBT Shoes!  Hearing these stories make us happy.  We wanted to share the happiness and some of our favorite recent stories with all of our customers.  If you have a story you want to share, please email or call us!

Cindy from Illinois wrote… I just bought my 7th pair of MBTs.  I can not tell you how much it has improved my circulation, balance, back, hip and leg pain.  And my butt is my best feature after a year of wearing MBT Shoes!  It’s just plain gone!!  I wore them the first day with no problems and can’t do without a pair of them everyday since.  I shop, play, walk and work in them and I love them!!  The only problem is it spoils you for any other shoe.  I recommend MBT shoes to everyone – any age.  I get asked if they are those new “other brand” and I say, proudly, “No, these are the original MBTs.  The others can not compare and are note made with the technology that MBT has patented.”  No other is more comfortable or a great exercise than MBTs.  I love my new sandals!  Footwear etc. people are outstanding.  Thanks MBT!!

Irwin from New Jersey wrote… MBT Shoes reduced my leg and back pain significantly, particularly while walking.  I had been suffering for years despite orthotics, swedish clogs and various other shoe concoctions.  I tried a pair from Footwear etc. and am now ordering my second.

Kathy from California wrote… My husband loves his MBT Shoes.  The shoes are supportive as he recently had knee replacement surgery and can comfortably walk as the shoes absorb impact.

George from Missouri wrote… I have been so satisfied with my 15 pairs of MBT Shoes.  I had a spinal fusion 8 years ago.  MBT Shoes improved my posture, improved the weakness in my lower back, legs and core.

Kimberly from Florida wrote… I am a huge fan of MBT Sandals to walk the 3 Day.  I got these sandals on sale and very quickly.  I will be buying another pair later this summer for sure and will start my shopping here.

Thanks again to these happy customers for sharing their success stories with us.  Keep them coming!

Do you have plantar fasciitis?  Are you having trouble finding the right shoes to help alleviate your heel pain?  We are finding that the MBT Shoes are offering relief to many people suffering from plantar fasciitis.  Below are some real testimonials from our real customers who wrote us about their experiences with plantar fasciitis and MBT Shoes. 

I have a severe case of plantar faciitis that has resisted all forms of treatment including surgery, physical therapy, night splints, etc. I got a referral to a new podiatrist who recommended trying MBT’s. I had to try a few pairs to get a good fit but now love them. They never leave my feet. They are so comfortable and take all the strain out of my heels plus as a benefit I have no joint pain either! I have two pair, one for work and one for outside. The best shoes I ever had and I even tried a funny coiled shoe ( you know who you are!) which while ok were just too ugly to wear.

I absolutely love MBT shoes. I have purchased a different style 2 years ago and I loved it- it ended my search for a cure for my plantar fasciitis which I’ve had for about 5 years. I have tried so many brands, changing to new pair and brand/style almost every month until somebody mentioned to me about MBT shoes. This has changed my life completely- I have been pain-free for the last 2 years, and I am actually taller when I have them on, awesome. I have recommended this shoes to so many people already and every single one of them love the shoes too. I encourage everyone to get a pair.

I wear my MBT’s every day. I have 3 pairs that I alternate with. I have had a history of shoes not being comfortable and my feet hurting all the time, which isn’t good when you are on your feet every day with my career in nursing. I found that I was going through a pair of shoes every 6 months because my feet hurt. I finally went to a neuro-massage therapist and she recommended MBT’s as she was trying to release my chronic plantar fascitis. So I got my 1st pair…needless to say I had to have a partial release done but the MBT’s help me keep the fascia from regrowning scar tissue and my quality of life has really changed. I can now walk and exercise and be happy about life. I recommend MBT’s to anyone that has a problem with there feet. P.S. and the toning factor of these shoes is unbelievable!!!!

I only wear MBT shoes and sandals. Other brands sit in my closet. They make me want to walk. My legs, knees and feet never get tired. I feel like I could walk a marathon in them. I actually wear out the soles eventually on my MBTs. I have recommended them to many people. They eliminate my sister’s back pain when she wears them. Her husband finds relief from a painful nerve disorder in his feet when he wears his MBTs. My students think they look cool. They always notice when I get a new style of MBTs. I feel great in them. My knee pain, foot odor from not exercising my feet and toes in other brands, and plantar faciitis all disappeared with MBTs. I wish I could afford more pairs! There are so many great new styles out now.

I wear this shoe everyday to walk for exercise and to work, I have 3 pair. I have plantar fasciatis and MBT’s are the only shoe I can wear without any difficulty. I have the white and have no problem wearing them as a nurse as they don’t look like athletic trainers. I have been able to increase my walking distance daily since buying MBT’s and have bought 2 other styles of MBT based on my experience with this particular style.

The MBT shoe saved my walking life! As time marches on the foot’s fat pad thins; no shoes seemed to give me the cushioned comfort that I needed to enjoy my fitness walks. Add plantar faciitis, and truly I was struggling to find comfort to finish my walks. Then a friend shared her MBT experience; I tried them out and I am now on my third pair! I walked all over New York City without an ounce of fatigue thanks to my MBT shoes.

I have high arches and tend to pronate when I walk. Plantar fasciitus had been a way of life for almost 15 years. I had been wearing very expensive corrective shoes with only moderate relief. The MBT’s are all I wear now and I have absolutely no foot pain. I have purchased dress shoes, sandals, casual and sports MBT’s and this is all I wear.

Be sure to view our full collection of MBT Shoes to help cure your plantar fasciitis or just to tone your muscles and improve your posture!

I’m going to have to give up my girl card for admitting MBT shoe, but I hate spending money on shoes. $30 at Target would make me cringe. The only reason I tried MBTs is because my mom bought me my first pair. So, the fact that I’ve since purchased three additional pairs should say something about how much I love these shoes. There is some truth to the claims of shaping and toning your legs and glutes, which is why I wanted to try them in the first place. I kept wearing them, though, because they are unbelievably comfortable. It almost feels like floating, and I can (and have) walked around for hours and felt fantastic. I’m also very skeptical of “oh wow, these shoes cured my near-fatal hangnail condition!” type of claims.

However, I am prone to severe headaches (combination of muscle spasms and crappy posture). All I can say is that, when I wear these, I get significantly fewer headaches. Not saying it’s because of the shoes, but I’ll take it. As far as sizing goes, the velcro strap makes them adjustable. I have a fairly wide foot, but these don’t feel too narrow at all.A bit heavy and clunky. Very hot to wear as well, especially in the summer heat. I bought the Skechers Shape Up shoe as well and prefer to wear that.After almost a year of disabling knee and hip problems when walking, I’m thrilled to be able to walk miles in these smart looking and comfortable shoes. I liked them so much I bought the GTX version for winter!

These are the most comfortable sneakers I have ever owned! I feel like I could walk in them forever. I can feel my legs getting a workout as well.For MBTs they were actually kind of cute. I have arthritis in my feet but they felt great. It did rub my bunion so I had to send them back. But I ordered a different style.The toe box of this style of MBT Walking Shoe is very narrow. I have narrow feet but this toe box is still very narrow and even a larger size would not afford much more room in toe box. But this is a handsome shoe.