| List Price: | $244.95 – $245.00 |
| Price: | $187.99 – $245.00 |
This walking shoe from MBT is like no other sneaker you’ve ever worn. While its upper gives it the appearance of an ordinary shoe, there’s magic happening underfoot: The thick rubber sole is specially designed to increase the muscle activity required for each step while also ensuring a natural, comfortable, posture-enhancing gait.
From the Manufacturer
MBT shoes are physiological footwear–the first footwear that has a positive effect on the entire body. MBT stands for “Masai Barefoot Technology.” Their innovative design includes a multi-layered, curved sole which makes for a unique and rewarding walking experience. The key to MBT is its patented sole structure. The shank, PU midsole with Pivot and the Masai Sensor create a soft surface that is akin to walking barefoot on springy moss or on a sandy beach. This creates a natural instability underfoot, which activates the supporting muscle system and has positive effects on the entire body. Wearing MBTs significantly improves your gait and posture and relieves pressure on your joints and back. It also exercises a large number of muscles, whether you’re walking or standing. This, in turn, stimulates your metabolism, burns extra calories and speeds up muscle regeneration. In addition, MBTs can have a firming effect on abdominal, leg and buttock muscles. Wearing MBT shoes can also be a therapeutic tool for back, hip, leg and foot problems. At MBT they don’t believe in shoes. They believe in footwear that makes you better from the ground up.
Customer Reviews
Back pain? GONE!
I’ve been wearing these shoes for 2 1/2 years. I bought them because I hoped it would help me with my daily back pain (I was taking antiinflamatories on a daily basis). Let me also tell you that I’m active. I’m used to aerobic exercise, and I’m fit. Running is my passion and I didn’t want to give it up. It was like this, I would wake up pain free, would run on the treadmil and stretch, run some errands and there she was the back pain. Then she’ll visit with me till the end of the day. Of course it kept getting worse, till the point I would get out of bed pain free and after walking around the house a little bit there she was the back pain waiting on me to keep me company for the rest of the day.
I was researching on the internet when I bumped into these shoes. Actually I was looking for some Birkenstocks when I found MBTs. I was so desperate to come up with a solution for my back pain that I made my husband drive me to Texas, about 70 miles far from where I live, to Frisco so that I could get them that very same day. I didn’t want having to wait for the MTBs being shipped and stuff.
They advise you to get started little by little and there is a DVD and a pamphlet that cames along with instructions. Anyway, I put MBTs on and got out of the store, did grocery shopping and the relief was so big I wore the shoes for the rest of the day. Next day I put them on when I woke up (literally) and ever since I’ve wore it for 2 years straight. Sandals in the summer and sneakers in the winter. I like the sandals best. No more pain, no more pills. Although I am fit, my legs got a little bit tired during the first week or so because you start using muscles that might have never been requested before. In the past 6 months I haven’t been wearing them as often, I just walk on them when I exercise on the treadmil (running on them is pretty tough, it’s like running on very soft sand) and I also make sure I have them on when cleanning the house and traveling. These sandals are just perfect for traveling. I’m brazilian married to an american, so I visit my country often and a 10 hour flight can get your feet pretty swollen. Studies show that you still maintain your good posture for 2 or 3 days when not wearing the MBTs.
Bottom line, they took my back pain away for good. I was told they might loose their cushioning after a year but no. Good quality shoes, I’m still wearing the first pair of sandals and sneakers I bought. As far as muscular improvement I havent’ noticed much since I was already fit when I started wearing them. I’ve seen websites that would advertise the fact that these shoes improve your celulite and things like that. MBT Company is very serious and doesn’t mention anything like that. I know that some fancy spas do sell them. MBTs are bulky and heavier than normal shoes but nevertheless very comfortable.
When you find something that takes your pain away like I found relief in these pair of shoes, you stick with it.
Comfortable shoe
After reading about MBT in a trusted health magazine, I tried on a pair in at a retail store and was impressed with the odd yet very comfortable feel of these shoes. The price tag prevented me from purchasing, but I hunted around on line and discovered them cheaper. The moment I placed them on my feet, it felt like I was truthfully walking on a cloud. The insert states that the MBT philosophy is based on an “unnatural” way to walk as if barefoot on sand or soft grass, and though I did not equate the sensation to those scenarios, I did feel very comfortable after many hours of walking. I did NOT need a break in period to get used to the feel of them like they recommend, and the sporty look of this black pair matches well with pants. They look a bit clunky to wear with skirts, and at these prices, I doubt I will invest in a second pair until these are worn thin. The interesting way that the SWISS developer created this shoe will allow for your posture to naturally straighten out and also ease lower back pain. I suffer from three disc herniations and these shoes do the trick in helping me walk pain free each day. In addition, a recent diagnosis of plantar fascitis kept me in constant pain, but when I wear these shoes, the pain is markedly decreased due to the super padded sole and the rocker bottom. Even my podiatrist found these interesting and advised me to keep wearing them if I wanted to avoid investing in a pair of orthodics. I didn’t care for the bold MBT logo splashed across the ankle, this is just too obvious and certainly could’ve been more subtle, but I guess the makers are trying to call attention to their product. The shoes were hard to locate in stores at first, but recently Naturalizer at a local mall is displaying an entire line of MBT’s in a range of colors and in the sandal version as well so I’d recommend you try on a pair in person before buying here on line. At first they don’t feel like the regular sneaker or athletic shoe, they have a rounded rear so there is an adjustment to getting comfortable in them. I did not feel muscles activated in my legs like the pamphlet claims you will, so I’m uncertain whether these shoes will help “tone” or lose weight, but overall the shoes will serve me well and improve the lower back pain I experience.
Poor execution, terrible costumer service/policy
I have a pair of Swiss Masai Sport High shoes that i purchased in 2006. The “Masai Sensor”, the elliptical section underneath the heel has come unglued torn after 6 months of very light use. I didn’t use these shoes as recreational/sport equipment and feel this may be a defect.
After many unsuccessful tries to contact Masai USA through their e-mail system, I end-up calling the original seller. They told me that the warranty expired after 6 months and there is nothing they can do, but they gave me Masai USA Corp. number. There, i was cut short by representative. It’s been over 6 months, end of story. Needless to say i’m left with bitter taste in my mouth.
I love the idea but the poor execution in my case and terrible costumer policy/service set me back over $260.
