Why I LOVE these shoes...

I have nerve damage below my waist, and it affects my ability to walk. No matter how much I try, I cannot run or jog, much less ride a bicycle. Lifting my knees as I take a step is very difficult.

A physical therapist prescribed special braces for me, plastic monstrosities which cover the soles of each foot and tangle around to the mid-calf area of each leg. After one day, those braces started gouging the skin above my Achilles Tendon. They were intended to reduce plantar flexion (toe pointing) when I walk, a problem which has caused me multiple falls and minor injuries.

MBT shoes have eliminated those problems for me. After a short learning period of about one week, I can walk without a looming sense of panic. My cane is still a necessity, but it seems impossible for me to walk (to step?) incorrectly in these shoes. When I manage to take a step with a somewhat pointed toe, the incredibly thick heel transforms that error into a deep (but not jarring, or disorienting) bounce.

The sense of shock at my ankle, knee, and hip joints that I feel with traditional shoes is eliminated. My body rolls or undulates with every step. The muscles near my pelvis have started becoming involved in my gait, and my peroneal or fibularis muscles (along the outer shin bone) receive stimulation that flat-bottomed shoes could never provide.

It definitely took some time and effort for me to adjust to these shoes. My first frightening moments came from standing still after walking, and feeling my feet roll back on their heels. Luckily, I used my cane to catch my balance. Now, I frequently rock my feet heel-toe (alternating, scissors-style) instead of standing still when my forward progress has been impeded. It increases circulation to those muscles.

My ankles feel more secure than they did in my high-top hiking boots. When I walk, my heels sometimes pop up from the insoles a bit, but I have no fear of stepping out of these shoes like a pair of flip-flops.

Three days into owning these shoes, Chicago experienced powerful rainstorms. I spent several hours getting soaked, and the MBT shoes recovered without any trouble after a few hours in front of a fan.

These shoes are one of the best health investments I have ever made. If MBT starts releasing non-leather shoes, I will buy some in a heartbeat.

Well Built, Health Benefits May be Exaggerated

I bought a pair of this style of MBT 26 months ago from a local retailer, and I can't say I've noticed any 'health' benefits. However, I have worn the shoes every day (and I do a LOT of walking), and the shoes have held up well.

But! They are starting to get a little worn out now, and I am consider refurbishing my pair, which costs ~$80, apparently.

In my experience with the shoes, their most impressive quality is how well put together they are. When I bought Nike sneakers I would have to buy a new pair every 8-12 months because they'd literally start to fall apart. A little over two years with my MBTs and they are only worn smooth in a few places -- no holes or anything like that.

Like I said, I can't speak to any 'added health benefit' they give. I do a lot of walking and exercise and am young and in good shape, but I attribute that to the exercise, not the shoes.

The shoes are comfortable, but I wouldn't really say they're _that_ much more comfortable than a nice pair of (normal priced) sneakers. The caveat for me is that a nice pair of normal priced sneakers need replacing more than twice as often as an MBT pair.

Oh, if you are a fidgety person you'll probably really like the shoes -- you pretty much have to constantly rock back and forth while standing still with them. That'd probably be annoying as heck to some people, but I'm an ADD antsy fidgety type, so I love it :P

More details:

- These shoes are heavy. I used to buy Nike Air shoes because they were super light (lightest shoes I've ever seen) and I liked that. Going to these heavy shoes was a change for me, but I still find them comfortable -- just different.

- These shoes are platform shoes. You're going to be 1" to 1.5" taller with them. Have fun with that!

- The first few times you wear these shoes, you will feel like you just stepped off a rocking boat. At least, I did. Totally disorienting. Unfortunately, I got completely used to after about two days. It was a cool feeling while it lasted!

- The shoes feel a lot better and are more comfortable if you lace them _tight_ and make sure your heel is seated all the way back in the shoes. Get the right size and make sure it fits well or it's not going to be very comfortable.

I've had a hard time finding actual reviews or commentary on MBT shoes that don't just sound like an advertisement. I hope my review here helps rectify that =)