Living in Tokyo, you have to walk alot, which means shoes are important. I recently discovered the swiss made MBT - Masai Barefoot Technology shoes and went to the Walking Studio in Azabu to buy a pair. The shoe is designed to create a natural feeling of walking barefoot on a soft surface. The theory being that humans weren’t designed to walk on hard pavement. The Masai sensor in the sole of the shoe creates a natural instability which encourages walking in an improved posture, alleviating stress on joints as well as exercising more of your lower body muscles. The shoe is supposed to create a walking experience much like the barefoot Masai Tribesmen walking around on the Savannahs of Africa, thus the name. Apparently, those guys don’t have any orthopedic related injuries like people living in cities.
Health related products are a booming industry and creating a convincing marketing strategy is key. These shoes are very well marketed. The website is filled with videos and some rather convincing physiological information. They also came with two DVDs showing how to walk properly in them and simple exercises. While I’m usually more skeptical about anything related to health I’m also opening to trying out new ideas so long as the science behind it doesn’t insult my intelligence. After reading through their entire website and doing my own research I went ahead and visited the shop. At the Walking Studio the sales guy examines your foot and explains all about the shoe as well as teaching you how to walk properly on the trendmill. He was a rather nice guy and talked about his own experiences wearing the shoes. Even though he wasn’t a doctor he seemed to know alot about feet. I bought a pair of the sports types but there are some formal styles as well. Unfortunately, not very stylish but that’s not the point. The shoes I bought are fat and kind of ugly but at least they are comfortable and I gain about 6 cms in height.
I’d never seen anyone wearing these shoes before but on the way home I spotted 4 different people, 2 businessmen on the train, an old lady and young girl on the platform. I guess they are more popular than I thought.
My brother-in-law swears by them. Like you, he wears the sports shoes.
They’re not that ugly..they’re kinda cool to me:)
These shoes are cool. If not for the price tag, they’ll be mine.
You have almost sold me, but at something like $300 a pair it would be good to hear some feedback from you down the line. Do you find them beneficial?
A gain of 6 cms in height? I may have to forego them for that reason alone.
Roy - I finally own something BEFORE you. I bought mine a year ago after a Swiss chum recommended them. Yes they do look dreadful to folks like me who loathe trainers and never wear them. But once I put them on I was a convert. I walk more upright. I feel things being stretched back into shape. At first you feel a bit sore cause it is pulling things back into shape after years of slouching. And yes they are not cheap. But what price health and stature? If only they would design something subtle. I have the business mode but I still look like a rapper from the knees down.
Wow!! It’s great to hear so many postive comments about these shoes. I haven’t worn them yet but I’m looking forward to it this weekend.
Man, those shoes look UGLY!!! By a way my wife recently got herself Earth trainers???
Without wanting to insult you, Roy, those are … unnice (ugly). I thought after so many positive posts, I think I should mention that at least I suppose a person like me first looks after a shoe’s appearance, then goes for comfort, and buys at last.
You did the ultimate reverse aproach…: Buy, Try, Say goodbye…
Dudes, they’re exercise shoes so utility comes before looks. Anyway, considering that I’m such a handsome guy most people won’t be looking at my feet!
…..’please write in proper English….
I agree. To that end Roy; the correct usage is:
…you have to walk a lot.
Alot is not a word. Write 200 times: I must………
Timothy, please refer to this previous post:
http://blog.q-taro.com/archives/000144.php
I never suspected you to be a prescriptive grammarian. must be careful from now on.
Ok Roy, your typo is forgiven. But good news. I was being driven through ASABU last night. Down the street behind Nissin supermarket. Lo and behold anMBT shop. Yes. And one man was walking on a treadmill within. Looked very new. The shop that is. Nothing but MBTs in there. I expect it to be photoed and presented soon please Roy.
Oh. Wooops. You have. Been there and photographed it already. Now I need scolding. Bowing low towards you.
Yes, that’s the walking studio in Azabu where I got mine. Very cool place.
Roy, how mucho are those in Japan ?
just wanna compare .. it’s almost US$300.- here
I´m sure Masai people don´t get payed for this…
I’m on my third pair now… currently the black sport sandles. Granted I really only use them in the warmer months, but I really look forward to it, and I do notice a qualitiative diffference in my gait, the way my back feels ect. Personally, I also think that the price should be lower. Dan