Friday Flops: MBT Shoes and Sandals
Posted on May 1, 2009 by Miss Britt in Friday Flops
The world has lost its damn mind.
That’s the only plausible explanation I can come up with for how in the hell MBT shoes not only exist, but are purchased and worn by adults.
What are MBT shoes?
Apparently, they are very technical shoes that work out your legs and core muscles and improve your posture when you wear them.
But Britt, that sounds awesome! I can have great legs without ever having to exercise just by putting on a pair of shoes? What’s not to love?
People, please. Will you look at these things?
They look like freaking moon boots. Do you remember moon boots? Can you honestly tell me that it is a good idea to even consider for a moment bringing that look back into fashion?
Hell. No.
I don’t care if these shoes make you feel like you’ve scaled Mt. Everest, they are the most hideous thing to happen to footwear since Crocs.
And no, I will not tell you where you can buy them. I care too much about your fashion sense to even tempt you with these crimes against nature. Think of the children!
I feel like I need to make an offering to my shoe rack just for acknowledging that these things exist, lest the shoe gods punish me with pinched toes and broken heels. Please, spare me, someone had to warn them!
Ahem.
Now, should you be so inclined to venture into the “shoe that gives you a workout while you wear them” realm, might I suggest a few less offensive alternatives?
This is Reebok’s version of the “workout just by walking around your house” shoe fad. They are, I must admit, not exactly hideous. They’re not cute – but they’re bearable.
And? I have it on good authority that they will leave your legs feeling like you’ve exercised after wearing them around the house for the day.
Of course, this is all second hand speculation because I will either trek my ass to the gym or die a fat woman before I spend $100 of my shoe fund on these things. But that’s me.
I will not judge you if you succumb to the allure of the Reebok Eastyone.
In fact, because I am so deeply concerned for both the shapeliness of your legs and your self respect, I will also provide you with an alternative to the MBT sandal.
FitFlop Women’s Walkstar Classic Thong Sandal
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the Fit Flops based on nothing more than what they look like. I know, I know. I am a shallow, shallow whore.
But my feet look fabulous, thank you very much.
That being said, the Fit Flop is the Mona Lisa compared to the MBT sandal. You can wear these in public and rest securely in the knowledge that no one is wondering if you are a visitor from the future.
Or the moon.
You might also like:
Posted on May 1, 2009 by Miss Britt in Friday Flops
You’re a little off here on the MBT. Yes, they’re ugly, but they’re ugly in the same way that Birkenstocks or Crocs are. This is not about beauty, it’s about function. If you want a better workout, if you’d like to walk in alignment, these are the shoes for you. I bought my first pair as an experiment, I bought them from Zappos, and figured I could return them if they were totally awful and I was a little bit horrified that I spent $250 on an “experiment”. I wore them in the house for a few hours, and my love affair with them was complete. I now own two pairs, have worn them all over the world and never, ever, regretted spending the dough. As a matter of fact, I took great joy walking the streets of Paris while the rest of the Americans with “cute shoes” were sitting on steps and benches moaning about hurt feet and tired legs….
I enjoy both your blog and this site, but I do wish that you would actually “try” all the products before you offer your opinion…
The MBT shoes are hideous – period! I know how to get a good workout for my legs – it’s called WORKING OUT.
Those shoes look like they’d be popular in Japan.
See, I have to disagree with Nyt a bit here. There are two types of women in this world…those who wear Birks and Crocs and those who would never be caught dead in them. I’m not saying that either way is better than the other but still, trying to convince someone that a hideous looking shoe is awesome when they’re just not that into that sort of thing? Yeah, probably not going to happen.
I’ve never liked Birkenstocks and I certainly wouldn’t wear these shoes either. I’m no stranger to wanting comfort but I don’t think it has to come at the price of looking good as well.
(no offense to anyone who likes the more granola type of shoes, btw)
@Hilly,
LOL! I think that there are more than just 2 types of women…heck… I cleared the racks in Italy..while wearing my ugly MBT’s. I guess that some women choose function over form now and again. Now that I think about it…that could be why the shoe collection is taking over the house..
I know people that swear by their MBTs. personally, I’m not going to spend that much money to find out. If they were only £30 maybe…
I own both FitFlops and MBTs. I love them. My posture is better when I wear them and I can feel them working. Yes, the MBTs are butt ugly (I have the plain white ones — slightly less hideous), but most athletic shoes are.
I wear the FitFlops when I’m running around on the weekend and am not particularly interested in how I look, and I wear the MBTs when I do my walk on Tuesday and Thursdays as well as to amusement parks and other low-key places where I’ll be walking a lot.
I work out at the gym too, but I’ll take every little bit of help I can get as I’m fighting gravity!
Is it just me or does it look like one could FALL OFF those shoes?
But then, I wear Crocs too
@Britt’s Mom, If you’re on your feet a lot at work, you’d LOVE the MBTs.
When you’re standing still, you have to activate your hamstrings and glutes to keep from rocking (not falling) back. That’s how they give you a workout.
And honestly, if I had $250 to spend on a pair of shoes just to work my legs like NYT does, I would hire a personal trainer. And also, NO SHOES IN MY HOUSE! Not even for me. Not for anyone. EVER. AT ALL. When I lived in the country I had a neighbor who would not come in my house because he refused to take his boots off, and he couldn’t believe I wouldn’t let him come with them on.
But that’s just.
Let’s not forget about Skechers Shape ups!
http://www.skechers.com/info/shape_ups
I love me my Skechers…
xo
I would spend all my time rocking forward and backward in those. I wouldn’t mind using them for park walking days, but I wouldn’t wear them on the train…
Wow. That first pair was hideous. I don’t own Birkenstocks or Crocs, however, I think I might invest as these in walking shoes. You know, *if* I walked.
Also, I saw then in a store when I was in NOLA and the flip flop ones don’t look as bad in real life.
I would much rather wear cute shoes and just exercise rather than wear ugly shoes to do it. Plus, I was able to find some shoes that I wear when I exercise that are cute so that was good.
Zandor, please share — what cute shoes do you wear????
@Poppy, http://zandor.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/cute-shoes/
One of my co-workers wore a pair of those MBT sandals at work the other day. They looked very uncomfortable!
Hey Britt. I bought the Aveda shampoo and conditioner today, the Be Curly, and the Be Curly Curl Enhancer. My hair is still frizzy, but I did forget to buy the Curl Elixer (is that what it is?). Does that product make that big of a difference? I let it dry on it’s own, and I still look like a freaking fuzzy poodle head. Any suggestions? I spent almost $70 on those three products!
I tried those on as a joke the other day, and I laughed at my reflection in the mirror until I cried, saying “These are the ugliest shoes I’ve ever put on in my life! I look like Frankenstein!” Then I noticed the clerk was wearing a pair and blushing.
mean, mean, mean Lynn. But Lynn with good taste.
I work out plenty so f*** the workout bit, but man, do I love my MBTs. No tired feet or legs from running around 24/7, no backache from standing all day, never ever cold feet (ok, not a huge problem in Florida, I guess). Like Finn said – if you’re on your feet a lot at work, you love them. Some styles are a little less hideous than others, and only those people who are on their feet a lot at work themselves ever notice them and ask about them.
So yeah, I swear by them. And am pretty glad that I don’t have to feign good taste for my job.
Seriously? Really? Those… things are considered shoes? How, pray tell, does one walk in those things?
Hey Britt! Just letting you know I finally got the Confixor, used it last night, (followed your routine) and I LOVE it!!! I still may be using to much of the Be Curly (dang, I can’t remember the name and don’t feel like getting up to check) but I’ll get there. In the meantime, just wanted to let you know it’s all you said it was! I LOVE this stuff! Thank you so very much for posting about Aveda. I’ll never use anything else, ever again. Well, unless I’m poor and living in the streets and can’t afford it.
When I first heard about MBTs and read up on them, I thought they looked cute and I was intriuged to learn more, so I did some research and bought my first pair about 2 years ago (in a store, so I could try them on). They came with a DVD on how to wear them, meaning there is a technique to how to walk & stand in them for maximum effect. I really like them and even though I never in my life have spent so much money on a pair of shoes, I think they’re worth it and am considering buying another pair.
But Crocs are great for going in the backyard to pick up dog packages! That’s why I got mine!
Yes, butt ugly. But they are a miracle – yes, a miracle for me. I have battled with acute ball of foot pain (sesamoids and metatarsal) for two years. Sometimes, I could not walk. Tried anti-inflammatories, pain meds, cortisone, acupuncture. Some worked for a brief period of time. Sneakers were the worst. Confined to hiking shoes and Dansko dress shoes. Put on the MBTs. Pain free. Ugly – yes! But find me another shoe that is allowing me to WALK! I would rather be able to walk than think about fashion. P.S.: I am in shape already and noticed no strengthening in my legs. All I know is I have finally comfort in walking.
It’s a love/hate thing. I think they’re hideous, I really do. I have a closet full of shoes that I can no longer wear because my feet (just like my father’s before me) began hurting terribly. Arthritis? Plantar fasciitis? Whatev. All I know is that when these boats are on my feet, I could walk all day, dance all night. I got sneakers for exercising, some Mary Jane’s for work, and sandals for the rest of the time. Yes, I miss my shoes and being stylish, but I can’t stand it when I’m not in my MBT’s. Life’s too short for your feet to hurt!
wooden shoe racks are good but i think metal shoe racks lasts longer “
I am very thankful to this topic because it really gives great information *;-
I thought MBT’s were ugly too at first but they’re way beyond just workout shoes. My orthopedist recommended them in my desperate search to avoid ankle fusion surgery. But aside from the fact that I didn’t like the look, the price was just too steep to take a chance and see IF they would work to relieve my pain. Recently I looked on ebay and found a pair for $30 including the shipping. Yes, used, but hardly ever worn, there was no sign of wear whatsoever…not even on the sole. I never buy used shoes, the idea grossed me out but you can judge on the pic and the story to find a pair that are new or hardly worn. I lucked out, these are great!
The minute I put these on my pain was relieved immensely! I love them and will definitely be getting more..even at full price. And believe it or not, people have been saying my shoes are cool! I got the style Raha…the one style I could almost like aesthetically. I DO like their boots a lot I have to admit…I’m definitely getting a pair or two of their boots.
It kills me that I can’t wear pretty shoes and heels anymore. And yes there are cute flats but I needed something extreme and MBT’s were it. If you spent years in pain with every step then you might actually fall in love with MBT’s and they suddenly start looking rather beautiful too you. After all, beauty’s in the eye of the beholder…and in this case, “the beholder” is one who is no longer in pain.