MBT shoes....those based on how masai warriors walk on sand....

[pollywobbledoodle]

now i now they are not particularly stylish but are they comfortable to walk in?

Do you need to grip the front with your toes as you walk? I have ms and can't do this but had wondered if they might be a good bet for me....can't just go and try on so would have to order from the internet

no gripping needed
I think you need to try on as they come in 1/2 sizes

thanks eldon....do they rock back and forth when you walk?

VERY comfortable, no gripping required and I've found them to be true to size.

And do people look more sensible walking in them after a while? I was walking behind someone a few days ago who tottered along looking so so silly. Was that just because they were new?

I love mine-have had them 2yrs now and theyy have improved my posture and helpedmy back immensely.Done sod all for the cellulite but are very comfortable (but heavy).
I am usually an 8 but was fitted at John Lewis and am a 7.

thanks all for the info....think i'll have a trip to j lewis to try them.

Good for posture and joints - mine have been v helpful and worth the money

You don't walk strangely in them but they do give you better posture, but you need to get used to them and only wera for short periods at first.

They do not look very attractive however in my opinion.

They are very comfy, but I'm not sure about the reduced bottom thing. From personal experience I wouldn't recommend wearing them when icy outside as you do have to roll a bit as you walk and I ended falling over , luckily have well padded ( and still not yet high and firm despite MBTs) bottom

I tried them on at John Lewis then got them for a third of the price on Ebay and they are genuine and everythink. I'm not sure I would be so impressed if I had paid full price for them.

Do they make you really tall? Also can you run in them?

Don't think they make me much taller, and I'm not sure if you can run in them. I did get an educational DVD about them when they arrived, but frankly lifes too short so I don't know.

Do you HAVE to be measured for them ie go to a shop and all that faff? Anyone know where they are availble online as I really cannot be arsed to go into town with 3 demonic children?

Well if you are a standard size you could take a punt, but its a lot of money if you get it wrong unless you Ebay

I also cannot grip with my toes as I have a neuroma in my foot, and I could not get on with them and had to sell mine on Ebay after a couple of short walks. I think the only way to tell if you're going to get on with them is to go try a pair in a shop.

They are great, I've been wearing them for 5 years and don't wear anything else. They were great during pregnancy. You do learn not to totter in them and people do learn to run in them, although I don't like it. They do tone you up but I don't think they have any effect on cellulite. You can't buy them online because you really need to try them on - in my experience the different styles come up in slightly different sizes and it is a very expensive, not to say slightly dangerous, mistake!

Ah, well, point taken: trip to shops it is. Thanks for all of your advice.

Also meant to say that if you have a medical need, then you're probably better off buying them through an osteopath or chiropractor as they often act as agents and can give you better advice really than a sports shop. Check out the website as the FAQ section is quite good.

You shouldn't have to grip with your toes in MBTs any more than in other normal trainers/ shoes - they aren't like flip flops or slides.