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Original poster

fitflop virgin seeks wise advice

19 replies

meerkate · 13/06/2010 21:50

okay - i confess that i LIVE in my adored MBT trainers, ever since getting a cheap(ish) pair off ebay last year. however, i have to concede that it is now nearly summer, and even in these rural, unstylish parts, i can't really justify wearing them through june, july, august and september with skirts and even the odd pair of shorts (in private, in my garden - obv).
so...am i right in thinking that the MBT sandal equivalent has to be the fitflop?
and if so, then does the blinkin' thong thing between your toes hurt like it did when i tried some on in town on saturday, or does one adapt to the pain? and do i get a size below my actual size, like someone told me, 'coz they flatten out after a while?
tell me what to do please

OP posts:
moondog · 13/06/2010 21:52

Don't waste youur money on ridiculous gimmicks.If you want to be 'fit', do some exercise.

piratecat · 13/06/2010 21:53

i got the size down, i am 5.5-6, got a five.
I tried on a few in the same size and picked the ones where the toe bit hurt the least.

I woud go for the more expensive leather ones, they are more supportive than the cheaper ones with that webbing type crossover bit. if that makes sense.

bought mine last june, wore them all summer, they are stil in excellent condition.

bishboschone · 13/06/2010 21:54

I have just bought some and bought size 4 , i am a 4 in flip flops but can be a 5 in boots. they are very comfy..i bought mine on boots website. they dont hurt but I am used to flip flops..HTH

secunda · 13/06/2010 21:54

They aren't good for you, you know. They put your skeletal structure out of alignment and can cause problems [killjoy]

piratecat · 13/06/2010 21:54

i bought mine for comfort, as have plantar fascitis and spd.

ruckyrunt · 13/06/2010 21:58

Ah now I understand why I have seen a couple of woman looking silly in their fitflops as there heel is hangin over the back of the flop

TBH this will cause problems if the fitflop doesn't flattennin out soon.

I did try a pari of the rack and all the paris I tryed where loose on my eet - hanging off. I asked the salesman for a pair from out the back of the shop and he said it wouldn't make any differnece - but the fitflops that hadn't been tryed on where not stretched.

So get them online or out the box and not the fitflops on display.

I thought they were comfy but don't think they would make me fit I am fit though so thats not a problem

Original poster
meerkate · 13/06/2010 22:01

ah thanks girls. very helpful. moondog -should explain that i am quite fit enough thank you very much (er, moderately - that's quite enough for me ) this is all about comfort in my old age (40), and about the fact that i am SO addicted to the rocking swaying fab-ness of my MBTs that all other shoes seem weirdly flat and uncomfortable in comparison. i know. odd bumpkin alert.

OP posts:
secunda · 13/06/2010 22:03

"i am SO addicted to the rocking swaying fab-ness of my MBTs that all other shoes seem weirdly flat and uncomfortable in comparison" - sign that it's altering your posture

accessorizequeen · 13/06/2010 22:17

I bought a pair about 6 weeks ago because my Osteopath recommended them for my plantar fascitis and after I got used to the toe posts (took about a week) they're so comfortable I'm in them all day. My heels are so much better as a result. I don't know about flattening out, I bought size 9 which is what I normally wear.
secunda what's your basis for saying they alter your posture? (Which could actually be a good thing if posture rubbish to start with!). I'm trusting my Osteopath here, she hasn't let me down so far.

Original poster
meerkate · 13/06/2010 22:18

yikes! really?! secunda, don't scare me. what is going to happen? is my spine going to crumble/scoliose/simply break in two any minute now

OP posts:
secunda · 13/06/2010 22:21

My friend who is a rheumatologist told me they were bad for you when I was thinking of getting some myself. You're not going to break (lol) but over a lot of time of wearing them they can alter your posture, not in a good way. Apparently they work by making you put pressure on unusual parts of your feet, and therefore knees, hips and spine as you walk. It means you're not walking the way you were designed to walk, so it has implication for wearing away cartilege in joints and the general causing of aches and pains. Apparently.

ruckyrunt · 13/06/2010 22:23

they are flat though - so wouldn't put your knees out of line - which is usually where back problems come from with high heels or flat feet. And with flat feet your feet would be lifted with the fitflop into a more arched position and therefore putting the knees back in line - I would think it would be a good position to be in not bad

piratecat · 13/06/2010 22:25

my plantar fasciitis, has gone now btw, it lasted about 18 mohts, but instant relief last yr when i got my flops.

yuo could say the same about high heels, wedge heels? I think my fitflops have realy helped me. Flat flip flops are no good for me.

Original poster
meerkate · 13/06/2010 22:25

thanks secunda. will ponder! lordie - wasn't it simpler when bare feet were the only option we had
...though i suppose life expectancy was about 16 then, so there was correspondingly little time for concerns over posture, plantar fasciitis and knee and hip collapse...

OP posts:
secunda · 13/06/2010 22:29

ach I don't know. I think only the most boring shoes are actually good for your feet and skeleton. Flats are bad (no arch support), heels are bad. blah blah. It's just one medical opinion I guess! I haven't been very helpful in helping you find your new flops!

HighOverlordCybil · 13/06/2010 22:31

dont buy fit flops, they are FUGLY

ruckyrunt · 13/06/2010 22:31

I think high heels and wedges do actually do far more damage than an pen she like a fitflop. Aslo an inclosed shoe which is slightly pointed will also do far more damage to the ligaments and cause traction really ease, this will then cause bunions which are sacks that will not go away.

High heels through your knees and hips forward which eventually causes back problems and hard skin on the ball of the foot as there is far to much pressure under this part of the foot.

The only reason I was horrified my hairdressers where all wearing them is that they are open shes/snadles and hair can get lodged into the sole of the foot - it has happend with dogs hairs and entering the sole of the foot, goes unoticed for quite a while - until it goes septic [blurrgh] but thats not a problem unless you are a doggy groomer or hairdresser.

Original poster
meerkate · 13/06/2010 22:36

blurrrgh indeed!!
only worn heels about three times in my life, eg on wedding day and suchlike, and can't imagine how people do it regularly - i take my hat off to them (scary immaculate gucci-clad sister-in-law, are you reading this?)
am going to go for it

electra bronze fitflops in size 4, here i come

OP posts:
katiepotatie · 13/06/2010 22:43

Bronze ones here, i'm into my third summer, still in fabby condition. I love my fitflops

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