Anyone wear the Masai Barefoot Technology shoes?

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 30, 2008

I have heard some people who swear by them and others who don't care much for them and are disappointed that they spent so much moolah. I don't really have an opinion one way or another, as I quite like my Shox. :)

missninaRN · Jul 8, 2008

I just got a pair of MBTs! My husband had given me some shopping money right after I took the NCLEX in an attempt to cheer me up, but I was so sure that I had failed that I was afraid to spend it because I didn't think I would have a job.

They were very pricey; I paid $250 for mine, but the salesman told me that I can get them resoled and have the sensor in them replaced for free when they wear out, so they should last a very long time.

I have had chronic back problems due to scoliosis and, admittedly, very weak abs. I recently graduated from nursing school and spent the last semester with constant pain in my shoulders, upper back, and lower back. My first weeks of orientation to my new job were tough; 12 hours of standing and walking only made my back hurt more.

I have tried athletic shoes (New Balance, Reebok) and nursing shoes (Urbane and Softwalks) but nothing has helped until now.

I have a very narrow foot and was concerned that the MBTs would be too wide, but a knowledgeable salesman steered me toward the styles that run narrow, and with a thick pair of Thorlo socks they fit perfectly.

I wore my new shoes for 2 hours yesterday and put them on again when I got up this morning. I am going to vacuum and dust the house and clean the bathrooms while wearing them today. I was told to gradually build up the time I spend wearing them-not to break them in, but to let my muscles adjust.

I would compare wearing them to sitting on a balance ball. Your muscles have to make constant tiny adjustments to remain upright. They are not uncomfortable at all; in fact, walking in them makes my feet feel great. My posture instantly improves when I put them on-my shoulders aren't slumped froward, my head is more erect and in line with my spine, and my stomach doesn't jut out. Pretty amazing change, really.

I'm going to wear them for half a shift tomorrow and then 3/4 of a shift on Thursday. By next week, I'll wear them the full shift.

I'll let you know how I feel about them after wearing them to work for a few days, okay?

Edited to add: I chose the MBTs because several nurses at work highly recommended them. One lady told me that she had constant back pain until she got them and now is pain free.

eternalsunshine · Jul 9, 2008

Thanks missninaRN

They sound great! I am even more tempted to get some now having read your message!

Will you keep me updated how you get on with them?

Am very impressed that you can get them resoled and they have a sensor!?

Did'nt know that

Thanks again

Abigail25 · Jul 11, 2008

I've been wearing MBT's for about six months. I love them! They are a bit heavy but my legs and back have been almost pain free since I started wearing them. No shoe is perfect but these are the best I've found.

nurseaboveboard · Jul 11, 2008

I had a good laugh about this thread, so wanted to post. My sis, who has always had trouble with her posture, bought a pair of these things. She WOULD NOT tell me how much she spent for them when I asked. Before I ever had a chance to see them, she determined she absolutely hated them, and sold them at a big loss to some other unsuspecting soul (sole ha-ha). Anyway, for those of you who already own them, or are intending to, don't worry, because my dear sis is NOT known for her ability to stand upright, nor I might add, am I. Poor balance in our family seems to be genetic, but I'm not quite as bad as her. She felt so unstable on the treadmill I gave her, that her husband rigged up a walker that belonged to my other sis, now deceased. He has attached this walker to the front of the treadmill, so my sis can stand straighter and more stable. I cracked up when I saw this contraption, but I gotta tell ya, it really worked! Oh ya, when sis goes down the stairs, she goes sideways, one step at a time! I do love her though!!!

CathRN · Jul 12, 2008

I have a pair of MBTs and two of my co-workers have them. I HATE mine, but they swear by their MBTs.

nursegnet · Jul 13, 2008

I am on my second pair and love them! If worn correctly I think they really do help with training yourself proper posture.

I have only purchased the MBT Sport High and for me I found it very difficult to walk on at first until you get used to them and they don't seem to have that much traction. Otherwise I think it's great.

I chose the sport high because I'm short.

G

lovethepeople · Jul 15, 2008

How do you find a place near you for purchase? These don't seem like the kind of shoes you want to buy blindly on-line without trying them on first! The website did not lead me to a place near me-- seems focused on Europe.

Thanks!

nickola · Jul 15, 2008

Several people wear MBTs where I work, and altho they say they are comfortable, they have to be the ugliest shoes on the planet & make your feet look HUGE. OK, a little vanity here.... I have found something that works just as well & much easier to look at: http://www.thescandinaviancompany.com Several of the MBT wearers have changed to these & say they are just as comfy, and MUCH MUCH cheaper!!

jspacegirl · Jul 23, 2008

I recently bought the Sport Low which was on sale at walkerswarehouse.com, but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep them. They are VERY comfortable, and I can see how they would improve your posture, but man, do they ever look awful! They don't look so bad out of the box, but once you put them on your feet, they look absolutely gigantic.

My boyfriend even said that they didn't look that bad, but then I tried them on, and he agreed that they looked horrible! I thought that it wouldn't be noticeable with long enough scrub pants, but they still look bad. I really really really wanted to like these shoes, and even told myself that I wouldn't care how dorky they look, but I just can't get past the aesthetics of the shoe. I wish I wasn't so darn vain!

Goldengirl007 · Nov 22, 2009

I bought the buy one get one free years ago, along with the brown sandals. I still have them and wear them occasionally to work, and I think they're actually adorable - especially the basic white ones, the rounded toes look cute coming out from under my jeans and imagine they'd look cute out from under your 'work' pants/scrubs, too. They actually tire me out because they work the legs and buns like nobody's business. Everytime I wear them for a few days a week, my legs look shapelier and I can't complain about that. I know they're expensive but I think they are worth it because they seem to be lasting me forever. Others have noticed the weight loss and nice looking legs too. But I am going to shop for a cheaper knock-off in the future.

:monkeydance: