Shoes both Carolyn and I not only can wear but want to wear because they’re so comfortable.
Carolyn’s feet and mine are about as different as frogs and ballerinas. Mine are flat as pancakes; Carolyn’s got these great high arches…which make finding tie shoes that don’t cut off the circulation durn near impossible.
I’ve been having terrible problems getting rid of the tendonitis in my right ankle. Probably if I spent two weeks sitting with it elevated and iced 24/7, I’d make some headway, but that’s just not going to happen. The other day, I just happened to see an internet reference to the Reebok Easytoners. (We have black on black ones.) Rather than flat soles, rounding up at the toe, they have three rounded lumps on the sole, one at the heel, one on the metatarsel arch and one at the toe. They’re touted as adding 28% (why 28 and not 30? Who knows? We live in the day of digital clocks.) to any workout, but what I liked about them was that it looked like they might quietly activate the small muscles all around the foot and ankle that control balance. I was especially interested in those side muscles, considering my chronic problem.
I decided to try them out, but I needed to try them on: no internet surprises where it comes to my feet. Trying to find someplace that had them was another matter. Finally went to Reebok and found Lady Foot Locker was the only Spokane source.
In my attempts to find the easytones, I’d tried on their marketing competitor, Sketchers Shapeups. These were amazingly comfortable, and my ankle didn’t hurt a bit in them, but they didn’t have the side to side stability challenge. I also found a good anecdotal site at About.com: Reebok Comments
So…Wednesday, I headed for Lady Foot Locker. I tried the Reebok on and they were more than I’d hoped for. Though not was immediately comfortable on the ankle as the Sketchers, they did ease the pain, and there was this wonderful added benny…that lump at the toe encourages you to really use your toes…all of them, because it’s right in the middle, so from the outside in, they all work. This is unique in my experience of shoes, and what your toes absolutely must do inside the shell of the figure skate.
Sold!
Two days later, the ankle is feeling great with just the occasional twinge, my knees and back, too. And although they’re designed to accommodate orthotics, I haven’t needed mine at all. The pesky fascia is doing great, even with lots of walking both days.
To top it off, they’re cute.
Thursday, I kidnapped Carolyn (I was driving) took her to LFL, and made her try some on. Her feet are sooooo different from mine, I was dubious about suggesting it, but guess what? She walked out of that store with a pair just like mine, and such a spring in her step, I had a hard time keeping up with her.
I’m very excited. I’ve never paid that much for a pair of shoes, but I think they’re going to be worth every penny.
P.S. the more I’ve looked into it, I think both Reebok and Sketchers are doing their own take on MBTs, but at about a third the price. Likely MBTs are the cadillac this type of shoe, and someday, if I ever get the chance, I’m going to try them out, but somehow, I don’t think I’ll like them as well: like the Sketchers, they don’t have that toe action.
I love my Reebok!
