Product Review: MBT Shoes

That's right, I'm reviewing and even wearing MBT shoes...

My wife bought a pair a few months ago and I kept making fun of her until I read up on them, and as I am on the never ending search for equipment to help with the stress I put on my body during training. I have learned that I need to recover better and keep key muscles stretched. So, I went out and bought myself a pair a few weeks ago...

Product: MBT Shoe - Chapa GTX Pumpkin
MSRP: $270.00

The "anti-shoe" which claims that the shoes have a number of positive effects not only on the foot but on the whole body. MBT is the first physiological footwear. Masai Barefoot Technology is patented worldwide.

The Good: These things ROCK! This is the single best active recovery tool I have used. I have had constant issues with tight hamstrings and calves and all the fatigue and training issues that come with logging thousands of miles running and cycling every year.

After getting used to feeling a bit awkward with them on my feet, I extended the time I would wear them and really started noticing my little aches, pains and soreness going away.

I really started to feel the effects in the last week when logging a few longer runs and tough rides in preparation for an upcoming race. By wearing the shoes while cruising around the city and right after a tough workout session, I am really noticing that I am recovering faster and feeling fresher going into my next session.

The Bad: These thing are not cheap and they look a bit goofy. I'm already 6'2" and with the MBT's I go about 6'6". The style of shoes to choose from are limited as they are a bit dorky looking. They could be a bit better to make "the anti shoe" less sterile and clumsy and more hip and and funky.

The Consensus: While not the most stylish looking shoe, I give this product my full endorsement...worth every penny so far.

I like the new style of the shoe that drops down when their web page opens (http://www.swissmasaius.com/), but they are not listed on the site yet...

The Tembea Mink looks stylish and the Safiri's in blue do look a bit like New Balance's...

I like the shoes that have some style and are not different in a dorky way, a lot of them look like Geek Squad, nerd, toll booth attendant, busboy orthotic shoes...who wears shoes with Velcro straps anymore, I guess Weck will and I used to rock the Roos...

The women's Tataga C Denim and Barabara Smoke look like a cool shoes, why not more men's offering with some edge and some style? If the shoe is going to claim to be "the anti shoe", be different and obviously look different, then embrace that...