Hmmm I found some mixed reviews of these shoes from some sites in the UK..
I am wearing FitFlops as I read this. A family member purchased them for me to try out (I’m considered their expert as I have been a personal trainer for some time). I have to say, I can feel that they do work some of the leg muscles. However, they are difficult to walk in initially. I had to walk around the house and yard a few times before I braved wearing them out. (Note: you can tell there is a wobble board in them…they almost feel like thick flip-flops.) Now that I am used to walking in them, they are SUPER comfortable - no doubt about that - but tough to say whether or not they are actually working the muscle groups claimed in the advertising. I agree - some university studies would be nice and some medical opinions about such products is important.
So, I don’t think they are a miracle but not a total rip off either….if you are just looking for a great, comfortable pair of flops to walk around in.
I've had my fit flops for a couple of weeks now (great ordering service from Harvy Nichols) and my personal verddict is that they just aren't up to MBTs. The principle of instability works (as it does in the gym with wobble boards or power plates), however the range of instability / movement is not as great as with MBTs and so the results don't feel so significant - though of course with MBTs, you have to walk correctly to get that range of movement whereas fitflops do it for you. They are of course substantially less hideous than MBTs although they're also far less comfortable - I also got blisters from the toe divider initially.
