For the past two days, I've braved the busy streets of New York City weighted down by the 1.5-inch-high brown soles of the new Walkstar II-style FitFlops. These ultra padded accessories are proported to be, according to their slogan, “the flip flop with the gym built-in.” Highly skeptical about the ability of flipflops to tone my back, legs, and behind, I invested in a bronze patent-leather pair, not for the slimming claim, but for the comfort! With a cushioned heel area absorbing 36% more shock than regular footwear, I figured these slightly cumbersome but not bad-looking sandals would make for a more back- and joint-saving alternative to my usual, thin-rubber-soled, support-less pair of [Havaiana] flipflops. However, within hours, I felt a tightness in my quads and hamstrings. Could the patent-pending micro-wobbleboard ^TM technology actually be doing the trick?

     Developed by a doctor, FitFlops are engineered with a “safely-tapered midsole” that places varying densities of EVA (the material, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) under your feet each time you step. [i]According to their website, this challenges the support and balance muscles of the foot and leg.[ii] FitFlops apparently slow the eversion rate (eversion is “a change of position that does not entail a change of location,” thanks Freedictionary.com[iii]) of the average person’s step, so that the time the muscle spends in an active state is increased during every step. “Slow twitch” muscle muscles are activated, which are the muscle fibers that can create “longer, leaner-looking limbs.”[iv] So just throw them on, run some errands, and Voila! You come home with a newly toned bottom-half?

     Apparently so! My second day of wearing FitFlops, I have found that my back does not have the predictable ache usually ensuing from a long day at the lab and I do feel decidedly more comfortable walking around. Also, a slight soreness now exudes from my knees, quads, and hamstrings, which I am almost reluctant to ascribe to the alleged muscle-toning powers of these sandals.

     However, there are a two minor “flops” with these new shoes. The large width creates a bulkiness that made me almost trip when I lost my balance on unleveled concrete and the leather thong in between my toes has left open blisters on both my feet.

     Bottom line? Overall, these shoes will provide extra support for your back, hips, and knees with the added shock absorption and wearing them will allow you to burn more calories (since FitFlops require more energy to walk on than other types of shoes). If you can handle the discomfort that may arise in between your toes (maybe its just me?) then I would highly suggest investing in a pair!

     You can get FitFlops here.