MBT Shoes

MBT shoes are known as "anti-shoes" because they provide benefits that extend far beyond just keeping the feet protected. In fact, MBT footwear may be considered somewhat miraculous to individuals who typically have trouble finding shoes that accommodate their troubled feet or that don't exacerbate joint or other types of body pain.

MBT Women's Oxford

Masai Barefoot Technology, or MBT, was founded in 1996. The Swiss company was developed upon the quite intriguing discovery that walking barefoot on an uneven surface can provide relief from back pain. This set the wheels in motion, and the concept of a shoe that replicates the instability of natural surfaces came to fruition.

The shoe has an intriguing history: Its first inspiration came from tribesmen in the African Masai, whose bodies were perfectly formed and who were outstanding athletes, to boot. More importantly, they never experienced crippling joint or back pains. The company conducted intense research for years before stumbling onto a unique idea for the shoe's heel: a shoe without a heel. They called it the "Schritt Masai," or the Masai Step. Imagine a sneaker without that core at its sole – unusual, yes, but that is essentially what the shoe looked like.

Then the company continued construction on the rest of the shoe, and developed the first prototype of its now famous shoe – the Masai Sensor. The shoe was an instant smashing success in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, and the company continued to improve upon its design by tweaking its details. Eventually, a new, lower sole was introduced.

Of course, a shoe that takes its inspiration from unstable surfaces is bound to offer some serious benefits. Wearers can expect to experience an improvement in various functions, including:

• Improved posture
• Toned, shaped body
• Improved condition of problem back, hips, legs and feet
• Improved condition of problem joints, ligaments, muscles and tendon injuries
• Reduced stress on hip and knee joints
• Activation of normally neglected muscles

In short, MBT touts its shoe as a whole body activator, one that stimulates the muscles and exercises them simply through the natural movement of walking. MBT even states that doctors often recommend the shoe to help alleviate the pains associated with certain injuries. However, don't rely on the shoe as a replacement to a prescribed therapy; always consult with your doctor prior to making any changes to your regimen.

Simply put, they can be worn anywhere (practically speaking). That walk from the subway station to the office no longer needs to be a chore. A stroll around the park with the kids can be a more functional experience for your muscles. Even a power walk through the mall can be enhanced by the plentiful benefits offered by MBT shoes.

Athletes wear them, too. In fact, professionals count on the shoes to regenerate their muscles after intense workouts. They're also used to help prevent new injuries or recurrence of older injuries, and they may even accelerate the healing process of existing injuries. They come in especially handy during coordination and endurance exercises.

If you're curious, you can rest assured that you'll have your work cut out for you in deciding just which pair of MBT shoes to purchase. That's because there are several styles available in four categories: casual, professional, sandals and sports.

Admittedly, the men's selection is superior to the women's in terms of quantity, but there are several outstanding choices for the ladies, too. Note, though, that these shoes aren't fashion accessories – they're functional footwear designed with your health in mind. The good news is that you can really examine the shoes closely online. Just clicking on a shoe's image will reveal detailed information on its upper, lining, insole and outsole, and you can zoom in to check out the finer details, too.

MBT shoes are readily available online at Zappos and Nordstrom, but if you'd prefer to try the shoes on first, simply visit the MBT store finder to locate the retailer nearest you.

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