43
The Fit Flop
$45.00
Released June, 2007
The Pros:Comfortable and soft cushioning. Works leg muscles while you walk. Love how they feel when I am on my feet for 8+ hours a day.
The Cons:Can cause pain in your knees and ankles. Caused extreme knee problem which is interupting my original fitness program. None but I hope they make tennis shoes soon.
Is the Fit Flop another weight-loss gimmick or does it really work? The Fit Flop claims to work your thighs and calf muscles with their patented shoe design of a multi-density sole that 'works' on your muscles midstep, thus toning your thighs, calves and glutes.
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They work by slightly destabilizing the foot, so that you're constantly fighting for balance while you're wearing them. They do this using a micro-wobbleboard that is incorporated into the sole of the shoe and makes them a slightly raised platform. Wearers have noted that the walking takes some getting used to as you have to focus on a more concentrated way of walking. The shoes are meant to be extremely comfortable as well with a soft cushioning and have been ergonomically designed to mimic a barefoot gait.
The Fit Flop was conceived by Marcia Kilgore of the UK who never had time to go to the gym, and wanted a way of exercising that could be incorporated into her daily life. The Fit Flop was first available in the UK and has now made its way to the USA. See also Yoga Sandals for a shoe that wants to change your alignment while you walk.
User Reviews (48)
Pros & Cons
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17
comfortable and soft cushioning
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6
works leg muscles while you walk
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3
Love how they feel when I am on my feet for 8+ hours a day
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0
Excellent sandal. I keep them on all of the time. My feet are never tired. I didn't believe the exercise part but I have noticed more definition in my upper legs and I have not been working out for a while now.
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0
I tried on 3 pairs through free returns at SoleProvisionsShop.com The 3rd pair fits great!
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9
can cause pain in your knees and ankles
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3
caused extreme knee problem which is interupting my original fitness program
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3
none but I hope they make tennis shoes soon
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2
skeptical about effectiveness
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1
causes knee and shin pain
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0
Strap is located in an uncomfortable position
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-4
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Comments (26)
doobieducks:
#the_fit_flop WHAT A CON! The only difference they made was to blister my toes, plus I had to grip my toes so tighly to walk which made my posture worse. Total waste of money.
Apr 11, 11
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Birdmaru:
#the_fit_flop I really love the fitflops sandal. By the way, there is no much choices in my country and also price is higher than US country.
Feb 6, 11
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Lynn M Jenkinson:
#the_fit_flop Initially they are very comfortable, especially the "thong" part. I have never been able to tolerate anything between my toes, but this sandal is very comfortable. But...read the "CON" statement before you buy.
Feb 4, 10
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Lynn M Jenkinson:
#the_fit_flop When I first started wearing them I noticed my ankles kept rotating out and I was "falling off" the shoes. They are not stable. I was wearing them on the evening of Sept 3, 2009 and was at the top of 3 steps on my back porch. As I started to step down, the shoe rolled, I lost my balance and sustained a severe trimalleolar fracture of my left ankle, broke my left fibula, tore my left meniscus and severely bruised my elbow. My ankle was trashed and I now have 12 lag screws and two plates holding it together. I was off work for 5 months! Be very careful with these sandals. The company has not responded to my email telling them of the instability issues.
Feb 4, 10
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CarolS3343:
#the_fit_flop I purchased the Fit Flops and after wearing them off and on for 3 weeks I noticed a lump coming up on the top of my foot underneath the leather circle. It was a ganglion cyst which is caused by a tear in the tendon due to rubbing from the leather. Has anyone else or knows anyone who may have had this happen to them?
Jan 20, 10
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carrrieslight:
#the_fit_flop I eagerly ordered the Fit Flop after much reviewing of the material on it. I was used to wearing an ergomically-designed tennis shoe and wanted something more summery. I wore Fit Flops from June until Aug continously and began to notice my hip was really sore and hurting. By the time Aug arrived, I was walking like a duck myself, with great pain in my hip joint. After I quit wearing them, the pain subsided. It is my opinion that the Fit Flops exercised the muscles around my hip joint too much and was damaging to my joints. Although they are very comfortale and I really regret this, most likely I will not be able to wear them. Bummer! Others beware.
Aug 15, 09
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Andrea Kiesling:
#the_fit_flop Bought these in Chicago during a recent trip. My mom also got a pair because the shoes she was wearing were rubbing her the sides of her feet. We put them on and didn't take them off the rest of the trip!
We did a lot of walking and at the end of the day - literally miles - our feet didn't hurt. I did notice my hip hurt after the third day, but I wear them everywhere now. I don't know that I've felt a lot of muscle work, but I do know that my feet aren't killing after hours of walking. I also noticed that my arches feel much better after wearing these flops (I have very flat feet).
They were available at Macy's for about $60 a pair; my only complaint is that the pair that fit me is glitzy - gold sequins, and there are fabric versions available, but they didn't fit me and the store didn't have a size larger than an 8.
Be forewarned that you should order at least one size up. I normally wear a size 9 to 9 1/2.
Jul 17, 09
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certainthistime:
#the_fit_flop I wore these for 10 minutes and my toes started to bleed. Had to ask a stranger for band aids so I could walk home. In 4 months of communication with customer service they have not done anything. DO NOT BUY THESE!!
Apr 10, 09
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UC:
#the_fit_flop I purchased the fit flops in September after doing a little research on them. I currently have a knee problem for which I'm getting physical therapy. I wore them for a few hours on the day that I bought them. I immediately had knee pain that I thought could be associated with fit flop but wasn't sure because I experience intermittent pain and am working on my gait to obtain better alignment with my knee to elimnate it.
The big test for the fit flop was an all-day tailgate. Whenever I stand on my feet for 6+ hours, on the following day my legs and feet hurt. I'm a 30-something so not very old. I wore the fit flops for approximately 12 hours straight. I woke up the next morning expecting to have achy legs and feet and didn't. Not the slightest ache or pain. I was very surprised and of course happy!
The benefit of the shoe is that it has helped me to work on my gait to have better knee alignment. It gives in places to make your feet and leg muscles work to keep you balanced. I don't know if I can give all of the credit for toner legs to the shoe but I can feel the muscles in my inner thighs and hamstrings working if my feet hit the ground in an unbalanced way. So they work for me. There was and is a medical warning on the website and attached to the shoe so I consult ed with my physical therpist.
Sep 27, 08
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sk:
#the_fit_flop In terms of size, I ordered my normal size and they were fine.
I found them very comfortable HOWEVER after only a half an hour of wearing them my back locked up on me and I've been having problems ever since. I think they somehow realign you very slightly and it was just enough to cause a problem. If you are sensitive to these things I wouldn't recommend them.
Jul 22, 08
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helen:
#the_fit_flop Someone told me that they had to buy a size smaller than they normally wear. I want to order some online (there is no store near me that sells them) and I don't know what size to buy. Any comments about size?? Thanks, Helen
Jul 14, 08
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guenwyvar:
#the_fit_flop This is an update. It's now June 29 & I still love my Fitflops;wear them every day. I've had some low back issues due to uneven leg length & sitting at computer for hours while taking online courses. This caused a muscle imbalance & low back stiffness. I resumed going to my chiropractor ,got new lifts for the shoes on my shorter leg, & started doing yoga every day instead of a few times a week. I didn't wear the Fitflops over the winter but resumed wearing them when the weather changed. I found that wearing them all the time forced me to walk better & stretch my front hip flexors (aka the psoas muscles; when these are tight it can cause low back pain) I could still feel my front thigh muscles,calf & bottom butt muscles working as i said before & within a week there was far less lower back stiffness because the psoas were getting a constant workout. I could REALLY feel the psoas working ...even more than when I first got the shoes. They'd become really tight.My thighs are also trimmer but that could be due to my using the hip abductor & adductor machines at the gym as well as wearing the shoes. I've had absolutely no knee or ankle pain. people who have that problem may have it because of their gait,I don't know. Anyhow, I love my Fitflops,wear them most of the time & may be getting another pair.
Jun 29, 08
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diamondgirl:
#the_fit_flop I got these in 2007. I love my fit flops. I do not wear them in the winter so every spring I start all over. If I lived somewhere that was warm year round I would wear them all the time.
Jun 28, 08
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VFRgrl:
#the_fit_flop I got these because they are supposed to be "better" than my beloved MBTs. I can say- they aren't . I wear almost 100% MBT shoes (sandals, sneakers, hiking boots) because I have a bad knee. The fit flops actually made my knee HURT and not in a good way. I also will occassionally get ankle pain.
I'm sticking with my MBTs because I went from having knee pain 5 out of 7 days a week (with limping) to zero days of limping and maybe once every few weeks I'll have pain. The fit flops are definitely NOT "better" than MBTs. As far as benefits- well maybe they do help tone muscles but I couldn't get past the knee pain!
Jun 6, 08
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vanessa:
#the_fit_flop I got these yesterday. I normally wear a size 6.5 in sneakers, but the sizes it comes in is whole sizes only. I got a size 7 cause the store was out of 6. I walked 2 hours in them today and I agree with one of the other comments, it causes huge bruises on top of the foot, where the strap of fit flop is located. It seems that the shoe has too much toe room but not enough back room, so your heel is right at the end, but you can't move your foot forward cause of the strap, it's in the way and it makes it hard to stay on when you are trying to walk quickly. Also, on the bottom of my foot, under the top ball, a HUGE blister appeared, like half an inch wide due to these shoes. I also notice no muscle pain or anything, which I notice when I wear my MBT sneakers, those actually work and you feel it working. These are just higher flip flops, not sure how that would build muscle. Not recommended.
May 25, 08
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enaile:
#the_fit_flop So far, they are very comfortable, I have been wearing them quite a bit, though, the toe/thong area is a bit abrasive. hum, not sure if I feel my muscles working more yet, we will see (have just had them a week) but I do think they are some of the more well padded comfy shoes I own!
Apr 28, 08
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michellelanderson:
#the_fit_flop I love these! They are very comfortable and have a neat-unique look to them. I can feel my muscles working more when I wear them. Not sure how much benefit they reap, but I love them anyway!
Apr 22, 08
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chedolce:
#the_fit_flop hi there! does anyone have any reports of knee/ankle pain as reported above? I have early signs of arthritis in my knees due to old injuries and have to be careful of agrivating my knees. Thanks!
Mar 14, 08
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guenwyvar:
#the_fit_flop I just got mine 3 days ago & love them. Very comfy & easy to walk fast in;do wish I could tighten the strap a bit.I do notice that when I relax & just go with the flow when I walk in them I can feel my leg muscles working & also the bottom of the butt muscles. I work out a lot anyway ( step aerobics,weights & yoga) so I just ignored the advice to build up slowly & just wore them all day right away. leg muscles felt "worked" but not sore or cramped at all.
Sep 30, 07
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lynn:
#the_fit_flop Ok here goes. I ordered these in August. My upper legs were 27 inches they are now 25 inches. Lower were 22 now 18 bum is WAY smaller. I am having cramps from wearing them ALL the time but oh I love the results.
Sep 13, 07
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sam:
#the_fit_flop I have been wearing them every evening and walking a mile, have really noticed a difference. Has changed the shape of my calf muscles. Initially my legs really ached and some discomfort in my knees.
Sep 9, 07
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Neesie:
#the_fit_flop Amanie, thanks for the chuckle! ;-D I'm just an average person, who does an average amount of walking. I'm used to wearing low-heeled shoes, so MAYBE that makes the difference.
Like Suz, I don't think I'd get them again.
Sep 8, 07
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suz:
#the_fit_flop I just bought these and wore them about 5 hours. I had the hardest time keeping them on my feet and I kept slipping out of them going up stairs. I often had to stop and reposition the strap to keep them on. I had no sore muscles - only a bruise from the strap the next day. I don't think I'd get these again.
Sep 7, 07
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Neesie:
#the_fit_flop I ignored the warning to build up time gradually, wearing my FitFlops. I've now been wearing them for about two weeks, almost all day, every day (including shopping trips, where I'm on my feet for several hours at a time). They're very comfortable . . . but as far as working my muscles goes, I haven't felt even the slightest difference.
Sep 7, 07
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