About Masai Barefoot Technology Shoes

Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes have been advertised as "the world's smallest gym" and as "shoes designed for walking on a world that is not flat" and "the anti-shoe." MBT shoes are extremely popular despite an appearance generally considered less than attractive. Their appeal lies in extreme comfort and a reduction in joint stress.

History

Masai Barefoot Technology shoes were invented by Karl Muller, an engineer whose time with the Masai tribes in Africa revealed that the seemingly natural pains associated with walking are virtually unknown to them. Muller intuitively understood that walking barefoot over uneven terrain diminishes the unwanted effects of walking and that the design of standard shoes is the culprit behind the stress placed on the bodies of most walkers. He then set out to create a shoe that would correct these problems.

Function

The function of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes is to reduce the stress on the body. MBT shoes are bowl-shaped on the bottom to simulate the long sloping strides of the Masai. This transforms the act of walking into a more continuous and fluid movement instead of one made of sudden shocks and jolts that unduly impact the body from the legs to the neck.

Features

MBT shoes essentially do away with the traditional concept of the heel and instead feature a rounded curve sole that creates a kind of springing sensation when you walk. The design of the shoes forces you to employ a longer, more relaxed stride.

Significance

Masai Barefoot Technology shoes paradoxically set out to making the act of walking less stable than normal. Their design is meant to allow only the appropriate muscles in each movement to flex or relax.

Benefits

MBT shoes were designed not for fashion but to make walking a healthier endeavor. The shoes work to improve both your posture and the way that you walk, and in the process reduce the stress on your body. The stresses that are counteracted by their design include stress on the spine and legs and pain that is felt in muscles, joints and ligaments.

Benefits

The design is meant to help improve posture, which is a key to overcoming certain kinds of back pain. By forcing the wearer to straighten his spine in order to create stability, the shoes help improve the alignment of the backbone and the muscles involved in standing up straight. This has the effect of reducing back pain.

Considerations

The average price for a new pair of MBT shoes is about $250. These shoes rarely go on sale, but may occasionally be available at reduced prices.