The other day at Pilates class, the lady to my left, the lady to my right, and me each sported a pair of thick-soled, bright-colored plastic slip-ons. “How long have you had yours?” asked one. “Do they work?” asked the teacher. These aren’t Crocs we’re all wearing. They’re FitFlops.
You’ve probably seen or heard of them by now– these “biomechanically engineered” sandals that promise benefits from improved posture and leg muscle tone to reduced cellulite. Something maybe you didn’t know is that the flops are the brainchild of Go-Getter Girl Marcia Kilgore, who founded Bliss Spas… and sold it to LVMH for a reported $30 million. It’s safe to say this gal is a marketing genius.
So, do FitFlops actually work? The website does feature some positive study results from “The Centre for Human Performance” and scores of testimonials.
My unscientific analysis: I think the actual Pilates classes are doing much more for leg toning in my life than the shoes I wear to and from the gym! However, having worn mine for many months, FitFlops are extremely comfy and tons more supportive than the average Havania-flat flip flop. They can be worn all day running errands, hitting up the mall, etc., without arch or ankle discomfort. That’s something.
One little quibble with the shoes: Can’t they make them just a *wee bit* cuter?!
