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FitFlops: Hit or Miss?

Some women love shoes. I love cheap shoes.

I’ve had a love for cheap shoes ever since I was little. I remember getting those little plastic high heels in the toy aisle of the grocery store. I went through so many plastic jellies that to this day I still have fond memories of the shoe, so fond, in fact, that I may have picked up one and tried it on at Target the other day although it was about 8 sizes too small.* (I swear, even if it had fit, I wasn’t going to buy it. That would be silly.)

In my adult life, my cheap-shoe love has translated into flip-flops. Many, many pairs of flip-flops. They’re cheap, they’re comfortable, and they’re easy to slip on and off. I can even buy them at the same store where I buy cereal.

Jenn also has a love for flops, although I think my love borders on the extreme. We are so much alike that not only do we share creepily common interests, likes and dislikes, but we often have identical ailments. So much so that I think we should be documented in medical journals on how non-twins can in fact be the same person. So when I started having flip-flop induced foot pain recently, I called Jenn to complain about it.

The conversation
Erin: So my foot really hurts. I think it might be my flip-flops.
Jenn: Been there, did that.
Erin: Describe the pain.
Jenn: It hurt. It started where my toes bent…
Erin: …the second toe …
Jenn: …went up the middle…
Erin: …straight up the middle of the foot…
Jenn: …made worse by anything other than sitting down…
Erin: …I’m hobbling everywhere!
Jenn: I had to wear those pink flats for months.
Erin: Ah, BUGGER.

Because my foot feels awesome after a couple of weeks of wearing tennis shoes, and terrible when I put flip-flops back on for even a short walk with the dog, I have exiled the offenders to the back of the closet for at least another month.

But even though I’ve sworn off flip-flops for the near future, my interest in the cleverly named FitFlop is acute. These chunky sandals are designed to challenge the muscles of the foot and leg while you wear them, and are said to work your bum and other hard-to-reach muscles with every step. The makers claim the shoes make it easier to stay in shape.

At $49.99, they certainly don’t fit into my “under $10” flip-flop limit, so I won’t be buying them any time soon. But I am intrigued by user comments. While no one claims to turn into an Olympian overnight, some users do claim that FitFlops have curbed foot, back and hip pain, while others just swear by their comfort. And judging from the comments following this article, people are passionate about this product, whether they love it or hate it.

What do you think about the FitFlop? Do you have a pair? Would you give them a shot? —Erin

*Jellies came back, just like all truly great trends do. Wonder if they’ve worked on the problem of rocks getting stuck in the heels?

Photos grabbed from www.photobucket.com.

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Comments

15 Comments
  1. MizFit says:

    id totally give em a shot.
    if someone want to GIVE them to me.

    too pricey for a flipfloprisktake for me.

    but Im cheap that way 🙂

    Miz.

  2. tfh says:

    Oh, if only flip flops were ergonomic! So simple, so delightfully flappy.

    I haven’t tried the Fit Flops. I do have a few pairs of Earth Shoes– same sort of concept, also more $$$ than Target– and they really do make me feel like I’m walking at a slight grade.

  3. Kaci says:

    I so wanna try those! 🙂

  4. Erica says:

    Yah, $50 bucks for flops? Come on now! What are these things made of? I understand them being more than the $4 old navy gems I wear on almost a daily basis to walk the dog but….$50? I’m with MizFit, I’d have to take a donation to get those flops!

  5. samsam26 says:

    I had the exact same foot pain. It hurt so bad I threw them in a dumpster and had to walk home barefoot 1 1/2 miles (carrying a purse!! feeling like an idiot) from my pedicure appointment. $50 dollars literally in the trash!!

  6. Marcy says:

    They sound cool! I’d want to try them but not sure I’d want to pay for them LOL

  7. Fitnessista says:

    i agree with mizfit 100%- i’d love to try them, if someone wanted to donate them to me. i feel like my $35 rainbows are pricey enough (i have one pair.. all of my other flipflops are from target and old navy).
    they do looke pretty sporty and cute though…. i’m just waiting for victoriassecret.com to put them on sale

  8. Mark Salinas says:

    Not for me! 🙂

  9. shell says:

    I have these and they are awesome. Seriously! I took them when I went to Disneyworld and walked in them non stop. I can tell a difference. big time.

  10. Michelle says:

    I have a lot of trouble with my feet too, and was wearing flip flops as a better option to heels! But then I learned that flops offer zero support, and I was getting a lot of pain in the joint where my toe met my foot. So now I have a hard time finding cute shoes that also offer support, but I do like some Earth shoes. I wrote about it awhile back here: http://doesabodygood.blogspot.com/2008/04/and-this-little-piggy-got-realistic.html

  11. HangryPants says:

    My sister has a pair, apparently, the very coveted black patent leather pair and she loves them. She had an achilles tendon and raves about the comfort of the fitflop. I’m with you, flip flops should be cheap and semi-disposable.

  12. Robin says:

    I have some and they are awesome. No foot pain, back pain, etc. They are much more supportive than regular flip flops. They aren’t very cute, but I wear them constantly. I don’t think they have any fitness value, but are definitely more comfy than regular flip flops.

  13. Michelle says:

    I love my Chaco flip flops. Way out of your flip flop price range, but the only ones that don’t hurt my feet. (I have super high arches and actually broke the arch of my foot back in high school from wearing too flat of shoes.) I highly recommend them, and just for the record, mine were on sale!

  14. Carey says:

    I have had a pair for about a month and I LOVE them. I wear them ALL the time and I walk a lot since I live in NYC. I’ve lost a half inch on my hips already. I bought them on Ebay for about 50% off the regular price.

  15. nancy says:

    I’m a fan of flip flops & also had that awfull foot pain you described. While I was shopping @ my favorite brand names for less store I found those wonderfull FitFlops. The price was discounted so I figured I’d go for it although they were not as cute as the flip flops w/rinestones I had also found, but they have made a believer out of me!! No more pain since I started to wear them & I love them now even more. I have also felt & seen some good changes in the shape of my thighs & legs.

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