As you know from this post, I have been testing a pair of fitflops for rubbersole for the last couple of weeks. I have been wearing the Walk Star III on and off, for short periods and for full days, and have walked in them normally and briskly.
First thing’s first… these are definitely comfy flip flops, there is no denying that. Everyone I know who has a pair has said they are really comfy from day one, and I agree. I’m a 6.5 (Eur 40) and usually choose a UK7 but thanks to the size chart pdf on the fitflop website I decided to go for a UK6, and that was definitely the right choice – they fit snug but just right. The toe post doesn’t rub, the strap going over my foot is soft, and the footbed has just the right amount of “sponge” to make walking smooth. For that reason I will say right now that these sandals are worth buying.
As for the technical benefits of these shoes, fitflop make some massive claims.
They say the technology in the footbed can help you walk properly and tone your legs.
Now in the number of days that I have been wearing my fitflops I can pretty much guarantee they haven’t made that much difference to the toning of my legs (which need a lot of toning!). However I will say that after a long walk the other day when I was in a rush and so was pushing my pace, I did really feel my calf muscles. But that was the only time I felt my muscles had tightened – under normal walking they just feel like any pair of trainers I own. I don’t doubt that the design of the footbed on these shoes do help your walking posture and probably help tone your legs, but I think it’s something that requires wearing these all the time and over a long period… and as someone who loves shoes I cannot bring myself to wear one pair of shoes all the time! I like variety!
There is one thing I have to say about these fitflops, and that is as someone who loves shoes and how they look. They are pretty ugly aren’t they?! Sorry, but I think they are. Yes, they are comfy, yes they probably have health benefits and that is how they have been designed, but I don’t really like the look. I will continue to wear them (when the sun comes out again!), but only when what I’ve got on my feet doesn’t really matter. Sorry fitflop!
Fitflop have recently announced some new designs – now the summer is pretty much over – some shoes and boots:
I don’t mind the look of the shoes and would quite like to see a pair in real life (I’ve only seen them on the website at the moment), but I think the boots look a bit old fashioned (again, sorry!). If either are as comfy as the flip flops I am sure they will be very popular.
So overall the Splodz Blogz verdict is that these are indeed extremely comfy sandals that you can walk miles in, but they aren’t particularly stylish. I still want to try the Reebok Easy Tone trainer!
Wend
Hi Zoe,
I have just acquired a pair of Fitflops (Red Walkstar II) myself after admiring them from afar for the past 18 months. Well what can I say! I have dark discolouration on my right ankle from seeping veins and in the past fortnight after wearing the Fitflops every day for part of the day and a couple of full days I have noticed a lightening of this, also my veins are much less prominent. Having broken my ankle last year I had resigned myself to suffering from swollen ankles by the end of the day, however since wearing the Fitflops this too has been much reduced. They do not work miracles, as I still am the same shape as I was but I am really pleased with the effect they have had on my legs. I am no fashion queen and am afraid to say I often wear the same pair of shoes so there is no problem that comfort wins hands down over appearance. I would also like to say that the cheaper Fitflop alternatives do not do the same thing although they are as comfortable.