I heard about the FitFlops for the first time last summer, when my mother in law was visiting us (she lives in Paris). She told me that she had read an article about the "fit-flops" (she speaks a very good English for a 70-year-old French lady) but I thought that she had misread and that she meant "flip-flops" (I was like "are you sure? Because we normally call them flip-flops"). Because she isn't very up-to-date on the latest technologies and fashion styles, she was pretty confused and she dropped the conversation.
But one day I saw a big Fitflops ad and I had to apologize to her (on the phone, she had already left).
If you're familiar with the Fitflops you probably know that their slogan is "get a workout while you walk" and that they promise to tighten your leg muscles and your butt while you do whatever it is that you normally do in your life that implies walking.
I normally don't believe in the "miracle" solutions, but I must admit that I have been thinking of buying a pair lately as I walk A LOT in the summer, pushing around my daughter in the stroller all day long and I figured that it wouldn't harm if my shoes were more suited for the task (most of the times I'm wearing Havaianas, which aren't exactly "walking" shoes, let alone "workout" shoes, and I just can't constrict my feet in sneakers). I was a die-hard gym enthousiast when I was younger but I completely stopped before moving to the USA and even if I can't complain about my body, I wouldn't mind my legs and my butt being a little more tonic these days, especially if all I need is a new pair of shoes (or as the website puts it "just by wearing a pair of FitFlop sandals you’ll get more exercise while doing just exactly what you’re normally doing").
There are two problems though. First, they are ugly. I have settled for the "Walkstar III" in the silver color (pictured) as the least ugly and more "fashionable" of all (ie, that I could probably wear with most of my casual clothes), but still. Second, they are kind of expensive. When I walked in the closest shoes store that carry them to check them out, I was ready to spend $30. I wasn't expecting them to cost $59! That cooled me down a little bit and I decided to wait. But I can't wait too long as the summer is in full swing and you can't go around in flip (oups) fit-flops in the winter in NY.
The thing that bugs me is that even on the official website, they don't mention how long do you have to wear them/walk in them to see some results, which makes me think that it's all bull(...). I read some articles by journalists and experts who "tested" them and they say that the only sure thing is that they improve the posture. And they are very comfortable for the feet, which is not too bad (but again, for $59?)
So I would like to hear from you before making my choice. Do you have a pair of FitFlops and would you reccomend them? Are they really comfortable? And did your husband/boyfriend notice some effects on your butt? If you don't own them, is it a question of style or you just never gave them a thought?
