Whilst walking barefoot through a rice field in Korea, Swiss engineer Karl Muller noticed that his back pain, which he suffered with, was quite a bit better. He did some further research and learned that the Masai tribesmen of Africa did not suffer from bad backs. They are also well known for their excellent posture.

Considering these facts, Muller concluded that walking barefoot on soft, yielding ground was much better for your back and joints than walking on firm surfaces. He decided to try to produce a shoe which would reproduce the effects of walking barefoot on a soft surface such as sand or grass.

The final result was the Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe. In fact, according to the company website, it is so different to a conventional shoe that it merits the name of “anti-shoe”.

MBT shoes have a specially engineered curved sole without a heel, which promotes a gentle rolling action when your foot comes into contact with the ground. Just like walking barefoot on grass in fact. The use of different density materials in different areas also contributes to the effect by further reducing impact shock and jarring.

Scientific studies have verified that this is genuinely better for your back and joints. In addition to better posture, there are further proven benefits. For example, when walking normally in MBT shoes, the wearer’s muscles will be used for longer (when compared to similar walking in conventional footwear). The muscles are activated for around 16% longer. Wearers also tend to “walk properly” and take slightly shorter strides. Both of these effects increase the amount of work done.

The end result of this is that each step you take whils wearing MBT shoes is providing you with additional exercise. It’s a lower body training session while you walk. So, as well as alleviating back pain and enhancing posture, MBT shoes also help to tone your legs and trim your buttocks.

You would imagine that would be enough wouldn’t you? However, despite all of these benefits some people find MBT shoes a little chunky and not very easy on the eye. They are also more expensive than normal shoes (although considering the potential benefits they may well be great value for money). Fortunately there are now alternative, more cosmetically appealing, shoes available which utilise the same basic design. Both Skechers Shape Ups and Fitflops Fitflops have similar curved soles which are specially designed to increase the muscle activity duration and tone your buttocks and legs whilst engaged in everyday, normal walking activity.

Whichever footwear you opt for, the opportunity to reduce back and joint pain whilst simultaneously getting a workout for your lower body – all whilst engaged in nothing more strenuous than normal daily walking – seems very attractive.

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