Earth shoes have been around since the seventies, but only in the past few years has it begun to resurface in specialty shoe stores. The company claims that the peculiar design of its soles promotes better breathing, straighter posture, stronger core muscles, tighter thighs and better leg and calf toning. Intrigued by these promises, I decided to give Earth shoes a try.
I first spotted a pair of practical looking Earth shoes while shopping at a health foods store. Given my history with back pain, I was interested in any product that promoted better posture. On that day, I chose not to buy the shoes due to their hefty price tag. A week later, however, I decided that an Earth shoe purchase could be an investment in my health. I bought two different styles, one called the “Pirouette” and the other called the “Tranquil.” The Pirouette is in the Mary Jane style, and the Tranquil is a flip flop sandal.
Once home I was eager to see if my Earth shoes would deliver on their promises. I found out that the main difference between Earth shoes and other brands is the “negative heel technology,” which means the heel of the shoe lies 3.7 degrees lower than the toe. According to the Earth shoe website (http://www.earth.us), this foot position mimics a yoga pose called “Tadasana,” in which a person’s body weight is shifted onto their heels to re-align posture.
I immediately found that my Earth shoes were different from other shoes. Because of the negative heel technology, wearing them meant constantly walking on an incline. At first, I found this laborious, but eventually I adjusted to the change. As promised, my weight shifted backwards and I began standing more upright. Most importantly, the Earth shoes were comfortable, making it possible for me to wear them at work, where I often stand for several hours a day.
In the following months, I began wearing my Pirouette shoes more than any of the other shoes in my closet. Not only did my posture and alignment improve, but I also felt less back pain. Eventually, I went back to the store and bought two other Mary Jane-style Earth shoes, the “Solar” in black, and the “Echelon” in almond brown.
While the Earth shoes aren’t necessarily as stylish as high heels or other women’s fashion shoes, they are made out of high quality materials that make them attractive for casual wear. Earth shoes come in a variety of styles and colors and can be purchased at either specialty shoe stores or online at sights like Zappos.com or TheTannery.com. In general, Earth shoes are expensive, with most styles priced at upwards of $100.
Despite Earth shoes’ expensive price tag and less than high-style appearance, I wear mine often. While I’m not sure if the shoes have increased my muscle tone, I’m convinced that my posture has improved and, as a result, that my back pain has decreased. I would recommend Earth shoes to anyone looking for a quality, comfortable pair of shoes.
