The FitFlop, Part II
Manolo says, the Manolo has been hearing from many of his friends that he should take the FitFlop more seriously, that it is not the mere gimmick designed by the unscrupulous shoe trolls working on the “greater fool” theory, but the actual beneficial shoe-based magic (+2 boot of toning) produced by ancient wizards who live in the enchanted forests of Candyland.
“But, Manolo, the friends say, the FitFlops are soooooo comfortable.”
To which the Manolo replies, “so are the cardboard boxes filled with the goose feathers.”
“But Manolo, look at the Mozimo shoe store, they have many more styles than just the sandals. Take a look at these ballet pumps.”
“Perhaps,” answers the Manolo, “it is time for the Manolo to reemerge from his semi-retirement. It appears that his missionary work on the interwebs is not done.”
“Don’t you like it?”
“Like is such the strong word.”
“So, should I get myself a pair of FitFlops, Manolo?”
“Only if you regard your feet as the hateful appendages worthy of being shamed by whatever pieces of colorful flotsam are currently au courant.”
“Soooo, that’s a yes?”
“Yes.”
Someday, a shoe will exist that looks glamorous and also supports the foot through days of trailing around the foreign cities…but until then, we have the FitFlop — which always reminds me of the phrase “fin flop” as used in a particularly funny episode of AbFab, but never mind.
Just a few years ago, I went to Barcelona for a week. As Spain is an HQ for the fine shoes, I brought along many beautiful and (I thought) comfortable sandals for walking around in style. After one day of zipping around to see Roman ruins, fine shopportunities, and excellent food (not to mention the break at 11 a.m. for cava) I gave up and wore my FitFlops. I felt embarrassed at first, and several Spanish ladies of the older and more proper variety glared at my feet, but never mind — I was happy! So I will never scoff at the FitFlop!
“Someday, a shoe will exist that looks glamorous and also supports the foot through days of trailing around the foreign cities…”
I suggest you look into Paul Green (see Zappos or Nordstrom). I have marched through many an international metropolis in comfort in these shoes. Added value: getting asked for directions by Russians because I don’t look like such an obvious tourist.
I can’t believe, after the “Shape-Up” fiasco (there must be a stronger word for it) that this is even on the market. You want to be fit? JUST WALK. The shoes don’t really matter, and they won’t make you look like the lady on TV (she only wears them for the commercial anyways – no one would cast her if she went to an audition in those things).
I’m a distance trail runner and a person who likes a shoe to be lovely, it’s not just about the shoe’s “comfort” that makes walking all day painful or not. Feet need to be trained just like other muscles. If you’re not used to standing or walking, you could be wearing thermarest pillows on your feet and it’ll hurt.
The Manolo has often posted shoes that are both comfortable AND lovely on this site. Sure, they’re not under $20, but you get what you pay for.
I am amazed that these things are marketed as comfort footwear. I bought a pair of FitFlop “Arena” sandals last year–yes, I did, but hear me out–and dutifully walked around in them for several weeks. I say “dutifully,” because the shoes were uncomfortable from the get-go: I could barely fasten the strap, and with every step it pressed down painfully on my instep. “They’ll stretch out!” I told myself, but they never did. (I think they’re made of some sort of non-stretchable felted material.) By the time I threw the sandals away, I felt as though a horse had stepped on the tops of my feet. It took months to recover.
Happy ending: I’m back to my stylish non-”comfort” footwear, and walking pain free once again.
I walked miles of Barcelona streets two years ago in rubber-soled Cole Haan flats with Nike Air technology. They were both stylish and fantastically comfortable. Fitflops are the new Crocs.
Yep, managed Barcelona’s streets in a pair of red Ferragamo flats which my sisters urged on me after my mom died in March and left them behind. Perhaps they were very grateful at being taken on a European excursion — they were certainly both comfortable AND stylish. (Confession: also wore my Birkenstock Gizehs which I find infinitely more acceptable than Fit Flops. Am I just fooling myself?)
The Manolo has the sixth sense! He supplied a link to a pair of my very own Cole Haan flats for tramping the streets of the Old World. I have them in the bronze metallic. Those flats aren’t my Barcelona flats, however, which are just as nice but with peeptoes (and, alas, no longer made). The flats the Manolo has linked are the ones I wore tramping the streets of Jerusalem this past March. Long live Cole Haan.
In a moment of lunacy, I bought a pair of FitFlops. To make a long story short, I gave then to the Goodwill a week later,
I have an old knee injury and the way the FitFlops affect pronation aggravated the knee pain.
Stay away from them.
And yes, Cole Haan Air flats, Ferragamo flats, and some Clarks are perfect for walking.
Cole Haans http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-reesa-buckle-ballet-optic-white-black-patent?zfcTest=fcl%3A0 for NYC subway stairs,
Clarks for the broken sidewalks of Buenos Aires http://www.zappos.com/clarks-sarasota-dark-brown-croco-patent?zfcTest=fcl%3A0
and an old pair of rubber sole Ferragamo flats for any cobblestone-paved European location http://couture.zappos.com/salvatore-ferragamo-blake-blueberry-canvas