FOOTWEAR FOCUS ROAD TEST


you when they observed the Masai people walking barefoot on natural, uneven ground. The Masai are a nomadic ethnic group native to East Africa whose natural gait displays a most agile and elegant deportment. MBT say that seeing the Masai’s movement made them realise that the human body is not designed to walk or stand on the hard, flat surfaces of modern society. So, they set out to develop a new kind of footwear, one that would mimic walking on soft, uneven ground of the African savannah. MBT claim that the design of their footwear reduces stress on knee and hip joints, improves your gait, increasing muscle activity and circulation, tones and shapes the body and improves core stability and balance. They also help you burn more calories whether walking or standing. I was given an MBT Tisa Chelsea boot to test. The first thing that struck


me was that I had been given a very smart, well-fitting pair of boots made from a butter-soft leather. The soft leather meant the boots fitted like a glove, ignoring the fact that these are specialist, toning shoes, the level of comfort is extraordinary. Ideal for a City gent, worn with smart trousers, they work equally well dressed down with jeans.


Rockin’ and Rollin’ S


emper aliquid novi Africam adferre – According to Roman philosopher, Pliny the Elder, There is always something new out of Africa. MBT stands for Masai Barefoot Technology. MBT say they made the discovery that walking on uneven surfaces is good for


Henry Harington tries out a pair of MBTs and tightens his tush!


The sole of the boot is curved, not flat like a normal shoe. According to


MBT the rolling action creates tremendous health benefits. It says this simple movement can help solve knee and back problems, relieve tension in the neck, ease joint pains and tone, shape and firm buttocks and thighs. That’s the theory, and when I tried on my Tisa’s, I knew what they meant


by a rolling action. I didn't so much walk as wobble. But I didn't fall down, and after a few lengths of the living room, I got the hang of it. The first thing I noticed, when I’d stopped wobbling, was an immediate change in posture, I was walking more upright, and the effect looked good. I really could feel my muscles working harder as I got into my stride. I was repeating a series of definite movements - heel down first, roll over the curved sole to the toe - then push off and next foot forward. I remembered my editor recalling how, when wearing her MBT’s


standing at a bus stop or in supermarket queues, she had felt an irresistible urge to rock backwards and forwards on the spot, just because she could. I felt a similar urge in my local Waitrose, much to the amusement of the other shoppers! In the end, I had to agree, it wasn't a downside at all. It was a sport. In the time that I had to test the boot I could not testify to the long-term


health benefits claimed for MBT’s. Because of where I live I spend most of my walking life on uneven terrain and I can see the point that MBT make: because my feet and ankles are used to the ups and downs, loose stones, and uneven tracks on which I walk and run, I reckon I have stronger ankles than average – if I didn’t I would permanently have strained ankles as I never know where I will next put my feet.


MBT say that seeing the Masai’s movement made them realise that the human body is not designed to walk or stand on the hard, flat surfaces of modern society. So, they set out to develop a new kind of footwear, one that would mimic walking on soft, uneven ground of the African savannah.


MBT make a virtue of the instability its design creates, but it takes a while


getting used to. However, I’m told that my ‘core stability’ will improve given time and already my stomach and thighs do appear to be feeling firmer, so I will definitely persevere!


Details: - Tisa Boot - MBT The Tisa boot is a classic looking addition to MBT’s men’s dress range,


styled on the ever popular Chelsea boot. Available in Toffee and Black. The upper and lining are full grain leather, while the sole is rubber, including the heel. The Tisa is available in 7 – 12 UK men’s sizes and costs £98 + VAT trade price and £199 RRP.


www.mbt.com 22 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010


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