Negative Heel Technology Shoes

Recently (past few months) I have started wearing shoes with a negative heel. This means that when wearing the shoes, the heel is actually lower than the toes. My rational behind wearing them is, I am a horse rider. When riding horses your heel is supposed to be down. Even though I ride every day, I can`t get my heel very far down. It is down but not much. Some people seem to be really flexible in the heel and can get their heels down really far. I practice stretching on steps and things but it doesn`t help much. So, if nothing else, these negative heel technology shoes should help me get my heels down.

Negative Heel Technology.
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First of all, what is negative heel technology. Yes the heel is lower than the toe, but why? Well, they are designed to give you perfect posture. That is good as it is supposed to help with back problems as well. The shoes are also supposed to burn 3 times as many calories as ordinary shoes. The other thing that is supposed to happen is that cellulite will be reduced. Well can`t be bad can it? I am sure that it will help stretch calf muscles and hamstrings to allow heels to be placed down further for horse riders. So what are you all waiting for? I have 2 pairs of these shoes and will let you know my experiences of them. I am reviewing negative heel technology shoes in general, not any particular kind.

My first pair.
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My first pair of negative heel technology shoes were ones that I purchased from Ebay. As I buy most of my things from there, it wasn`t hard. I managed to find some for £20 plus postage, and believe me, this is cheap. They are not exactly shoes though, more like Scholls for anyone who can remember them. They have a wooden sole that slopes gradually so that your heels are lower than your toes. There is then an adjustable leather strap on the front, across the top of your foot to secure them. Well secure isn`t exactly the right word but it does keep them in place (to an extent). When I read about the shoes, it advised you to wear them for at least 3 hours a day to achieve maximum benefit. It also advised that you build up to this gradually to prevent sore muscles. On the strength of this, I decided to use them in the house as a kind of slipper. I would not be allowed to wear them to work being a psychiatric nurse. I knew that there was no way that I would wear them for anywhere near that amount of time outside, so slippers they are. The thing is, I like my slippers soft and fluffy in winter so I will just have to see how I get on.

My experiences.
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When I first began to wear these Scholl type negative heel technology shoes, I found it easy around the house but it did require a bit more thought of the stairs. They were not uncomfortable, it was not abnormal having a low heel, they did not really take much getting used to (in the house). I have walked outside in them several times when not going too far. They are fine for shopping when you are walking on the flat and even ground. It is not so easy walking outside. I have to say, they are easier to keep on if not wearing socks but it needs to be a warm day. They do fall off sometimes, but then it is due to having no back. It is difficult to walk up hill, you can imagine, a lower heel than toe and nothing behind the heel to keep them on. So, I could manage short distances. My elderly Dalmatian dog even waited for me one day as I was walking too slowly. Three hours outside would have been very difficult indeed.

Did they work?
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Well I have to say, they have actually helped. I can get my heels down a bit further (but still not as far as some). When I first began wearing them, when I took them off, I felt as if I had just got out of a swimming pool. This wore off after a few times. It was really weird, my legs would feel really light. This must mean that they were working. When walking, sometimes may calves would ache, other times I could really feel my thighs. I have to say though, I reckon half of the `work` was keeping them on. If I was not gripping on with my toes so much, I would have lost them so many more times. I think I could actually see a difference in my thighs though. I do think that they actually looked a bit more toned at the front. As for cellulite, how should I know whether it is reduced when I didn`t have any anyway (believe that if you like). Seriously though, I can`t say whether it does reduce cellulite or not. Also, I cannot prove that it burns more calories. I must say though, it probably helps. All this discovered, I thought that it was well worth looking for another pair.

My second pair.
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I found my second pair from Ebay again, in the form of Earth shoes. Earth shoes come in many different styles. I selected some sensible black lace ups for work. This way, I would have no problems wearing them for 3 hours. I have to say though, on the Earth shoes, it didn`t advise the length of time to wear them, I always think, the longer the better. My Earth shoes look and feel like black leather. However, they are suitable for vegans, so the can`t be. My son informed me that my shoes look like mens shoes. That doesn`t bother me though, not when they are for work. There are lots of nice styles of Earth shoes.

My experience.
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Initially, the shoes were a bit uncomfortable. They are lovely and wide and leave plenty of room for your feet. However with Earth shoes, the shoes look normal from the outside. The negative heel is inside. You can imagine, if your heel is inside a pair of shoes and your foot in inclined, the back of the shoe will dig into your heel to a degree. I found this for a few times. It soon wore off though and they became comfortable. I have worn these shoes to work and they are comfortable throughout a 12 hour shift. They have not made my muscles ache but I way already used to wearing the other negative heel technology shoes. More importantly, they don`t fall off.

Do I recommend?
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I recommend the concept of negative heel technology. I have had results from them, nothing dramatic but something is better than nothing. Going to the gym is better, but these shoes are a case of something for nothing. You can work your muscles more just by walking to the shops, walking around work. The shoes really do help you to adopt a correct posture. They make you walk upright which must have a lot of benefits. Working and toning your muscles is great without making much effort. If it gets rid of cellulite as well, then great though I am not sure.

I haven`t talked much about price. As I am reviewing the shoes in general, there is no fixed price. They are a bit on the expensive side, ranging from around £70 to £134. I haven`t seen any more of the £20 ones on Ebay. Style is also an issue. My jeans look great with heeled boots. They don`t look so great with negative heel shoes as they have the annoying knack of making my legs look shorter. My friend has the same heel down problem as me. She wanted to get some but thought that they would not look good with a skirt as she likes heels. There are many styles available, shoes, sandals and trainers. There is something for everyone. I don`t think I would wear them out for the evening, but I am managing to wear them every day. They are also great to counteract the effects of wearing heels frequently. So I do recommend negative heel technology shoes. They probably look better on people with long legs.