Do MBT Shoes Work?

Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes market themselves as the anti-shoe. The call themselves this as the shoe is supposed to mimic barefoot walking and have benefits for posture, biomechanics and lower limb and low back function. The shoe is named after the Masai people of Africa who walk and run barefoot. The makers of the MBT shoe claim that these Masai people have no postural or back problems and that this is because they get around barefoot. The MBT shoe has a large rocker on the sole which is supposed to help mimic the barefoot walking.

Do the MBT shoes work? There is some research sponsored by the company that shows what the shoe does to lower limb biomechanics and it does appear to more closely resemble the gait we have when walking barefoot. However, there is no research that shows that barefoot walking or running is actually any better for us. All the evidence shows is that they are different. The only claim that barefoot has going for is it could be considered natural. But the surfaces that we need to walk on these days are not natural.

Clinical trials of the Masai Barefoot Technology shoe has shown that they do have some clinical benefits in those with some types of postural and low back problems. Those who have clinical experience with them also point that the change in gait and posture can also hurt people as well as help people.  MBT shoes do potentially have some benefits, but probably should only be worn for short period of time.

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