Skechers Shape-Ups are the newest entry in the growing field of negative heel and rocker bottom shoes that claim you can strengthen your lower half, firm your abs, improve your posture, and burn extra calories just by wearing them around. Who could resist testing a product like that?
Here’s a little background on this kind of shoe: They basically work by putting you off balance. The heel is set slightly lower than normal shoes and the bottom of the shoe is curved, so your muscles are constantly working to keep you balanced and centered. A fitness-expert friend of mine likens wearing this type of shoe to “standing on little boats,” and she’s dead-on.
I wore the Shape-Ups throughout the day for about a week, heading out several times for a stroll around the walking path we have on our campus at work. I could definitely feel my leg and butt muscles working as my feet and legs readjusted with each step. I could especially feel the burn while walking uphill, although I began to dread the downhills, as my feet kept sliding forward to crunch my toes against the fronts of the shoes (one apparent downside to the curved bottoms).
Skechers attaches a whole slew of claims to these babies. Let’s take a look at some of the major ones:
- Improve posture Seems reasonable. You have to have good posture to stay balanced on unstable surfaces (such as the bottoms of these shoes).
- Strengthen ab muscles Check. Balance requires core strength, and ab muscles are key to your core. Doing a lot of balancing on these shoes therefore should strength your core (and thus your abs).
- Tone thighs and calves; firm butt Yep. I could really feel my muscles working, from my calves all the way up to my derriere. And although it’s way too soon to experience the actual firming and toning, that is to what muscle work tends to lead.
- Promote weight loss Makes sense. Any sort of walking will promote weight loss (with or without these shoes). Plus you’re bound to burn at least a few extra calories because of all the extra effort your legs and feet are putting in.
- Make you feel like you’re walking on sand Not exactly. The smooth, rocking motion these shoes coax your feet into doing doesn’t feel at all like the toe-grasping, free-footed walking you do on the beach. Plus, you know how sand feels kind of hard underneath it all? These shoes are super-cushiony (they’re really comfy and springy, as if lined with tiny mattresses). Still, both sand and these Shape-Ups involve more motion within your foot and a constant search for balance, so there’s some correlation.
- Stylish Um, no. Absolutely not. OK, so I may not be up on all the newest designers, but I like to think I have a sense of what’s hip and what’s not. These are not. They’re big and clunky, white with light blue and silver trim, and I felt a bit dorky wearing them. I appreciated that they came with two pairs of laces (one white, one light blue), but that’s like putting a different colored Band-Aid on a broken leg—it doesn’t help. The first time I put them on, I wandered over to a colleague’s office. “They look like nursing shoes,” I said. “Space-age nursing shoes,” she corrected.
To be fair, Skechers offers other colors and styles, although they all sport the big, boatlike sole. Plus, as another colleague pointed out, more and more people are beginning to wear this kind of shoe around town and to the gym, so you wouldn’t necessarily stick out like a sore thumb.
Bottom line: These shoes will indeed give your legs a workout that goes beyond mere walking—if, that is, you can get over their looks. I’m still working on it.
Product: Skechers Shape-Ups fitness shoes
Category: Shoes
Pros: Comfy and fun to wear, they’re an easy way to add a little tone to your legs, butt, and abs, whether you’re power walking or just running errands at lunch.
Cons: They’re somewhat dorky-looking.
Cost: $110 at skechers.com (Although that might seem expensive, it’s less than half the price of some of the other negative-heel shoes out there.)
Extra tip: These shoes are definitely made for walking—not running.
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Comments (50)
Where can I find the white ones as shown in my size 9? Also I have a very narrow foot and since these don’t come in widths, I need to know if they run wide or narrow.
Finally where in Cincinnati can I find them to try for a fitting?
Hello Nadine,
The Shape Ups – Jump Start (as shown in the article) should be in stock on skechers.com in mid August. There are several other styles in stock currently. From our customer reviews, I can advise that the shoes fit more or less true to width, but if you have a lace up style you can lace them a little narrower.
If you look on skechers.com you can get a listing of stores in your area that sell these so you can try them on in person.
http://www.skechers.com/store_locator/store_locator.page
Hope that helps!
- Tim the Shoe Guy
They sound really great. Are they available everywhere, or just on line? I could never buy a pair of shoes without trying them on.
Check out Zappos.com They have free shipping, including returns.
The Skechers Shape Ups are available in many stores including Skechers stores, DSW, Macy’s and other retailers, as well as online at skechers.com.
Thanks
Tim the Shoe Guy
I,ve been to Amerika ,and i have them the shape ups
They walk lovely and its very good for my back
To bad that you can not buy them here in Holland
They are really great
Shape Ups should be available in Holland very soon – here’s a link to the Skechers site for the Netherlands.
http://www.nl.skechers.com/fl
Thanks
Tim the Shoe Guy
I own a pair of these, and they are AWESOME! I can’t wait for Skechers to expand this line and give us more of a variety, because they are amazing. I work out a lot, and I have found out I haven’t been using my calves and hamstrings as much as I thought, because after one day I felt the tingling in all those areas. These are so wonderful, and they are more affordable than the MBT’s. Worth your time.
Keep watching skechers.com for all kinds of new varieties of Shape Ups – new styles, new colors including sandals, boots, men’s Shape Ups and wide widths too!
- Tim the Shoe Guy
I want a pair!! I’m thinking about ordering on line.
I have a pretty wide foot..D-E width. I normally wear a size 7. Do you think your shoes run run or do you think I should go up to 7 1/2? Appreciate your feedback.
oops…correction to my previous post…do these shoes run wide? or should I go up a half size?
I bought mine at the Skechers store in the mall last week. I have been wearing them everyday and I like them. They are clunky but I stand all day and they pretty comfy. So I guess my husband was right we just wont tell him!!
I live in Calgary Alberta Cananda. Where can I purchase a pair of these fantastic shoes?
Thanx
You can go to http://www.Skechers.com
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.zappos.com
Just do a google search and you will find plenty of online sites selling them. I got 1 pair from Zappos and 2 other pairs from the Skechers website.
Not only can you buy these online at the skechers.com site for Canada:
http://www.ca.skechers.com/en/shape_ups
But here is also a link to local retailers selling Shape Ups in the Calgary area.
http://www.ca.skechers.com/en/stores?location=calgary&shapeup=true&commit=
Thanks
- Tim the Shoe Guy
Would you recommend the Shape-Ups for someone with heel spurs?
Yes, we have had many customers with heel spurs and/or Plantar Fasciitis who have reported that they love their Shape Ups and wearing them has helped take away their foot pain.
- Tim the Shoe Guy
I bought these shoes (white and black style) at the Tanger Mall at Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin three days ago. I paid $110.00 They are well worth it. I was in a motorcycle accident last month and injured my back (pinched nerve, bulging disk and scaring in my lower back. I have not felt this good since before my accident. They are very easy on my hip and back. I don’t get tired out as quickly when walking in them and I can stand without my thigh and butt going numb. I love these shoes.
I found the shoes at DSW and they come in colors. I found white with pink and blue accent colors. They didn’t look that dorky and were very comfy. I didn’t wear them around and didn’t buy them yet. I wanted to read other comments first.
I just bought these in black. I tried them for the first time for 1/2 hour and WOW!! I feel it in my legs, buttocks, abs and low back. They’re so much fun it’s almost like cheating at exercise but definately getting results! Kudos Skechers!!
Wow
these shoes sound so interesting…
I want them for work, since I need comfy shoes to walk all day in…
Intresting that they are $110 in the US, here in Germany you have to spend $170 for a pair!
Lucky me I´m in the States in a couple of months ;-)
I BOUGHT A PAIR AT MODELLS FOR ONLY $100.00 AND THEY ARE GREAT!
Is there a line of these shoes for men? improving core strength and losing weight is a benefit for anyone, and the posture improvement would be great. The butt firming im not to concerned about.
I am wanting to order a pair—no stores around here have them–but my question is are they true to size? I wear a nine in everything else. Also, is there plenty of room in the toe box?
Thanks!
Kim
I bought a pair and have been wearing them at work (I’m a teacher) for three days and can’t believe how comfortable they are…like walking on marshmallows. I bought them more for comfort, but the exercise thing is an added benefit. Sizes are pretty true…I usually wear a 9 1/2 and that’s what these are. Note…they do evoke a few comments but they’ve all been positive. “Cool Shoes”
and yes…plenty of room in the toe box. That’s always one of my biggest concerns. Don’t like to have my toes crunched!
Have worn my shape-ups to work 2 days. I’m on my feet all day and mostly stand with only some walking. My arches are absolutely killing me. I have never had this issue before. I can stand about 2 hours before I really want to get my shoes off. I can tell that I keep my abdominal muscles taught tho – as claimed.
Purchased these Shape-ups from Offbroadway shoes for $110.00. I am a die hard runner and wanted a shoe for wearing solely when I walk my pup. All I can say is WOW, these shoes are OUTSTANDING! Although, I will continue to “run” 6 miles a day in my New Balance 993’s……it’s great to have invested in a pair of walking shoes that will maximize my results when just taking the dog for a hour long walk. THANKS Skechers!!!!
These are fantastic walking shoes. I love them for our morning two mile walk for the paper. But I learned the hard way that they are NOT hiking shoes. If you get off balance in a rocky area, you do not have your normal control due to the shape of the heel. Now I use them for walking but go back to my New Balance for hiking!
They sound interesting! Can these be used to work out in or on the treadmill?
I bought Shape-Ups after reading both positive and negative comments. Here are my findings:
Positive – they help keep pressure off toes by displacing pressure to the heels.
Negative – sizes run small. I usually wear an 8.5 and I bought 8.5, but they are tight. I really needed a 9.0, but they didn’t have any in stock at Famous Footwear. I have to wear my thinnest socks and cannot wear any orthotic inserts because they take up too much room. I also cannot ride my bike with them because the pressure of pushing down on the peddle causes pain in the front of my feet. No other shoe causes me pain when I ride. For the same reason, I can’t walk any distance in them comfortably which defeats their original purpose. I have now had them too long to take back, but if I can ever afford another pair, I will buy at least one size bigger, maybe more.
My advice: I think the shoes have potential to be very comfortable, but they definitely need to provide more room for the front of the foot. I advise taking time to pick out the right fit for your foot even if it means buying a bigger size than you normally wear.
I got Free shipping in skechers website. I only paid $110 for this jump start shoes. you have to enjoy to SKECHERS VIP Club email rewards program for the free shipping.
I’ve been wearing the Shape Ups for a couple of weeks now and love them! True to size–size 9 is perfect with regular socks, 9.5 (yeah, I’ve got 2 pr of them)–perfect with a little thicker sock. Plenty of room in the toe box with each size. Haven’t worn them outside of work, so can’t tell you how they are for “exercise” walking, but I can feel them working the muscles whiile at work, and my posture is improved.
I am an ER nurse and pretty much stand/walk for 12 hours at a time. These shoes have been a life saver for me…..feet saver too!
Had to order mine from The FinishLine web site as no store around here had the white/blue ones. Got free shipping and points from the store.
i think they are terribly ugly but i would be willing to try them. i’m a nurse and am on my feet a lot. so its not always about style. i did want to know, since i am a nurse, my facility’s policy requires all leather. no cloth due to things dripping or spilling. gross things. ha ha. are they all leather? i can’t tell by the pictures.
They do have all leater ones.
When will they come out in wide sizes? I have some sandals in that work well for wide feet and love them but now that winter is coming sandals are no longer appropriate.
I want to try these but can’t find them around here. Would trying other Skechers shoes on help me determine size? The online sizer I printed out says I should get a 10 but I’ve never warn anything larger than an 8.5 in my life. I have an old pair of Skecher mules (slightly small) that are 8s. Basically I feel compelled to order on-line but don’t trust the sizing. (wear and 8.5 in Earth shoes, btw)
I absolutely LOVE these shoes!! Thank you Skechers for coming out with these. I walk app. 25 miles per week and have been a Shape-Up Owner now for app. 2 months or so. My pace has picked up considerably since that first week or two where you have to give yourself time to get used to this “new way of walking” – My legs and butt get a tremendous work-out and I wear them whenever I can. Like they say these are ONLY for walking – not running and hiking up and down as there is an issue with balance. Learn to walk in them and you will be so surprised what they do for you. Dorky looking – yes, maybe – but who cares – I absolutely love the work-out they give me every time I put them on. Thank you thank you thank you Skechers!!!
need a store close to me, my zip code is 90806 long beach, california. thank you!
I think the new Shape Up “Starry” line is by far the best looking style out but they’re only available at Famous Footwear now. Check them out at famousfootwear.com and let me know your thoughts on these. PLEASE put these into my local store bc I don’t like to order over the internet!!!
I really enjoy the Skecher’s Shape Ups as well, but don’t forget that MBT shoes are the originator of this type of shoe. Here is a pretty good overview that looks at both the MBT and Skecher’s Shape Ups.
http://www.walkerswarehouse.com/mbt-shoes-skechers-shape-ups/review-compare-mbt-shoes-shape-ups.asp
I all most bought skechers shape ups until a very good friend of mine told me about the shape up shoes flip flops. They are less than half the price, $40 plus shipping. And they are incredible. I only wear them around the house or about thirty minutes a day. I hear they can really wear you out if worn too long. They have really helped me perfect my balance and toned up my legs and buns. Even my abs. So I guess I’m just paying it forward..check em out.
http://www.shapeupshoes.com/
These are not bad at all and I like the price, but once you try Ryn there is nothing like Ryn!
Five years ago I got the Sport High MBT and they were very good, but the Ryn Sports are the next level. Ryn are the developers who brought back this type of shoe were Earth left off a long time ago. Ryn developed the MBT.
Ryn delivers a killer workout and make your body feel better at the same time. They are not cheap like Skechers, but for me worth every penny.
I got mine last week at BLISS (great service!). http://www.blissworld.com/product/fitness+footwear/ryn+sport+sneaker+%28grey%29.do
These shoes are a lifesaver for me! I am on my feet ‘all’ day long, and I have heel spurs! I ‘used’ to crawl home after work, not now. I have no more pain in my heels, because of these shoes! I will tell anyone it made a 100% change in my life, I have every color. Its great someone did something that really helps, with heel spurs. Totally worth the money!
Hi…. these shoes are available at Macy’s (also in Men’s). They accept the coupons from the paper or online or mailed to you. If you donate %5 to Breast Cancer Awareness this month, you get 25% off. This shoe was $120 there, but ended up being $90 with the discount.
I agree with Daniela I love Ryn shoes.. check this out:
http://www.thebalancingact.com/BA_video_player_embed_2009.swf?v=XZJL27ATY01254
We sell them at Sports Authority. They fly off the shelves!
So … where are the wide widths. Going up a half or full size is not the answer.
I was wondering if the author has heard of the shoe called mbt. Here is a link to the product I found:
http://www.walkingshoesonline.com/mbt_shoes
I was wondering if the shape ups are the same thing or if they are better. I am so confused with all the various products now available that I don’t know which one to invest in. Thanks.
I would love to get a pair but I wonder if being pregnant would have any affect or if it wouldn’t matter.