The Outlook for Rocker Sole Shoes in 2012

Skechers Shape Ups Shoe with Rocker-Sole Modification

Are rocker-sole shoes actually beneficial, or merely just a fad whose time has come-and-gone? While these shoes became immensely popular from 2005-2010, the trend lost steam in 2011 and has fallen out of favor for many. This report will talk about the rise, fall and re-birth of this category. A Brief History of Rocker Sole Shoes Rocker-sole shoe shoes have been around for decades. Podiatrists and clinicians would prescribe rocker sole modifications for existing shoes (shown at left) to offload peak pressures in shoes for people with a wide variety of ailments, including arthritis, diabetes and other foot pathologies. The placement of the rocker mechanism was dependent upon the pathology being addressed. There are a wide variety of rocker-sole designs, including negative-heel rockers, heel-to-toe rockers, forefoot rockers and double rockers. A trained pedorthic facility or experienced shoe cobbler would add the prescribed modification to existing shoes.

MBT - The First Commercially Marketed Rocker Sole Shoe In 1996, Swiss engineer Karl Mueller developed the Masai shoe, which later became known as the MBT shoe. It really had nothing to do with the Masai tribesmen. He discovered that a heel-to-toe rocker, combined with a soft foam heel sensor produced the same feeling of pain relief in his knees and Achilles tendons he experienced when he walked barefoot in rice paddies in Korea.

MBT Sport White

MBT shoes were originally sold by orthopedic shoe stores and medical specialists in Europe and Asia as physiological footwear - shoes that were good for the body. Sales associates were trained to properly fit their customers, and instruct them in how to walk properly in the shoes. Since the soft MBT sensor induces instability, wearers were "coached" on how to overcome the instability of the shoe to reap the maximum benefit of the design.

In 2006, an investment group bought MBT from Karl Mueller, and opened up the brand to broader distribution. MBT was soon available online through multiple retailers, and the personal service and consultation started to erode, except from the dedicated brick-and-mortar retailers committed to the brand. Price competition from online discounters and the rise of online MBT counterfeiters further damaged the brand, and once-loyal MBT retailers began heading for the exits.

"Physiological Footwear" becomes "Fitness and Toning" Footwear

The popularity of rocker-bottom shoes led to Skechers debut of its "Shape Ups" brand in 2009. Backed by a massive advertising budget, Skechers exploded on the scene. Reebok, New Balance, Avia and many other brands quickly followed suit with their own rocker sole shoes. Many of these brands boldly touted the muscle-building, fat-blasting, cellulite-reducing and body-sculpting properties of their shoes. Retired professional athletes suggested that wearing these shoes could prepare them for a "comeback". "Skip the Gym" and "Fire Your Trainer" were common advertising themes.

These advertising claims drew the wrath of the fitness community and medical experts. The American Council for Exercise (ACE), a trade organization for fitness clubs and personal trainers, launched a successful public relations attack campaign against these companies, including the funding of a study challenging the fitness claims and suggesting potential health risks to wearing these shoes. The ACE counter-offensive was picked up by the television and print media. Lawsuits have since been filed for fraudulent advertising claims and for injuries incurred from wearing these "unstable" rocker sole shoes. Reebok International, Ltd. just paid $25 million to settle an FTC lawsuit alleging the shoes did not provide the body-shaping benefits they advertised. Public perception of the entire category changed from favorable to unfavorable.

The rocker bottom shoe brands under the greatest scrutiny share three common traits:

1. They boldly advertised that the mere act of lacing up their shoes would help customers reduce cellulite, burn more calories and give them a more youthful, chiseled physique.
2. Most of the brands under scrutiny are "unstable rockers". By "unstable" I mean that they have soft foam heel padding that provided no medial/lateral, or side-to-side stability. Many people suffered injuries because they were unaware that wearing unstable shoes requires that you pay attention to your form, and to be mindful of the terrain you are walking on.
3. Many of these "unstable" rocker bottom shoes were mass marketed through department stores and via the internet, with little or no consultation by shoe fitters. Some brands provided an instructional DVD emphasizing the exercise and toning benefits of their shoes, but minimized or omitted any potential health risks or common sense precautions to take when wearing these shoes.

The Outlook for Rocker Sole Shoes in 2012: "Unstable" is out, "Stable" is In

"Unstable" rocker sole shoe brands will face considerable challenges in 2012. If they look and perform like an "unstable" shoe, they will not sell well, even at sharply reduced prices. Consumers are aware of the news stories about these shoes, and many have expressed concerns that they don't actually tone you and could be potentially dangerous. In this regard, the American Council for Exercise launched a fabulously successful campaign against the makers of these shoes. As a result, many manufacturers have discontinued production of their "fitness and toning" shoes, and warehouses are still full of unsold inventory. Even premium-quality brands like MBT will face an uphill battle regaining market share in the "unstable" sub-category of rocker sole shoes, due to the negative consumer perception of "unstable" rocker sole shoes and price competition from other "unstable" brands dumping their discontinued inventory at bargain-basement prices.

Ryn Trail Redsun Finn Comfort "Finnamic"

The rocker bottom shoes that continue to sell successfully are "stable" rocker sole shoes. These are heel-to-toe rockers that have good to exceptional medial/lateral stability. Heel and ball-of-foot pressure is offloaded, they are orthotic-friendly and they can be highly beneficial for a wide variety of foot ailments and pathologies. The wearer also feels a better sense of control when they wear "stable" rocker bottom shoes. Some of the best "stable" rockers, in alphabetical order, are Aetrex BodyWorks, Chung Shi, Finn Comfort "Finnamic", and Ryn. Prices at retail range from $120 - $340. They key to the success of stable rocker sole shoes is that they protect our feet from the repetitive impact of walking on hard surfaces without sacrificing stability. People who wear stable rocker soles have a greater sense of control on a much wider variety of surfaces. If Ryn offloads ball-of-foot and heel pressures, it could be potentially beneficial for Hallux rigidus/limitus, metatarsalgia, arthritis and plantar fasciitis . BodyWorks, Sano and Finnamic can also produce the desired result for a wide variety of issues at various price points. If you suffer from any of these conditions, it is always best to consult with your podiatrist or orthopedic foot & ankle specialist to see if these shoes are appropriate for your condition.

Conclusion

Rocker sole shoes have been around for decades. They provide an excellent defense against walking and standing on concrete and hard surfaces. The rise and fall of the rocker sole shoe trend will shake out several brands, but a few gems will remain. Consumers will be better educated about the therapeutic benefits of these shoes, and how they should be worn. If you prefer the feeling of the softness of unstable rocker sole shoes, such as MBT, it is also important to understand that it is your responsibility to overcome the instability that is built-in to these shoes. If you prefer a rocker sole shoe with better stability and control, then Ryn, Finn Comfort, Aetrex and Chung Shi are better choices.