In case you've missed those (almost sad) commercials featuring retired athletes announcing their comebacks due to how great they feel, now that they've changed their footwear, let me clue you in: Active footwear that engages muscles as you walk is the new hot thing in athletic shoes.

But do they work? Absolutely. As long as you don't mind walking around in shoes with soles that look like you raided the ortho closet at your grandfather's assisted living facility. And that's too big a price to pay for me... until FitFlop sent me their new Supertone M shoes.

Hidden in the average-looking sole of these stylish leather and suede shoes, is their biomechanically engineered, muscle-loading Microwobbleboard midsole, designed to re-energize your body and work out your leg muscles with every step. Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association (they would be the foot doctors), the Supertone was independently tested and found to help with, not only muscle toning, but less aching in your hips and knees, up to 22% more shock absorption, and reduced foot pressure. Without looking like you should be on your way to the Early Bird at Wolfie's.

I've been striding around town in a pair of slate Supertone M Nubucks (top right version in the pic above), for about a week now and I'll have to admit they are incredibly comfortable. I expected a soft, cushiony feel, almost like I was rolling forward, but they are firm and give great support. And while you can feel your leg muscles engaging, it's not like you're doing squats just walking to get coffee. So yup, they work as a stylish, everyday shoe. Just in time for showing of those wheels during board short season.
$130
FitFlop sent me their new FitFlop.com