I’m always on the lookout for the coolest things around, and this review is no exception!
I was watching The Doctors one day, and they had on a pair of interesting looking shoes, that they claimed made them stand a little taller, and helped their posture. They also explained how these shoes acted like shock absorbers for their bodies. I thought that had to be a gimmick, but I was willing to try them, so I contacted Z-coil and explained how my back, knees, and hips have hurt since carrying my twins, and my husband’s back and knees have hurt him from all of the running he did while in the Marine Corps. They actually agreed to give us each a pair of shoes… But it wasn’t something they could just send us. We had to go to a local authorized dealer to get custom fitted for our Z-coil shoes.
In Sacramento, our local dealer was Bullard Uniforms located at 819 Howe Avenue, Sacramento CA 95825. I contacted them to set up a time to come by.
I spoke with Gordon, who confirmed that he knew about my husband and I needing to be fit for some Z-Coil shoes, and a couple of days later, we were in Bullard Uniforms picking out our Z-Coil shoes! With so many styles to choose from, I was torn between what kind to get! I ended up choosing the grey tennis shoes. I figured they’d be a little easier to wear with just about anything, plus I needed some new shoes to help me at the gym. My hubby chose the Hiking Boot style.
We soon learned why we have to be custom fitted for these shoes. There are so many things that could be adjusted. The coil in the heel can be softer or stronger, or even turned to help with pronation. He had a computer there that he had us stand on to measure where we put pressure on our feet. We then walked across it to see how our feet hit the ground. I got to see how I put a lot of pressure on my big toe when I stood, and hit the ground hard with my heel when I walked. This totally explained why I had so much trouble when I tried to run. My knees, ankles, hips and lower back were always hurting after I tried to jog for even a couple of minutes on the treadmill. Gordon was able to look at these charts and use the data to truly customize our shoes for us. As far as my shoes go, he did turn one of the coils to help me stabilize one of my ankles, and he added some extra pads at my heel and the ball of my foot to reduce some of the impact when I walk.
It’s now been 2 months since I’ve had these shoes, and I have to say that they have helped me out a lot. I’ve been able to jog a little. I’ve noticed a majority of my lower joint pain has lessened and even some of it has gone away. My hubby has also liked wearing his shoes when we go out for the weekends and are doing a lot of walking around.
If you happened to see me at SXSWi this past March, I was wearing them the whole time! I received plenty of comments, compliments and people coming up to me just asking “What the heck are those shoes?” I even had them with me while I was out in Santa Barbara for my EA SPORTS Active spa retreat. I really have trouble working out in any other shoes now. They are my new favorite shoes, no matter how “weird” they might look. My husband always says I go for cute rather than comfort… well, this is one time I decided comfort was all that it was about… although, I do wish I could get my feet into a pair of the Taos, Mary Jane style shoes now!
Thanks again to Z-Coil and Bullard Uniforms for being so awesome and giving us the shoes for this review! Our feet, ankles, knees and lower backs thank you as well!
Z-Coil shoes vary in price depending on which style you choose. My shoes were about $220 where my husband’s hiking boots were slightly more at approx $250. The coolest part though, is that your shoes will last a very long time. If you need to replace your sole it’s very inexpensive. Replacement coils can also be purchased at a great rate. I personally would see it as an investment into a happier, healthier very pain reduced life!
*Coming soon: A video clip of Gordon at Bullard Uniforms walking us through the computer tests and how to adjust our coils!
Wow, these seem like great shoes.
I just saw your pic in my wal-mart ad and thought I would come by for a visit!
Monica,
Thanks for the great review! I am so happy Z-CoiL shoes have helped with your foot, ankle, knee, and back pain! I think what is really great too, is that by wearing Z-CoiL shoes now, it can help prevent worse pain on your joints in the future! I love that you wear them during your workouts with EA Active and congratulations on all the success you have had with the EA challenge! The game/workout really looks like fun – I will have to check it out! As for cute over comfort, keep an eye out for our new styles. There are some really cute ones coming out soon. Thanks again, Monica and I am really happy you and your husband have found pain relief with Z-CoiL!
I am so happy to see this testimonial. I have been wearing Z-Coil now for over 10 years. My first real experience was in Nepal and everyone had bad knees coming down the Annapurna trail except me. They are amazing and I am so happy to see that someone has commented on the necessity of a good fitting and the wonderful attributes such as good posture as well as the cushion. Have you also noticed that you walk with a definite heel toe stride and of course when you are really out walking you can go for longer and faster because not only do you glide but the heel gives you energy in each step. You still get your aerobics and twice as much as you would normally get while the energy you expend is the same as walking 50% less.
Thank you Monica for doing such a good job at fitting and taking such good care of your customers, a real plus point with Z-CoiL shoe stores.
Love
Donna Rabbitt
Those shoes look amazing. However the closest place for me to get them is 2 hours away. Wish they had them closer to me.
I also purchased Z-Coil shoes from Bullard Uniforms. I think once they’re “broken in”, they’ll work fine for me – the shoe itself seems pretty good (although I don’t think my particular foot problems will be helped by the shoe), but I was not too happy with Bullard Uniforms. The salesman was very pushy – I felt like I was purchasing a used car. I caved to the pressure, bought the shoes, and now I have $239 worth of buyer’s remorse. I think in time I’ll notice a difference between these and regular tennis shoes, but I wish I felt better right now about my purchase.
I absolutely LOVE my zcoil shoes. They are like walking on air. Everyone should atleast try a pair on!
does anyone know how to adjust the coils to soft
I got a pair the other day at a thrift store, brand new in the box for $25 !!!! So far I like them but I wouldn’t pay $200 -$250. That’s just nuts!!
Its sad to say that I haven’t had such a great experience as guys with my zcoil shoes. I heard about these shoes from a co worker and I was willing to try anything because I have knee and back pains and haven’t been able to find a good pair of working shoes. I went to the local dealer and got fitted for a pair. My first week was horrible. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even walk after I took them off. I thought I was just adjusting to them. I took them back to the store 2 times to get them readjusted but nothing help. I was very disappointed. I am still to this day trying to use them but it’s so painful that I can’t wear them for more than a few minutes. I don’t know what else to do..
Shena,
I’m sorry to hear that your experience isn’t as good as mine was. If you are experiencing pain, you need to go back to where you got them and have them re-check to make sure your inserts, etc are right for you. The shoe may not be for everyone…
I didn’t experience any pain from the moment I put them on… Please check with your doctor to see if he/she may have any suggestions…