Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

Is anyone familiar with these shoes or this midsole concept?

http://www.kurufootwear.com/

What are your impressions at first glance?

 

That's one of the funniest claims that I've seen in a long time.

"The world's most anatomical active foot wear."

Are there some non active foot wear that are more anatomical?

A one size fits all solution for a world of many sizes.

Regards,

Eric

 

I was less interested in the marketing claims, which are usually overblown to preposterous, and more interested in the heel midsole design. I just looked at this website with passing interest, and was curious if this design, coupled with a firm heel counter and a secure lacing system, could be potentially more beneficial than conventional, flat-midsoled shoes.

 

The only thing I've heard about Kuru is that it's a prion similar to mad cow disease which is common in cannibalistic tribes that eat human brain matter.

 

Potentially more beneficial for what? Perhaps it might help if you told us what you think this design might achieve in terms of the mechanics.

 

Is it massively different in terms of design to a Birkenstock style base?

 

My quote was a once size fits all solution for a multi sized world. To epand: if you look at pressure mat printouts you will see higher pressures toward the center of the heel and since the medial tubercle sits lower than the lateral tubercle you will often see higher pressures under the medial tubercle of the calcaneus. Now, if you stood on a shoe with a heel cup, I would expect that you would see higher pressures at the periphery of the heel and lower pressures at the center of the heel. So, the problem that this shoe design is trying to solve is excessively high pressures at the center of the heel. It will solve it for those feet that have heels that are the width of the shoes. Many people have heels that are very narrow relative to the width of the shoe at the heel. The shoe has to be able to accommodate the above average heel width to be able to get people to walk out the store with them.

There are probably some people with heel pain that a cupped heel would help. This would be a different injury than plantar fasciitis. I really don't have any idea how many people get a "heel bruise", but I would bet that it is not zero and these people may be helped by that shoe, if it fit the heel correctly. There's no reason to believe that this will cure hemorrhoids, or even bunions.

Cheers,

Eric

 

I was first introduced to the kuru brand 3 years ago. The molded TPU insole was developed with the assistance of Northwest Podiatric Labs, and is not a whole lot different in topography to many of the Superfeet inserts. The soling is reasonably supportive and has a modest heel spring and forefoot rocker. The fit of their uppers is larger in internal volume than most brands, so those with more slender foot shapes will have difficulty wearing them with their intended comfort or function. I don't have any anecdotal descriptions, as the Kuru brand was abyssmally poor in satisfying its orders (at least for our practice).

Other brands use similar sandwich-type, TPU support structures, especially in women's dress casual categories. As with all footwear, not one single brand or concept is suitable for everyone.

 

Jeremy,

I appreciate the feedback