New FitFlop Sandals Styles for the Summer

They are Britain’s favourite summer sandals, and promise to get the lower body working harder with each step. Billed as the shoes with the gym built in, they were first released in the spring of 2007, and have been a massive hit ever since. The FitFlop is one of a range of toning shoes which works the lower body, but also provides a wide range of wellness benefits. In contrast to most toning shoes which have a rocker bottom midsole to create an unstable base, the FitFlop uses the Microwobbleboard™.

Developed by FitFlop for its Walkstar sandals, the Microwobbleboard™ consists of triple density EVA foam rubber, which responds to the body weight by creating small instabilities in the walking gait. Whilst these instabilities are small and do not affect overall balance, they are enough to stimulate the leg muscles to work harder with each step and can increase muscle activation by up to 30% in the buttocks, thighs and calves, and have been demonstrated to increase shock absorption by up to 22%.

The secret of the success of the FitFlop lies with the comfort, which can be felt all over the body. The squidgy soled sandals are excellent at absorbing the shockwaves from walking, and give the joints an easier ride. What’s more, FitFlop sandals encourage proper posture to get the back straight and the muscles and bones properly aligned to the body is better able to deal with the forces generated whilst walking.

Since the Walkstar was launched there has been an explosion of FitFlop styles with the sparkly sequinned Electra perfect for toning the lower body when out on the town, the FitFlop Oasis in suede for smarter occasions, and a wide choice of Walkstar models for day to day wear throughout the summer.

Between those three models you have styles suitable for everyday wear and for smarter occasions, and all you are likely to need to keep toning 24/7 and give your bones and muscles some positive realignment. However despite FitFlop already having such an extensive choice, this year sees a plethora of new styles released, each offering the same leg toning benefits, but with a greater emphasis on style and wearability.

New FitFlop Styles for 2011

FitFlop Hyka

The FitFlop offers exceptional comfort for urban walking, and will keep the joints well cushioned and the bones properly aligned. However if you want to take to the hills or venture off the beaten track, the standard FitFlop designs come up a little short, and besides, you wouldn’t want to get your favourite FitFlop sandals all muddy.

For taking the path less trodden and for greater stability getting your leg enhancing micro-instabilities there is the FitFlop Hyka. Toe, instep and ankle straps keep this FitFlop on your feet when the going gets tough, and offers greater security and stability wherever your walk takes you.

FOOTFLOAT™ technology has been used to give you that walking on air feeling and prevent early tiring, even if your muscles are working harder with each step.

FitFlop Positano

If you like the extra security of a toe, instep and ankle strap, but the FitFlop Hyka is a bit too rough and ready for you, and you prefer leather over suede and textile, the FitFlop Positano is for you. It offers a highly stable design, superb support, and is sure to stay on your feet no matter what you decide to do.

The rich lather upper is soft and smooth for comfort, with the elegant uppers the perfect match with a lightweight summer dress, with maximum versatility to combine with all of your summer outfits, and a great choice for your summer holidays abroad.

It’s FitFlop’s answer to a Birkenstock, but with added muscle stimulation and arguably a lot more class.

FitFlop Oasis 2

The FitFlop Oasis has been around since the very start, and is one of the most popular models for smarter occasions. The suede uppers are easy to match with all of your outfits, and this year sees the release of the all new FitFlop Oasis 2.

Truth be told, its very similar to the original FitFlop Oasis, but the FitFlop Oasis 2 offers an eclectic new palate of colours, including ceramic blue, French lilac, Caramel and Rosa Pink to tempt you. The latest colours are simply stunning, and will set of your new summer outfit nicely.

Its incredibly comfortable to wear, with the soft suede uppers feeling great on the feet, and the non stretch design will maintain the comfort for the life of the sandals. If you want some funky fun with your feet this summer, check out the full color range in this exciting new addition to the FitFlop sandals collection.

FitFlop Rock Chic

If the FitFlop Oasis is not sparkly enough for you, and you favour diamonds instead of sequins to get that sparkle, there is the FitFlop Rock Chic. OK, so it doesn’t have any diamonds, but CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements are the next best thing.

The crystals add some chic rock chick cool to your feet, with the crystals sure to catch the light and add some sparkle to any outfit.

For a night on the town, and when you are dressing to impress, it doesn’t mean that your bottom, thighs and calves should have some time off. The FitFlop Rock Chic will keep them working up to 30% more with each step, and will give your style at least a 100% boost.

FitFlop Rokkit

Sparkliness features strongly in this year’s FitFlop sandals collection, and if you want to add some glitz and glamour to your evening outfit the FitFlop Rokkit will be right up your street.

The sophisticated sparkle of the FitFlop Rock Chic may not be to your taste, but the studded crystal beads of the FitFlop Rokkit might rock your world. It has well over 100 crystal beads – I lost count at 90 – and the super soft leather upper is supremely comfortable on your instep.

It’s a great all rounder which works well with jeans, or with a skirt or a dress for smarter occasions and offers a little more of a refined look than the popular FitFlop Electra. Could this be the best selling FitFlop sandal for 2011?

FitFlop Lolla

If you thought you could recognize a FitFlop at a hundred paces, the latest FitFlop Lolla will come as quite a surprise. And yes, I’m sure it is a FitFlop.

It takes its styling from an espadrille, with this funky wedge sandal hiding the toning technology better than any toning sandal to date. It’s stylish with the two strap design and incredibly comfortable thanks to the soft suede upper, and a great choice for the summer and no one will know that your lower body is getting a great workout whilst you walk.

If you like the idea of toning shoes and sandals, but have been put off by the style, then the FitFlop Lolla could well change your mind.

FitFlop Frou

The FitFlop Frou is a frilly FitFlop which is certain to turn heads, thanks to oodles of suede ruffles to make the instep more attractive.

Its over the top, it’s fun, and highly feminine and can give you the FitFlop benefits to the body, whilst adding some extra height.If you like to be different then the FitFlop Frou is for you.

However don’t fall in love with its sandal if you have wider than average feet, as it is one of the slim fit models, and is not best suited for wide feet.

If you have slim feet and want to make a statement, then this is certainly the FitFlop sandal to do that. It’s bold, beautiful, and will give your bum and legs a great workout!

FitFlop Floretta

If the FitFlop Frou is a little over the top, but the standard FitFlop sandals not enough so, then the FitFlop Floretta may be just the ticket. It’s one of the most stylish and feminine FitFlops released to date and has head turning style thanks to the multi-layered flower on the instep and toe post.

This FitFlop has the extra security of a heel strap for an super snug fit, with the backstrap adjustable to suit the shape of all feet. It’s available in antique white (so as not to show the dirt), rosy red and beautiful bronze and is sure to be a best seller this summer.

Its one of a range of new FitFlop styles which more like a fashionable summer sandal than a fashionable FitFlop sandal, and if you want to get a great lower body and ease the strain on the joints, there is now no reason why you cant do it with maximum style.

FitFlop Pietra

The FitFlop Pietra is not a new model for 2011, but it is one of the most recent additions so seemed worthy of a mention.

It’s one of the prettiest sandals released by FitFlop, and one of the most popular. It has sleek styling, glorious colours and will add some shine to your feet with its metallic finish.

The patent finish upper will add some class to any outfit, with a microfiber lining for comfort and the super squishy and comfortable Microwobbleboard™ for exquisite underfoot comfort. The resin stones give it a unique look, which is well suited to fun or formal occasions. Unfortunately, those with wide feet will have to give this sleek model a miss, as its one for those with narrow feet.

FitFlop Luna

Essentially the FitFlop Luna is a new take on the popular FitFlop Pietra, using resin stones for detailing with a thin feminine instep strap and an ultra thin and comfortable toe post.

The stones have the appearance of an expertly cut crystal, with bevelled edges to catch the light. It has been released in Pewter and Bronze and is one of the most stylish additions to the FitFlop sandals 2011 collection, and it would get my vote as the best new model had FitFlop not raised the bar considerably with the latest FitFlop Hooper.

As with most of the highly embellished FitFlop sandals, it’s another for the narrow footed, with the sleek styling not best suited to those with wide feet.

FitFlop Hooper

Now, it has to be said that I love the FitFlop sandals range. They offer classy styles, supreme comfort and a robust construction which outlast most summer flip-flops by some margin.

However the latest FitFlop Hooper has to be my all time favourite. The leather uppers are buttery soft for a highly comfortable fit. The adjustable strap makes it the first FitFlop toepost sandal which is adjustable for an exceptional fit and the style of these FitFlop sandals is something else.

An ultra thin toe post sits comfortably between the toes, the Microwobbleboard™ works the legs and bottom, and the classy new design is sure to match with whatever you have in your wardrobe. It’s a great new addition and it’s my pick of this year’s new models.

How to get your hands on a new pair of FitFlop sandals

If you want to work your lower body and look fantastic whilst you do it, or if you have postural problems or even foot and joint pain FitFlop can help to give you some much needed relief. The shoes have been reported to help with plantar fasciitis, knee and lower back pain, ankle pain, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and restless leg syndrome to name but a few.

The full FitFlop range is available in the UK from Cloggs the recent winner of Retailer of the Year from Drapers

For the US & Canada, the best bet for choice is to get your FitFlop from Endless