The Brand That’s Earned a Podiatric Seal of Acceptance for Every Style Its Launched Came Out With a New Sneaker—And I’m Impressed
As a wellness writer, I’m always on the prowl for the latest and greatest in health products—whether they’re consumable powders, healthier caffeine alternatives, or apparel to boost performance, I’m always keeping my ear to the ground for what’s trending. While I oftentimes catch wind of popular launches straight from publicists, other times I uncover must-try newbies on TikTok and Instagram. And then there are the instances in which I’m completely surprised by mailers showing up on my front doorstep, without any forewarning. Today, we’re here to talk about the latter.
A few weeks ago, I received a mystery box from FitFlop with their newest launch: the Vitamin FF Knit Sports Sneakers ($140) —the brand's first-ever foray into sneakers. For those who need a quick intro to FitFlop: The brand focuses on high-performance footwear that's biomechanically engineered to not only fit you, but support your joints and varied movement. From sandals to flats, FitFlop has cracked the ultimate comfort code.
Immediately, I was intrigued by the design of the sneakers— a knit slip-on outfitted in a monochromatic colorway spanning from the uppers to the soles. For a brand that’s largely been associated with older demographics—given their focus on support (often over style), which has earned them the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for every SKU they’ve launched—these new sneakers felt fresh; trendy even. And so I tried them on.
From the moment I slipped into the FitFlop Vitamin FF Sneakers, I could tell they were going to become an everyday favorite. From the way they cradled my soles, to the way they cushioned my heels and Achilles tendons, they were instantly some of the most comfortable sneakers I had ever tried on. And so I knew there was only one thing to do: a full-on review of these sneakers that I didn’t even know about (and that I just knew everyone else needed to learn about).
I tested the FitFlop Vitamin FF Sneakers—Here are my honest thoughts
Since receiving the FitFlop Vitamin FF Sneakers four weeks ago, I’ve put them to the test on mile-long walks, errand-filled afternoons, and Orangetheory jogs, runs, sprints, rows, and lifts. And, I have to say, I’m impressed. While the appearance of the shoes is what initially drew me in—colorful monochrome sneakers seem to be few and far between—it’s the comfort and functionality, and the fact that they didn’t have to be broken in, that has kept me reaching for these incredibly cozy-yet-extremely supportive sneakers.
Easily the greatest thing about these flexible slip-on knit sneakers is that, unlike so many comparable styles, these actually stay firmly on your feet while running and jumping. I wore them to nearly a dozen Orangetheory workouts and tried them on the flat-road tread setting and all-out 15 percent incline; during 3MPH walks and 8MPH runs; during jump squats, burpees, and bench step-ups. Pretty much no matter what the workout called for, these sneakers gave me the support that I required. (The one exception was during lateral lungees, which are often the telltale movement for so many shoes—more on that, below.)
Of course, that’s not the only thing I love about these sneaks. I’m also a big fan of the laces, which are woven with reflective flecks that make them more visible, should you wear them at night. What’s more, I often find that slip-on styles tend to be paired with less-cushioned soles, but that’s not the case with these ergonomically-designed shoes. Instead, they’re made with the brand’s trademarked Neodynamic midsole, which features lightweight, high-rebound cushioning that’s specifically designed to propel you forward—which is likely why I found that they worked so well for both walking and running. In both instances, they provided enough cushion and stability to help manage my pronation, ultimately preventing my proclivity for shin splints. For that alone, I’m a fan of these shoes (which, BTW, are sold in five colors—the fuchsia rose shade is my favorite—with a sixth on the way).
As much as I love these sneakers and as frequently as I wear them, I do have one qualm—though, it’s subjective. As someone with pretty narrow feet, I find that these sneakers are a bit wider than your average knit sneaker. As such, I wear them with thicker footies for a supportive fit, for if I pair them with ultra-thin socks, they feel a bit too loose. Still, even with thicker socks, I find that they’re a bit too wide to fully support my feet during lateral movements, as I mentioned above. That said, my fellow size 10 friends who have wider feet than I do have swooned over their fit, so again, it’s subjective. While on the subject of width, it’s worth mentioning that, while these sneakers are slip-ons, they do come with laces for further tightening and tailoring, which absolutely helps.
Suffice to say, if you’re in the market for a versatile pair of sneakers that you can wear as easily to the farmer’s market or through TSA at the airport as you can to a high-intensity interval training workout or during a casual neighborhood jog, these cushioned slip-ons are a must-try. But you better act fast. The sneakers, which launched in January of this year, are selling out at record rates. Don’t fret if your size or color preference is sold out, though, you can always set a reminder for when they restock. And, trust me, you’ll want to.
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