MBT: How to Choose the Correct Size

Masai Barefoot Technology shoes, or MBTs, were inspired by the balance and agility of the Masai people, who developed excellent muscle tone and posture due to constantly walking on shifting, uneven surfaces. The makers of MBT shoes patented this idea in the form of shoes that create a similar effect, thereby strengthening the muscles and correcting back problems. Purchasing the right size MBTs is crucial to getting the most of these benefits.

Instructions

  1. In Person

    • 1

      Convert to your American shoe size into European sizing. Since MBT shoes were developed in Switzerland, their sizing is roughly equivalent to European shoe sizing. Most people with average sized feet, will wear their standard European shoe size. (See the size conversion chart in the Resources section to determine your European size.) MBT shoes vary slightly for small and large sizes. Men with feet smaller than a size 8 and women with feet smaller than a size 6 may need to go down one European size. The opposite is true individuals with feet bigger than a men's size 12 or a women's size 10.

    • 2

      Visit a reputable MBT shoe dealer. Use the European size you determined in the previous step as a starting point for what size shoes to try on.

    • 3

      Tie the shoe laces fairly tightly and see how the shoe feels. Since MBT shoes are designed to fit differently than other shoes, they may not feel the same as other shoes. This does not necessarily mean they don't fit.

    • 4

      Walk around in the shoes. A properly fitting MBT shoe should fit snugly through the toe and instep and have a little extra room in the heel. When you take a step, you should feel your heel slide back in the shoe.

    • 5

      Try on other shoes until you find one that fits properly and provides a comfortable fit. Walking in MBT shoes takes some getting used to, so don't be deterred just because they feel a little unnatural.

    Over the Internet

    • 6

      Convert your American shoe size to European sizing, as indicated in Step 1 of the previous section. Keep in mind that large and small sizes vary slightly from the European conversion chart.

    • 7

      Subtract a half size if you have narrow feet, or add a half size if your feet are wide.

    • 8

      Read reviews of the specific style shoe you intend to buy. See if users thought the sizing was correct, or if they indicated that the shoes run large or small. Take the consumers' comments into consideration and adjust you size as needed.

    • 9

      Buy your shoes from a website that offers a hassle-free return or exchange policy for shoes that don't fit. Worst case scenario, you'll end up sending back some ill-fitting shoes, but you'll know which size to order the next time around.