We have stocked MBT footwear for over three years and are now the main stockist for the Sevenoaks area.

MBT was developed by Swiss engineer Karl Muller, who researched why the Masai tribe from East Africa had excellent posture whilst being able to sustain a stable health and athletic ability without suffering from joint or back pain.

His research led him to discover that by walking barefoot across soft but uneven terrain it alleviated pressure on joints, strengthened core muscle groups and improved posture.

On his return to Switzerland he spent years developing a product perfecting it to the stage where it was ready to be introduced to the open market.

The secret behind MBT lies in its unique sole structure that includes the core of the technology – the Masai sensor. This stimulates the body to balance itself by inducing a natural instability underfoot, which must be constantly compensated by the body’s supporting muscle system. At the same time the Masai sensor absorbs most of the hard shock impact generated when wearing normal footwear, thus alleviating pain and absorbing the shock in the ankle, knee and hip joints.

MBT will give you a comfortable feeling underfoot, whilst also exercising the whole body with every step you take. Wearing MBT footwear leads to a multitude of benefits from improving gait and posture, relieving pressure on the joints and back and exercising muscles, both when standing and walking. This burns calories and stimulates the metabolism, which has an overall firming effect on the abdominal, leg and buttock muscles, thus stimulating weight loss.

Movement through instability — your key to a more active life

The modern, sedentary lifestyles that exist throughout the world result in health issues such as low-back pain and joint stress. In fact, 60% of the world’s population do not receive the recommended amount of activity to produce health benefits . A body that moves infrequently and works its muscles minimally is weak and susceptible to developing physical conditions such as low-back pain and joint stress, whereas a body that moves frequently and works more intensely is stronger and healthier.

To help combat these negative effects on the body, we researched various possibilities and in 1996 found a helpful solution that would allow people to add more movement to their life: the MBT — the first footwear with built-in instability.
By generating movement through instability, MBTs can help to increase muscle activation and improve posture and balance. MBTs help optimize two virtually universal human activities — standing and walking — and are therefore an efficient way to add more movement into everyday life.*

Inspired by natural instability
The human body is designed to walk barefoot on soft, uneven ground; this movement requires greater muscle activation to maintain balance and stability. Footwear that is able to mimic this experience can offer physical benefits. Whereas traditional footwear is designed for use on hard, flat surfaces and to stabilize movement, MBTs are designed to mimic moving on uneven ground, which is accomplished through its built-in instability.

Innovative Technology and Design
The Swiss-engineered Masai Sensor and Balancing Area are the heart of MBTs’ sole construction, which is so unique that it has been granted a global patent. This pioneering architecture encourages movement throughout the entire body. MBT stands apart as the Originator of Physiological Footwear and has continued to lead the way through superior styling, design and ongoing technological development with acclaimed designers Alberto Del Biondi and Wolfgang Joop. MBT has set several concept and design milestones in both the sports and lifestyle arenas including the red dot for its latest technological development, the Ari.
*As every individual is different, results may vary from person to person.

More than 15 years ago, MBT designed a shoe that would change the world. All these years later, we’re still at it. As the originator of the Physiological Footwear category, MBT offers active, stylish footwear with built-in instability that can help increase movement the entire body while standing and walking. Employing quality materials, craftsmanship and construction, MBTs are an integral part of a healthy, active life. They are deemed a Class 1 Medical Product in the 30 EEA states (European Economic Area) and Switzerland. They are granted a Medical Device Establishment License by Health Canada and are a certified Medical Device in Australia (TGA). MBTs are now available in over 55 countries worldwide. MBT’s global headquarters are in Winterthur, Switzerland. For more information, visit www.mbt.com.

Authenticity and customer confidence has always been a priority for MBT. The brand continually adds to its library of scientific evidence. Over 40 research projects have been undertaken with universities in Europe and North America and more than 20 different articles about MBT footwear have been published in different peer-reviewed journals. Peer-reviewed studies are published and their claims approved by researchers in relevant fields, and are only recommended for publication if they meet certain expected standards of expertise.

In addition, MBT collaborates with renowned universities, doctors, sport scientists and physiotherapists and is represented annually at such renowned international conferences as the Congress of European College of Sport Science (ECSS). MBTs are a Class 1 Medical Product in the 30 EEA states (European Economic Area) and Switzerland. They are granted a Medical Device Establishment License by Health Canada and are a certified Medical Device in Australia (TGA).

MBT Academy

The MBT Academy is our central R&D facility, providing a forum for our ongoing dialog with international experts and researchers in the fields of biomechanics, clinical medicine and physiotherapy. In cooperation with numerous universities on an international basis the Academy is committed to testing, verifying and optimizing the effects of MBT footwear on the human body. MBT values the results of scientific research. MBT footwear is designed to help improve balance and help increase lower limb muscle activity. But there are still many areas to investigate and we continue to ensure that the benefits that our products are designed to offer are backed by sound scientific evidence.

MBT footwear can be used as a sensorimotor training device. More specifically, MBT’s unstable footwear can help transfer sensorimotor training into dynamic task-oriented movements and certain aspects of daily life. MBTs can also complement one’s exercise program, but should not be used when participating in exercises requiring lateral or stop-and-go movement, such as running, tennis, basketball, and aerobics. Please find more exercises on www.mbt.com.