These Loafers from FitFlop are So Comfy You’ll Never Want to Take Them Off
Most of us will know the agony of breaking in a fresh pair of shoes. And as someone with awkwardly-shaped, long, narrow feet, the signature blistered-ankle-limp is the reality behind every new shoe purchase I make. The worst offenders? Slip on styles like leather loafers that tend to cost me a small fortune in plasters and require weeks to break in.
So when FitFlop got in touch to offer a couple of pairs of their shoes to review, I was sceptical. Sure, the brand is renowned for comfortable shoes, but designing comfortable loafers feels like one Everest too far.
If you’re unfamiliar with FitFlop, here’s the lowdown: founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore the brand began with the simple yet revolutionary idea: creating footwear that feels as good as it looks.
Kilgore hit upon a winning formula – merging biomechanical engineering that supports natural movement and provides all-day comfort, with modern designs that are worlds apart from unsexy orthopedic shoes. In an era when we were teetering round on Louboutins with a spare pair of flats shoved in our handbags, FitFlop was revolutionary.
Initially, the brand’s range was limited to the iconic FitFlop sandal – a very 00s design with a demi wedge and thong toe post. Since then, the brand has evolved into an entire wardrobe of shoes, boots, trainers and slippers (more on those later) that combine ergonomic innovation with designs you’ll actually want to wear.
My favourite style in FitFlops current collection are the F-Luma Loafers, described as ‘Chunky Snaffle Box Leather Demi Wedge’ in style. With a generous one inch sole, glossy black leather uppers, and polished gold hardware details, the F-Luma design nods to current season Bottega, Gucci and Margiela loafers, and wouldn’t look out of place on Net-a-porter. They also come in lighter tan and stone colourways, as well as a super gorgeous 70s style brown suede iteration that I have my eye on for Spring.
It was with some trepidation that I slipped my foot into the shoe after unboxing. Having fallen in love with the style, was this going to be another case of hard, unforgiving footwear? Having opted for the narrow fit design to accommodate my B-width tootsies, the shoes didn’t slip on easily, and took some serious wiggling to put on. But I needn’t have worried. Once on, the Loafers fit like a glove, and had a wonderfully ‘bouncy’ feeling underfoot. A full day of wear to the office and back with a step count of over 10,000 confirmed that these loafers were made for walking – and that’s just what they’ll do.
The FitFlop feeling doesn’t have to end when you get home either, as they also sell some seriously comfortable slippers that have earned near-cult status amongst fashion editors. I opted to trial the Shruv style: a seriously cosy slider crafted in deluxe ultra-soft curly shearling. I wasn’t sure how cosy these would feel – open toe slippers wouldn’t be something I’d consider normally for fear of inviting draughts around my tootsies. But those fears were unfounded – I can confirm that the joys of sheepskin under foot are unequivocal.
The warmth and cosy feeling is like no other – no socks required. And unlike the cheap hotel style slippers I’d been wearing up until now, these feel sturdy and supportive underfoot. I have three storeys of stairs in my flat, and in my FitFlops I can run up and down to answer the door to the postie with ease. In fact, in three weeks of ownership, I’ve worn these slippers so frequently they’ve already moulded to the shape of my foot.
Which all leaves me wondering – which FitFlops to add to my collection next? Living in a busy commuter city like London, I learnt long ago that cheap unsupportive shoes just won’t cut if for a day spent traipsing the tube. I have my eye on a pair of toe-post wedge sandals for summer, lace up leather hiker boots for walks in the country, and a cushiony pair of silver Mary-Janes for the 9-5. Once you discover FitFlop you’ll never look back – and blister plasters will become a thing of the past.