I am a sucker for a new gadget, gizmo or wonder product. But when I heard about Fitflops, my first thought was ‘what a load of rubbish’. A flip flop that tones your legs? Ha! But then, as usual, I got sucked in by the marketing, the good press, the celeb fans and the great reviews. What interested me most, besides the supposed toning / cellulite busting qualities of these new-wave flipflops, was the fact they were supposedly so comfortable…

I’ll admit it, the rumours were true. While I don’t agree with the many people who say they’re comfy from the moment you put them on (like all flip-flops they take a certain amount of wearing in around the big toe) wearing these babies does feel like walking on air. They’re super-light, soft and shock-absorbent, and are so much nicer than flat, hard soled rivals. I’m a big Havaianas fan and thought they were squishy and soft – these are a hundred times better. I’d go as far as to say they’re the comfiest shoes I’ve ever worn.

On the downside, that well-designed, comfortable sole does mean a clunkier shoe in general. The footbed is quite wide and chunky, which is great news for Big Girls with wide feet, but it can limit what you wear them with. I’m quite an overdressed person by nature and these don’t go very well with my floaty dresses. However, pick the right colour (I went for gold Walkstar III’s) and you widen your options. There’s even a sequinned option, but it does tend to sell out as quick as it’s restocked!

Now onto the bit you really care about. This alleged ‘workout while you walk‘. Well, let’s make one thing clear straight away – fitflops won’t make you thin. There are no magical fixes for that as well all know! However, you do feel the burn in your calves when you first begin to wear these for long periods of time. The sole is designed for a better push-off on the toe, more energy output through the middle and more shock absorbency on the heel, which basically makes you work just a tiny bit harder as you’re walking. I notice it most on stairs, but it’s not an uncomfortable exertion, just a slight difference that you get used to very quickly.

Overall, I think these are definitely worth the money if only for the comfort. The toning action is a plus that will make a small difference over a long period of time, especially to your calves, but don’t expect miracles.

Fitflops range from £35.24 to £68.86 at Rubber Sole (including winter versions – boots and clogs) or £36 to £55 at Shudoo.