If you suffer from a medical condition that affects your feet, such as Plantar Fasciitis, arthritis, or diabetes, then you might have already heard about the shoe brand, Gravity Defyer. They’re basically a shoe company that specializes in making shoes for people who experience bad foot pain, discomfort, and swelling. It’s their aim to make shoes that are really comfortable and supportive for those who find regular shoes uncomfortable and painful. But do they do it well?
Today we’re going to take a closer look at Gravity Defyer, their shoes, how they can help you, and the different pros and cons we’ve noticed about their shoes and the company as a whole. At the end, we’ll also answer some of the most common questions we see about Gravity Defyer and their shoes to help you navigate their range and pick out the best shoes for you. Ready to find out more? Then join us below.
Brand Background
Gravity Defyer is a shoe manufacturer that specializes in pain management for people who suffer from medical conditions and foot pain and discomfort. One of their main appeals is that they’ve made sure every shoe they develop is diabetic friendly, which can’t be said for every pain management shoe manufacturer.
The technology involved in their shoe manufacturing process is really quite innovative, too. Although lots of other shoe brands focussing on managing debilitating pain in ankles, feet, backs, or knees have similar technologies, everything on offer from Gravity Defyer is all developed in-house, so to speak.
Gravity Defyer was created by Alexander Elnekaveh out of necessity following his nephew’s diagnosis of a painful cancerous growth on his heel, which was eventually removed and his heel was replaced. However, this process was lengthy and his nephew was having trouble walking without experiencing extreme pain, so Alexander eventually gathered a team of mechanical engineers, industrial designers, and podiatrists and together they created the technology that would later define Gravity Defyer as a brand.
They figured out a way for those who were suffering from extreme pain whilst walking to be able to move around with ease. And it all came down to a few key features that are present in almost every one of their shoes.
Key Features Of Gravity Defyer Shoes
Gravity Defyer now has a varied range of shoes available for different people and different occasions (more on that below), but most of them feature a few key design choices and technologies that make them perfect for people suffering from debilitating pain.
VersoShock Shock-Absorbing Soles
Without a doubt, their most impressive feature are their VersoShock shock-absorbing soles, which essentially work as a reverse trampoline. That means, every time you take a step, the impact is being lessened by the sole, which reduces the impact felt by your feet inside the shoe. So, for those who normally experience pain whilst walking, this is reduced significantly because the sole is taking most of the impact for you, rather than your feet.
Without getting too science-y and boring you all, the soles are made up of something called nucleated polymer cells. What these cells essentially do is absorb kinetic energy, so every time you move, the cells inside the sole of your shoe absorb the impact. They are basically reverse trampolines that don’t allow the impact of the hard ground beneath your feet to reach you, helping increase comfort whilst walking and reducing pain.
Laceless Design
One thing that many shoe manufacturers who aid with pain management oversee is other types of pain. Yes, it’s easy to focus on foot pain when developing shoes, but that isn’t all the pain people with Plantar Fasciitis, arthritis, and other medical conditions feel. Often, back pain can play a big part in the pain they experience each day, so shoes with laces just aren’t a realistic option because of the pain caused in the lower back when bending down to tie them.
That’s why Gravity Defyer sticks to a laceless design for all their shoes, so you don’t have to exacerbate pain when putting them on like you do with standard shoes. But don’t worry, the fit isn’t compromised in any way. They’re designed to fit in a way that is pressure reducing, whilst still being snug enough to walk in comfortably without losing them.
Extra-Depth Interior
The extra-depth interior is a clever design choice that allows Gravity Defyer shoes to work well for people who suffer from arthritis and other conditions. Often, joints can be painful to move when suffering from these sorts of conditions, and it can prevent people from moving their feet to fit the shoe. So, Gravity Defyer simply moved the shoe to fit the feet instead.
It’s a really simple solution, to have a deeper interior of the shoe to allow for more space inside for those who need it, but it helps a lot. Now, if customers have swollen feet because of their condition, they should still be able to fit comfortably inside a Gravity Defyer shoe.
Comfortable Interior
Speaking of comfort, the interior of Gravity Defyer shoes is well thought out too. First, there’s the G-Comfort insoles they use. They’re designed to increase comfort, reduce pain, and help with stability, but they’re also removable. This is really important, as many people suffering from debilitating pain will be given their own orthotic insoles to use with different shoes because they can be custom made to provide an individual with support and comfort in specific areas relating to the pain they experience. So, if you have your own orthotic insoles, you can replace the G-Comfort ones on offer here. And if you don’t, then they’ll work brilliantly.
Besides the insoles, the interior is designed to be soft and comforting, whilst also being a cooling environment to prevent your feet from getting too hot and swelling throughout the day. Whilst the VersoShock shock-absorbing soles take care of the impact of each step on the outside, your feet will be snug and comfortable on the inside.
Enhanced Lateral Stabilization
Finally, Gravity Defyer also focussed on making sure their range offered something known as enhanced lateral stabilization. When you remove all the fancy words, what you’re left with is a shoe that helps keep you stable on your feet. Enhanced lateral stabilization basically means that the shoe is designed to keep your feet steady on the ground and improve your walking gait to reduce pain and increase how stable you are on your feet.
This is really important for people suffering from pain, as many people adopt new ways of walking in regular shoes to try to avoid causing themselves too much pain, but in the long run, this can actually worsen conditions. By wearing a shoe that increases your stability, lessens pain, and improves your walking gait, you start to take back some control over the way you walk, and that’s better for you long term.
Their Range At A Glance
Before we look at everything we love and everything we don’t love quite as much, let us give you a quick introduction to their range so you can pick out the ones you might want to do some additional research for after reading our post today. They have a vast range, so we couldn’t include them all here, but we can tell you the categories of shoes Gravity Defyer offers, and there are many:
Mens
- Atheltic
- Casuals
- Oxfords
- Loafers
- Boots
- Sandals
Womens
- Athletic
- Boots
- Flats
- Clogs
- Sandals
- Casuals
With shoes that are perfect for walking, running, working, outdoors, and fitness, you can find the perfect, comfortable shoe for any occasion. But let’s look a little closer at Gravity Defyer shoes to see if they’re really as good as they sound.
Pros & Cons Of Gravity Defyer Shoes Reviews
SPOILER ALERT: Yes, Gravity Defyer shoes really are as good as they sound, but there are still a few problems with them, too. Let’s look at their pros and cons a little closer to learn more. And remember, this is a pros and cons list of Gravity Defyer shoes more generally; if you want specifics for each shoe in their broad range, it’s best to do some additional research as there are far too many Gravity Defyer shoes for us to cover in just one post today.
Anyway, on to the pros and cons!
Pros
- Lightweight shoe that’s comfortable for people with a variety of medical conditions and foot problems.
- Impressive VersoShock shock-absorbing soles for extra protection whilst walking.
- Deep interior for additional space.
- Wider toe box for those suffering from swelling.
- Range of shoes for different occasions and activities so you can be comfortable anywhere.
- Easy to care for, as they can be washed and dried easily. Just avoid placing them in the washer too often – some water, a light detergent, and a cloth will do for the majority of cleans so they don’t lose their shape more quickly by over-use of the washer.
- Pain-fighting innovative technology that actually works for a lot of customers.
- Stable shoe to improve confidence whilst walking too.
- Top-quality material that’s built for comfort and durability.
Cons
- These are expensive shoes. And we understand a lot of technology and features are on offer here, but access to pain management footwear shouldn’t be restricted by whether or not you can afford the high-end price tag.
- The style of the shoe can sometimes be lacking depending on the type you want.
- Quality control has been questioned in the past – so be extra careful when opening up your package so you can return them easily if you have to return them for a new pair.
Overall, though, these shoes are seriously impressive, and anybody suffering from pain in their back, feet, ankles, or knees may benefit from a pair of Gravity Defyer shoes to help manage that pain and get you up on your feet more comfortably!
Frequently Asked Questions
To finish, we’ll cover some of the most asked questions about Gravity Defyer shoes so you can make the right decision for you about whether or not you invest in a pair.
What conditions and foot problems are Gravity Defyer shoes suitable for?
Gravity Defyer shoes can help with a range of foot problems, medical conditions, and pain, including:
- Arthritis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Diabetes
- Bunions
- Gout
- Ingrown Toenails
- Over-Pronation
- Shin Splints
- Corns
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Back Pain
- Pregnancy (Back Pain, Knee Pain, Foot Swelling, etc.)
- Knee Pain
- Ball of Foot Pain
- Hammer’s Toes
- Heel Pain
- Heel Spurs
And much more besides. If you’re wondering if these shoes are right for you, consult with your doctor to see if they feel it may lessen some of the symptoms of your condition or problem.
Where are Gravity Defyer shoes made?
All Gravity Defyer shoes are made right here in the US, just like they’ve always been since they first started in 2008.
Are Gravity Defyer shoes anti-slip?
No, not every Gravity Defyer shoe is anti-slip, but some are so look at the specific model to see if the ones you’re considering buying are. All Gravity Defyer shoes are stabilizing though, so will keep you steady on your feet.
Are Gravity Defyer shoes true to size?
Yes, the majority of people will find Gravity Defyer shoes to be true to size. There are also medium, wide, and extra wide widths on offer for a variety of their shoes in case you need more space due to swelling, etc.
Can you exercise in Gravity Defyer shoes?
Yes, Gravity Defyer creates a range of shoes, some casual, others perfect for the office, and indeed, some athletic shoes designed for walking, running, and exercising.
Do Gravity Defyer shoes really work?
Absolutely! For many people struggling with debilitating pain, Gravity Defyer shoes can make a real difference in their life. We hope throughout our Gravity Defyer shoes review you’ve been able to learn more about the different ways these shoes can help with pain and make walking more comfortable again for many people!