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For the past year or so (or even maybe more), I have been struggling with occasional backaches that at times result in irritating headaches and bugs the heck out of the back of my left knee. As back problems go, such telltale signs are indication that its time to go visit the doctor and I’m planning on visiting my ‘friendly’ but not so process effective Polyclinic very soon.

Earlier on, KP and KC spoke to me about how humans were meant to walk barefoot as it triggers and works on all the muscles as it was intended to. However, with the entry of shoes and the evolution of their designs which were initially meant for comfort, we began to see ourselves less sensitive to the ground and (if I get my facts right) end up messing up our posture and injuring our ankles and knees (and then some).

With that, they introduced me to a series of shoes known as Terra Plana. According to their website, the VivoBarefoot technology they adopted “stengthens the muscles in your feet, realigns your posture and stimulates sensory perception. They give you all the protection of normal shoes and health benefits of going barefoot.” I was rather intrigued with the brand but was unable to for a few weeks, find out more of it due to work commitments. It was only last Friday when I was at Mandarin Gallery did I chance upon the Terra Plana shop and given that I had just a little time on my hands, I popped in to find out more.

There is no better way to find out about the technology unless you experience it for yourself. With a pair of my existing shoe on one feet and one of their series on the other, I suddenly understood what the two brothers (KP and KC) meant when they said close to the ground. Hate to sound cheesy but this is perhaps the first time I feel somewhat grounded when wearing a pair of shoe. While I may have owned a pair of Nike Free once which boasts of the same feel as walking barefoot, I must admit that the Terra Plana series brings you closer.

As good shoes go, Terra Plana is not exactly cheap especially for a prudent (another of my term for cheapskate) person like me. However, consumers constantly looking out for Nikes and Aldos for their footwear can well afford a pair anytime. But given how this could be the first step in my plan to start realigning my back, I encouraged myself to at least give it a shot. Since I can’t pick up a pair of one of the VivoBarefoot series with the close to empty pocket moments I frequently find myself in, I figured the Dopie sandals will do for now. It basically gives you pretty much the same comfort but with minimal designs.

My new pair of Dopies

Honestly, I am no expert in backs or shoe technology and I hope I got my facts right. But what opened my eyes was the feel when I put on a pair that fateful day. If you are looking for a pair of footware that is real comfortable and healthy, I suggest you might want to give Terra Plana a try. Sure their limited designs will not win them any of Paris’ coveted fashion awards but that’s the least you can do for yourself especially with the hectic lifestyle we go through daily (or is it me?). And oh, did I mention that they use recycled materials and are into sustainable designs such as the absence of glue in their shoes? How sweet is that eh?