KIZIK Hands-Free Shoes Are Also The Perfect Footwear For Seniors - Forbes

KIZIK Hands-Free Shoes Are Also The Perfect Footwear For Seniors - Forbes
Most People Can't Identify 12/30 Of These Shoes — Can You? - BuzzFeed
COVID-19 Update: Coronavirus Can Live On Shoes For Five Days Or More, Experts Say - International Business Times
Shutdown order: Shoes are not essential but liquor is - WTVY, Dothan
Crocs donating 10,000 pairs of shoes to healthcare workers each day - MLive.com

Posted: 28 Mar 2020 12:20 PM PDT

In January, I reviewed a pair of high-tech shoes from KIZIK. The new shoe brand was created to showcase the F.A.S.T. (Foot Activated Shoe Technologies) hands-free shoe technology developed by HandsFree Labs. Believe it or not, that FAST tech is game-changer. I didn't fully realize it at the time, but as cool and uber-convenient as I found KIZIK's hands-free shoes, they are truly revolutionary for senior citizens. And with the current COVID-19 crisis in full effect, hands-free shoes suddenly have another reason for appeal.

KIZIK review — You would never know these shoes are specially designed to be completely hands-free.
Brad Moon

KIZIK Shoes Refresher & Long-Term Review

It's worth starting with a quick refresher of the KIZIK shoes I evaluated. These were the Boston Date style, which I loved for their smart casual style. They look great with jeans and seriously dress up track pants when I'm kicking around the house (which I do a lot, as someone who works from home on a full-time basis). The shoes feature F.A.S.T. technology, anchored by the F1 Titanium Arc that collapses when your foot is inserted in the shoe, then pops back into place. Putting on a KIZIK shoe is completely hands-free and effortless.

The video below illustrates just how well this works.

For me, the shoes have been fantastic, letting me pop in and out of the house — switching shoes each time — without effort. I was also looking forward to how much easier they were going to make going through airport screening, although under the current circumstances that is on hold for a bit...

I've now been wearing the shoes nearly full-time for over two months. They work just as well as they did on the first day (that titanium arc has been tested to 10,000 compressions so I'm not anticipating wearing it out any time soon), the leather still looks like new, and they remain incredibly comfortable.

In fact, that comfort caught me a bit off guard. The emphasis is on being hands-free, but these shoes have contoured footbeds, nicely padded outsoles, and are comfortable enough for all-day wear — including sessions walking on the treadmill.

The only real downside is cost. At $160 the Boston shoes are a little on the pricey side. However, a few weeks ago KIZIK addressed that issue with the release of an all-new, more affordable style. The men's Madrid shoes with a stretch-knit upper are priced at $99.

Perfect for Seniors, Including Active Seniors

I liked the KIZIK shoes so much I decided to buy a pair each for my in-laws. My wife's parents are in their 70s, but they are still very active. Her mom will go for five mile walks through the park with us, and her dad still climbs up on the roof of a two-storey house to check for loose shingles.

One area that's become more of a pain for them is putting shoes on and taking them off. That's a lot of bending, and fussing with laces. I did try out a pair of running stretch laces for a pair of my father-in-law's shoes, but that still meant having to bend down and pull the shoes on. And at 6-foot eight-inches tall, he has a log way to bend... They had tried using slide-on footwear (sandals or slippers) for walking around the house, but these open-ended shoes flop and they can cause tripping — especially going up and down stairs.

The KIZIK shoes seemed ideal. I placed an order on the company's website, but hit a snag with shipping. I'm based in Canada, and the online store isn't currently set up to ship here. However, when I reached out to my contact from the initial review, they offered to have the shoes sent directly — a move I was very grateful for.

When the shoes arrived (Alpine Brown in size 14 for my father-in-law and Hilo Navy for my mother-in-law), they went over extremely well. As hoped for, they not only provide hands-free use — so no more having to bend to put shoes on — they are structured for a secure fit, and extremely comfortable. And they look identical to "regular" shoes.

Hands-Free Takes on New Importance

As my testing for the initial KIZIK shoes review wrapped up, the coronavirus was beginning to make headlines. Now, of course, it is the headline. And that suddenly brings a new advantage to being hands-free. Nothing official (at time of publication) has been confirmed about the potential for the coronavirus to live on shoes, but Huffington Post did recently publish a story where an infectious disease specialist claims the virus could potentially survive on shoe soles for up to five days.

Even without that possibility, it's already been established that shoes are a bacterial zoo, often contaminated with coliform, E. coli and other nasties. That's one reason why I keep separate indoor and outdoor shoes. If you're concerned about the possibility of transmission of anything nasty from shoes to hand, that's another reason to consider hands-free shoes...

Kizik hands-free shoes review — KIZIK hands-free shoes are a great choice for anyone who hates laces or bending to put on shoes, but ... [+] they are true game-changers for seniors.
Brad Moon

If there's anyone in your life who would benefit from hands-free shoes, KIZIK is a company you should check out. They offer men's and women's shoes, in a range of styles including sneakers, dress shoes and outdoor shoes.

Disclosure: KIZIK provided shoes for evaluation but had no input into this review.

Most People Can't Identify 12/30 Of These Shoes — Can You? - BuzzFeed

Posted: 28 Mar 2020 12:45 PM PDT

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Most People Can't Identify 12/30 Of These Shoes — Can You? BuzzFeed

COVID-19 Update: Coronavirus Can Live On Shoes For Five Days Or More, Experts Say - International Business Times

Posted: 29 Mar 2020 04:14 AM PDT

KEY POINTS

Shoes can be home to coronavirus for more than five days
Experts suggest having a dedicated pair of shoes for outdoor activities
Coronavirus can live on non-human surfaces like doorknob, shoes, plastic, and cardboard

The coronavirus can live on various non-living surfaces like cardboard, plastic, bags, and doorknobs. However, experts suggest that shoes can house a variety of germs, including the coronavirus.

Mary E. Schmidt, an infectious disease specialist, spoke with Huffington Post U.K. and warned that the coronavirus could live on leather, rubber, and PVC-based soles for five days or even more. She suggested that people can opt for machine-washable shoes.

Meanwhile, according to Carol Winner, a public health specialist, no evidence can suggest that shoes can bring coronavirus into the house. "Pragmatically, they are on the body part furthest from our face, and we do know that the greatest risk of transmission is person to person, not shoe to person," she said.

Georgine Nanos, a family practitioner, believes that shoes can contaminate if they are worn in crowded places, including grocery stores, trains, buses, etc.

Winner also cited an article by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which states that "coronavirus can remain active on some surfaces, like plastic, for up to two to three days."

Cwanza Pinckney, an emergency physician, mentioned that it is important to pay attention to the sole of a shoe as it can be the breeding ground of bacteria and viruses.

She also suggested that a person can have a pair of shoes dedicated to any outdoor activities and a separate pair of shoes to change into before stepping inside the house.

The shoes can also be disinfected from time to time. Winner said that using the right disinfectant and cleaning products is key when dealing with a virus.

"Viruses can be inactivated by heat, cleaning solutions like Clorox, and soap and water. Soap alters lipids, and disinfectant oxidizes and heat denatures proteins," she said.

If the shoes are washable, Nanos suggested that shoes can be machine washed or one can use hot water and soap. However, some products spoil the finish of shoes made out of natural material like leather.

Spain recorded another 832 coronavirus deaths on Saturday, following the patten of hardest-hit Italy as the epidemic surges through Europe Photo: AFP / Josep LAGO

Shutdown order: Shoes are not essential but liquor is - WTVY, Dothan

Posted: 28 Mar 2020 06:40 AM PDT

Dothan, AL (WTVY)-- Governor Ivey has ordered all non essential businesses in Alabama to close, her latest effort to slow coronavirus.

Department, furniture, clothing, jewelry, book, shoe, and dozens of other businesses will shut down until at least April 17.

State owned liquor stores won't.

The Alcohol Beverage Control Board , sole supplier of alcoholic products other than beer and wine, will continue operations. It had previously temporarily closed some of its locations but others, including two Dothan locations, remain open .

There is a five customer limit and patrons are prohibited from browsing but must, instead, remain at the front of the store while clerks retrieve their order.

Credit and debit cards are the preferred payment method.

In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, ABC liquor sales in Alabama generated $263 million in tax revenue.

Crocs donating 10,000 pairs of shoes to healthcare workers each day - MLive.com

Posted: 27 Mar 2020 07:55 AM PDT

Crocs, Inc. is doing its part to provide comfort for healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.

The company known for its distinctive causal footwear for women, men and children is donating 10,000 pairs of shoes a day to healthcare workers though its "A Free Pair for Healthcare" program.

"Like everyone, we've been closely monitoring the news and working hard to map out a way to most effectively help where we can," Crocs President and CEO Andrew Rees said.

"Over the past week, we have spoken to healthcare workers, their facilities and even their family and friends, and they have specifically asked for our shoes in an effort to provide ease on their feet, as well as ease of mind as they need the ability to easily clean up before they go home to their families."

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The duration of our giveaway and number of shoes donated will depend on Crocs inventory and the number of requests received. High volume has greeted customers on the first two days of the giveaway, with more than 400,000 people jumping in line for a free pair of Crocs on Thursday.

Friday's allotment is also sold out. The next chance to get a free pair is at noon on Monday, March 30.

"These workers have our deepest respect, and we are humbled to be able to answer their call and provide whatever we can to help during this unprecedented time," Rees said.

Healthcare workers can choose between Crocs Classic Clogs and Crocs At Work styles, with free shipping through its website at www.crocs.com/freeforhealthcare.

Crocs has also donated 100,000 pairs of shoes to be distributed across several select healthcare facilities and organizations. Currently, that includes hospital systems in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania,

"The healthcare industry has always embraced Crocs, but our mantra of 'be comfortable in your own shoes' applies now more than ever, and we want to do more to help our nation's heroes," Rees said.

"We only have one ask: Share the word to all those in healthcare and please be mindful to allow those who need these most to place their requests. This is the least we can do for those working incredibly hard to defeat this virus."

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