Ballistic (womens)
People don’t just want shoes to be comfortable anymore, they want their shoes to physically do something for them. Brands eager to fill this trend have created shoes that can, for example, hold a pedometer or music player in the insole, give a built-in workout, or, as Gravity Defyer claims, relieve your foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back pain!
Gravity Defyer delivers this pain free promise with the help of their “Versoshock trampoline technology” which includes memory springs and twin stabilizer springs inside the heels of every shoe. In simple terms, their shoes absorb shock when you step down and propel you forward with each step (also called rebounding) which then reduces fatigue and restores your energy. They’ve got a nifty split shoe diagram on their website and lots more research posted there too on the health benefits of the shoes, so check them out at: http://gravitydefyer.com or http://gdefy.com (same site, just whatever’s easier to remember).
Ballistic (womens)
But making claims is one thing; this kind of promise asks for some serious testing. So, when Gravity Defyer offered me some shoe to try out, I decided that my desk jockey (and all around painless) self was not an ideal candidate. Instead, I gave the shoes to my mom, who walks 2 miles to work (often another 2 miles back home too) and is on her feet all day (plus she has to walk the dog a few times in there too). She also had recently been experiencing some knee pain, so I couldn’t think of a better test subject. She tried out one of Gravity Defyer’s bestsellers, the Ballistic style (pictured), and here’s her trial log:
DAY 1 – Put on my Ballistic shoes this morning and had NO PAIN in my knee! I usually wake up in the morning limping with pain so I’m shocked! I went out to walk my dog, Lola, for 20 minutes and still no pain. Very strange. I’m off today and just sitting around the house, so not much more to write for now.
DAY 2 – Walked 2 miles to work and the shoes feel great! I stand in one place a lot at work and after about 6 or 7 hours my feet started to ache a bit, but when I started walking around again, they felt better. By the time I got home (got a ride from a co-worker) my feet were hurting a bit, but definitely not as bad as they usually do and my knee still didn’t hurt at all!
DAY 3 - I reached for my Ballistic sneakers as soon as my feet were out of the bed. These sneakers are like a miracle cure for my knee; it doesn’t hurt at all as long as I have these shoes on. Again I walked to work this morning and I felt great, had tons of energy, but just standing for hours without moving began to give me some pain in my heel. By the end of the day, my heel is still not feeling great, but walking home it started feeling better.
DAY 4 - I’ve figured out a system: I wear my Gravity Defyer sneakers on my walk to work and when I’m out with Lola, and just bring a different pair of sneakers with me to switch into for the long hours of standing in one place. Then, I put my Ballistic’s back on for my walk home. Yay! Perfect shoe day! I’ve been telling all of my customers about these shoes too, they’re impressed. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see some orders pretty soon.
DAY 5 - Today I had a day off but lots of errands, so I’m going to wear the Ballistics all day. I don’t have a car, so it’s a combination of walking and taking the bus to go to the grocery store, the hair salon, the bookstore, etc., and taking Lola on a long walk. I feel great! No foot or knee pain. These are definitely the shoes to wear while moving!
Thanks mom 8)
Paskal (mens)
I also really want to recommend taking a look at Gravity Defyer shoes if you’re a guy or looking for a gift for a male in your life. Their mens dress shoes are seriously wow-worthy. I especially like the Paskal, Philippe, Theodore, Fabian and Gabriel… ok, all of them. No, really! As soon as I convince my ex-skater boy husband that he should trade in his sneakers for some grown up shoes, we’re going for these.
Philippe (mens)
Gravity Defyer also has some other womens options like mary-janes, ballet flats, loafers and mules which you should take a look at. You’ll probably have a hard time getting your teenage daughter to wear a pair, but for adults, especially adults with pain, I’m sure high fashion style points will be happily traded for insanely comfortable shoes.
Randomly – if you can see it on the sneaker above or if you visit their website, yes, Gravity Defyer’s logo is exactly what you think it is… they call it their seed of life logo and it’s just because it’s cool. 
10 comments
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April 11, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Efudd
My father swears by these shoes!!! He was born with clubfeet and hammertoes and after wearing Gravity Defyers after one day, he was miraculously healed!!!! But that’s nothing compared to my cousin – she was born with her right foot missing and after wearing Gravity Defyers for only 3 days, she grew a new foot!!! Wow!!! Also I ordered 2 pairs for my mother about 6 months ago, we havn’t received them yet but she claims her feet feel better anyways!!! Way to go Gravity Defyers!!! Forgot to mention – my sister, age 67, who has been barren without children, wore her Gravity Defyers for a month and became pregnant!!! I guess that logo had everything to do with it!!! Thanks Gravity Defyer!!! (now, if I could just keep them away from my grand daughters…
April 12, 2011 at 10:27 am
nyshoespy
That’s funny stuff Efudd! But the opinions and experience related in this article are completely true and directly from my own mother’s mouth. You may also wish to note that she and I mentioned both positive and negative aspects of these shoes: for example, my mother felt these shoes were not the best for standing in one place for long periods of time and opted to switch to a different brand for those time periods, however she did give them glowing reviews for use during extensive walking. If you do actually try a pair of Gravity Defyer sneakers, we’d love to hear what you think about them then.
August 6, 2011 at 10:59 am
Jack
I bought a pair of these shoes and find them to be nice looking – although my son pointed out their logo looks like a sperm – and not particularly comfortable. Bought some SAS walking shoes for about the same price and they are much better.
August 11, 2011 at 12:34 pm
carolyn pratt-carolyn young pratt
I have been checking about the gravity deflyer gym shoes before I buy them are they good or not I just want the truth before I buy them
September 13, 2011 at 2:13 pm
John
I purchased my pair of Gravity Defyer on December 9, 2010. After six months of normal wear there appeared a clicking in my left heel with each step I take. This is very annoying. With only a 30 day refund or exchange policy, I would NOT recommend these shoes to anyone.
November 20, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Daniel
Mine make ALOT of noise…certainly not going to the library with them, I am
embarrassed to wear them even at the food store…
Though they do help my foot pain and fatigue…
The noise started the first day I had them…
November 20, 2011 at 3:40 pm
TonyVon
I had a reconstracted hip surgery last year and could hardly walk, my brother inlaw recomended me the Gravity Defyer shoes and god bless, I can walk, the pain did not disapear but must say they are not just comfortble but also provid some pain relife, I totaly recomend them.
November 26, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Jimmy
I saw the ad for these shoes inside a magazine. I did some research and had to try them out for myself. I work on my feet all day so its very important for me to have the right footwear. I ordered the ricochet model since it had a nice look to it. When I received them I tried them on and felt instant relief with every step I took. The real test was going to happen at work the next day. After wearing them at work for a week, the stitching on the top of the shoe started becoming undone. I was mad since I’ve never had shoes do that to me after a week especially with shoes costing this much. I called the people at gravity defyer and arranged for an exchange. I received the new pair in about a week and wore them to work again. This time I’ve had them for about two weeks and so far I am not impressed. The fabric that is glued to the insert started to peel on the sides making it uncomfortable to walk because it feels like I have something inside the shoe. Once I stop focusing on that then the shoes feel good while i’m on the move but my heel starts to hurt if I just stand. I think that at the current price point these shoes need to have better quality. I’ve had sneakers costing half as much provide me with more durability while the comfort was not that much worse. I don’t think I will be ordering any other pairs unless there is a change in pricing to maybe $60.00 a pair.
November 29, 2011 at 6:07 am
Mike
I like these shoes, very comfortable and easy on the walking, except for the popping sound in the right heel that started after about 10 months to a year of use; it has to be one of the springs catching on the inside off the shoe.
December 29, 2011 at 5:58 pm
AL Mc
I found these shoes for me not to be the most comfortable. I believe you need to be walking or running in them. I stand most of the day and my feet tend to ache do to the forward push the heel gives you. So I would not recommend buying these unless you are moving a lot on your feet. Also the 30 day warranty is not the best customer service. I have returned my shoes and have not yet received my refund. They say it is because of the the holidays, we’ll see.