Englin's Fine Footwear presents the MBT "Fora" with classic lace-up styling and advanced Masai Barefoot Technology. MBT, or Masai Barefoot Technology, was developed by the Swiss to emulate the natural walking conditions of the Masai. A semi-nomadic tribe from East Africa known for having excellent posture and almost never experiencing joint or back pain, the Masai have adapted their bodies by walking barefoot on the soft, sandy Mara plain, developing natural shock absorbers that protect their back, knee and hip joints. Inspired by the Masai, MBT was developed for over a decade to address the chronic back, knee and foot problems that afflict modern society. Slip on a pair of MBT shoes and the multi-layered sole immediately transforms hard, flat surfaces into a soft, shifting terrain. By creating this natural instability underfoot, the body's supporting muscle system is stimulated and immediately exercised, triggering the positive effect of Masai Barefoot Technology such as improved gait and posture, relief from pressure on the joints and the back, and muscle exercise. MBT You'll Never Walk the Same Way Again! 1 1/2" pivot sole.