Review of Z Coil:  There will come a time when I will have to wear “comfort” shoes. I know this is true.  John Mishasek sells Z-Coil shoes at his store in Colorado Springs, Col. The shoe has a big spring in the heel. Mct file photo

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The years of torturous heels will take their toll, and my arches will rebel, my corns will inflame, and my open-toed stiletto-sandal days will be over.

But please, please, please, when that day comes, will someone make a comfort shoe that doesn’t look like something my grandma would call dorky?

Exhibit A: The Z-coil.

A visible spring on the bottom of the shoe. Really? A spring? Pogo sticks aren’t even popular anymore and they want us to walk around with springs on our heels.

I assume that these shoes must be really comfy, because why else would they be so hideous? It’s like those first hybrid cars that looked goofy on purpose so that people would know you’re in a hybrid car to save the planet — you were proving your commitment and sacrifice by driving around in something really awkward.

But I digress.

The Z-coil is billed as “pain-relief footwear.” And it’s said to be beneficial for people who spend hours on their feet, those recovering from injury and those who are trying to lose weight. Those purposes seem a little contradictory to me, but I haven’t tested this out.

I refuse to, but that’s another story.

There is a family of Z-Coil shoes, including athletic shoes, a rugged, all-terrain hiking boot and casual shoes for attracting stares, at my mall. The product is available for both men and women.

The Bella has the very humorous description of being for “the trendy woman who also craves comfort. … Fashion has never felt so good.” (Insert your own punchline here

About Z-Coil Footwear Company

In the early 1980s, Alvaro Z. Gallegos was running an average of seven miles a day. He suffered all the typical injuries associated with running—heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, knee trouble, hip pain, and back pain. And although he owned a shoe store at the time and had access to all types of running shoes, he was unable to find a shoe that eased his pain.

Over the next several years, Z-CoiL Footwear experienced exponential growth as news of the pain relief virtues of its products spread. A network of authorized Z-CoiL® distributors has continued to expand across North America, along with Z-CoiL’s corporate staff and facilities. In 2005 Z-CoiL launched its retail franchise opportunity, and now Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear® stores are springing up all over.

Al Gallegos, now in his late seventies, remains actively involved with product research and development for Z-CoiL Footwear, where he also serves as Chairman of the Board. And Andrés Gallegos, who serves as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, has been honored as Small Business Person of 2005 by the New Mexico Small Business Administration.

Mission of Z Coil

Z-CoiL Footwear is on a mission to bring relief to every person who suffers from foot, leg, or back pain—no small task, considering that:

•  75% of Americans will suffer from some kind of foot problem in their lives.

•  Up to 80% of people will suffer from lower back pain.

•  60% of adult Americans are overweight or obese, which places an additional strain on their feet.

•  Baby Boomers, representing about 28% of the U.S. population, are fast approaching retirement.

•  We walk and stand everywhere on hard, unforgiving surfaces.

Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear is definitely an innovation whose time has come!

Z-CoiL shoes are custom-fitted to accomodate the shape of your feet, your arch support needs and your gait characteristics. Since the shoe can be customized, it is possible to get a fit that supports your foot and fits like a glove. They can also be adjusted to accept your custom orthotics, or over-the-counter orthotics, including Aetrex Lynco orthotics, Superfeet and Spenco arch support products.