1. What types of painful conditions may be alleviated by wearing Z-CoiL® footwear?
Z-CoiL®-wearers have reported significant relief from the pain associated with many medically-diagnosed conditions, including:
· Heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsal pain
· Lower back pain and sciatica
· Arthritis and other common joint pains
2. Will Z-COIL® footwear help me jump higher?
No, but you will land softer.
3. How soon before I can expect results?
The relief our customers experience may be immediate, or may occur gradually, over days or even weeks. Some people enjoy complete relief from pain when wearing their Z-COIL® shoes; others achieve only partial relief, though they may be able to reduce the amount of pain medication they take.
4. Is Z-CoiL® footwear stable?
Many customers report that they actually feel more stable in their Z-CoiL® footwear than in regular shoes. The coil in the heel is cone-shaped, and so it compresses straight down, following the line of least resistance rather than tipping. The flexible coil also absorbs some surface deviations to protect the ankle.
5. Does it take a long time to get used to wearing Z-CoiL® footwear?
Most people get used to wearing the footwear right away. Others may take several hours or even a couple of days to adjust to the extraordinary feeling of the shoes. If this is the case, we suggest you wear your Z-CoiL® shoes for a few hours each day at first, and gradually increase that time until you feel more comfortable in them.
It is also normal to experience some soreness in your legs during the first few weeks of wearing Z-CoiL® shoes, due to the increased mobility they provide. If you continue to experience pain in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, or back while wearing your Z-CoiL® footwear, however, you should take them off and return to your Z-CoiL® distributor for a footwear adjustment.
6. Can objects get caught in the open coil?
Small rocks or loose materials may occasionally get caught in the coil, but they should be easy to remove with a simple shake. We do recommend caution around cords, wires, hoses, and chairs with rungs, which may catch in the coil.
7. Can I drive wearing Z-COIL® footwear?
Yes, but be careful not to let the floor mat or pedals catch on the coil. Also be aware that the shoes thick cushioning may reduce your feel for the pedals. You may need to move your seat back an inch or so to compensate for the thickness of the forefoot cushioning. If you feel unsafe driving in your Z-COIL® footwear, wear other shoes.
8. Can I use my Z-CoiL® footwear to play sports?
Our customers have reported using their Z-CoiL® shoes for walking, running, hiking, golf, and more, although we do not recommend them for sports that involve significant lateral movement, like tennis. You need to be the judge of how Z-CoiL® products will work for you. Many people have been able to become more active and get back in the game because of their Z-CoiL® footwear.
9. Can I use custom orthotics with them?
You certainly can. In fact, Z-CoiL® footwear makes an ideal foot bed for custom orthotics. Skilled Z-CoiL® fitters will ensure that your prescription orthoses fit in your shoes properly. Your prescribing healthcare professional may even be able to work with the Z-CoiL® fitter to further enhance the performance of your orthotics.
10. Aren't Z-CoiL® shoes considered high heels?
Not at all. The Z-CoiL® heel, when uncompressed, is only about 1/2 of an inch higher than the cushioned forefoot. When the coil compresses, an average distance of 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch, the heel is level or just slightly higher than the forefoot. This minimal heel rise is beneficial to most people, helping them achieve a healthier, more erect standing posture. In the rare event that this is not the case, the coils can be adjusted to a lower effective heel height.
11. How long will my Z-CoiL® shoes last?
The steel coils can last a lifetime, though the rubber heel pad will probably last between six months and two years with normal use. People who put their Z-CoiL® footwear to hard use may wear through the pad in three months, while those who go easy on their footwear have been known to wear them for several years. Fortunately, even if the heel pad does wear out, there’s no need to buy a new pair of shoes. The coil/heel pad assembly can easily be replaced by a Z-CoiL® faculty at a minimal cost.
By comparison, most running or comfort shoes with EVA or gel-based soles have a life of 200 miles or 3 months, at which time their cushioning is reduced by 50%.
12. Some of your shoes have optional foam heel covers; why don’t you cover up the coils on all your styles?
We do make an Enclosed Coil System(ECS) that comes standard with our Free Work Boot and Free Walk shoe safety toe styles, and can also be retrofitted on our other styles. The ECS is designed to address workplace safety concerns, in environments where objects are more likely to get caught in an open coil. The molded foam material that encases the coil slows the speed at which the coil compresses, which dampens its shock-absorbing capabilities to some degree, although a stiffer coil also proves useful when a person is picking up heavy objects.
At first, many people are taken aback by the appearance of our shoes; however, those who put them on and experience significant relief from pain soon see them in a different light!
