'I tried Simba's £89 slippers that "massage your feet as you walk" and got an unexpected result' - Yahoo News UK

[Elaine Blackburne]

For years I have spent my time seeing various physios. I suffer from arthritis which has meant being in pain across many of my joints - at times it can be agony.

My recent issue has been a sore ankle which has been incredibly painful and very debilitating. So when Simba offered me a pair of its ROK Slippers to try I thought anything was worth a go.

The bed tech firm, which is renown for its award-winning memory foam mattresses and comfortable hybrid pillows, has just recently stepped out into the world of footwear with its range of carefully designed slippers. And just like their other unique products these are set apart from many of the other brands.

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There is a range for men and women and go from the Stormur priced £69 to the Rok at £89. While the colours are limited each is available in two or three options including beige, black, green and grey.

They are similar in design to Birkenstock but they are quite a bit cheaper than its similar options. They are marketed as "reflexology slippers" which say they massage your feet as you walk with the firm saying: "Feels as good as it looks, designed with reflexology-inspired tech and cushioning for full-body wellbeing. A real treat for your feet, our slippers offers support in every step."

The slippers are comfortable but sturdy -Credit:Elaine Blackburne


But would they measure up to the hype? As a result of my feet problems I opted for the Rok as they looked sturdy and I loved the moccasin style. It said they had nine pressure points and I did wonder if they might help my ankle.

When they arrived they looked every bit worth the price tag - and that was before I put them on. When I did I could feel the difference. They felt more like good quality shoes which would be long-lasting as well as stylish.

They were a perfect fit for my size-7 feet and incredibly lightweight considering how durable they turned out to be. I do have quite wide feet but that wasn't an issue with these slippers as there was a buckle which I was able to adjust.

The hard-wearing soles also meant I could wear them outside without worrying whether they'd be ruined or my feet would get wet. To be honest when I first put them on I wondered if I'd made a mistake as they were different to any slippers I'd had before.

They felt so comfortable -Credit:Elaine Blackburne


However by the end of the first day I barely noticed I was even wearing them. Simba says of the Rok design: "Inspired by walking barefoot in nature, these slippers are engineered to boost your wellbeing from the feet upwards. With a modern, versatile design and cushioned sole for maximum comfort."

By day two I genuinely felt like I was walking barefoot and over the next couple of weeks really put them through their paces - even in the snow, ice and rain as I had to regularly take the dog into the garden throughout the day. The soles are made of cushioned leather which meant walking was as comfortable as I've felt in a long time.

And after a fortnight of hard wear they still look as good as new - even after the dog jumped on my foot with his muddy paws. Any splashes of water on them either dried clear or easily rubbed off with a wet wipe.

But it wasn't the feel or durability which was the biggest surprise. It wasn't even the fact that my ankle felt so much better afterward and I haven't had it collapse under me since day 1.

I also have a sore hip and have struggled to sleep at night since the summer when I injured it tripping over while carrying a tent! I have been taking maximum amounts of two over-the-counter painkillers for four months until now.

After a couple of weeks of wearing them I suddenly found my hip no longer hurt and I could sleep at night without my medication. I didn't initially link the two until I went away for a few days without them only for the pain to return. But within days of coming home and getting them back on my feet the pain has gone again.

So while these are not the cheapest of slippers they are by no means the most expensive. And for me the fact my pain has gone and I can get sleep once more is priceless. These are the best slippers I have ever had and can't see me turning elsewhere in future.