Z-Coil Footwear Review – Do Spring-Loaded Shoes Really Work?

Disclosure: We may receive compensation from the companies whose products we review if you click through our affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Welcome my Z-Coil footwear review.  I have seen and heard about these spring-loaded shoes and decided to give them try.  Are these shoes worth it, and do they really work to reduce impact in your body?  I encourage you to keep reading to find out more about my experience.

I have been dealing with back pain for about 20 years, and am always on the lookout for products to help with pain relief.  I am willing to try just about anything that will help.

I am very active, which includes walking a lot during the day, and having a shoe that can reduce the impact on my body is very appealing to me.

Product: Z-Coil Footwear Shoes
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Recommend: Yes
Summary: Z-Coil footwear helps to reduce the impact on your hips, knees, ankle, and back.  With many different styles available, these shoes are great for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet.
Price and Promotions: Shop Z-Coil

What is Z-Coil footwear?

Z-Coil is a small family-owned business based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Al Gallegos, an avid runner, came up with the idea to add a spring to a running shoe to reduce impact, and Z-Coil was born.

The basic premise behind Z-Coil footwear is a steel coil that collapses inside itself has been added to the heel of a shoe.  This steel coil acts as a shock absorber and helps to reduce impact.

Z-Coil shoe styles

The shoes come in many different styles and are available for both men and women.  The styles include athletic, hiking, boots, clogs, and more.

There are a few more styles available for women’s shoes than men, including sandals and a few different clog type shoes.

Overall there is a solid variety of shoes for a lot of different purposes.  Z-Coil shoes for men and women come in solid black as well.  I know some people who have to wear solid black shoes for work and these would come in very handy.

Some of the styles come with the exposed coil, and some have the coil covers.  Enclosed coils are recommended if you are around cables or cords.

Spring-loaded shoes?

Yeah, I wasn’t sure what to expect with a shoe that has a coil in the heel. Would the shoe be stable, would it be comfortable, would I feel the coil in my heel?  I found the shoes very comfortable, stable, and I definitely don’t feel the coil in my heel.

Experience reviewing my Z-Coil shoes

My shoes arrived in the mail within a few days of ordering them online.  I was very pleased with how fast they arrived at my house.  Also, shipping was free.  Standard shipping is free within the US.

I have to be honest with you, I was skeptical about these shoes when I bought them.  I mean, these are not your typical shoes.  I really didn’t know what to expect.

The first thing I did was open the box, and I was pleasantly surprised that Z-Coil had included a free pair of socks.  Okay, nothing earth-shattering, but anytime a company gives you a little something extra for free, that’s a win in my book.

Also included are a few brochures, including a “Welcome Guide” which talks about customer testimonials, caring for your shoes, etc.  This guide is an excellent addition.

The box also included a ½ size insert.  I wasn’t exactly sure how this worked, but the instructions included with the insert were straightforward.  What the insert does is knock a half size off the shoes.  Z-Coil shoes do not come in half sizes, so this is the way to get a better fit.

I wear a size 11 in most shoes but depending on the brand and style, that ranges anywhere from 10.5 to 11.5.  I ordered a size 11 in the Z-Coil Liberty Grey.  When I first tried them on, they felt a little bit big, and then I realized I needed to try the insert.

With the insert, you simply pull out the insole and put the half-size insert in the bottom of the shoe and put the insole back in.  Adding the half-size insert made a difference for me, and the shoes felt like a better fit.

It’s definitely a strange sensation when you start walking on these shoes, but I could see (and feel) the benefit right away.  I felt cushion when I took my first step.

I decided to take my dog for a walk and see how it went.  I headed out down the street, and immediately I got used to walking in these Z-Coil shoes. I was thinking maybe I would feel like I was going to fall over, but it was nothing like that at all.

The shoes are very sturdy and stable. I mean, if runners wear these, they have to be stable and supportive.

I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised with my purchase and experience wearing Z-Coil shoes. I feel like there is less impact through my body when I wear these shoes.

What’s in the box

The shoes arrived quickly and the box included:My Z Coil Footwear package

  • One pair of Z-Coil shoes
  • Z-Coil welcome guide
  • Z-Coil comfort sock
  • ½ size insert (more on this later)

Shop Z-Coil

Caring for Z-Coils

The instructions say to avoid excessive heat, like leaving your shoes in a hot car.  Cleaning the shoes is easy; just wipe them down with soapy water.  For leather shoes, you can use a cleaner plus conditioner.

Sizing

The shoes come in whole sizes, no half sizes are available, but they do come with a half size insert, which I found works well.  To give you a reference, I typically wear a size 11 shoe.  I ordered an 11, and it did feel a bit too big when I first put it on.

I used the half-size insert, by putting it in under the insole and that worked very well.  The shoes felt a bit more snug, in a good way.  The insert took up some of the extra space in the shoes.  So, based on my experience, I am probably closer to a 10.5 if they sold half sizes.

Who can benefit from Z-coil shoes?

I think a lot of people can benefit, including:

  • People who spend a lot of time standing
  • Hospital workers
  • Retail workers
  • People who work in restaurants
  • People with back, hip, knee or foot pain

The list goes on, and I am sure I missed a whole bunch of people, but I think you get the point.

If you deal with back, hip, knee, foot pain, to name a few ailments, these shoes are definitely worth a try.  I noticed a big difference in impact walking around in these shoes. It almost feels like walking on nothing, and it’s a bit of a strange sensation at first since I was not used to it.

If you spend a lot of time on your feet working, I think these shoes would be great.  People who work in hospitals, restaurants, retail, or anyone else who are on their feet a lot may really feel the difference with Z-Coil pain relief footwear.

Basically, Z-Coil footwear would be beneficial for people who find themselves on their feet a lot of the day.  If you are looking for pain relief footwear, Z-Coil is worth a try.

Z-Coil 30-day trial

Z-Coil offers a 30-day trial, and you can return the shoes for any reason and any condition.  You do pay for return shipping, but at least you get the price of the shoes back. This is a solid deal from Z-Coil, most places will not let you return shoes if they have been worn.

Z-Coil replacement parts

You can buy replacement parts for these shoes as well, including:

  • Coils (open or enclosed)
  • Insoles
  • Custom arch supports
  • Even socks and shoelaces

The steel coils may last a lifetime, but the rubber heel pad will not.  Depending on how much you use your Z-Coils, the rubber heel pad may wear down in a few months or years.  You don’t have to replace the shoes; you can replace the heel pad.

Conclusion: Z-Coil review

I mentioned that I was skeptical when I bought a pair of these Z-Coil shoes, but I have been pleasantly surprised.  The shoes are sturdy, stable, and very comfortable.

Pros

  • Great for reducing impact
  • Excellent for people who are on their feet a lot
  • Durable construction
  • You can buy replacement parts and not have to replace the whole shoe
  • Comfortable
  • Come in a variety of styles
  • Open or enclosed coil depending on your needs

Cons

  • Pricey shoes, but worth it for so many people who deal with hip, back, knee or foot pain
  • The shoe strings are really long

If you spend a lot of time on your feet, you might want to consider trying some Z-Coil footwear, there are a lot of different styles for different needs.  Take advantage of the 30 day trial period and test the shoes out.  If you don’t like them, you can always return them in any condition.

If you are interested in more information about Z-Coil footwear or would like to purchase a pair of your own, click on the link below.

Shop Z-Coil

Please let me know if you have any questions about my experience, I am happy to help.

Z-Coil Review
  • Value
  • Price
  • Comfort
4.7

Leave a Comment