Hands-Free Slip-On Shoes

I’ve been partnering with Xero Shoes for several years and have been wearing their shoes since 2012 when they were actually called “Invisible Shoes.” The reasons are simple: they make barefoot shoes, the shoes last, and now they have plenty of styles and colors to choose from, making it easy to wear shoes that are actually designed to let feet be feet in any situation!

Recently, they asked if I would take a look at their new Prio Coast shoe, a hands-free slip-on shoe that they hoped would be great for people with mobility issues.

The question behind the trial:

“Do you think these shoes can help your patients?”

Women’s Prio Coast in Windward Blue

My answer: “Yes!”

I’ve worn these shoes for a few weeks now, and haven’t ever had to bend over to put them on. This will be fantastic for my patients who have a lumbar spine issue—especially if they are avoiding lumbar flexion while recovering from a disc issue.

Watch below for a quick 37 seconds of these shoes in action: no hands!

But these are not just for people who are in pain! I see this shoe being great for:

  • late pregnancy (if you’ve ever tried tying shoes at 39 weeks pregnant, you know what I mean)

  • immediate post-surgical recovery (for any surgery to help facilitate easier early walking)

  • moms holding a baby while trying to get out of the house

  • dads scrambling to get to carpool

  • early postpartum days/weeks

  • travel (especially if you don’t have TSA Pre-check and need to easily slip shoes on/off with full hands and a line of potentially grumpy people behind you)

  • anyone who’s ever running late :-)

  • and, of course, for those with limited mobility of their spine, hips, or knees.

I enjoy the way these shoes look and feel; they’re a cute casual tennis shoe with bungee laces. They’re versatile and the sole is obviously flexible with a wide toe box, zero drop, and they’re so easy to slip on and take off.

These have made their way into my regular routine, and I will be recommending them to many patients!

I was given a pair of these shoes in exchange for my honest assessment of how they would impact my patients’ lives—especially those with limited mobility.

Lindsay Mumma