Propét Harrison Sandal Review
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The Propét Harrison Sandal
For anyone with foot issues, wearing flip flops during the warmer months can be a bit of a pain – literally. Flip flops (or thong sandals, as the good folks at Propét prefer) aren’t known for their amazing support, durability, or pronation correction. Indeed, the term “flip flop” is synonymous with being flimsy and wishy washy. The Propét Harrison Sandal is setting out to prove all that wrong, and then some.
The Propét Harrison Sandal – not your regular wishy washy flip flop.
Propét – bringing the Propét Harrison Sandal
Propét set out as a company to bring casual inspired footwear which is biomechanically sound to the masses. The principle design for the Propét Harrison Sandal is engineered by Podiatrist Dr. Harold D. Schoenhaus, who helped Propét USA create a lineup of shoes which correct bad posture and allow for a more natural gait. They term their principle “Rejuve”, and use it as the foundation for nearly all of their footwear. Upon delving in the Rejuve via their webiste, I found that the theory is based on the alignment of the heel to the musculoskeletal structure of the lower leg – basically, where the heel goes, the rest of the leg goes. They specifically designed Rejuve and the Propét Harrison Sandal to cup the heel in such a manner so that it creates a small offset during every heel strike, thus allowing for a more natural motion when rolling from heel to toe.
The benefit to this lies in the way energy travels up the leg during normal locomotion. Too much pronation (rolling inward of the foot) can cause the knee and thigh to rotate internally, and create a painful torquing effect which worsens over time. Traditional shoes correct this by increasing the level of padding in the arch. This is difficult to do in a sandal due to the lack of material present. The Propét Harrison Sandal takes a unique approach by starting this correction at the heel.
Testing the Propét Harrison Sandal
I had the ability to test the Propét Harrison Sandal over a two month period – it was a relatively easy product to test, as all I really need to do was walk around. I prefer wearing flip flops pretty much all the time during the summer months, so it was easy to slip them on frequently. There’s a reason we here in Colorado have the dress code termed “Colorado Casual” – due to the classy/casual construction of the flip flop, I was able to dress them up or down depending on the occasion. From church to the brewery, they pretty much fit in everywhere.
The neoprene liner is a definite comfort bonus on the Propét Harrison Sandal
The comfort level on the Propét Harrison Sandal was off the charts, and the first thing I noticed upon walking around in it the first time. I benefit from slight pronation correction in my running shoes, so it was no surprise to me that the Propét Harrison Sandal suited my needs in this regard. The leather upper is paired with a neoprene inner to combat chafing, and the canvas thong is appropriately shaped to avoid discomfort from having fabric between the toes for long periods of time. I hate it when the fulcrum of the entire sandal (the thong between your toes) is the most uncomfortable part of the whole shoe – this completely defeats the purpose of wearing flip flops! No such problems here.
No comfort issues with the canvas thong strap on the Propét Harrison Sandal
Propét didn’t stop at a quality upper, Rejuve technology, and comfort; they also designed an excellent outsole/footbed combination. The Propét Harrison Sandal features tread on the outsole which is flexible enough to be comfortable for a full day of wear but rigid enough to provide grip and support on most surfaces. I say most because who wears flip flops on ice and snow? Let’s avoid ridiculous comparisons/testing expectations. As you can see from the photo, there are actual two materials in the footbed – the lighter material across the arch is somewhat spongier, and flexes easily. This is to mimic the natural flex of a foot while walking, and enhance the comfort without detracting from the stability of the shoe.
The footbed has a clothlike feel to it, which is very comfortable to the foot and prevents irritation. A small caveat here, though. If you have very sweaty feet, you may wish to look for another shoe from the Propét lineup. I have sweaty feet, and don’t enjoy how fabric liners on flip flops tend to get smelly over time. To be fair, I didn’t have this occur in the Propét Harrison Sandal, but over time the issue always develops with this type of material – natural or synthetic.
The Propét Harrison Sandal has an outsole crafted to flex like your foot while maintaing traction and stability.
Final Thoughts on the Propét Harrison Sandal
The Propét Harrison Sandal is an excellent choice for those looking for a durable flip flop which is comfortable and goes with just about everything. Those experiencing trouble with pronation correction will especially enjoy the Rejuve technology, and appreciate the comfort that comes with having a flip flop with pronation correction. The best part is that Propét manages to do so without making the sandal look like an orthotic piece of footwear. Of the comments I solicited on the sandal, not a single person even noticed the fact that the Propét Harrison Sandal was inspired by podiatry and orthotics. Ranging from $45-$75, the sandal may seem a bit pricey, but is definitely built to provide comfort and support for years.
For more info or to purchase, visit www.amazon.com/propet.
The Propét Harrison Sandal; built to last with stylish, casual design.
