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1,000,000+
pairs sold since 1990
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30 days
risk-free trial, any condition
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4.89
average rating on Stamped
Start here
Se alt
Why it works
Where the rotation comes from
- Heel strike: the coil compresses about an inch and tips backward, so the foot lands without the ankle flexing.
- Midstance: the rigid built-in orthotic carries the arch and heel.
- Toe-off: the rocker forefoot rolls you forward instead of asking the ankle to bend.
50% more heel cushioning than a name-brand cushioned shoe, measured by Sandia National Laboratories. Read the studies.
From people with fused ankles
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Great for a fully fused ankle
★★★★★
I'm 31, and have had 17 surgeries. My left ankle is fused, I've had left knee and hip surgeries, and have two spinal cord stimulators. Walking is tough to say the least. These shoes help me a ton. Walking up a slight hill was somewhat impossible before and now I can with some ease. The arch insert that I got with the shoe is fantastic as well. The shoes definitely eliminate and fully absorb the shock my foot would normally feel as I tried to walk. I also feel it work for my knee and hip as well. Driving isn't difficult in the shoes either. Extremely great customer service, and a great product!
Donald F. · Verified purchase · Freedom Classic Black
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I have a fused ankle
★★★★★
I have a fused ankle and would pay $300 or more for custom shoes. They did not always work. Then I found Z-CoiL. I have been wearing them for 5 years and have 3 pair. I can walk normally because of the spring and they cut all my foot pain. My left foot arch is flatter and protruding more due to my surgery, which the Z-CoiL people adjust for with heat. I tell people all the time about Z-CoiL. The spring sometimes catches snow in the winter (we live in Colorado) so I might get the enclosed heel in the future.
Viola Birdsall · Verified purchase · Freedom Classic White
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I have a fused left
★★★★★
I have a fused left ankle and a partial fused right. I've also had 2 surgeries on my back. I read on the internet how someone else with a fused ankle could walk easier with Z-CoiL shoes so I went to a store in Gatlinburg, TN and tried them. They were wonderful! I could walk so much better and without all the pain. I can not wear any other type of shoe without making my pain much worse. Z-CoiL shoes really do work. Thanks!
Marcheta Hensley · Verified purchase · Freedom Classic Navy White
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Great for fused ankle
★★★★★
I'm struggling with TTF (tibia talus fibula) fused ankle. So far these shoes have helped better than any other rocker sole ones.
Mikolaj G. · Verified purchase · Freedom Classic Black
Jacob, walking on a fused ankle in Z-CoiL
Filmed by Jacob Fisher (@justjakeit). Individual results vary. See his story.
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The spring coil
As it collapses the spring rotates backward allowing the foot to strike the ground, without requiring the ankle joint to rotate.
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Arch adjusted for a flatter foot
A low-arch adjustment to the built-in orthotic is available. Call 800-268-6239 before you order and we'll set it up.
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HSA/FSA eligible
Pay with pre-tax dollars through Truemed. Qualify in a couple of minutes at checkout.
Fused ankles, answered
What changes about walking after an ankle fusion?
What changes about walking after an ankle fusion?
A fused ankle doesn't flex, so two things happen on every step. The heel lands harder, because the forefoot can't drop to meet the ground. And the toes have to work harder at push-off, because the ankle can't roll you forward. Many people describe a stop-and-go feel instead of a smooth stride, and the knees, hips and lower back end up making the motion the ankle used to make.
How does the spring heel replace the rotation?
How does the spring heel replace the rotation?
At heel strike the coil compresses about an inch and tips backward. That backward tilt lets the foot land flat without the ankle flexing; the shoe does the rotating. As the coil returns, it hands the step forward to the rocker forefoot, which is curved so you roll off the toes instead of bending through them. The rigid built-in orthotic holds the arch and heel in between.
Rocker sole vs. Z-CoiL: what's the difference?
Rocker sole vs. Z-CoiL: what's the difference?
A rocker sole is a curved, rigid bottom. It helps you roll through the step, but it gives nothing back and doesn't soften the heel strike. Z-CoiL has the rocker forefoot plus the spring heel and the built-in orthotic, so the landing is cushioned and the push-off is rolled. One of the reviews above compares them directly.
Which style should I start with?
Which style should I start with?
Freedom Classic is what most fused-ankle customers wear; all four reviews on this page are on it. Freedom Classic Black Covered CoiL if you're in snow, mud or gravel, since the cover keeps the spring clear. Outback Hiker if you want a higher cut around the ankle. All three run true to size, and exchanges are free if the size or spring strength isn't right.
Can the coil be covered?
Can the coil be covered?
Yes. Covered-coil styles enclose the spring in a soft cover so snow, mud and debris stay out. It's the answer to the one thing an open coil does badly in winter.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. Choose Truemed at checkout to pay with your HSA or FSA, and the 30-day trial applies exactly the same way.