Reebok’s Fit to Fit Adaptive Shoes, Reviewed


Reebok launched its first adaptive footwear collection May 19, and now we’ve got some of the first reviews from wheelchair users. Jenny Smith, C6-7, reviews the Club MEMT Parafit, and Mike Franz, C5-6, reviews the Nanoflex Parafit TR. Both are available from Reebok and Zappos Adaptive.

Club MEMT Parafit: Functional Fashion

closeup of white shoe with thumb pulling zipper on side
Jenny Smith hooks the zipper thumb loop to close the Club MEMT Parafit.

Reebok’s new Club MEMT Parafit sneakers hit the mark on adaptive design and style. The shoes are classic sneakers made of leather with a memory foam insert. All unisex sizes come standard in an extra-wide width: perfect for preventing skin breakdown as well as providing room to swell throughout the day. While the shoes are extra-wide, I’m not sure they are wide enough for people who use AFOs or KAFOs.

The Parafit sneakers have traditional laces in addition to a side zipper. I adjusted the laces when I first received the shoes and haven’t had to touch them since. The zipper allows ample space for slipping on the shoe, and easily zips open and closed — even with limited dexterity — with the zipper loop. The zipper pull fastens to Velcro, and it stayed put while I was wearing the shoes. I expected these shoes to be heavy, but they are surprisingly light for leather shoes.

Overall, I give the Reebok Club MEMT Parafit 5 out of 5 stars for fit, form and fashion. It’s refreshing to see brands offering apparel that works for all abilities.

—Jenny Smith

Nanoflex Parafit TR: Adapted … but barely

feet with gray sneakers sitting on footplate of manual wheelchair
Mike Franz liked the Nanoflex Parafit TR’s once they were on, but found the adaptive features lacking.

The Nanoflex Parafit TR is part of Reebok’s new adaptive footwear line, Reebok Fit to Fit. The adaptive shoe market is growing quickly, and manufacturers are working to develop innovative ways to make their products accessible to people with disabilities. I have found many adaptive shoes to be quite good, even great, but Reebok did just enough to categorize the Nanoflex Parafit TR as adaptive and falls short of some of its competitors.

The main adaptive feature of the Nanoflex Parafit TR is a medial zipper closure designed to make it easier to put on and take off the shoe. It accomplishes this goal, but just barely. The problem is that it only opens half of the shoe widely. To open the other side, you have to loosen the laces, something that can be difficult for someone with limited hand function. Having to manipulate laces defeats the purpose of having a zipper. The shoes would be much more functional for me if there were a second zipper on the outside half of the shoe to make opening the shoe easier.

The zipper has a pull tab to close, but it’s difficult to use if you have poor grip. A loop or ring would have been a better option. The loop on the heel is barely big enough to get a finger through and not big enough for my thumb. A zipper closure for the heel would have been a huge improvement for me.

The Reebok Nanoflex Parafit TR is not a bad shoe. It looks good, seems to be well-made and did not cause any pressure points. However, if you are used to wearing non-adaptive shoes, the Reebok Nanoflex Parafit TR is not a huge upgrade.

—Mike Franz


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Mary Groy
Mary Groy
1 year ago

My husband wears the Nike Revolution FlyEase and they have been great for him. He has had them for years and although they do not get the wear and tear of the streets, they do get quite a bit of use on and off and being banged around at times. I have recommended them to several people and even my brother in law who wears them just because he likes them!

Pekka Paavonpera
Pekka Paavonpera
1 year ago
Reply to  Mary Groy

Problem is this and other Nike adaptive shoes were snapped up by collectors and now sell for absurd prices and Nike hasn’t produced more.

Susan Fink
Susan Fink
1 year ago

The footbed isn’t deep and wide enough for my braces to get into your boots and shoes.you could make some shoes with a toe box like New Balance walking shoes (very boring shoes)