When did you ever hear of a mattress manufacturer making footwear? Well, Tempur-Pedic has created a slipper that incorporates the same viscoelastic material used in its memory foam mattress. Thinking about it, it makes sense; tired feet deserve the same support as the rest of your body.

Just in case you don't know, viscoelastic foam is a new product that differs significantly from ordinary polyurethane foam. This unique material reacts to both pressure and temperature and conforms to the exact shape of whatever is being placed on top of it. A bed mattress that uses this type of foam distribute weight evenly and so help to significantly reduce pressure points and provide the best possible support and alignment of the spine and neck. The Tempur-Pedic mattress was the original and still remains the market leader. It offers a number of models of differing configurations and budget.

The company also makes pillows made of viscoelastic foam, which seems logical. Again, there are different configurations and prices.

However, not many would think that Tempur-Pedic also makes slippers. But why not? After all, if a memory foam mattress gives you the best possible support when lying down, why shouldn't this foam also give you the best support when walking around your home?

The Comfort-Step slipper is the company's latest design. The slipper comes with a very tough sole, suede uppers and comes in blue or brown. They're not cheap, costing around $50. There's been mixed reviews about them. Some have complained that depressions quickly appear on the memory foam sole (usually the heal) and that the uppers (outer lining) wears out too quickly. I also wish that there were more styles and colors available. However, most really liked the comfort of the slippers and highly recommend them.

One word of warning; you can never, ever get them wet. So, they're only suitable for wearing inside the house – you can wear them outside but you should avoid walking on damp grass. Obviously, you can't machine wash them either.

You used to be able to buy Tempurpedic inner soles as well but they are no longer available. This is a real shame as many people have problems wearing shoes and traditional inner soles don't always do the trick. However, the good news is that there are other brands on offer. And, there are now even shoes being made with inner soles using viscoelastic foam.

Modellista Footwear manufactures shoes with memory foam inner soles – the company acquired a license from Tempur-Pedic to use its foam. Interestingly, the company had to devise a new way of shaping its shoes as traditional methods use steam – contact with steam causes viscoelastic foam to collapse. Its shoe designs range from traditional clog shapes to sling backs and open-toe sandals and are available nationwide.

The Tempur-Pedic slipper is very popular and a number of other memory foam brands are now available. Over the next few years I believe were going to see viscoelastic foam being incorporated into many slippers and shoes.



Source by Robin Cassidy