Ergonomic AND stylish shoes? Sunnystep opens their first Malaysian store in TRX

The search for stylish ergonomic shoes can be like searching for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Ever since experiencing numbness in his feet, this writer has been on a crusade to find ergonomic shoes that don’t look like they were designed for uncles. A frustrated search brought me to Reddit, where a name popped up – a Singaporean company called Sunnystep.

Long story short, I found out that they opened their first Malaysian outlet in The Exchange TRX, so I went to check it out, and… yeah, they looked good and felt great. I bought a pair.

Two days later, I got a media invite to attend their official opening.

What sets Sunnystep shoes apart?

The secret sauce behind (or rather, within) each shoe are the insoles. The company’s proprietary Polyurethane Cloud Cushioning insole offers stable arch support that won’t sink over time, and the gel cushioning offers shock absorption at the forefoot and heel of the insoles – key areas of high impact. The shoes also feature a wider footbed and anti-shock outsole to further reduce impact and enhance stability.

While you can buy the soles (RM225) on their own, you’ll be missing out on the lightweight feel of the shoes – 150g for a size 37 – as well as other practical features that were included. My personal favorite are the Balance Oxfords that have a fold-in heel so you can just slip these on without ruining the back of your shoe.

In collaboration with the MIT Sports Lab, Sunnystep meticulously studied the aerodynamics and precise pressure distribution of their shoes in order to ensure minimal stress on both the feet and the body.

Anti-microbial and anti-odor properties ensure that your feet are kept fresh, while slip-resistance and water-resistance ensure they’re kept safe. Combine that with quick-drying, durable, and easy-to-clean materials; and you’ve got a pair of low fuss and low maintenance shoes.

Oh, and they float.

Design is a core element for Sunnystep, stepping aside from the chunky, boring look of regular ergonomic shoes with a variety of colors and material choices. The shoes are also unisex, so you could get a matching couples pair if you’re into that.

If you’re looking for a starting point, the company’s two flagship products are the Balance Runner (RM475) and Dream Sneaker (RM595).

The Balance Runner is the made for all-day walking and standing, while the Dream Sneaker offers nicer aesthetics and a padded lining for better support and comfort. On top of that, the uppers for the Dream Sneaker are made from GRS-certified bio-based vegan leather that incorporates recycled coffee grinds.

They want to design a uniquely Malaysian shoe

Sunnystep founder Ting Mao designed her first shoe out of necessity. She developed a major spine injury during her postpartum period, and took pilates classes in an effort to correct it. Unfortunately, she went to “the wrong instructor” which made the problem worse.

“I was close to paralysis. I couldn’t even carry my baby.”

– Ting Mao, Founder of Sunnystep Shoes.

Her journey to recovery involved numerous sessions with physiotherapists and orthopedic specialists. These sessions inadvertently imparted the knowledge she needed to start designing a pair of shoes that provided comfort and support, with style.

“Sunnystep’s philosophy is about the joy of movement. We want people to enjoy walking, because you never realize how much of a privilege it is to be able to walk until you’re unable to.”

Ting Mao says that every pair of shoes take years and “a few hundred prototypes” before the final version is released. It’s a meticulous balance keeping the shoes comfortable, functional, and lightweight.

Even then, each new batch of the same shoe may be slightly different. The company constantly tweaks their designs and material choices based on feedback from their users, although Ting Mao admits that they sometimes revert back to previous choices if the majority of users don’t like a particular change. If anything, it indicates that Sunnystep has built a community of fans who know their feedback will be heard.

“We want to start a community here in Malaysia as well. We want to make a uniquely Malaysian design, but we first need the community to give us suggestions.

In Singapore, we regularly organize walks in local parks. We want to do that here too.”