If you spend any time on social media, you've probably seen the ads. A woman wincing as she takes her first steps in the morning, followed by scenes of her walking effortlessly through her day after slipping on a pair of sleek, cushioned shoes. The promise? Relief from plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and chronic foot discomfort. The product? Loona Ortho Walk Shoes.
These shoes have been flooding Facebook feeds, Instagram reels, and TikTok videos with claims of “podiatrist-approved” relief and “life-changing” comfort. The marketing is polished. The testimonials are emotional. The price point seems reasonable compared to prescription orthotics.
But before you click “Add to Cart,” there are some important questions worth asking. Who actually makes these shoes? Are the medical endorsements legitimate? And most importantly, will they actually help your feet?
We spent considerable time investigating Loona Ortho Walk Shoes, examining the company behind them, the claims they make, and how they stack up against established orthopedic footwear brands. Here's what we found.
What Are Loona Ortho Walk Shoes?
Loona Ortho Walk Shoes are marketed as orthopedic walking shoes designed specifically for women experiencing plantar fasciitis, heel pain, bunions, and general foot discomfort. They're sold exclusively through the website LoonaSlides.com, which also offers a line of slides and comfort arch support footwear.
The shoes are positioned as a solution for women over 40 who have tried “everything” for their foot pain—custom orthotics, expensive athletic shoes, recovery slides—without lasting relief. The marketing language is highly targeted and emotionally resonant, speaking directly to the frustration many people feel after years of chronic pain.
According to the product page, Loona Ortho Walk Shoes feature integrated arch support, heel stabilization technology, a wide toe box, multi-layer cushioning, and slip-resistant outsoles. They claim the shoes are designed for 12+ hours of wear and promise visible improvement within the first week of use.
The shoes are priced at approximately $59.95, marked down from an original price of around $120—a 50% discount that appears to be permanent rather than a limited-time offer.
The Company Behind the Brand
One of the first things we look at when evaluating any health-related product is the company selling it. Transparency about ownership, manufacturing, and business practices tells you a lot about whether you can trust the claims being made.
LoonaSlides.com presents itself as a specialty footwear brand focused on plantar fasciitis relief. However, several details raise questions about the operation's legitimacy and transparency.
The website domain was registered in July 2025, making it only a few months old at the time of this writing. For a brand claiming “thousands of satisfied customers worldwide,” this timeline raises eyebrows. Established orthopedic footwear companies like Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, and Orthofeet have decades of history, research, and verified customer feedback behind their products.
The contact information provided is limited to an email address. There's no phone number for customer service, no live chat option, and the physical address listed—a location in Houston, Texas—appears to be a residential area rather than a commercial facility or corporate headquarters.
Website analysis tools indicate the site uses Shopify as its e-commerce platform, which is common for both legitimate small businesses and dropshipping operations. The site also shows indicators of AI-generated content, which isn't inherently problematic but does suggest rapid development without extensive editorial oversight.
Scam-checking services show mixed results. GridInSoft's scanner gave the site a 65/100 trust score, noting the recent domain registration as a concern. ScamAdviser flagged several indicators that warrant caution, including the site's youth, its use of an internal review system rather than third-party verification, and its registration through a provider that hosts a high percentage of low-trust websites.
None of this definitively proves the company is fraudulent, but it does suggest buyers should proceed with considerable caution and realistic expectations.
Examining the Medical Endorsement Claims
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Loona Ortho Walk Shoes' marketing is the prominent display of medical endorsements. The website features two individuals identified as “Dr. Campbell” and “Dr. Ratkovic,” described as specialists who have “clinically evaluated the biomechanical benefits” of the shoes.
The site states these doctors have “extensively studied plantar fasciitis in women over 50” and determined that the integrated arch support and heel stabilization technology are “effective for addressing the structural causes of chronic plantar fasciitis pain.”
These are significant medical claims. They suggest clinical evaluation, research credentials, and professional endorsement of a specific product for a specific condition.
However, we were unable to verify these endorsements through any standard medical databases or professional licensing boards. The American Podiatric Medical Association maintains a searchable database of certified members, and neither name appears in records we could access. Similarly, searches through physical therapy and chiropractic licensing databases yielded no matching results.
When legitimate medical professionals endorse products, their full credentials are typically verifiable. You can look up their license numbers, their practice locations, their educational backgrounds, and their professional affiliations. The absence of this verifiable information doesn't necessarily mean these individuals don't exist, but it does mean buyers cannot confirm the endorsements are authentic.
This matters because medical endorsements carry significant weight with consumers, especially those suffering from chronic conditions who are desperate for relief. The Federal Trade Commission has clear guidelines about endorsement claims, requiring that they be truthful and that any material connections between endorsers and sellers be disclosed.
For comparison, brands like Orthofeet work directly with board-certified podiatrists whose credentials can be independently verified. Their products undergo testing, and their claims are specific and substantiated rather than vague assertions about “clinical evaluation.”
How the Business Model Appears to Work
Based on our research, Loona Ortho Walk Shoes appears to operate using a dropshipping model. Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party—usually a manufacturer in another country—and has it shipped directly to the customer.
This business model is perfectly legal and is used by many legitimate retailers. However, it also creates opportunities for certain problematic practices.
Generic orthopedic-style shoes with features similar to those described by Loona are widely available from wholesale suppliers and manufacturers, particularly those based in China. These shoes can be purchased in bulk at very low prices—often under $5 per pair—and resold at significant markups with custom branding and marketing.
The permanent “50% off” discount is a common tactic in dropshipping operations. The “original price” is set artificially high to make the sale price seem like an exceptional deal. In reality, the product was never intended to sell at the higher price.
Similar shoe designs and marketing copy have appeared across multiple websites under different brand names. The phrases used to describe the product, the emotional marketing language, and even the structure of the FAQ sections often follow identical patterns across these sites. This suggests a template-based approach rather than original product development.
Again, this doesn't mean the shoes won't provide any benefit. Even inexpensive shoes with basic arch support and cushioning may offer some relief for mild foot discomfort. But buyers should understand they're likely not getting a proprietary, clinically-developed orthopedic solution—they're getting a generic product with professional-looking marketing.
What Legitimate Plantar Fasciitis Footwear Looks Like
To put Loona Ortho Walk Shoes in perspective, it helps to understand what podiatrists actually recommend for plantar fasciitis and what distinguishes legitimate orthopedic footwear from generic comfort shoes.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia—the thick band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes—becomes inflamed. This typically results from overuse, improper footwear, biomechanical issues, or a combination of factors. The condition affects approximately one in ten Americans at some point in their lives, with higher prevalence among women, people over 40, and those who spend extended time on their feet.
According to podiatrists and foot specialists, the key features to look for in shoes for plantar fasciitis include proper arch support that distributes pressure evenly across the foot, cushioning in the heel and forefoot to absorb shock, a stable base with firm heel counter to prevent excessive pronation, adequate toe room to prevent cramping and pressure points, and removable insoles that allow for customization with orthotic inserts.
Brands consistently recommended by podiatrists for plantar fasciitis include Brooks (particularly the Adrenaline GTS and Addiction Walker lines), Hoka (especially the Bondi series), New Balance (the 990 and 928 models), ASICS (Gel-Kayano series), Saucony (Omni Walker), and specialized orthopedic brands like Orthofeet, Aetrex, and Vionic.
These brands have several things in common that distinguish them from newer, unverified products. They have established track records spanning years or decades. Their products undergo actual biomechanical testing. Their claims are specific and substantiated. Their customer reviews exist on third-party platforms like Amazon, Trustpilot, and specialty retailer websites. And crucially, when they claim podiatrist endorsement, those endorsements come from named professionals whose credentials can be verified.
The American Podiatric Medical Association offers a Seal of Acceptance program that evaluates footwear based on specific criteria related to foot health. Products bearing this seal have been reviewed by APMA podiatrists and found to promote good foot health. This provides a reliable third-party verification that marketing claims alone cannot offer.
The Pricing Reality
At approximately $60, Loona Ortho Walk Shoes fall into a middle price range—less expensive than premium orthopedic brands but more expensive than basic comfort shoes from mass retailers.
However, context matters. The shoes you're actually receiving at that $60 price point may have a manufacturing cost of just a few dollars. The markup covers marketing, website operation, and profit margins rather than premium materials, research and development, or clinical testing.
For comparison, you can purchase Brooks Addiction Walkers for around $130-150, Hoka Bondi shoes for $165-180, or New Balance 928v3 for approximately $160. These are significantly more expensive, but they come from companies with verifiable histories, substantiated claims, third-party reviews, and established customer service infrastructures.
Alternatively, budget-friendly options from legitimate brands do exist. Many established orthopedic shoe companies offer sales and clearance items. Brands like Skechers offer arch support shoes in the $60-80 range with verifiable reviews and retail presence. Even drugstore orthotic inserts from Dr. Scholl's, combined with decent quality walking shoes, may provide comparable relief at similar or lower price points.
The question isn't whether $60 is a lot to spend on shoes—it isn't, in the context of footwear. The question is whether $60 spent on an unverified product from a months-old website represents good value compared to other options.
Red Flags to Consider
Based on our research, several elements of the Loona Ortho Walk Shoes operation warrant caution.
The website's young age contrasts sharply with claims of thousands of satisfied customers and widespread professional trust. Building a legitimate reputation in the orthopedic footwear space takes years, not months.
The medical endorsements cannot be independently verified. Legitimate healthcare professionals who endorse products make their credentials publicly available and are typically willing to be contacted for verification.
The permanent discount structure suggests the “original price” is artificially inflated. Real sales are time-limited; permanent discounts indicate the sale price is actually the intended price.
The limited contact options make dispute resolution difficult. Legitimate retailers typically provide multiple ways to reach customer service, including phone support.
Customer reviews exist only on the company's own website, which uses an internal review system. This means the company controls what reviews are displayed. Third-party review platforms provide accountability that self-hosted reviews cannot.
The marketing copy and emotional appeals follow patterns seen across multiple similar websites selling rebranded products under different names. This suggests template-based marketing rather than authentic brand development.
Similar products are available from wholesale suppliers at a fraction of the retail price, indicating the shoes may be generic items with branded marketing rather than proprietary designs.
What to Do If You're Considering Purchase
If you're experiencing plantar fasciitis or chronic foot pain, the most important first step is consulting with a healthcare provider. A podiatrist can properly diagnose your condition, identify contributing factors, and recommend appropriate treatment options—which may include specific footwear recommendations based on your individual foot structure and gait.
If you do decide to purchase Loona Ortho Walk Shoes despite the concerns raised in this review, take precautions to protect yourself.
Use a credit card rather than a debit card for the purchase. Credit cards offer stronger consumer protections and make it easier to dispute charges if the product doesn't arrive or doesn't match its description.
Document everything. Screenshot the product page, save your order confirmation, and keep records of all communications with the company.
Understand the return policy before purchasing. The website mentions a money-back guarantee, but the specific terms, timeline, and process for returns should be clearly understood upfront. Some customers of similar operations have reported difficulty obtaining refunds or being required to ship products back internationally at their own expense.
Set realistic expectations. Even if the shoes provide some comfort, they're unlikely to be the “life-changing” solution the marketing promises. Chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis typically require a multifaceted approach including stretching, physical therapy, weight management, and properly fitted footwear—not just a single product purchase.
If you're unsatisfied with your purchase, act quickly. Contact the company immediately, and if you don't receive a satisfactory response within a few days, initiate a dispute with your credit card company.
The Bottom Line
Loona Ortho Walk Shoes represent a type of product that has become increasingly common in the social media age—aggressively marketed, emotionally targeted health products sold through newly created websites with unverifiable claims.
We're not in a position to definitively state whether these shoes will or won't help your feet. Some buyers may find the cushioning and arch support provide genuine relief. Others may receive products that don't match expectations or struggle to obtain refunds.
What we can say with confidence is that the marketing claims—particularly the medical endorsements—cannot be verified through standard means. The company lacks the transparent track record that established orthopedic footwear brands maintain. And the business model appears consistent with operations that prioritize marketing over product development.
If you're struggling with plantar fasciitis, you deserve solutions backed by verifiable credentials, substantiated claims, and accountability. Brands with decades of history, products reviewed by named professionals whose credentials you can check, and customer feedback on independent platforms provide a level of assurance that a months-old website simply cannot match.
Your foot health is worth more than a gamble on unverified promises. Consider consulting with a podiatrist, exploring established brands with proven track records, and approaching heavily-marketed social media products with appropriate skepticism.
The choice is ultimately yours, but it should be an informed one.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you're experiencing foot pain or other health concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.