American brand Let Loose, which specializes in gut health products, has launched an unusual new item — the Sh*t Shoes mules, designed exclusively for use in the bathroom, reports the website infohub.kz.

At first glance, the footwear resembles chunky retro platform sandals, but they are not meant for walking. The manufacturer emphasizes they were created solely for sitting on the toilet. The main idea is to replace traditional plastic footstools. When using a standard toilet, the intestines are in a slightly bent position, which can hinder natural processes. Raising the knees above hip level allows for an anatomically correct posture that mimics squatting, relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. The platform height of these "shoes" is about 18 cm.

Brand founder Alexandra Hooke Grounds explained that bulky footstools often spoil the interior decor, so the company offered colorful mules that serve the same function but look like a stylish art piece. A pair costs $69 (approximately 33,000 tenge), and the shoes come in two sizes.

The novelty has sparked an active reaction on social media. Some users met the invention with irony, joking about the practicality of putting on high platforms in a hurry, while others appreciated the creative approach to anatomy. Comments include: "Only those who know the topic understand that this is a super gift," "I have a kids' step stool, but these shoes would really come in handy," "70 bucks? Holy cow. I was about to buy two pairs, one as a gift, until I saw the price. I'll stick with my paint cans," and "This is so damn cool."

In Kazakhstan and many Eastern countries, squatting while using the toilet has long been considered normal and more physiological. Therefore, the idea of special shoes that help achieve a similar position on a standard toilet appears as an unusual reimagining of a long-known principle.

Previously, Kursiv reported that periodic abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular stools are common complaints in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this condition, the bowel functions differently, but examinations typically find no damage or inflammation.