Born of pain, Z-Tech Shoes makes giant strides.(Business)

Byline: Sherry Robinson srobinson@abqtrib.com / 823-3632

Al Gallegos and son Andres have a deal for you. In one of the most unusual public offerings ever held in New Mexico, their company, Z-Tech Inc., will give you a pair of their high-tech shoes if you invest $250.

With a coil under the heel, the shoes are guaranteed to put a spring in your step.

Described in their promotional packet as "Z-Coil Shoes for Pain Relief," the shoes and boots feature, in addition to the coil, a built-in orthotic (stabilizing plate) and an inch of cushioning. Originally intended for runners, the shoe is starting to meet new demands.

Sitting in his North Valley store, Gallegos twists a couple of Nike and Reebok shoes. "If I were to run in that, I'd get hurt," he says.

The big sport-shoe manufacturers don't make a supportive shoe, he says. From the heel to the forefoot, your foot isn't flexible, Gallegos explains, and that portion of your shoe shouldn't flex either. If it does, you can injure the tendons of the foot and, with enough shock to the foot, even fracture the bones.

"It needs support," he says. "Every time you walk, your foot is in a collision with the ground. . …