Wendy Davis's Shoes: Everybody Is Going Nuts for Them

Since her abortion-bill filibuster Tuesday, Texas Democrat Wendy Davis has become a hero to many—and, apparently, a fashion trend-setter. Fans wanting to follow in the lawmaker’s footsteps have been going gaga for the now-famous Mizuno Wave Rider 16 sneakers she wore during her 12-hour political marathon, making it the top selling shoe on Amazon as of Friday.

“Mizuno was surprised by the sudden spotlight focused on our flagship running shoe, the Wave Rider, earlier this week when Wendy Davis wore a pair during her filibuster in Texas,” read a decidedly non-partisan statement Friday on the website for Mizuno, whose “Never settle” tagline seemed downright apropos.

“We are proud of the running shoes we develop for our customers and know the Wave Rider’s design is able to provide the comfort and cushioning needed for any ‘endurance’ event, whether it’s a 5K, a marathon or 10+ hour filibuster. We love seeing our running shoes on all consumers regardless of their political affiliation or beliefs.”

Traffic to Mizuno’s website has doubled this week over last (the privately-held company would not comment on sales), and on Amazon, a slew of clever reviewers has seized control of the page for Wave Riders, which retail for $115.

“The next time you have to spend 13 hours on your feet without food, water or bathroom breaks, this is the shoe for you,” wrote reviewer M. Black. “Guaranteed to outrun patriarchy on race day.”

A reviewer dubbed Stand with Wendy wrote, “The snazzy hot pink color brings out your inner badassness and helps you to ‘humbly give voice to thousands of Texans’ and stop a "raw abuse of power" in its tracks. Raise a feminist army and lead the charge when your competitors cheat and change the rules on you.”

Shoegirl wrote: “If you live in North Dakota, make sure you purchase these within the first six weeks of your running program or you will be prohibited from purchasing them. It's for the safety of the shoes.”

Reviewer Yalda spun a metaphorical yarn. “I was in the market for new shoes a few years back. One night I went to the shoe store and ran into this very pushy salesmen. I told him that I was browsing and not quite ready to buy yet. He wouldn't let up on his sale tactics and forcibly put a pair of shoes on me. I ran out of the store crying, not sure what to do,” she wrote. “Every time I would try to take them off, a man would show up out of nowhere and tell me that if I didn't want them I shouldn't have put them on in the first place…I was squeamish about buying new shoes for many years after that incident.” The Wave Riders, she concluded, were the “right choice” for her.

Finally, wrote Christine Winslow, “I'm not sure I could ever bring myself to buy or wear shoes like this. But you know, I'm so glad I have the option.”

Amen to that, sister.