We Knew Them When: Congrats to Our Friends at Kizik on Their MrBeast Moment

Hands-free shoes just hit the biggest stage on YouTube. Here is why we are cheering from the fitting bench.

Four people. One grocery store. More than six months of living, sleeping, and working out between the aisles. When MrBeast released “Eat Everything In A Grocery Store, Win $1,000,000” on October 3, 2026, it became the fastest-watched video of his career. And right there in the middle of all that food, with contestants stepping into hands-free sneakers and a gold, Kizik-branded treadmill on set, was a brand our customers already know and love: Kizik.

For a brand that has spent years quietly winning people over one step-in at a time, landing in front of one of the largest audiences on the internet is a big deal. We could not be happier for them. Here is the story of the challenge, how Kizik hands-free shoes ended up in the spotlight, how to enter Kizik’s MrBeast giveaway, which Kizik styles you can buy today at Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., and why the biggest creator on the internet and a 73-store family of local shoe stores have more in common than you might think.

MrBeast’s Grocery Store Challenge at a Glance

The Story: From “Last to Leave” to “Eat Everything”

It started on April 18, 2026, with a classic MrBeast setup in “Last To Leave Grocery Store, Wins $250,000.” A group of contestants moved into a fully stocked grocery store in Greenville, North Carolina, and the last person to leave would win $250,000. After 67 days, four people were still standing, and none of them would budge: Juan, Jackson, Eldin, and Reyhan.

One of them, Juan García, is a 56-year-old construction worker and father of six who has called North Carolina home for about three decades. He walked into the store planning a short visit with his son and ended up staying 202 days.

So MrBeast changed the game. Instead of making the four compete against each other, he offered them a deal: work together, eat everything in the store, and split $1 million. One contestant answered with two words: “Stock the store.”

The store was restocked, and life inside got a serious upgrade. The team had beds, showers, a nutritionist, a personal trainer, and a gym. Contestants could also shrink the calorie count by bringing in guests and winning challenges. Competitive eater Joey Chestnut stopped by and put away 16 pounds of baked beans. By the end, after 202 days inside, only 6,614 calories had gone to waste.

The payoff video, “Eat Everything In A Grocery Store, Win $1,000,000,” landed on October 3, and viewers showed up. It pulled more than 70 million views in its first 24 hours, broke MrBeast’s own day-one record, and passed a billion minutes of watch time, with the average viewer staying more than 20 minutes. MrBeast summed it up himself: “Even though I’ve been making content for 17 years now I still think my best days are ahead.”

Missed the beginning? Watch the prequel, “Last To Leave Grocery Store, Wins $250,000,” on the MrBeast YouTube channel.

Where Kizik comes in

When you spend more than six months on your feet on a hard grocery store floor, walking aisles, hauling food, and logging miles on a treadmill, your shoes matter. In the video, contestants stepped into Kizik sneakers, and a gold, Kizik-branded treadmill showed up on set for their workouts.

For a lot of viewers, it was the first time they had seen a shoe you can put on without bending over or touching a lace. For our customers, it was a familiar face. Kizik has been on brownsshoefitco.com and in Brown’s stores for years, and it is one of the easiest brands to fall in love with in a single try-on.

“Every time someone slips into a Kizik for the first time, you see the same reaction. They step in, the heel snaps back into place, and they laugh. It feels like a magic trick. Now that tens of millions of people just watched Kizik show up in a MrBeast video, we expect a lot more people asking what those shoes are and where to try them on. The answer is Brown’s.”

Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

We Knew Them Before They Were Famous

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. has carried Kizik since 2017, back when a lot of our customers had never heard the words “hands-free shoes.” We remember the first reactions in our stores: a skeptical look, a quick step in, and then a grin when the heel popped right back into place without a single hand touching it.

Our fitters have been introducing customers to Kizik ever since, and the brand’s team, including our reps David Olson and Amanda Marshall, has been a great partner along the way. We had a chance to catch up with them at this summer’s Des Moines shoe show, and their excitement for the product has always been contagious. Read our full interview with David and Amanda in A Closer Look at Kizik, where they talk about the technology behind the brand and why, in Amanda’s words, “trying is believing.”

“Kizik works, and they look and feel good!”

Stuart McCaskill, Owner, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. Cedar Falls, IA

Want In on the Fun? Enter the Kizik MrBeast Giveaway

Kizik is running a sweepstakes tied to the video, with a chance to win the gold treadmill from the challenge plus a year’s worth of Kizik shoes. The sweepstakes ends November 23, 2026, and is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 or older (19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi).

• Enter the Kizik MrBeast sweepstakes
• Read Kizik’s official sweepstakes rules

And if you would rather not wait to get your own pair, you do not need a viral video to try them on. Stop by your local Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. and step into a pair for yourself, or shop Kizik at Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

What Are Kizik Shoes?

Kizik is a Utah-based footwear brand built around one idea: you should be able to put your shoes on without using your hands. Its patented HandsFree Labs technology uses a spring-back heel cage, internal cage, or flexible arc in the back of the shoe. You step down, the heel flexes open, and then it snaps back to hold your foot securely. No laces to tie, no shoehorn, no bending over.

That sounds like a convenience feature, and it is. But for many people, it is much more than that.

• Back, hip, and knee comfort: If bending over to put on shoes is a struggle, Kizik removes that step completely.
• Busy parents: Holding a toddler, a car seat, or a bag of groceries? Step in and go.
• Travelers: Off and on at airport security in seconds.
• Healthcare and retail workers: Quick on and off for long shifts on your feet.
• Older adults: A secure fit without fiddling with laces, which can help with independence and confidence.
• Sneaker savers: Anyone tired of crushing the backs of their sneakers by kicking them on and off.
• Anyone who is simply in a hurry: Which is most of us.

“Hands-free does not mean loose. A slip-on that you have to scrunch your toes to keep on is a shoe that will hurt your feet by the end of the day. What makes Kizik different is that the heel locks back in place, so your foot is held like it would be in a laced sneaker. That is why fit still matters, and why we always recommend checking your size and width before you buy.”

Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

Which Kizik Shoes Can You Buy at Brown’s?

Kizik’s MrBeast lineup on its own site highlights styles like the Athens 2, Vegas 2, and Freedom Run. Here are the Kizik styles available now at brownsshoefitco.com, with the hands-free technology that made the brand famous. Each Brown’s owner buys for their own store, so in-store selection varies by location.

Kizik Athens 2: the best all-around Kizik

If you want the shoe that feels most like what you saw on screen, start with the Athens. It has a breathable knit upper, Rabbit Foam cushioning, rubber traction pods for grip, a roomy toe box, and a removable, washable insole. The spring-back heel cage lets you step right in. It comes in Medium and Wide widths and sizes from 4.5/6 through 15/16.5.

• • Kizik Athens 2 Knit Men’s
  • Kizik Athens 2 Knit Women’s
  • Kizik Athens 2 Women’s

Kizik Lima Women’s: the best Kizik for a hard-to-fit foot

The Lima is the most size-inclusive Kizik we carry, with Narrow, Medium, Wide, and Extra Wide widths. It pairs a breathable knit upper and roomy toe box with Rabbit Foam cushioning, extra ankle padding, a washable contoured insole, and a slip-resistant rubber sole. It is a strong choice for nurses, teachers, and anyone on their feet all day.

• Kizik Lima Women’s in Black
• Kizik Lima Women’s in White Creme
• Kizik Lima Women’s in Grey
• Kizik Lima Women’s in Graphite
• Kizik Lima Women’s in Lite Taupe

Kizik Prague 2: the best hands-free shoe that looks like a classic sneaker

The Prague 2 has a clean, court-style look with a stretch canvas and suede upper, a padded comfort collar, an Arch Form insole with responsive EVA cushioning, and a rocker sole for a natural stride. Kizik’s Internal Cage hides the hands-free tech inside, so nobody will know it is a slip-on unless you tell them.

• Kizik Prague 2 Men’s in Alloy
• Kizik Prague 2 Women’s in Harbor Mist

Kizik London AT Mid Waterproof Men’s: the best hands-free boot for Midwest weather

Winter is coming, and the London AT Mid is built for it. A ballistic nylon upper, waterproof membrane, dual-density foam midsole, and high-abrasion rubber outsole handle wet sidewalks, muddy yards, and light trails. Kizik’s External Flex Arc means you can step into a boot without sitting down to lace it. Shop the Kizik London AT Mid Waterproof Men’s in Black/Alloy.

What a Billion-Minute Video Can Teach a 73-Store Shoe Company

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, posted his first video in 2012 and in June 2026 became the first creator to reach 500 million YouTube subscribers. But the way he built that audience is surprisingly old-fashioned. He tells a story people want to finish. He gives things away. He puts real people at the center. And he has kept building his business close to home in Greenville, North Carolina, instead of moving to a big media city.

That last part sounds a lot like Brown’s.

• Real people, not actors. MrBeast’s videos work because viewers root for the contestants. Brown’s works because every store is run by a real person in your community, not a corporate office hundreds of miles away. Many of our owners grew up through our apprenticeship program.
• Commitment over shortcuts. Four contestants stayed 202 days because they believed in the finish line. Brown’s has been fitting feet since 1911 by taking the time to measure, listen, and get it right.
• Generosity builds trust. MrBeast gives away cars, cash, and yes, shoes. Brown’s just wrapped up our own year-long Free Shoes for a Year giveaway, with four loyalty members each winning shoes for a year. Our stores also give back through our Local Loop community partnership program, working alongside local schools, hospitals, and businesses in the towns we serve.
• Hometown roots, national reach. MrBeast films in his hometown and reaches the world. Brown’s stores are rooted in their hometowns, and brownsshoefitco.com brings that local expertise to customers anywhere in the U.S.

“MrBeast proved that you do not have to leave your hometown to build something the whole country pays attention to. That is the idea behind Local Anywhere. Our stores are owned by people who live in the communities they serve, and through brownsshoefitco.com, the same fitting knowledge that has served those towns for generations can reach anyone, anywhere.”

Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

Local Anywhere: Shop Kizik Online, Get Fit Locally

A viral video can tell you a shoe exists. It cannot tell you whether it fits your foot. That is where Brown’s comes in. Local Anywhere connects brownsshoefitco.com with our locally owned stores, so buying Kizik online never means guessing alone.

• Get measured for free: Stop into a Brown’s store for a foot measurement before you order Kizik online, so you know your true length and width.
• Ship it or pick it up: Have your pair shipped to your door, or choose store pickup where available.
• Keep it local: Local Anywhere keeps your hometown Brown’s store part of every online order.

Hands-free is only half the story. The other half is a shoe that fits your foot. Our trained fitters will measure both feet, talk through how you will wear your shoes, and help you find the Kizik style and size that works best for you. With 73 locations across 12 states, run by people who live and work in your community, there is a good chance a Brown’s is right down the road.

“A hands-free shoe still has to fit. Most adults have not had their feet measured in years, and feet change. If you saw Kizik in the MrBeast video and want to try a pair, let a Brown’s fitter measure you first. It takes a few minutes, it is free, and it is the difference between a shoe you like and a shoe you wear every day.”

Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

Frequently Asked Questions About MrBeast and Kizik Shoes

What shoes were in MrBeast’s grocery store video?

Kizik hands-free shoes were featured in MrBeast’s “Eat Everything In A Grocery Store, Win $1,000,000” video, released October 3, 2026. Kizik is a slip-on footwear brand known for shoes you can put on without using your hands.

What was MrBeast’s grocery store challenge?

Four contestants who outlasted a $250,000 “last to leave” grocery store challenge accepted a new deal: eat about 4.3 million calories of food in the store as a team to split $1 million. They spent 202 days inside, and the finale drew more than 70 million views in its first 24 hours.

Is Kizik giving away the gold treadmill from the MrBeast video?

Yes. Kizik is running a sweepstakes for the gold treadmill featured in the video, plus a year’s worth of Kizik shoes, through November 23, 2026. It is open to legal U.S. residents who are 18 or older (19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi). Enter here and see the official rules for full details.

How long has Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. carried Kizik?

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. has carried Kizik since 2017, introducing customers to hands-free shoes long before the brand appeared in a MrBeast video. Kizik is available at brownsshoefitco.com and in select Brown’s stores.

Where can I buy Kizik shoes near me?

You can buy Kizik shoes at brownsshoefitco.com, with shipping or store pickup where available, and in select Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. stores. Each Brown’s owner buys for their own store, so in-store selection varies by location.

How do Kizik hands-free shoes work?

Kizik uses patented HandsFree Labs technology, such as a spring-back heel cage, internal cage, or flexible arc, in the back of the shoe. The heel flexes open when you step down and snaps back to hold your foot securely, so there is no need to bend over or tie laces.

Do Kizik shoes come in wide widths?

Yes. At Brown’s, the Kizik Athens Unisex, Prague 2 Men’s, and London AT Mid Waterproof Men’s come in Medium and Wide. The Kizik Lima Women’s comes in Narrow, Medium, Wide, and Extra Wide.

Are Kizik shoes good for seniors?

Many older adults choose Kizik because the shoes go on without bending over or tying laces, while the heel locks back in place for a secure fit. A Brown’s fitter can help confirm the right size and width and check how the shoe works with an orthotic.

Are Kizik shoes good for walking?

Kizik styles like the Athens and Lima are built for everyday walking, errands, work, and travel, with cushioned foam soles and rubber traction. For long fitness walks or running, a Brown’s fitter can recommend the best option for your stride.

Do Kizik shoes stay on your feet?

Yes, when they fit correctly. Kizik’s heel technology springs back after you step in, holding the heel in place like a laced shoe. Getting the right length and width is the key, which is why Brown’s offers free foot measuring.

Is there a waterproof Kizik boot?

Yes. The Kizik London AT Mid Waterproof Men’s has a waterproof membrane, a ballistic nylon upper, and a high-abrasion rubber outsole, with hands-free step-in entry. It is available at brownsshoefitco.com.

Step Into the Shoe Everyone Is Talking About

Congratulations again to everyone at Kizik. We have loved being part of your story, and we cannot wait to see where you step next.

MrBeast’s contestants spent 202 days earning their $1 million. You can be in a pair of Kizik shoes in about two seconds. Shop the full Kizik collection at brownsshoefitco.com, or stop into your local Brown’s store for a free fitting. Questions about sizing or an order? Email onlinesales@brownsshoefitco.com or call 515-328-6444.

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. Local Anywhere.

Sources

• Dexerto, “MrBeast breaks his YouTube views record with $1 million grocery store challenge”: dexerto.com
• Dexerto, “MrBeast ends latest video by trapping four contestants in a grocery store for up to a year”: dexerto.com
• Benzinga, “MrBeast’s ‘Eat Everything in a Grocery Store’ Becomes His Most-Viewed Video in 24 Hours”: benzinga.com
• TalkEsport, “MrBeast Breaks His Own YouTube Record With $1 Million Grocery Store Challenge”: talkesport.com
• Kizik, “MrBeast x Kizik” promotion and sweepstakes page: kizik.com
• Kizik, official sweepstakes rules: swpp.me/e/kizik
• MrBeast, “Eat Everything In A Grocery Store, Win $1,000,000” (YouTube, October 3, 2026): youtube.com
• MrBeast, “Last To Leave Grocery Store, Wins $250,000” (YouTube, April 18, 2026): youtube.com
• Wikipedia, “MrBeast”: wikipedia.org
• Latin Times, “Mexican Dad Juan García Outlasts MrBeast’s Supermarket”: latintimes.com
• International Business Times, “MrBeast Last To Leave Grocery Store Challenge Wins $250,000”: ibtimes.com.au
• Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., A Closer Look at Kizik
• Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., Kizik collection and product pages