From Squatty Potty to $69 ‘Poop Shoes,’ Americans Can’t Stop Buying Toilet Gadgets

Everyone poops. But this summer, one brand decided that wasn’t dramatic enough, and gave America a pair of $69 shoes to do it in.

The shoes in question are not for walking. They’re a squat-assist toilet stool shaped like two 1970s disco platforms, and the internet cannot stop talking about them.

This isn’t the first time a bathroom product has taken over group chats and comment sections. Americans have a weirdly consistent habit of turning toilet routines into cult brands, from scented sprays to posture stools to now, apparently, footwear. Every few years, something new comes along and somehow makes the most private room in the house go viral.

Part of the reason these products keep landing: gut health has become one of the biggest wellness obsessions on TikTok and beyond, and constipation is far more common than most people admit. Research shows it affects about 15% of the U.S. population, which helps explain why a good toilet gadget can turn into a genuine cultural moment instead of just a punchline.

Here’s a look at three products that made America’s bathroom habits impossible to ignore.

• Squatty Potty: The original viral bathroom brand. This footstool debuted on “Shark Tank” in 2014, promising a more natural squatting position for easier bowel movements. It’s since sold over 8 million stools and was acquired by Aterian, Inc. in 2021, becoming the go-to comparison point for every bathroom gadget that followed.
• ~Pourri, formerly known as Poo-Pourri: The brand that made bathroom humor mainstream. Its 2013 “Girls Don’t Poop” ad turned a toilet spray into a genuine pop culture moment, and the company has sold millions of bottles since.
• Let Loose Sh*t Shoes: The newest and strangest entry. These 7-inch platform sandals are designed to be worn while sitting on the toilet, lifting the knees into a squat position. They launched July 8 for $69 a pair, and the large size sold out within weeks.

Whatever shows up next in the bathroom aisle, one thing is clear: Americans are done being quiet about what happens behind that door, and brands know it.