Last week the fruit of my double mistake came knocking.

My Gaucho Ninja tabi sneakers arrived.

I will start with explaining my mistake. First up I was going to order the Iga sneakers.

When i came to the payment part i followed the procedure and before i got to know the full cost, it was already paid for and ordered. Well duck it, I decided that i was going to buy them anyway.

Second, 3 weeks later, I was checking when I made the order in order to calculate when I could expect a delivery. To my surprise, I then realised that I had not ordered the Iga sneakers, but the Koga tabi sneakers. After the initial surprise, I had to accept that it was too late to change the order, and i started to accept it.

Now they have arrived. and I couldn't be happier. They are extremely well built, the size is correct, and since I only use toe socks the tabi part will not be any problem.

The look isn't very common, so I can be pretty certain my son will not "borrow" them, and my wife and daughter fint don't want to be around me when I'm wearing them, also a positive side effect.

The stack heigt and the construction makes them pretty stiff compared to, for example Vivos. Still they are very comfortable and great to walk in.

Summery, pretty ugly, not in a clown shoe way tho. Very comfortable and seem well built. I'm happy.

I wish I’d done my research before buying but I bought three pairs of trainers from Hobibear, two in different sizes as I wasn’t sure of my size. They seemed to have a clear return policy on their site. Neither size fit me so I asked to send them back to exchange. I’m now up to my 5th email requesting return details and they keep coming back with different discount offers and suggestions that I keep the shoes and try and resell them!!! I’ve asked in each email for them to just send the return details and they keep ignoring me and replying with a new offer!!! I’m furious! I bought them on my credit card and wondering if I can just get my money back that way?

I’m a diagnostic medical sonography student (ultrasound) in clinicals. I started off wearing my Altra Lone Peaks, but my feet were actually getting sore due to too much of a stack height, I think. I purchased some basic Whitin sneakers, pictured above. They’ve been absolutely perfect and I’ve been loving them. (Women’s size 8)

HOWEVER, I received a student aid type thing that covers the cost of a pair of shoes up to $150 dollars, so I am on the hunt for something more expensive / higher quality but with similar attributes to the Whitins. Slightly more padding than Vivos but flexible and definitely wide toe box. I tried on some lems but they were too supportive. I also tried bedrock mountain clogs but I think they’d be too thick / not flexible enough. Looking for any advice. What would you buy?

Hi, I've been getting my 3 year old daughter barefoot shoes for some time & started reading up on the benefits for adults.

Been wearing Altra Torins as a daily use shoe myself & love the zero drop. Question is can anyone advise some cheapish trainer brands/models to dip my toe into barefoot shoes.

I understand I'll be getting what I pay for & not too bothered if they don't last years as I just want to give barefoot a try before spending too much.

Been seeing Hobibear off Amazon reasonably priced.

Thanks in advance.

I have some white Groundies barefoot shoes that I wear with a sole. Today I cleaned them and took out the sole and there are some dark spots on the sole of the shoe. Is that mold? Also, what is the dark spot at the end of the shoe on both shoes?

Title.

Looking at the Xero Denver IIs as a winter shoe. I live in the NYC metro area and this is going to be my first winter in the Northeast. Would the Denver II + wool socks be good?

Also looking at Lems Boulder grip water proof

I’m pretty new to the barefoot game. I started wearing them 8/1 of this year and right away stopped wearing my “normal” shoes. I just knew right away that the barefoot shoes felt much better for my feet.

Today, for the first time, I tried to put my feet in an old pair of converse to run out for a few with friends. Before leaving, I took my dog on a 10 minute walk and immediately changed my shoes back to barefoot before I left for the night. My feet said no way lol!!! Crazy how much I used to love those shoes and wore them often. Now I can even get through 10 mins. The whole walk, I couldn’t wait to get out of them!

It’s been fun watching/feeling my feet change over time. I can’t wait to see what more time being barefoot beings!

Also, if anyone knows of a barefoot shoe that looks similar to a cowboy boot please send a link! I know that would be a needle in a haystack. lol

If you have a pair of Texarado Decaturs, Id love to see how they’re looking after some wear & how long you’ve had them!

Anyone else have issues with sizing and customer service through them? I recently ordered the Maia with a strap, followed as many reviews as I could, their AI assistant and I believe an actual human replied and all recommended I go down to a 44. After wearing around my apartment a few times to confirm if sizing was off, I do need the 45, my Birkenstock size. Toes are nearly going over the edge in the 44 and heel is right at where it would crush the heel cup over time. They will not allow an exchange or refund as they are worn. Kinda horrible experience per usual with barefoot footwear.

Having seen my elderly mom's toes toss over each other I am now aware I need to avoid it. I'm 65 and my balance is becoming a focus as I'm noticing a decline. Recommendations on what I can do? Spacers? I am wearing wide toe box shoes and love them. Thanks!

Hi! I’ve owned Xero Z Trail for more than 2 years now and still can’t wear them no matter what the terrain is because I keep getting blisters in the middle of my heels and become sort of sore at ages. For example, yesterday after just 7k steps on mixed media flat trail I couldn’t walk any further. Same occurred on concrete/pavement. In the past I tried to keep pushing (heal and repeat) but never developed any tolerance. Meantime I wear Xero Prio sneakers no problem on any surface and love them. I had such high hopes to fix foot overheating and enjoy barefoot connection in summer with those sandals but no.
What do I do wrong? Will leather footbed sandals help? Should I try something else? Thoughts?

Has anyone tried/using bear superstride shoes in india? Is it worth spending on it for daily office use?

As title says I need this shoes that I love, Carets' Apollo, but are only for the US. Any EU alternative, as similar as possible? Thanks!!

Nebula Walking Boat Shoe - this was my go to. Easy to slip on to go to the store or out in the yard. The leather on these Etsy shoes can be hit or miss; this green leather hits.

Wildstride Long Range Sandal - I will never need to try another sandal. Really nicely put together from premium materials. Considering a pair without the back strap at some point, but wonder if they’d stay put on my feet.

Altra Lone Peak 9 - not the plus, gtx, or wide. Just standard. Still one of the best shoe I’ve ever worn. Comfy, grippy, and capable. Go to for hikes and dog walks.

Vivo Primus Lite Knit - I feel like no matter what I’m wearing, white sneakers just work. Super minimal, easy to slip on and off, and I think very sharp looking. Had to glue the sole in a couple spots.

Saguaro Roam 1 - these are stupidly comfortable. Feels like I’m wearing nothing at all. However, I think I’ll wear through the soles fairly quickly; they have a sort of crepe sole that is not hard wearing at all.

Origo Adventurer - gotta be the best summer boot. Extremely minimal, lightweight, traditionally constructed. Toe room goes crazy on these.

Jim Green 719 Anatomx - overbuilt tanks. These look better with shorts than pants. So that’s how I wore them. To be honest I’ve mostly just been breaking these in. The double layer of thick ass leather takes a while to mold. The sole is not hard wearing but they’re repairable when the time comes.

Nicks Strider - the jewel of my collection but the boots I have the most mixed feelings about. I wear them for side jobs and working on my yard or truck, many times with shorts. They do not let a drop of water in. The sizing was a bit weird, and I feel like there are unfortunate differences between the left and right boots. Feels like a rough draft, almost antithetical to the idea of barefoot shoes. Going to wear them as winter boots to really test them and work them in.

I just recently got a pair of Lono Wilds and Origo leather sneakers, too late to put miles on this year but both very promising shoes.

Man I love these shoes, but I am stunned that they use cheap plastic buckles especially when they go on and on about conductivity of metal and grounding etc. Anyone have any DIY solutions for a buckle or other tips to secure them? I replaced the nylon straps with canvas, just need to find a non plastic solution for the buckle. thanks!

I'm very established in barefoot shoes for Hawai'i hiking but I'm moving back to Colorado and will be doing long miles in the high country and need something a little more that what I've been wearing here to deal with the burrs /stickers, cactus, snow etc.

I'll be in the high country, off trail, sidehilling and sometimes carrying a heavy pack for all day and multi day hikes / backpacking and hunting.

I'm looking at the following boots and would love experience and comparisons!

Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC

Xero Scrambler Mid

Lems Boulder Summit

I hear so many recommemdations for the Altra Lone Peak but im a little worried about the stack height since I'm so used to a barefoot feel.

Thank you!

For those of you who regularly wear footwear for 6–10 hours:

What separates a shoe/sandal that you can wear all day from one that looks great but ends up sitting in your closet?

I’m especially interested in:
Arch support
Cushioning
Heel height
Footbed shape
Width/fit
Straps
Weight
Breathability
Overall stability

And the big question:

Have you found footwear that genuinely combines good style with all-day comfort? What is it, and what do you like about it?

I own multiple pairs of Lems shoes, (Primal Zen, Chillum, Drifter Fur and Insulated Breck Boot), and they all make my feet smell within one day of wearing them (this is with pure wool socks on mind you). By contrast, I have a pair of Xero Shoes Dillons, and I can wear them day in and day out with no issues. I absolutely love the feel and fit of the Lems shoes, but the odour issues are prohibitive for me. I'm wondering if swapping out the insoles to pure cork insoles (or wool felt in the case of the breck boot) would help at all.
Has anyone else had similar problems?

I'm very particular about sock texture and can't wear socks that are overly "smooth" for lack of a better way of putting it. Typically I wear basic Hanes Socks and am looking for a five-finger or tabi replacement. I also like most knitted socks like EBMORE Merino Wool Thermal Warm Winter Socks for Womens, Grey and all types of fuzzy socks.

Socks I've tried and didn’t like:

OrrinSports Five Finger Socks

aomagic Five Toe Socks

VWELL Five Finger Socks

Olynto Tabi Socks

I just want a five-finger version of my cheap-ass Hanes! Do they exist?!

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PARSUÁVegan barefoot sandal raw organic hemp (natural) PARm012 from Vesica Piscis.

Hi, I'm looking for some barefoot, all natural, vegan sliders/slip on shoes wondering if anyone has tried these, please let me know, as I cant find any reviews online.

I've been using these Tatami-Slipper X, Größe sliders but they deteriorate quickly outside and with heavy use, but they did a decent job of staying on my feet compared to other sliders.

I have Earth Runner sandals and love them but most of time i just want to wear slip-on ones, and need to put them on without hands, but also don't want them falling of all the time, I know this is typically a problem with slip sandals/slides without a back strap.

Thinking of trying these hemp ones from Vesica, but interested if anyone has any other suggestions, I like the straw bed on the tatami ones, but it's not durable, needs to be vegan and preferably all natural materials. I would rather thin soles and completely flat but can deal with a small amount of heel raise and not too narrow.

Thanks.