This will partially be about my experience with the company, but mostly about questions of quality. This may seem silly that I’m asking about quality when I have the shoes in front of me, but I’m by no means a shoe expert and am unsure of what to look for in terms of construction.
I’ve worn Lems women’s Kourt sneakers for over 2 years and they’re finally on their last legs after almost daily use. They’re the most comfortable sneakers I’ve owned and are exceptional quality. I would stick with them, but the brand doesn’t offer much variety for casual shoes and I didn’t want another bright white pair.
I pre-ordered the women’s Nomad OG for $112 USD on 3/25 as the website said the excepted shipping date would be 3/31. By 4/7, I hadn’t received a shipping confirmation, so I reached out through email. On 4/8 they apologized and said the new expected ship date was 4/15, but that they would throw in a free pair of socks for the trouble. I received a shipping confirmation on 4/22, from China. I was surprised as I thought they were a UK company. I finally received the shoes on 5/6.
Aesthetically, they are basically what I wanted. The outside of the shoe is a very soft leather, and even the support part around the ankle is very soft as well. The insoles are cork looking material with a foam underside and slip out easily if you want to change. The part that was most surprising to me were the soles. They’re one piece of smooth rubber with script engraved in it. No tread. I think this looks kind of cheesy, personally. I don’t understand how they’re going to function as an every day shoe with no tread, and I don’t want to wear them outside yet in case I decide to return them. Can anyone speak to this tread decision? And do we have thoughts on how the sole is attached to the body of the shoe? This is where I’m unsure of what to look for as far as quality of construction.
The company’s size chart and measuring instructions are pretty accurate. This is the size that I would have bought if I tried them on in a store. I’m always an 8.5 US women’s, maybe an 8 in sandals if the brand doesn’t carry half sizes (looking at you, Teva.) I got a EUR 38. In Birkenstocks I’m usually a 39. The company recommends downsizing a bit, which I found to be accurate. I don’t have particularly wide feet, I just prefer wide toe box foot-shaped shoes for general foot and joint health.
Overall, I’m not sure if I’ll be keeping them. They’re not much less expensive than other, better established brands, and for the price, I want something that can be my daily shoe for another 2+ years. I am curious to hear others’ thoughts.