u/MxQueer

From here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1vpnrev/my_on_shoes_collect_rocks_and_sticks_everywhere_i/

This is just for fun so this might be low effort. Feel free to delete. Anyway, I laughed and I thought maybe you do too.

These are not minimalistic shoe but foot shaped shoes with thicker sole. Minimalistic shoes are not suitable to every person nor every purpose and having shoes made for human feet is still important. Personally I don't like to run on asphalt with minimalistic shoes, it feels too harsh. I also might need these in daily life if my plantar fasciitis starts to hurt again.

I have only run with these once. I'll get back to you when I will have bit more experience of these.

I am going to compare these to Altra Rivera 4 women's. Altra is smaller size, has more cushion and is purely road shoe. So these are not so much comparable. However, I do think same people are considering both brands so I don't think comparing is useless either.

That Altra is too small for me (too short, too narrow and barely enough volume). Also it has so much cushion I don't like to run with it. That much cushion makes my feet kinda feel numb and running wobbly. So, I have been asking around of other brands and eyeing Bahé for a while in order to replace Altra. I chose to order Bahé because I want/need no arch support, zero drop, no toe spring, reasonable flexibility, high or highish volume, enough width for toes and midfoot, not too much cushion, no awful quality reputation and delivered from EU. If I have got the right information, no other brand meets all of those criteria.

My right, longer foot is by my measurements about 23,95cm long and about 9,35cm wide. I got those measurements from standing front of the wall and next to wall. Width is the width or forefoot. I have drawn outlines of my feet few times and by that method got different measurements every time. Also drawing is more about the part that touches floor (expect arches). Most often I wear size 40. I got these in 41.

Outsole : 65% natural rubber

Midsole : 5% sugarcane EVA

Insole : EVOCO’s FATES Bio-foam, 72% bio-content

Upper : 30% recycled polyester mesh

Lining : 30% recycled polyester mesh

Organic cotton laces

TPU heel and toe reinforcements

Certified to be conductive in accordance with EN ISO 20347:2022

Pros and cons:

+ high volume and if you need these would work without insole too

+ wideish toebox

+ zero drop

+ no arch support

+ no toe spring

+ different cushion options

+ versatile sole

+ reasonable flexibility

+ vegan

+ long enough laces

+ nice colors

+ very accurate printout

+ fitting insoles

+ very accurate photo of flexibility in the website

- made in China

edit. - tongue doesn't have loop for laces

For many these might seem too long. I want this kind of not minimalistic shoes to have bit more room front of my toes. Okay, I might could have go with bit shorter shoes but not whole cm shorter as the smaller size would have been. These don't feel too long when running. Toebox fits me very well. These are bit too narrow from midfoot but I believe I can live with that. Heel fits me well. Volume fits me perfectly with insole. And since so many shoes are so low volume, I am very happy about that. If you have lower volume feet, I recommend getting extra insoles. If you have very high volume feet, you can remove insoles. The shoe below insoles is similar material as the top of the insoles (while Altras I have seen are sticky) so it will work without insole, even obviously wear out faster. All Bahé shoes are the same last.

Revive Original is basically same shoe as newer Revive Adapt. Both have 11mm sole + 3mm insole. There are some small differences like loop behind heel in Adapt. Nothing that would make me want to pay 30€ more. Also I glued piece of velcro to behind of the heel in order to be able to attach my Altra gaiters so I believe the loop would actually be liability for me.

There is very, very little of ground feel. But that was expected. These don't feel wobbly nor make my feet kinda numb so the cushion isn't too much for me. It does it's job well: running on asphalt is pleasant. I was considering between this and Flex. I believe I made the right choice.

These have 4mm outsole with 2.5mm lugs. I am not going to trail run with these, I have minimalistic shoes for that. But I still like the versatile sole. I guess I am more used to soles like that. And sole feels sticky, so I believe these work in wet asphalt too.

These are reasonable flexible. Way more than Rivera 4, but these also have lower amount of cushion. However, based on the photos in Bahé's website, I would assume also Endurance to be more flexible (even that either doesn't have as much cushioning as Rivera 4).

These have some water repellent finish. I have no idea how it works. These are bit warm but also my Funq Wear Wide+ Active cushion quarter socks are quite thick.

Bahé has some grounding thing. I am not interested of that. I can feel that in insole but it doesn't bother me.

These have loops for runners knot. And for once laces are long enough to do that.

So far these have the most accurate printout I have seen. This is the way it should be done.

Insoles feel like they're made for this exact size. They're actually bit difficult to remove because there is no gap or anything.

Overall I am very happy with my purchase. I haven't really run on asphalt since transitioning to foot shaped shoes few years ago. Roads I am back!

Review of Altra Rivera 4:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1qtc7ja/altra_rivera_4_and_vj_sarva_xter_short_time_review/

First impression of Funq Wear Wide+ Active cushion quarter socks:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1uifq6c/funq_wear_wide_socks_first_impression/

Toe spacers in the photo (I have not reviewed them, I simply link where you can buy them):

https://bahe.co/en-eu/products/toe-spacer-kit

https://myfootfunction.com/products/toe-spacer-2-0

edit. Toe spacers in photo are Level 1.

edit. 2 I emailed Bahé about do all of their shoes have same last. They answered. This shouldn't be worth of mentioning, but not all brands answer to their customs at all.

edit. 3 As u/crent1st pointed out, this kind of soft and sticky sole most likely wears out fast on hard surfaces. I run just for fun so I believe for me these can still be long time shoes. Sons of Sever has plenty of videos Bahé. But they seem to use them mostly on gym and woods if I remember correctly. Also since they test so big amount of shoes, I wonder can they really use any of them enough. Anyway, I recommend to watch their videos and follow their channel for more information about Bahé.

1. Russian orthodox priest wearing deerskin

2. Two Yakut ladies in modern dresses

3. Old Yukagir man

4. Young Yukagir couple

5. Rich Yakut woman in expensive traditional clothing

6. Two Japanese fishermen

7. Camp of the Tundra Yukagirs

8. Koryaks in wooden ceremonial masks

9. Koryaks in wooden ceremonial masks 2

10. Russian cossack with his family

11. Yakuts meeting with Russian officials

12. Koryak children

13. Koryaks sacrificing a dog

14. Yakut shaman in ceremonial clothing

15. Yukagir shaman in ceremonial clothing

16. Koryak warriors

17. An Evenk with his children

18. Koryak woman fishing

19. Koryak women in grass masks

20. Young Yakut woman

These are my first pair of sandals since childhood. So I can't compare these to other sandals. Please keep that in mind all the time.

I got these sandals about month ago.

My right, longer foot is by my measurements about 23,95cm long and about 9,35cm wide. I got those measurements from standing front of the wall and next to wall. Width is the width or forefoot. I have drawn outlines of my feet few times and by that method got different measurements every time. Also drawing is more about the part that touches floor (expect arches). Most often I wear size 40. My Saltic Outdoor High is size 40. I got these in size 38-38,5.

I bought these because I wanted sandals that are as adjustable as possible, have some protection for big toe because I tend to kick the ground time to time but don't have edges that would trap rocks in and are not sensitive. These have meet my expectations. And honestly there isn't many options for all that criteria.

So far out of the brands I have tested, Saltic fits me the best. And as with my Outdoor, I wasn't super big fan of these in the beginning but I find myself wearing these most often. I have got mild tan lines from these even I wear safety shoes when working and am barefoot big part of my own time.

First time I put these on it felt weird to see how much my feet can move in these. And I was worried my feet go over the sole. First times wearing these it felt like my big toe would be too close to edge. But after while I forgot to think about that. And my feet have kept inside the soles. And when walking, it doesn't feel like my feet would be moving inside these.

No matter how carefully I close the velcros I can feel them. So for longer use I would recommend socks.

I tend to kick not only the ground but myself too. And edges of the sole are quite sharp. Since the day I broke the skin I have mostly used band-aid. But maybe that's issue with all sandals? Usually there is shoe protecting the spot I kick.

When these get wet, they become rather squishy than slippery (and maybe my feet being so well strapped in there makes these not feel slippery too?). But that has down side: these dry slowly. After getting these wet from puddle water I thought tap water can't be so bad (Saltic advice against washing their shoes) and rinsed these. After about 9 hours they were still damp. Okay, so would be my laundry so not big surprise. I can't tell how long it took to dry but after about 20-22 hours these were dry.

I have run with these, and it was okay. These are quite flexible and my feet didn't move in these. But I prefer my Ahinsa Chitra Trek&Trail even Ahinsa doesn't fit me very well. Ahinsa is more flexible and I like the small cushioning my 3mm Poron insoles I use with them offer.

Saltic sole is great for wet rocks but doesn't work in mud. Soft sole wears out fast in asphalt but so far they have almost no signs of wear. I assume these to be resoleable as other Saltic shoes. But I am afraid upper won't last that long.

These came with lot of glue stains. I tested size 39-40 and those had glue stains as well. These are not for look but for use so not a big deal for me.

Saltic shoes are made in The Czech Republic.

+ highly adjustable

+ shape fits me well

+ protects my big toe

+ works greatly on wet rocks

+ made in the EU

+ decent flexibility

- velrcos feel

- doesn't work in mud

- dries slowly

(- possibly less durable than Saltic shoes usually)

Socks I use with these (I have only used Active cushion quarter socks with these):

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1uifq6c/funq_wear_wide_socks_first_impression/

Sole comparison on wet rocks (these have same sole as Outdoor):

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1u50tlt/comparison_slipperiness_on_wet_rocks/

My posts about Saltic Outdoor:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1pxyi6r/saltic_outdoor_high_first_impression/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1s07k09/saltic_outdoor_high_winter_other_notes/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1rifpmu/saltic_outdoor_is_not_the_shape_nor_the_size_of/

My post about Ahinsa shoes I mentioned:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1segp2j/ahinsa_chitra_trektrail_first_impression/

My right, longer foot is by my measurements about 23,95cm long and about 9,35cm wide. Big toe in left foot splays better. My calf is about 35cm from thickest part and about 34cm where the Natural socks reach when pulled up. I got both socks in size 39/41. Their size options aren't good, there is also only 36/38 and 42/45.

Usually socks of mine can be washed in 40 degree, some even only in 30 degree. I take it as a good sign of quality that these can handle 60 degree.

Only Wide+ socks are foot shaped. Funq Wear has also Wide+ socks with no shaft at all, bamboo socks with rolled edge and merino wool mix hiking socks.

Funq Wear socks are made in EU. They tell about the factories in their website.

Countries Funq Wear ships to:

The Nordic region: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark

Europe: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, UK, Åland

Rest of the world: Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, USA

Active cushion quarter socks

78% Organic cotton, 20% Recycled polyamide, 2% Elastane

Never tumble dry or iron the product. 60 degrees.

Way thicker than I expected. It's not a bad thing, but something to keep in mind. I can't wear these with all of my shoes because there simply isn't enough room. I don't recognize any cushion.

These fit very well for me. And unlike other foot shaped socks of mine, these would work for bit wider toes as well (links to other reviews below the post). I like ankle part being snug.

There are some signs of wear. I bought one pair first, used them 5-10 times and then bought more. Now I can't tell which one are the "oldest". So seems like there will be signs of wear very quickly but there won't be more after bit more use. These are expensive socks in my books so I would expect them to last long. I will get back to you after using these some time.

Note that shaft is very short. Okay, so are shaft of many minimalistic boots too. But I still don't think these would work with my Saltic Outdoor high if I wouldn't use insole.

My feet won't get hot easily and I have only used these now in summer. So I can't tell how warm these are. Upper is thinner / mesh like and bottom is thicker.

+ made in EU and transparency regarding to manufacturing

+ fits me well

+ stays well in their place

+ decent room for toes

- not many sizes

Natural socks

70% Organic cotton, 28% Recycled polyamide, 2% Elastane

Never tumble dry or iron the product. 60 degrees.

Thin, feels similar than Barebarics Crew. Obviously better quality.

Foot part fits me well and this too have room also for bit wider toes. But calf is too narrow for me. I don't know do all of non sport socks roll down like these (I haven't wear non sport socks maybe for a decade because of this, so at least I can tell this being common) and how big part of it is these being too narrow.

So far these don't have signs of wear. I have wore Active socks more than these, but I also think I saw first signs of wear in Active socks after less use than what I have used Natural socks now.

+ made in EU and transparency regarding to manufacturing

+ foot part fits me well

+ decent room for toes

- too narrow calves for me

- rolls down

- not many sizes

Other sock reviews of mine:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1pm1x5o/barebarics_crew_be_lenka_merino_socks_review/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1qthkcq/peerkovoxx_merino_wool_socks_short_time_review/

Plus 12 Hawk Moth have very different shape. For me they're too long from foot and too narrow (narrower than Funq Wear Natural) from calf.

Reviews / first impressions / other posts of mine about shoes in the photos:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1pxyi6r/saltic_outdoor_high_first_impression/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1s07k09/saltic_outdoor_high_winter_other_notes/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1rifpmu/saltic_outdoor_is_not_the_shape_nor_the_size_of/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1t1ywsy/luks_milagro_first_impression/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1sxmfgi/try_luks_if_you_want_flexibility_of_wildling_but/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1u50tlt/comparison_slipperiness_on_wet_rocks/

I haven't and won't review Aylla because they have changed their last. But if you want to know something about them, feel free to ask. There are still shoes with old last available.

My listings of socks:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1qylzhu/foot_shapedanatomical_socks_not_toe_socks/

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1qyuh61/toe_socks_and_tabi_socks/

By my measurements my right (longer) foot is 23,95cm and 9,35cm. I usually wear size 40 / shoes that are about 26cm based on size chart. I basically always size up 1-2 sizes regarding to what brands suggest.

I emailed Jim Green, and they said: "Regarding size guide, you find this on all product pages. However, this is the foot lengths. Not inside sole lengths. Measure you foot by drawing outline on a sheet of paper. Measure in cm and order the recommended size. No need to add anything, we already calculated apron. +0,6cm for movement.". (Little rant: I hate when brands add something, I know what to add, not you. I just need your actual length and width.)

Okay, by that logic I should buy 7,5 because that should be about 26,1. Or probably even 8 because with these kind of boots I might want to wear two socks. That would be 2 or 2,5 sizes bigger than Jim Green suggest.

But. At least based on this UK7,5 is EU42 and UK8 is EU43. So way bigger than my usual size. I didn't notice the size chart in Jim Green's website, so I assumed UK6 would probably be my size.

Shoes I own and fit me at least decently:

• Saltic Outdoor High 40 (Shape fits me very well, I need this kind of wideish midfoot. Narrow and not prominent heel is good. Length is good. I would want bit more volume. I wear these with one average/thickish sock and 3mm insole.)
• Aylla Nuna men's old last 40 (I do not have as slope foot, so front of big toe is bit extra. Fits my midfoot well. Narrow heel is good. I would want bit more volume. I wear this with one thin sock and 3mm insole.)
• Koel merino wool 41 (Toebox is good, narrow heel is good. I would need bit more for midfoot. I would want bit more volume. I wear this with one wool sock and Omaking wool insole.)
• Luks Milagro 39 (Toebox is good, narrow and not prominent heel is good. I would need more room for midfoot. I would want bit more volume. I wear this with one average/thickish sock and without insole.)
• Vaistoa Katve 40 (Toe box and narrowish heel are good. I kinda would need more room for midfoot and more volume, but I think it's good this is snug. I believe it would be clumsy otherwise. I wear this with one thin sock, one wool sock and 3mm insole.)
• Vaistoa Hanki 41 (I would like to have bit more width for toebox and midfoot, but shoe is soft. Narrowish heel is good. Volume is good. I wear this with thick wool socks and insole.)

If you own/have tested AnatomX and haven't owned/tested any of shoes I mention, please tell me what other minimalistic / foot shaped shoes you have. Maybe I have at least tested them.

What size would you recommend? Do you think AnatomX will fit me at all? I am bit concerned because I have been told they have wide heel, but that might be possible to solve with "cup heel" insole. Also I don't know are they truly wide and high enough.

If I understood it correctly, Jim Green offers one free exchange but if I return the shoes, I need to pay shipping. Also I am waiting for AnatomX Trooper, and at least AnatomX 719 sold out when in pre sale.

I try to make complete list so please help me out and tell me what is missing. In have no experience of these, so please also let me know if I got something wrong.

I didn't include running, lifting nor hiking because there seems to be plenty of options. But if those options do not truly work in those or not at least for more advanced level, please let me know what works and I'll add that.

In this post "football" is the one played by foot with round/ball shaped ball. As most of the world calls it. The other one is "american football".

I have nothing to do with the links.

Foot shaped shoes made for that sport:

• Saltic Eliot (climbing)
• Prevolve Footwear custom fit shoes (football, baseball, american football, lacrosse)
• Xero Shoes X1 (basketball)
• Xero Shoes 360 Rally (pickleball)
• Code Footwear (football)
• Natur Athletics Iron Lion Field Cleats Classico (football, american football, baseball, lacrosse)
• Free Kickz primo AG (football)
• Notace Koto 1 (tennis and pickleball)
• Pines Atomic Court (tennis and pickleball) Relasing later this summer.

Less awful but not truly foot shaped shoes:

• New Balance Tekela V3 Pro Wide (football)
• New Balance 442 Pro FG Wide (football)
• Copa Mundial and Copa 19.1 (football)
• Mizuno Morelia II (football)
• Century Lightfoot (martial arts)
• Tokay Flight (frisbee)

Foot shaped shoes that are not made for that sport but work well enough:

• Vivobarefoot Primus Trail (football on turf or hard surfaces)
• Vivobarefoot ESC Tempest (football on turf or hard surfaces)

Source for most of the football shoes:

https://canadianomad.com/best-barefoot-soccer-football-shoes/

Review / first impression of Prevolve:

https://www.reddit.com/r/barefootshoestalk/comments/1mtolln/prevolve_footwear_custom_football_boots_foot/

edit. I added Notace Koto 1 and Pines Atomic Court.