• What if you could look glamourous and chic whilst being ethical?
• What if you could feel sexy whilst being 100% comfortable?
• What if you don’t need to compromise on your vegan or barefoot principles whilst having the most luxurious feeling fabrics against your skin?

I’m here to say you CAN have it all!

I have teamed up with Mila Vert and High Feels to put sustainable clothing and barefoot footwear firmly on the fashion map. *I purchased the High Feels sandals myself, however, Mila Vert kindly offered the dress and cardigan for review, with the cardigan to be returned.*

Introducing Mila Vert

Mila Vert make elegant minimalist garments that won’t go out of fashion. Classic pieces that are luxuriously soft and comfortable to wear using exquisite natural vegan fabrics. And most importantly, they place ethics and sustainability at the core of their brand. So when I asked them if they would be interested in collaborating with me, I was super excited when they agreed! They were really enthusiastic about helping glam up the world of barefoot shoes!

“We believe that sustainable is the only way to make fashion – that’s why we have put sustainability at the heart of our brand. We care about how clothes are made. We believe in working with nature, not against it, and we believe that all humans should be empowered by what they do for a living.” – Mila Vert

Introducing High Feels

High Feels sandals are probably the sexiest most appealing minimalist sandals on the market today. Also vegan, they have an undoubtedly interesting story detailing how they got started. Their secret lies in their elegant simplicity, their sandals are handmade in Spain and 100% barefoot!

“High Feels is all about empowerment: feeling free and moving with ease, but also looking gorgeous while doing so. The connection to the ground is the foundation of everything.” – High Feels

Dress and Cardigan Specs

• Model: Knitted long cardigan and v-neck dress (can also be purchased separately)
• Colour: Sand
• Colour Choices: Cream, sand and black
• Materials: 100% organic cotton
• Sizes: XS-S, M, L-XL, Free custom fit orders
• Made in: Slovenia

Sandal Specs

• Model: Nº3
• Colour: Nude (an older version)
• Colour Choices: Black beauty, brown sugar, rosegold rush, very berry cherry, oooh macaron, mmmh mocacchino, butterblume, white cloud
• Materials: PU and microfiber with metal buckles
• Sizes: 35-43
• Stack height: 4.5mm
• Toe-Box Shape: Sloping from the big toe
• Tested on: Bare Soled Girl, EU size 39, slim leg and ankle, low instep, medium to wide toe box, Egyptian toe-box shape
• Weight: 117g per shoe (size 39)
• Made in: Spain

Barefoot Brief

• Flexibility: Can I do a one-handed roll and twist with this shoe? YES. They have a flexible sole, however, they are generally a little stiffer than other sandals from Tikki or Wildlings. In saying that, they do soften with time.
• Zero Drop: Do they have a totally flat sole? YES. Completely flat.
• Toebox Space: Do they have plenty of space for toes to wriggle? YES. My toes are not hanging off the edge of these sandals. In saying that, they will not be suitable for wide feet.
• Stack height: Is the distance from foot to ground small? YES. There is 4.5mm between my feet and the ground which I would consider very good for a barefoot sandal.
• Arch/Cushioning Test: Are they free from supports/cushioning? YES. They have no supports or cushioning of any kind.
• Ground Feel: Is there a decent ground feel? YES. The soles are durable but you definitely feel the ground in them.
• Lightweight: Are they lightweight? FEATHERLIGHT at 117g per sandal.

Materials

Mila Vert:
This exquisite dress and oversized cardigan combo boast a 100% organic cotton content, supremely soft in a sublime nude tone. Each set is custom made by Jakopina knitting studio, a fourth-generation family business located in Slovenia. Machine washable, the dress and cardigan are classic neutral staples that will work forever in your capsule closet. Thanks to organic cotton, the knits still allow the skin to breathe and keep you feeling light and airy.

High Feels:
There’s no going around this – the sandals are made from the big bad P-word…..plastic, PU to be exact, with a microfiber lining. High Feels are very transparent about this fact and state that “we are following the latest trends in sustainable material tech and if an interesting project pops up, we’re getting in contact with them. But mostly these projects researching alternative materials are not ready for production, or not available in industrial quantities, or … they just don’t answer the phone or react to emails.” They are in a tricky position because they obviously have the desire to make shoes free from animal exploitation, but wait patiently for the next generation of eco-friendly leather which would work well for these sandals.

Truth be told, I usually turn my nose up at plastic shoes, but High Feels have pulled them off supremely well, and I too wait for their non-plastic versions to appear in the future. Nonetheless, they are certified free of Chromium VI, are made in Spain with an ecological CO2-free manufacturing process and are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, so plenty of positive aspects despite the plastic.

Soling is champagne coloured rubber, surprisingly grippy and a little stiff at first. They are softening up nicely with wear.

Sizing

Mila Vert:
To make sure the set fits you perfectly, use their free custom-fit order service. Also good to note, items can be returned. When placing your order write down your measurements (chest, waist, hip, height) in your cart under “Order note”- simple as.

High Feels:
Their sandals are true to size. If you wear 39 in open shoes or sandals, then order a size 39. You can download their size guide for Sandal No.4, print it in original size if you are unsure. I am generally a 39, and so size 39 works perfectly for me.

Fair Fashion

Mila Vert:
“To say we work with professionals in their field is not enough. The biggest benefit is that we personally know them and know for a fact that their workers are paid a fair living wage, do their job in optimal working conditions and that no exploitations or violations of any kind are present, as is required by the Slovenian legislation. This is what a transparent local production enables us – not only are we great business partners but friends as well.”

High Feels:
They take pride in being able to visit their Spanish and Italian factories at any time and are happy with the working conditions there. The sandals have a short distance to travel from the factory to their warehouse, and from the warehouse to their customers.

Style

Mila Vert:
Images speak louder than words, look how glam Bare Soled Girl looks!! The dress is figure-hugging yet incredibly soft and comfortable. I feel like a million dollars in this dress! The tiny village I live in in the Alps wasn’t ready for this – I had to walk through to get to the little chapel on the hill for my photoshoot, and I got WOW looks from the neighbours, local bus drivers, and everyone else!!!! This will be a staple in my wardrobe for sure, and I have already picked out boots so I can continue wearing it in Autumn with a sweater on top. The cardigan will go with just about anything, and really dresses up simple blue jeans and a vest, for a little bit of glam. However, I love love love this combo together, they are made for each other.

High Feels:
Sexy, minimalist and appealing to barefoot and conventional sandals shoppers alike, these little sandals sit like a queen at the top of the style throne. They work with ANY Summer dress you can think of, in any colour. They also work beautifully with leggings or jeans.

Comfort

This is a very comfortable outfit, with breathable organic cotton next to my skin and simple barefoot sandals on my feet. The sandals are not quite as comfortable against skin as leather, but they soften up more and more with wear. They will work best for narrow – average width feet and the strap across the instep can be adjusted.

Conclusion

A vegan minimalist match made in heaven – that is Mila Vert pieces teamed with High Feels glorious sandals. I like that this stunning dress and cardi was made at a little knitting studio in the Slovenian countryside. I like that the sandal design was born out of a need for a girl to feel good whilst eliminating the pain her previous shoes had bestowed.
Feel good, look good, do good!

You can purchase the dress and cardigan combo at a reduced rate of €390 here plus EU shipping at €6.90. Free custom fitting and returns accepted for unworn items with tags intact. Check out more pictures of their pieces on their Instagram page here.

You can purchase the sandals here for €129 plus €11 EU shipping. Check out more pictures of them on their Instagram page here.

The post A Vegan Minimalist Match Made in Heaven: Mila Vert & High Feels appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

Video Summary

Website Description

“If you loved the incredibly good looking Leather Boulder Boot, have we got something exciting for you. The upgraded version is made with all the features you know and love, like supreme flexibility, a zero-drop platform, and unparalleled packability, but now, it’s also waterproof! That’s right, you can dive right into your next adventure while keeping your feet fully dry.”

Unboxing

I was immediately struck by what a solid boot they were – a REAL boot, not a fiddly wannabe-boot! They looked chunky but super stylish, with beautifully weathered leather uppers and a smooth finish and feel – I had to stop on the way home from the post office to try them on!

Specs

• Model: Boulder Waterproof Unisex
• Colour: Umber
• Choices: Black or Umber Brown
• Materials: Uppers: Full-grain oiled leather, Inner lining: Full-grain leather + moisture-wicking Lacing: Cotton, Sole: LemsRubber (air-injection rubber)
• Sizes: 36-43
• Stack height: 9mm sole + 2mm footbed = 11mm + 3mm PU removable insole = 14 mm stack height
• Toe-Box Shape: Sloping from the big toe
• Tested on: Bare Soled Girl, EU size 39, slim leg and ankle, low instep, medium to wide toe box, Egyptian toe-box shape
• Weight: 367g per boot (size 9.5 womens)

Barefoot Brief

• Flexibility: Can I do a one-handed roll and twist with this shoe? NO. I need two hands for this sturdy boot. It is flexible all the way but stiffer than I am used to. So if you are coming from a conventional hiking boot you’ll be amazed at flexibility. Alternately if you are coming from a pair of Vivos then these will feel quite stiff at first. It’s all relative folks!
• Zero Drop: Do they have a totally flat sole? YES. Completely flat. Even though the soles wrap a little higher towards the back of the shoe, this has no bearing on the actual height from heel to toebox.
• Toebox Space: Do they have plenty of space for toes to wriggle? YES. They have plenty of space for toes to wiggle.
• Stack height: Is the distance from foot to ground small? AVERAGE. There is 14mm between my feet and the ground which I would consider average for a barefoot shoe, but quite good for those coming from conventional hiking boots. Taking out the 3mm insole will knock off a little from the stack height if you wish.
• Arch/Cushioning Test: Are they free from supports/cushioning? YES. They have no supports or cushioning at the insole of any kind, just a slightly cushioned insole.
• Ground Feel: Is there a decent ground feel? AVERAGE. With insoles removed I have some ground feel, but not a huge amount when compared to other minimalist shoes.
• Lightweight: Are they lightweight? YES. When you consider conventional hiking boots weigh anywhere from 400g to a whopping 700g, then you realise that these are most definitely lightweight at 367g per boot.

Materials

Uppers are 100% full-grain leather with an oiled finish, that is pre-treated to be water repellent. The leather has a wonderful earthy weathered appearance, and with increased wear only look more beautiful. To increase the water-repellency and extend it over the life of the shoe, Lems suggest using a waterproofing wax such as Otter Wax and reapplying 2-3 times per year.

The gusseted tongue is made of a moisture-wicking lining covered by a breathable water membrane to keep water out. This same soft lining is used inside the shoe including the sole. There is a removable PU insole that boasts the Lems logo on top. Lacing is with metal eyelets and the laces are strong durable cotton laces. The ankle is gently padded, adding to comfort and aesthetic and the heel is reinforced with a second layer of leather.

Sole

The injection blown rubber (IBR) outsole featured on their Origin Series (including the Primal 2) is a unique, air injected dual-component of EVA and rubber. The EVA material provides cushion and comfort, while the rubber helps grant traction and durability. Most footwear brands utilize a double component where the rubber is cemented to the EVA, where Lems combine the two materials into one single piece. 

I don’t find the sole to have the most amazing traction for hiking, and I think the addition of some lugs would 100% improve its hiking attributes. I slipped on loose gravel and mud, so I think the sole needs some work in this regard. They will work best for light hikes, walks, farming, gardening, golfing and other outdoor work. Your feet will be comfortable and dry all day.

Sizing

It is important to note that The Boulder boot are NOT sized the same as other styles. They are built on different outsoles, so please be sure to see the sizing chart that is featured on each specific product page for more information on how they will fit.

Lems recommend that all customers order a half size larger than their US size with this boot. They claim that the boots fit more snug than other Boulder Boot styles due to the internal waterproof membrane in the boots.

This was not my experience. As I measure 24.3cm in length, I figured a women’s U.S. 9.5 would be perfect. I find them very roomy – and I feel I could have gotten away with a U.S. 9, despite it stating that they run small. I, therefore, wear them with thick socks and they feel more secure on my feet that way. They will fit any foot volume by simply loosening or tightening the laces, and I wear them rather tight.

Sustainability

• Leather Origin: They source their leather from 3-year-old steers and cows that are humanely raised in the U.S. and follow strict employee and animal safety guidelines. These animals are also killed for consumption, so their meat is not wasted.
• Vegan, organic and recycled options
• They donate unused pairs of shoes to a charity called Soles4Souls. “Soles4Souls turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use – providing relief, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty.”

Style

These are probably the most stylish barefoot hiking boot on the market today. They will appeal to barefoot and conventional shoppers alike as they have a mock toe seam, giving the appearance of a smaller toebox than there really is and are constructed using beautiful full grain earthy leather.

I wear them with skinny jeans and leggings, sometimes with leg warmers and they look great. I have seen some ladies pull them off with skirts and tights, however i find they look a bit bulky on my skinny legs with skirts.

Waterproof or not?

There are varying opinions in the many Facebook groups online as to whether the waterproof Lems Boulder is in fact waterproof or not. So what is my verdict?

In my experience they are. However, I haven’t rolled through a river or plowed through an ice pack as stated on the website description. I have splashed in puddles, and squelched in mud in the forest, ran home in heavy rain and walked in the snow. And my feet have stayed warm and dry.

I think perhaps the reason some people have been disappointed is that the water may be entering above where the gusset ends at the second lacing eyelet.

Comfort

Whilst this boot didn’t require any breaking in, I do find the boning down the back and ankle cupping a little stiff, however, it is beginning to free up with wear. They are not the fastest boots to put on or take off as unlike the Vivo trackers they don’t have speed hooks. Everything is relative because I find them a little heavy, but I wear very light barefoot shoes most of the time, even in winter. Alternately, someone coming from a conventional hiking shoe will find these as light as a feather!

Conclusion

A beautiful, solid, well made, waterproof, comfortable boot – perfect for work on the farm, light hikes, long walks, city wear, gardening and golfing.

Not suitable for extreme Alpine hikes due to a lack of traction on the soles.

Lems, put some lugs on the soles and they will be my favourite all time hiking boot!

Buy on their U.S. website for $165 plus free shipping within the U.S. or $25 shipping to Europe. Alternatively, you will find them on this UK website for £175 plus free shipping within the UK or £33 shipping to Europe. In Europe, you’ll find them on this German website for €153.80 plus €6.90 shipping within Europe.

The post Lems Boulder Waterproof: Their No.1 Selling Boot just got better appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

Video Summary

Website Description

Zaqq.com description: Our interpretation of a classic: Strappy boot made by ZAQQ. The new ZAQQ RIQUET combines an elegant look with a walking experience that is second to none.
RIQUET has no need for embellishments, because the highly polished, soft nappa leather alone gives the boot its simple elegance.
To ensure maximum comfort, we have divided the shaft in two and connected them with a strap. So you can easily adjust the width yourself with the silver buckle and always have the support you need.

Of course, the barefoot feeling is not neglected either. The sole is super flexible and your toes have enough room to move freely. The mid-height boot is not lined, so you can also wear it on warmer days. However, your feet will also feel perfectly comfortable with thicker socks in winter.
Practical, functional and beautiful – that’s our RIQUET!

Unboxing

What a treat to open the white box from Zaqq. I was very excited by how chic and beautiful they looked. They looked narrower and generally more compact than some of my other barefoot shoes, but they surprisingly fit me really well. The leather was soft and the boot was very well constructed.

Specs

• Model: Riquet
• Colour: Black
• Materials: Uppers: premium nappa leather
  Inner lining: extra-fine leather, Fastener: Buckle strap, Sole: rubber
• Sizes: 37-48
• Stack height: 3.9mm sole + 3mm insole = 6.9mm
• Toe-Box Shape: Sloping from the big toe
• Tested on: Bare Soled Girl, EU size 39, slim leg and ankle, low instep, medium to wide toe box, Egyptian toe-box shape
• Weight: 258g per shoe (size 39)

Barefoot Brief

• Flexibility: Can I do a one-handed roll and twist with this shoe? YES. They have a very flexible sole.
• Zero Drop: Do they have a totally flat sole? YES. Completely flat. Even though the soles wrap a little higher towards the back of the shoe, this has no bearing on the actual height from heel to toebox.
• Toebox Space: Do they have plenty of space for toes to wriggle? AVERAGE. They have toebox space for my average feet, however, those with wide feet may find them too tight.
• Stack height: Is the distance from foot to ground small? YES. There is 6.9mm between my feet and the ground which I would consider very good for a barefoot shoe.
• Arch/Cushioning Test: Are they free from supports/cushioning? YES. They have no supports or cushioning at the insole of any kind, just a slightly cushioned insole.
• Ground Feel: Is there a decent ground feel? AVERAGE. This style strikes a good balance between durability and ground feel. Whilst you won’t notice every pebble underfoot in this boot, you’ll still feel a fair amount.
• Lightweight: Are they lightweight? YES. They weigh 258g per boot, which is quite light when you consider conventional clunky chelsea boots.

Materials

The Riquet uppers consist of premium nappa leather. Nappa is renowned for its softness and smooth feel, and these certainly don’t disappoint. The lining is extra-thin leather which is supple and breathable. The insole is open-pored, breathable leather that has a slight give to it. The uppers are strobel-stitched (a common type of stitching in athletic shoes to increase flexibility) with double seams. So the entire shoe is made out of leather, bar the sole, and the buckle fastening. The buckle strap has three holes for adjusting, depending on how tight or loose you need them. There is also an elastic section in the strap for more give.

The leather does crease a lot at the beginning, but over time it has softened. They say leather improves with age, and I think this will be the case here.

Sole

The sole is very flexible, reasonably non-slip (but not for ice), with abrasion-proof rubber. The adhesive bonding is solvent-free, so a very good pick for sensitive people. It is a thin and relatively hard sole, so don’t expect too much cushiness with this boot!

Sizing

Okay follow along with me here.

Zaqq have two websites: a German site (in euros and with EU sizes) and an English one (in dollars but with UK and EU sizes).

On their German site zaqq.de they use only European shoe sizes. (I have translated the sizing chart above.)

The English one zaqq.com has all the sizes displayed in UK/EU sizes. However, they have their prices in dollars.

I would actually advise buying from the U.S. website, as when you do the currency conversion, they work out cheaper than the German euro site.

Note that UK and EU sizes are unisex, and most of the shoes are made to fit both men and women.

They don’t allow 1cm space in front of toes in their chart (between 6mm and 9mm depending on the size), so if you want more space then go a size up. My foot length is 24.3cm and generally a 39, so I went for a 39 thinking I would be fine, and in hindsight I should have went for a 40. However according to their chart, a 40 would give me almost 2cm toe space….so its a tough call. They do fit, however I won’t be wearing thick socks or adding an extra insole. They are quite high volume but still fit fine on my low volume feet.

Sustainability

• Individual production of each pair of shoes
• Hand-sewn
• Solvent-free adhesive bonding
• Biodegradable and recyclable (but not resolable)
• Vegan Options
• Low-pollutant production with regular tests at renowned institutes

Style

These boots have a surprisingly mainstream look and will appeal to barefooters and conventional shoe wearers alike. They don’t require much in the way of styling as they look great with anything I try them with.

Comfort

They are comfortable and the leather is softening up nicely on them. They are quite high volume, but they work fine on my low volume feet. They are quick on and off and will suit a wide variety of ankle sizes.

Conclusion

I have placed these in my top 5 barefoot shoe collection, mainly because of their versatility and beauty. They are somehow ‘compact’, despite being 100% barefoot, which makes a nice change as I have recently been trying lots of big winter boots recently. I look forward to trying more shoes from this quality barefoot brand.

I advise you buy them from the U.S. English website here. They seem to work out cheaper on conversion from dollars ($174.08 to €143.26) than the zaqq.de website (€169,90), despite them being posted from Germany from both websites. They also have the same shipping costs on both sites.

The post ‘Riquet’ – Stylish Chelsea Ankle Boot from Zaqq appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

Walk to Win Barefoot Shoes while Supporting a Great New Barefoot App and a Kids Charity

Over 20 pairs of shoes up for grabs from:

CHECK OUT THE OPENING CEREMONY HERE!!!!

I am creating a FREE service on my website to make barefoot shoe shopping easier and more fun! But I need help from the barefoot community to get it off the ground.
With the generous support of my sponsors, I have created this exciting social media challenge that I have named the Barefoot Mile a Day. The hashtag is #barefootmileaday.

Walk one mile every day for 7 days. It can be in your town or village. It can be laps of your garden, the nearby field, the pathway around your house. Be brave, dare to show your beautiful feet to the world and benefit from increased proprioception and grounding for a whole week!
Ask your friend or children to join the barefoot mile-a-day and help spread the word about the benefits of being barefoot and of barefoot shoes! It costs €5 to enter.

Check out the dedicated feed page on my website with images from all the amazing people taking part so make sure and use the hashtag #barefootmileaday and #in your Instagram posts.

Enter Now by clicking on the Donate button below or click here for the platform where you can see all donators!

[whydonate id=”7y5kv”]

I will livestream the kick off on Instagram on the 14th of April. You can participate yourself or simply sponsor me as I walk a barefoot mile a day! And 10% of everything raised will go to the charity Sal’s Shoes as well as any excess funding. Sal’s shoes are dedicated to providing shoes to underprivileged kids who are not permitted to attend school simply because they don’t have a pair of shoes to put on their feet.
Everyone entering will go into a draw and winners will be announced in the closing ceremony.

FAQ

The post Join the Barefoot Mile a Day Challenge! appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

Video Summary

Website Description

Be Lenka Penguin are premium winter barefoot shoes that your kids will fall in love with at first sight. These gorgeous, insulated premium leather barefoot shoes with ergonomic foot-shaped design, wide toe box and a flexible 6 mm sole are designed especially for kids’ growing feet. They come with a protective membrane which ensures dry, warm, and all-day comfort through the autumn and winter months. All and all a perfect winter barefoot footwear with an excellent blend of looks and functionality.

Unboxing

Ooh the excitement in my house the day these beauties arrived. Chloë had been teased a few days before at school that her shoes looked ‘babyish’ (I won’t disclose which shoes they were teasing her about). So, we were both thrilled at how ultra-cool these boots looked. I really want Chloë to see that barefoot can be as stylish as the little mini-heeled shoes she sees others wearing. So I want to thank Be Lenka for designing such a hip winter boot, that everyone is happy with. Win-win for mammy and daughter!

Specs

• Model: Penguin
• Colour: Pink
• Choices: 5 colours
• Materials: Upper: Premium leather with a protective membrane
  Inner lining: Synthetic insulation
  Fasteners: Velcro
  Sole: Vulcanized rubber
• Sizes: 25-35
• Stack height: 6mm sole + 1mm insole = 7mm
• Toe-Box Shape: Sloping from the big toe
• Tested on: Chloë, currently 19cm, chunky leg and ankle, medium instep, medium to wide toe box, Egyptian toe-box shape
• Weight: 226g per shoe (size 31)

Barefoot Brief

• Flexibility: Can I do a one-handed roll and twist with this shoe? YES. However, they start out a little stiffer than other barefoot shoes my kids have worn.

• Zero Drop: Do they have a totally flat sole? YES. Completely flat. Even though the rubber soles wrap a little higher towards the back of the shoe, this has no bearing on the actual height from heel to toebox.
• Toebox Space: Do they have plenty of space for toes to wriggle? YES. They have toebox space in abundance. This may be a little too much for narrow feet, but heaven for medium, wide, and super-wide feet.
• Stack height: Is the distance from foot to ground small? YES. There is 7mm between Chloë’s feet and the ground which I would consider very good for a kid’s barefoot shoe.
• Arch/Cushioning Test: Are they free from supports/cushioning? YES. They have no supports or cushioning at the insole of any kind.
• Ground Feel: Is there a decent ground feel? AVERAGE. This style strikes a good balance between durability and ground feel. Whilst your little one won’t notice every pebble underfoot in this boot, as they might with a thinner, less hardwearing sole, they’ll still feel a fair amount.
• Lightweight: Are they lightweight? AVERAGE. They weigh 226g per shoe (on a size 31), this is a little heavier than other boots my children have had.

Materials

The uppers are a soft premium leather, coated with a water-resistant membrane. The lining is a synthetic plush material that has kept fresh after a winter of wear, so must be quite breathable. The collar of the boot is padded for extra comfort with reflective heel loops to help the child easily pull the shoe on themselves. Be Lenka guarantees water resistance with the regular use of a waterproofing spray. There is a handy reflective piping around the ankle of the boot, should your child be out and about in the evening. The tongue is both gusseted and has a little sewn-in attachment strap (see below) to hold the velcro in place and to stop the tongue from sliding sideways during play. The insoles are made up of a thin layer of foam, topped with the same plush fabric as the lining and add 1mm extra to the stack height at the most. The insoles have a self-adhesive strip underneath, should you want to tape them down.

The Penguins have done well for us in the rain and snow, keeping Chloës feet dry and fresh. She didn’t avoid any puddles in these, yet there were no soggy socks at the end of long walks. In saying that, don’t expect to treat them as wellies. Water did enter through the stitching when I tested them in a sink filled with water, but this was after 20 minutes submerged.

Sole

The Penguins don’t have the pleasant leaf design of their other soles. The sole is 6mm thick with a profile for better traction. We tested them for hiking with Chloë too and they provide a decent grip there too. They are made from vulcanized rubber making them stronger and more elastic than regular rubber. Vulcanized rubber is any type of rubber that’s been hardened through the use of heat and sulfur – for chemistry fans, there’s more info here.

Sizing

Be Lenka advise adding 0.5-1cm to your child’s total foot length to find the right size, although personally, I like to add 1cm for my kids to ensure comfort and fit. Chloë currently measures 19cm in foot length, so it had to be a 31 (19.9cm). These are perfect for her. While Be Lenka’s adult styles are best suited to Egyptian-type feet with a dominant big toe, the kids’ models have a milder slope towards the little toe, making them suitable for a variety of foot shapes. Chloë has a medium-high instep and she did find them a little snug in volume at the beginning, but they have softened right up.

Sustainability

• Handmade in house
• Vegan Options
• Uses local materials so a low carbon footprint
• Non-toxic materials
• Strict policies related to health, safety, and quality
• 95% of the materials used in their shoes and in packaging is recyclable

Style

These boots were a godsend.
As I mentioned above, I can no longer get away with ‘babyish’ styles on Chloë. Its normal that kids want to look like other kids – we are a social animal. With these boots, theres no compromise on barefoot function OR style – Be Lenka has designed a boot that kids will want to wear, and that parents can feel good about. Chloë wears these with just about everything!

Comfort

Chloë will not put anything on her little feet that isn’t comfortable, so I can vouch that these boots definitely fit the comfort bill. They are a soft leather, with no breaking in period required and have provided enough warmth for cold winter and fresh spring days.

Conclusion

I felt it was only fair to have Chloë write the conclusion, as it was her wearing them. Here are her impressions. “I think they are soft and cozy, and I love the pink colour, it’s really bright. They are quick for putting on, but not as quick as my wellies, but quick enough.”

And that sums them up !!!

Buy Here for €75-79 plus shipping.

If you enjoyed this post please check out my review of the women’s Be Lenka City Plum here and Winter Nord here. And if you find my posts useful, please consider buying me a coffee (link below) to show your appreciation! It goes back into developing my barefoot/movement directory for your guys! Thanks!!

The post Be Lenka Penguin Boots for Kids appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

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The post #Barefoot Mile A Day appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

Website Description

The Patrol unites barefoot functionality and timeless boot design. Its animal-free materials keep your feet warm and dry while the sole pattern is made for maximum traction. Waterproof, snowproof, winterproof. Excellent for cold days.

Unboxing

My first impressions were that they looked like a chunky trendy mainstream winter boot – not unlike Timberlands in fact, except with a wide toe-box and perfectly flat! The uppers and sole seemed quite stiff so was curious if this would change after some wear.

Specs

• Model: Patrol
• Colour: Grey
• Choices: Black, Grey, Light Brown, Dark Brown
• Materials:
• Upper: Vegan PU leather
  Inner lining: recycled fleece
  Inside collar: vegan fur
• Insole: synthetic felt and removable cork
  Lacing: recycled PET & polyester
  Sole: TPE & TPU
• Sizes: 35-49
• Stack height: 10mm sole + 2mm insole = 12mm
• Toe-Box Shape: 2nd toe longest point
• Tested on: Bare Soled Girl, EU size 39, slim leg and ankle, low instep, medium to wide toe box, Egyptian toe-box shape
• Weight: 350g per shoe (size 39)

Barefoot Brief

• Flexibility: Can I do a one-handed roll and twist with this shoe? YES. But with some effort. They are definitely stiffer than other winter boots I have.
• Zero Drop: Do they have a totally flat sole? YES. There is absolutely no heel whatsoever.
• Toebox Space: Do they have plenty of space for toes to wriggle? YES. These boots will work well for all toe-shapes as their longest point is where your second toe would be.
• Stack height: Is the distance from foot to ground small? AVERAGE. Stack height is 12mm, consisting of a 10mm outsole and 2mm insole. You can add their removable cork insole which adds an extra 1mm. This isn’t a terribly high number for a winter boot, but the highest I have in my collection.
• Arch/Cushioning Test: Are they free from supports/cushioning? YES. There is no cushioning of any kind in these shoes of any kind.
• Ground Feel: Is there a decent ground feel? NOT REALLY. However, for a winter boot, I can see they were trying to create a durable weatherproof sole and keep peoples feet cosy. So this has sacrificed ground feel in this boot.
• Lightweight: Are they lightweight? AVERAGE. They weigh 350g per boot which is not incredibly light, however probably a LOT lighter than Timberlands!!

Materials

This is a vegan boot through and through – with synthetic PU uppers, which are quite stiff at first but do soften with wear. The uppers are a faux leather; to me I can tell straight away they are not the real deal, however they look very waterproof and durable. The soft inner lining is recycled fleece (a thumbs up on the sustainability front) and the strong lacing is recycled PET and polyester. The collar boasts a soft cosy synthetic fur and the insole is felt with a removable cork insole. I love cork as a raw material. It’s one of those amazing materials like hemp – as it is vegan yet without the use of plastics. Listen here at the 13.10 to hear Muki founder Madlen discuss the benefits of cork.

In terms of winter-proof ability – they score high. They are waterproof because of their waterproof uppers and gusseted tongue. I can vouch for this as have been out in them in rain, splashed in puddles and walked in slush and snow. They are also quite warm, although I have only worn them in temperatures down to -3 degrees (26 fahrenheit), so can’t attest to their warmth below this. However, at this temperature, my feet were toasty with only regular socks worn underneath.

Sole

The sole is made from two compounds: TPE & TPU, both originating from plastic. It is deeply treaded and quite firm to the touch. This is definitely a stiffer sole than for example my Ahinsa or Belenka winter boots, but again this is meant for heavy weather – snow, rain and ice so I can see why, and the sole does soften with time and wear.

I conducted two highly scientific studies to test the sole grip, and recruited my daughter to help!!! You can check them out here and here! With the first video, you can see the Patrol was the clear winner, however, the second experiment (out of the lab and in the field!!) gave average results. So I would class the grip as better than most other barefoot brands, but I will still use my crampons for safety on ice.

Sizing

Feelgrounds offer a nice size chart that highlights your sizing as you move along as well as stating ‘insole length’. I cannot remember the number of times I have contacted companies to double check if the measurement I saw on their chart was the shoe (insole) length OR the foot length. I measure 24.3cm and the insole length is 25.4cm so I get a perfect 1.1cm space in the toe-box.

These boots are a great fit for a medium/high instep with a wide heel/ankle and toe-box. I don’t particularly fit into this category so they tend to cause heel lift. I have tried lacing like in the image below and it helps to get a closer fit around my ankle.

I find the lacing very long so have hooked it down through the front as you can see from the image. I have seen other wrap it around the ankle a few times also.

Sustainability

• They use recycled PET in all of their styles in some way or other, whether it be uppers or linings or lacing.
• Vegan
• Independent testing institutes, like SGS, regularly test and approve the safety of their products
• Workers in their Vietnamese factory benefit from social, medical, and accident insurance and receive a salary above the regional average.
• The factory is part of the European BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative), whose mission is to “enhance human prosperity, use natural resources responsibly, and drive open trade globally” (BSCI).
• The factory is also part of Better Work Vietnam, a program that supports the implementation of practices based on core ILO labour standards (International Labour Organization).

Style

This boot will appeal to barefoot enthusiasts and more conventional shoe wearers alike. Like the image I showed earlier, they are not unlike the popular Timberland boots. They are chunky like the Lems Boulder boots so won’t really work with skirts and tights, but look great with leggings, legwarmers, woolly socks or skinny jeans.

Comfort

These COULD be a very comfortable boot, for the right foot. Unfortunately, my feet just aren’t right for them. My feet are medium width, low volume, narrow heels. They are slipping at the heel and so are a bit clunky as I walk. The gusseted tongues also dig in a little at the instep, but I imagine this will soften with time. They are warm and cosy and perfect for winter and spring temperatures.

Conclusion

It’s so great to see a barefoot winter boot in a style that will appeal to the mainstream. It takes a lot of hard work and a little magic to create a shoe that has a wide toe-box, is flexible and flat and that has mainstream appeal. After all, we want to grow our barefoot community right! That means, bringing more people on board without them needing to drastically sacrifice what they consider to be style.

This boot merges style and function with minimal effort! It could be more flexible, but Feelgrounds are rightly trying to cater to many people at the same time (as all barefoot brands are) by creating a durable WINTER boot that won’t wear easily, won’t feel too cold and won’t have excess ground feel. So Feelgrounds – I applaud you, you’ve done a great job! I look forward to trying your softer mesh styles in Spring and Summer. If you could just make the heel a teeny bit narrower, they’d be perfect (for me!!).

Buy here for €159 now!

If you enjoyed this post please check out my other winter boot reviews – such as the Ahinsa Sundara boot or the Belenka Nord boot.

The post Patrol: The Winter-proof Vegan boot from Feelgrounds appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

Website Description

“Comfortable, light, breathable and soft Ursanina ballerina flats are the favorite spring/summer shoes of active urban women who love to be relaxed, charming and playful.

What makes them special is their sole, made from 100% wool felt that helps your feet keep dry by minimizing sweating and thus making them most comfortably worn barefoot, without socks.

The sole is fully flexible and allows for healthy natural walking, almost as if you were walking barefoot. They are also suitable for those with the most sensitive feet. It is additionally protected by a layer of non-slip natural rubber. The upper part is made of cotton or microfibre and has no hard parts – you will not be scarred or get any blisters.

Weighing only at 150g per pair, they are the ideal travel shoe. They are no bigger than a folded Cosmopolitan and can be easily packed into a handbag or suitcase. They are available in many color variants, and in combination with our leather shoe clips (separate product), the color combinations are almost endless.

Ideal for walks in dry warm weather, for office, school hallways, or for work around home, these comfortable Ursanina ballerinas are a must-have for any active modern woman.

STRETCHING: Ursanina ballerina flats stretch by almost half a size after a few days of use. When you try them on for the first time, they will most likely feel (too) tight. In this case, we advise you to wear your ballerinas around the apartment for a few days to stretch them. You can speed up the process by lightly spraying the front of the shoe with water and tightly stuffing them with soft plastic bags. Leave for a day or two and try them on again. If they still seem too tight, you probably need a larger number or a tailored cut.

CUSTOM ORDER: If our basic model does not fit the width and shape of your foot (check the dimensions in the table below), we can make custom ballerinas for you. All we need is a precise outline of your foot, in millimeters, sent to us by post (Urša Cigler, Rožna ulica 25, 1000 Ljubljana), scanned at info@ursanina.si, or simply as an attachment to your order. See video instruction for correct measurement of your size here.“

Unboxing

These arrived in minimal packaging, and what a treat to open to a 100% handmade pretty little ballerina with ankle strap and dainty little flower accessory (also handmade by Urša). They had a slipper feel because of the wool but once on they looked quite chic and …well…pretty!

Specs

• Model: Ballerina Custom
• Colour: Petrol Blue
• Choices: 16 colours
• Materials:
  Uppers: Cotton
  Optional Strap and Flower Accessory: Genuine leather
  Sole: Wool felt and natural rubber
• Sizes: 36-43
• Stack height: 1.4mm sole + 5mm insole = 6.4mm
• Toe-Box Shape: Sloping from the big toe
• Tested on: Bare Soled Girl, EU size 39, slim leg and ankle, low instep, medium to wide toe box, Egyptian toe-box shape
• Weight: 114g per shoe (size 39)

Barefoot Brief

• Flexibility: Can I do a one-handed roll and twist with this shoe? YES. These are incredibly flexible.
• Zero Drop: Do they have a totally flat sole? YES. There is absolutely no heel whatsoever. And the insole only adds 1mm to the stack height so 6mm between your feet and the ground.
• Toebox Space: Do they have plenty of space for toes to wriggle? YES. There is ample space for toes, although those with a longer 2nd/3rd toe mightn’t have the space they need. For me with a sloping toe-box, they are perfect.
• Stack height: Is the distance from foot to ground small? YES. Stack height is just 6mm, consisting of 1.4mm rubber outsole and 5mm wool felt insole.
• Arch/Cushioning Test: Are they free from supports/cushioning? YES. There is no cushioning of any kind in these shoes of any kind. They are extremely flat.
• Ground Feel: Is there a decent ground feel? YES. There is abundant ground feel in these since they are so flexible and flat.
• Lightweight: Are they lightweight? YES. Like a feather at 114g per shoe.

Materials

My ballerina uppers are a strong cotton canvas. I believe a few of the colours are also microfiber. The insole is soft thick wool felt (the insole in fact makes up most of the stack height as the sole is a mere 1mm!). They cut the felt from sheets in house. So they have that slipper feeling whilst being quite a cute chic little ballerina. The addition of the little leather flower and strap buckle really finishes the look, so I had to have them. I am so happy I did, they really add to the ballerina’s prettiness.

Sole

The sole is a 1.4mm natural rubber from a local factory. It is very minimal, very flexible, beige in colour and even has a little grippiness to it! I also bought a little of the sheeting for shoemaking and you can really see how incredibly thin it is.

Sizing

Sizing is…..a little complicated. There is a size chart to guide you, and they do stretch after a few days of wear, however, my first pair was absolutely too small. Urša kindly made me a second pair, which also seemed too small. We figured out the issue was the way the heel was ‘folding’ closing off some of the space there. So…..Urša being the amazingly kind lady she is, made me a third pair, this time with an enforced heel to prevent the heel fold issue. And it worked.

They still have some stretching to do at the front, but I am getting there with them and the folding isn’t happening. So perhaps ask Urša for this enforced heel when you order. I recommend you upload your feet outline (costs an extra €10) to give Urša a clearer idea of your size requirements. Or just email her: customer service is amazing, she really wants to please her customers! She is courteous and friendly, so no worries there.

Sustainability

• Sustainable biodegradable materials
• Natural rubber sole produced in Slovenia
• Wool felt produced in Germany and India
• Small family team
• Minimal packaging

Style

Whilst they are not super dressy because of the beige felt midsole on display, I still think they look great with a little flowy skirt or dress. They also work well with the usual – skinny jeans, leggings etc. I don’t imagine they will be a super hardwearing shoe, so wouldn’t wear them for long walks every day but perfect for a summer stroll and a coffee (once the cafes open up again!). These are in my pretty pile along with my High Feels Nude Sandals (review on the way), my Tikki Soul sandals, and my Zeazoo Siren sandals.

Comfort

The materials here make for a soft comfortable shoe – feet are touching wool felt and cotton canvas. However, there is surprisingly quite a ‘breaking in’ period with them. The main reason is that their construction doesn’t allow for much space above the toes, however, this space does come with wear and stretch. In the image below, you can see what I mean here. They don’t come with space build in, it has to be acquired through wear and stretch. I personally did what is suggested on the website – which is to wet the forefoot area with water and stuff with plastic bags for a day or two, and this really helped.

Conclusion

A really lovely little ballerina from a lovely lady. The brand Ursanina is a small family operation, and I wish them all the success in the world. Urša will do everything in her power to ensure you are happy with your shoes. Please don’t forget to ask for the enforced heel to safeguard against the issues I went through with my pairs. Support a small business and get your ballerinas with Ursanina!

Buy here for €35.99 plus shipping.
Add €10 for custom upload of your foot outline.
Add €10 for the strap buckle.
Add €10.99 for the handmade flower brooch accessory.

The post Pretty Ballerina Flats from Ursanina appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

I said to her ” WHAT IF those words Ben said to you are like ping pong balls. What if they come towards you, but bounce right off in another direction. Or what if you ducked and they missed you altogether?”

She looked confused. But she stopped crying. I knew my girl was still emotionally labile at that moment, so decided to recruit her brother for my demonstration. I made a circle with my finger and thumb to represent a ping pong ball and told him to imagine a nasty word inside it – let’s take “degage” which means “get lost” in French and had been said to him 2 days previous. (We live in Switzerland…to clarify).

I told him to imagine it was coming straight for his head and asked him what he could do?

And he ducked!

And he laughed. And then Chloë said “my turn, my turn!!”

They ducked, they kicked the imaginary ball, they blew it away, and finally they simply agreed that they didn’t even need to do anything…that it could simply bounce off them.

And off they went to school, ready to try it out in their little minds should the situation arise that someone would say something mean today.

I often tell them the old Taoist parable “The Empty Boat” by Chuang Tzu.

​Once upon a time, there was a Zen monk living in a small monastery near a forest and by a lake. One day he decides to meditate alone, away from his monastery. He takes his boat out to the middle of the lake, moors it there, closes his eyes, and begins his meditation. After a few hours of undisturbed silence, he suddenly feels the bump of another boat colliding with his own.

With his eyes still closed, he senses his anger rising, and by the time he opens his eyes, he is ready to scream at the boatman who dared disturb his meditation. But when he opens his eyes, he sees it is an empty boat that had probably got untethered and floated to the middle of the lake.

At that moment, the monk realises that the anger is within him; it merely needs the bump of an external object to provoke it out of him.

From then on, whenever he came across someone who irritated him or provoked him to anger, he reminded himself: ”The other person is merely an empty boat. The anger is within me……”

Taken from www.dailytenminutes.com

I asked the kids… “what makes us angry? Is it other people or things that happen to us? Or is it something else?” It is not the empty boat, but our reaction to it that causes the anger. All the people or situations that make us upset and angry are just like the empty boat.

NOTHING has the power to make us angry or upset but ourselves.

It’s one of the most important lessons in resilience I can give my children and a little imagination and story-telling is always great for this. I also think it is vital to ALLOW the emotions that boil up to do just that in childhood, let them bubble up, allow them to be processed, and often if the feelings are permitted and acknowledged compassionately, they move on to something else a few minutes later anyway!

Let me know if this is helpful with your children! Or you!!

Want to know how I Get My Kids to Walk Long Distances… or Walk at all? Click here.

The post Nasty words are like ping pong balls: Teaching resilience through imagery appeared first on Bare Soled Girl.

The 12 Brands

1. Softstar Shoes Primal line are especially wide at the toe-box. They have a good selection of athletic, classy and casual footwear.
2. Lems offer super stylish athletic and hiking footwear.
3. The Drifter Leather can accommodate bunions when they are customized to fit your particular foot shape. Remeber the foot shape you want to provide is the one that will offer space at the toe-box so make sure to stretch out your toes when doing your measurements.
4. Bohempia offer super sustainable hemp casual sneakers and hi-tops as well as chelsea and classic boots.
5. Freet have comfortable wide athletic and hiking shoes.
6. Luks offer classy ankle boots, shoes and mocassins in pretty colours.
7. Sole Runner have business shoes, athletic and sport shoes, as well as ballerinas and sandals.
8. Feelmax shoes are sporty athletic styles as well as a great hiking boot.
9. BeLenka shoes are stylish, funky and colourful.
10. Ahinsa offer a wide selection of vegan shoes, from ballerinas to ankle boots.
11. Gea Soles offer handmade ballet flats and elegant dressy shoes and boots.
12. Tikki offer beautiful sandals and shoes.

Fixing that Bunion?

Ask yourself what purpose does a bunion serve in your body? The brain is sending protection to this area, but why?

Bunions are mainly formed as a result of the inability to supinate the bones of the foot with 1st and 5th metatarsal heads making contact with the ground. Supination is the opposite of pronation and both are necessary for a successful gait cycle. This inability to supinate the bones of the foot contributes to overpronation of the foot during the whole gait cycle and is the reason why bunions often go hand in hand with ‘flat feet’ diagnoses.

You need movement that targets the joints that need opening so that the big toe joint can open less and the foot can begin to supinate better maintaining the two points of contact with the ground (1st and 5th metatarsal heads).

Sounds simple right!

It’s not! It’s a journey, and you may never be fully freed from your bunions. But if you can already let the idea land that bunions are not foot specific, but whole-body specific, it’s a good start! Toe spacers can be helpful for relieving pressure but are an orthotic at the end of the day. Read my comprehensive review of them here.

Personally I have accepted my bunion, whilst I continue to discover why it may have formed in the first place. Good luck!!!

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