Summer is fast approaching on the calendar and hopefully in the weather forecast. April played a trick on us and convinced us that all-leather, ideally waterproof membrane boots or wellies are a spring essential. Let's hope the weather settles by May and the sandals are back on track.
But which ones? Requirements vary but generally revolve around breathability, with athletes craving a durable outdoor shoe with a closed toe while promenading beauties want minimalist straps and nothing more. Wide feet want the roomiest shoe possible, and even the widest is sometimes too narrow, while for narrow-footed people, even the narrowest is too wide. Combine all this with a valgus ankle and the need for a reinforced heel counter or a preference for vegan materials or local production, and the choice starts to narrow.
Take a look at what we have on offer this year. The main parameters are listed in the summary table. The weight is for one shoe.
|
BRAND |
TOE BOX SHAPE |
HEEL |
INSTEP |
FLEXIBILITY |
REINFORCED HEEL COUNTER |
WEIGHT |
WIDE |
Xero Shoes |
rotates inwards by the big toe |
wide |
adjustable |
flexible with a stronger press |
without reinforced heel counter |
119 g |
Boskids |
dominant big toe / descending toes |
average |
adjustable |
well flexible |
without reinforced heel counter |
54 g |
|
Beda |
dominant big toe / straight toes |
wide |
low/average |
well flexible |
slightly firmer |
122 g |
|
Fare |
dominant big toe / descending toes |
narrow |
low |
well flexible |
slightly firmer |
132 g |
|
Vivobarefoot |
dominant big toe / fin-shaped foot |
average |
average/higher |
well flexible |
without reinforced heel counter |
72 g |
|
AVERAGE |
D.D.Step |
round |
average |
average/higher |
well flexible |
slightly firmer |
167 g |
Keen |
rotates inwards by the big toe |
average |
average |
flexible with a stronger press |
without reinforced heel counter |
150 g |
|
Koel4Kids |
dominant big toe |
narrow/average |
low/average |
well flexible |
slightly firmer |
177 g |
|
Froddo |
dominant big toe / descending toes |
narrow |
average |
well flexible |
slightly firmer |
176 g |
|
Baby Bare |
dominant big toe |
narrow/average |
average |
extra flexible |
without reinforced heel counter |
94 g |
|
Ef |
rotates inwards by the big toe |
narrow |
average |
extra flexible |
without reinforced heel counter |
92 g |
|
Reima |
straight toes |
wide |
average |
extra flexible |
without reinforced heel counter |
77 g |
|
Froddo flexy |
dominant big toe |
average |
adjustable |
extra flexible |
without reinforced heel counter |
80 g |
|
Bundgaard |
dominant big toe |
wide |
average |
well flexible |
without reinforced heel counter |
134 g |
|
Protetika |
rotates inwards by the big toe |
average |
average/higher |
well flexible |
slightly firmer |
172 g |
|
NARROW |
Bobux |
round |
average |
average |
stiffer |
with reinforced heel counter |
152 g |
Sole shape
Look at the sole because it can differ in the width of the toe box or the heel narrowing. Some fit the dominant toe better, others comfortably accommodate a straighter foot type with similarly long toes, and others are more tapered to the little toe. And some models aren't as nicely anatomically shaped, which we're not happy about, but they have other advantages that have secured their place with us so far.
Sandals in size 31 (note that sometimes the appropriate size for such a large foot would be 32, but we wanted to compare the corresponding number) on a 194 x 72 mm foot with an average instep and an average heel.
Xero Shoes Z-trail Youth Multi
- outdoor sports sandals
- easy tightening behind the heel and in the instep, thanks to the straps
- zero drop, only the space behind the heel is slightly bowl-shaped to keep the heel in place
- non-slip sole, suitable for off-road use
- 11mm thicker sole, including pattern, flexible with increased grip
- suitable for average to wider feet, roomier in the heel, not recommended for narrow heels
- for open-toe sandals, the 0.5 cm additional size number is sufficient
- the straps fix the heel and instep well, the toes have freedom of movement, and the size was just right for the length
Boskids
- minimalist sandals suitable for the city and outdoors
- perfectly anatomically shaped, suitable for a dominant big toe and descending toes, as well as for the fin-shaped foot
- good tightening around the heel, just a bit more time-consuming to get the first adjustment right
- soft non-slip pattern
- flexible 8.5 mm thick sole
- follow the shape of the foot nicely, the strap behind the heel fixes the heel well, which holds it in place
Beda Pink Military
- neoprene sandals
- anatomically shaped toe box, suitable for a dominant big toe and straighter toes
- 2 Velcro closures, fit average/lower ankle
- soft heel, broader in the heel area, also available in a version with areinforced heel counter marked "OP"
- suitable for average/wider feet
- soft, thin sole flexible in all directions
- removable insole
- the sandals are on foot without additional size number, they are sized differently from other brands, and they fit nicely around the ankle and over the instep
- although the upper material is neoprene, they are not suitable for water
Fare 5262252 gray-pink
- summer perforated sandals made of non-woven fabric, model series Fare Bare A, also available model series B (slightly narrowed in the toe part and raised in the toe and instep part)
- ideal toe box shape, optimal for wide feet with a dominant big toe and fin-shaped foot
- fastening with 2 Velcro fasteners, fit on lower insteps
- slightly firmer heel, also suitable for children prone to overpronation
- soft flexible sole
- removable insole without anatomical shaping
- although they stick out slightly from the ankle when you walk, they fit well in the heel and have a wider toe box.
Vivobarefoot Ultra
- vegan sports sandals, suitable for light sports activities and as water shoes
- ultra-lightweight shoes made of Bloom foam based on seaweed
- very roomy in the toe, appropriate for average and broader feet, fan-shaped feet and a dominant big toe
- 7 mm flexible sole
- Velcro fastening allows tightening around the ankle, not recommended for significantly narrow heel
- non-removable Dri-lex insole for moisture wicking and superior comfort (synthetic)
- they fit well around the ankle and in the heel, thanks to the Velcro strap, but they are too wide in the toe box
- shoes designed for water
D.D.Step 384B Royal Blue G065
- sports sandals made of breathable mesh combined with synthetics
- not suitable for the dominant big toe, the toe box is rounder, and they are not barefoot shoes
- Velcro fastening and stopper for easy tightening and slipping on
- good for average/higher ankle but can be adjusted to a narrower ankle
- slightly reinforced behind the heel
- they don’t have a zero drop - the heel is slightly higher than the shoe tip
- thicker sole, about 1 cm, but still flexible
- reflective elements
- fit well around the ankle, and the width is just right
Keen Seacamp
- sports outdoor sandals, shoes suitable for water
- roomy in the toe but rather round, fit average feet
- Velcro fastening and stopper, they tighten well even on narrower ankles
- suitable for average/slightly higher instep
- the sole is 8 - 12mm thick, flexible with a firmer pressure, they are stiffer under the heel and are not barefoot shoes
- withoutreinforced heel counter, only slightly elevated heel
- the Knotch model is suitable for legs that are thicker at the ankle
Koel4Kids Madison
- sports vegan sandals
- anatomically shaped toe box, suitable for a dominant big toe and fin-shaped foot
- appropriate for average feet with not-so-high instep
- you can tighten them to a narrower heel, but we don’t recommend them for a very slim ankle
- non-formed, removable insole
- soft cushioning behind the heel for a comfortable fit
- the heel is a bit firmer
- although they stick out slightly from the ankle when you walk, they sit well around the heel and are shaped to fit the foot
Froddo G3150242-6 yellow
- all-leather closed-toe sandals
- atomically shaped toe box, suitable for a dominant big toe
- fit an average foot
- not recommended for a higher instep
- flexible sole along the entire length, flexible with a stronger pressure
- firmer in the heel without elevation
- thanks to the Velcro strap, they tighten well even on a narrower ankle
- removable insole
- the sandals fit nicely in the heel and ankle, and there is more room above the toes
Baby Bare Gold
- leather sandals, breathable thanks to the open cut, yet covered toes
- anatomically shaped toe box, suitable for a dominant big toe
- extra light, soft, and suitable even for beginners
- without inner seams for maximal comfort
- flexible 3mm thin sole, non-formed insole
- fit average and slightly chubbier legs but not significantly high insteps
- they are suitable for a wider toe area
- they fit well around the heel and instep, are wider at the toe area, and have more room over the other toes
- completely soft heel
Ef Gold
- summer sandals made of certified Italian leather
- anatomically shaped toe box, not recommended for a dominant big toe, and the shoe tip slightly rotates inwards
- 3 mm sole flexible in all directions
- fit average and slightly chubbier feet, but not in combination with a high instep and wide foot
- also suitable for beginners
- no reinforced heel counter, padding around the heel for a comfortable fit, thanks to which they hold their shape
- fit well in the heel and around the ankle, the additional size number is smaller in this size, and the toes do not have enough width
Reima
- very popular sports sandals
- made of flexible and breathable textile material, adapt nicely to the foot
- spacious and anatomically shaped toe box, not recommended for a significantly dominant big toe but rather for straighter toes
- wider in the heel, unsuitable for narrow heels
- flexible sole, excellent ground grip
- fit average to slightly wider feet
- fastening with one Velcro strap, easy to put on and adjust to fit a slender ankle
- removable, non-formable insole
- the sandals are machine washable at 30°C (in a wash bag, gentle programme)
- elasticated for a snug fit, these boots have more room in the heel, more width, and a tighter fit around the ankle
Froddo Flexy Lia
- novelty from summer collection 2023
- open-toe leather sandals, more suitable for the city, they go with dresses
- anatomically shaped toe box suitable for a dominant big toe and fin-shaped foot
- soft, flexible 5 mm Vibram sole
- open heel, with soft padding for a comfortable fit
- Velcro fastening, the strap above the toes can be adjusted as required
- suitable for normal to slightly wider feet
- the strap around the ankle fixes the foot nicely and holds it in place, the additional size number is larger, a smaller additional size number would be more suitable
- for smaller children, there is a closed-toe variant
Bundgaard Roxanne II
- full leather sandals with open heel and toe, suitable for the city
- spacious and anatomically shaped toe box, suitable for a dominant big toe
- suitable for average to wider fin-shaped feet
- the sole is flexible, without elevation, with zero drop
- good regulation around the ankle and above the toes thanks to the Velcro strap
- for a more comfortable fit, the strap behind the heel is padded
- the sandals are broader in the heel, the strap around the ankle fixes the foot, and there is enough space above the toes, and they have a wide toe box, so a smaller additional size number would be more comfortable
- for smaller children, Bundgaard offers the Sebastian model with a closed toe and firm heel
Protetika Tery
- full leather summer sandals with closed toe/heel from the new 2023 collection
- in comparison to the original models, they have a wider toe (older collections are on a flatter sole), but they slightly rotate inwards, not ideal for a dominant toe
- sole flexible in all directions
- fastening with 2 Velcro straps, good regulation of ankle height, and tightening around the ankle
- suitable for average to wider feet, not recommended for narrow ankles and heels
- soft cushioning behind the heel for a more comfortable fit
- removable soft insole
- they have enough space above the toes, but they stick out around the heel and ankle
Bobux
- urban summer leather sandals for little girls, go with dresses
- these are not barefoot shoes, they have a rounder toe shape, and they are not suitable for a dominant big toe
- the sole is stiffer, about 1 cm thick
- suitable for a narrower toe box
- spacious above the toes
- average and firmer heel, thanks to the Velcro fastening, they tighten well around the ankle
- they stick out slightly above the toes, but thanks to the Velcro strap, they fit nicely around the ankle
We wish you the right choice and suitable weather for sandals. If you are hesitant about your choice, we are here for you on the customer line, chat, FB or IG.