Softstar Shoes: Strong from the Ground Up

What does Softstar do? We make minimal shoes for happy, healthy feet. Every one of our shoes is handcrafted in the USA in our workshop in Oregon. We work hard to make Softstar a socially and environmentally responsible company, as well as giving a good experience to both our employees and our customers.

Our Core Values

  1. Share the handcrafted experience with our customers: Make unique, beautiful, comfortable and quality footwear while encouraging direct interaction via excellent customer service.
  2. Walk lightly on the earth: Conserve raw materials by thoughtful use. Minimize our environmental footprint with sustainable practices that include reducing waste, reusing and recycling.
  3. Make our workshop a wonderful place to work: A creative, energizing and efficient workspace. An open, honest atmosphere where we work with mutual respect and dignity. A place where our families and community are welcome and integrated.
Softstar shoes are
  • minimal
    …like gloves for your feet, allowing for natural movement and healthy foot development.
  • leather
    …naturally soft and breathable that feel and smell yummy.
  • simple
    …elegant, clean designs that give you all the essentials in a shoe.
  • handcrafted
    …by jolly master shoemakers (elves) in our workshop right here in Oregon.
  • customizable
    …choose from hundreds of color and pattern combinations and we’ll make it.

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History of Softstar Shoes

Unable to find healthy minimal shoes for their daughter Corina, carpenter Tim Oliver and his wife Jeanie learn to sew soft leather shoes from a local artisan. The shoes are sold to friends and neighbors.

 

Meet the Shoemaking Elves

Our Elves are creative and talented artisans who actively participate in the shoe design process. We have 40 years of shoe-making experience at our disposal, and we are constantly working to find new ways to improve our work. Softstar is committed to helping all its team members maintain satisfying work and family lives, offering flexible scheduling, paid time off, and paid maternity/paternity leave. In an effort to encourage professional and personal growth, Softstar also provides funding for continuing education opportunities, empowering employees to expand their skills and pursue their passions.

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Elf Rob

Facilities Elf

Favorite Shoe: Zen Moccasin

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Elf Tim

Founder & Shoe Sheriff

Favorite Shoe: Roo Moccasin
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Elf Sarah

Chief People Officer

Favorite Shoe: Ballerine
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Elf Nicole

Purchasing Elf

Favorite Shoe: Primal Sawyer
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Elf Keita

Chief Operations Manager

Favorite Shoe: Moc3 RunAmoc
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Elf Hava

Production Lead Elf

Favorite Shoe: Roo Moccasin
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Ryan

Marketing & IT Elf

Favorite Shoe: Switchback Boot
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Elf Molly

Development Elf

Favorite Shoe: Switchback Boot
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Elf Lewis

Customer Service Lead Elf, Excel Junkie

Favorite Shoe: Barefoot
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Elf Anna

Marketing Elf

Favorite Shoe: Camino Sandal
Tricia Salcido and family
Elf Trish & Family
Favorite Shoes: Tivi/Dash, Oly/Phoenix, Trish/Moc3, Cruz/Rogue, Sal/Oxford

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I have purchased over 8 pair of 'minimalist' shoes in the past 3 years...none of them felt like walking barefoot to me......until now. Your leather is soft your soles are flat and my foot is relaxed!!!"

Janet in Asheville North Carolina.

"My entire experience with Softstar has been nothing short of an amazing experience from beginning to end. Will not buy any other shoes...my feet no longer hurt at all."

Julie M. Oak Park, Ilinois

"This shoe is exactly what you would hope it to be. High quality leather and workmanship in a simple, natural stance running shoes made of all natural materials. Glad I found them."

Wayne B. Ann Arbor Michigan

"I've never had shoes that have fit as well as these or received as many compliments… I wish I had found them sooner!"

Kirsten Q, Bolton Connecticut

"There are no other shoes like Softstar - strong, comfortable, pretty - the best choice of minimal shoes one can get. Thank you for making our lives easier and wonderful!"

Michal Haogen, Israel

"I am loving these shoes! They are just lovely to have on the feet. And I am not easily impressed... There's nothing on the market that I know of that allows full toe splay! To me, it's a beautiful thing to let the toes move with absolute freedom in the shoe. I cannot do that with ANY OTHER of the barefoot shoes."

Richard Megagrip Primal RunAmoc

"I spent SO MANY years searching for a shoe to fit my feet. At last, you have given me such a shoe! I am convinced that had I met this shoe 30 years ago, I would not have the deformed feet I have now, nor would I have had surgery done on one of them. Abundant thanks for this design that honors my feet."

Turtle Primal Sawyer

"These shoes are absolute perfection… The toe box finally allows my pinky toe and big toe to splay naturally and has taken away all previous foot pain… My feet will accept nothing less now."

Kris Primal Sawyer

"Finally something I will wear to work that is truly foot shaped… I usually take my shoes off as soon as I arrive home. I was so comfortable in these that I didn't think about it, and I left them on for hours into the evening."

Finn Primal Merry Jane

"These are fantastic. Softstar showed themselves as the best minimal shoe company on the market with these. Functionally, they are the best fitting shoes I own, and they are the most stylish."

Ashley Primal Merry Jane

"Blown away. These should be the standard. I work at a physio clinic and see multiple people come in with foot pain (bunions, flat feet, plantar fasciitis) and it's mostly because of the effects of improper footwear over time... These shoes are the perfect solution."

Saul Primal RunAmoc

"These are the best shoes I've ever owned. FINALLY A TOE BOX SHAPED LIKE A HEALTHY FOOT… I can wear my toe separators in these without any squishing or pressure against the sides of the shoe. Finally, finally, finally... someone prioritized function over form in creating a shoe that feels great to wear."

Ben Primal RunAmoc