Adult Hawthorne Chukka

228 Reviews
From:
$200.00

Boasting a clean, structured look that belies its incredible lightness and flexibility, the ultra-versatile Hawthorne Chukka boot has the form and function to carry you comfortably through any occasion.

Sizing note: The Regular width Hawthorne Chukka may feel snug at first. While the leather will stretch over time, you may consider going up a size. The Wide width is roomier and more likely to be true to your normal Softstar size.

Size Guide
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This classy addition to our adult shoe collection turns you into a barefoot ninja, enabling you to slip in and out of client meetings, date nights and fine dining in true comfort. The adult Hawthorne Chukka adeptly walks the line between rugged and polished, freeing you from ever having to wear stiff, heavy, uncomfortable “dress shoes” again! And since we know you’ll want to wear them forever, we’ve made these soft leather Chukka boots out of a rich and supple Dublin leather, featuring a unique waxed finish for added resilience.

  • Sustainably designed: resolable by your local cobbler!
  • Breathable and lightweight: approximately 9oz per shoe
  • Flexible zero-drop sole between toe and heel with excellent ground feel
  • Features 8mm Geo sole with 4mm leather midsole. Total outer sole: 12mm
  • Suede insole.
  • Spacious toe box allows feet to stretch comfortably. The regular width uses our Standard REGULAR sole shape, while the wide width uses our Hybrid WIDE sole shape. Compare shapes on our Sole Shape Comparison Tool.
  • Can be worn with or without socks
  • Add colorful laces! Black laces are still included if you add colored laces.
  • Made in USA: designed and handcrafted in Oregon using premium, responsibly-sourced leathers.

Getting cold feet? We also offer sheepskin insoles specifically designed for the Hawthorne Chukka!

Want to buy colorful shoelaces for Chukka boots?

You can measure your feet or your child's feet at home using a book, a ruler and a wall. You can then see where the measurement fits on our unisex shoe size chart to find the recommended shoe size.


Measure Your Feet...

sizing-feet-steps
Place bare foot with heel barely touching the wall and longest toe barely touching the flat spine of a book. Step away carefully and measure the distance from the wall to the book.

... and Find Your Size

Once you have the measurement, look for it on the charts below to find the recommended Softstar shoe size. Contact us if you have questions.

Note: we do not recommend tracing feet because doing so usually gives a larger measurement.

Softstar Adult
Shoe Size
US Shoe Size Foot Length Foot Width
5 Unisex 4.5 - 5 Mens
5.5 - 6 Womens
22.2 - 23.0 cm Regular: 8.1 - 9.8 cm
Wide: 9.9+ cm
6 Unisex 5.5 - 6 Mens
6.5 - 7 Womens
23.0 - 23.9 cm Regular: 8.4 - 10.1 cm
Wide: 10.2+ cm
7 Unisex 6.5 - 7 Mens
7.5 - 8 Womens
23.9 - 24.7 cm Regular: 8.7 - 10.4 cm
Wide: 10.5+ cm
8 Unisex 7.5 - 8 Mens
8.5 - 9 Womens
24.7 - 25.6 cm Regular: 9.1 - 10.8 cm
Wide: 10.9+ cm
9 Unisex 8.5 - 9 Mens
9.5 - 10 Womens
25.6 - 26.4 cm Regular: 9.3 - 11.0 cm
Wide: 11.1+ cm
10 Unisex 9.5 - 10 Mens
10.5 - 11 Womens
26.4 - 27.3 cm Regular: 9.6 - 11.3 cm
Wide: 11.4+ cm
11 Unisex 10.5 - 11 Mens
11.5 - 12 Womens
27.3 - 28.1 cm Regular: 9.9 - 11.6 cm
Wide: 11.7+ cm
12 Unisex 11.5 - 12 Mens
12.5 - 13 Womens
28.1 - 28.9 cm Regular: 10.2 - 11.9 cm
Wide: 12.0+ cm
13 Unisex 12.5 - 13 Mens 28.9 - 29.8 cm Regular: 10.5 - 12.2 cm
Wide: 12.3+ cm
14 Unisex 13.5 - 14 Mens 29.8 - 30.5 cm Regular: 10.9 - 12.6 cm
Wide: 12.7+ cm
15 Unisex 14.5 - 15 Mens 30.5 - 31.4 cm Regular: 11.2 - 12.9 cm
Wide: 13.0+ cm
  1. This chart accounts for growing room.
  2. Many of our youth sizes end at size 4Y. In these cases, you can find the next size up in our adult category starting with size 5U (adult unisex). Note that measurements differ slightly for sizes that overlap on both our youth and adult sizing charts because the youth chart accounts for growing room and the adult chart does not.
Softstar Youth
Shoe Size
Approx Age Range Foot Length Regular Width
1Y 4 - 6 Years 18.5 - 19.4 cm 6.4 - 8.0 cm
2Y 5 - 8 Years 19.4 - 20.2 cm 6.7 - 8.3 cm
3Y 5 - 8 Years 20.2 - 21.0 cm 7.3 - 8.9 cm
4Y 6 - 10 Years 21.0 - 21.9 cm 7.5 - 9.1 cm
5Y/5U 6 - 10 Years 21.9 - 22.7 cm 8.1 - 9.8 cm
6Y/6U 8 - 10 Years 22.7 - 23.6 cm 8.4 - 10.1 cm
  1. This chart accounts for growing room.
Child Size Approx Age Range Foot Length Regular Width
2 0 - 6 months ≤ 10.2 cm 4.3 - 5.9 cm
3 6 - 12 months 10.2 - 11.1 cm 4.6 - 6.2 cm
4 12 - 18 months 11.1 - 11.9 cm 5.0 - 6.6 cm
5 18 months 11.9 - 12.8 cm 5.3 - 6.9 cm
6 18 - 24 months 12.8 - 13.6 cm 5.6 - 7.2 cm
7 2 years 13.6 - 14.5 cm 5.7 - 7.3 cm
8 2 - 3 years 14.5 - 15.3 cm 6.0 - 7.6 cm
9 3 years 15.3 - 16.2 cm 6.4 - 8.0 cm
10 3 - 4 years 16.2 - 17.0 cm 6.7 - 8.3 cm
11 4 - 6 years 17.0 - 17.9 cm 7.1 - 8.7 cm
12 4 - 6 years 17.9 - 18.7 cm 7.5 - 9.1 cm

Want Sizing Detail by Style?

OR: Try Our Printable Stand-On Sizing Guides

Our printable shoe size charts provide another way to help you find the best fit for your feet. These are especially useful for small children who don't like to sit still. Just print the guide for the appropriate age group below and follow the instructions on the page.

Before you print these guides, make sure your printer settings will not shrink or scale the page. Uncheck any boxes labeled "Fit to Printable Area" and/or set scaling options to "None."

Shoe Care

We want you to get the most out of your Softstar shoes. Follow the guide below for tips on keeping your shoes clean and maintained.

Click these links to jump to tips for specific materials:

 



Care Tips for Full Grain (smooth) Leather Shoes

Includes Sublime, Nova, Dublin, Highline, Torino, Shiny, LITE, Plonge, Aged, and Vegetable-Tanned Leathers

WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE:

Softstar Shoes are made from eco-friendly leathers tanned in the USA. Leather is a natural product and some variation in texture and hide markings is to be expected. Because we use leather colored with non-toxic food grade dyes, there will likely be some initial color transfer to your socks or skin if your shoes become damp. This will decrease with use, but we don't recommend wearing your new Softstars with your favorite white socks the first time you take them for a spin.

If your shoes are a little snug at first in the toe box area, you can gently stretch them by stuffing the toe box with a dry cloth. Push the cloth tightly into the front of the shoe and let sit stuffed overnight to stretch. Do not use a damp cloth as the water can stain the leather or innersole of some leather types, rendering it non-returnable.

MAINTENANCE:

Most full grain leather we use is naturally water resistant, but our special vegetable-tanned leather (available only by custom selection on some of our design-your-own shoes) and Colorado leather are "naked" leathers and will stain from water alone. You can clean shoes as needed with water dampened cloth and let air dry, but please note if you do this on vegetable-tanned or Colorado leather then you will need to wet/stain the entire shoe to avoid water marks. Condition the leather as often as desired with any quality leather dressing, but be careful to keep it away from the edges of your rubber soles. Do not use mink oil on your shoes, as it can degrade the adhesion on bonded soles and cause the sole to separate from your shoe over time. We highly recommend Bee Natural Amore for general conditioning or Rain & Snow or Nikwax Full Grain Waterproofing on smooth leather for enhanced water resistance. The color on shiny metallic shoes will eventually patina with use into an antique wear look, which can be accelerated with repeated use to water and high wear (e.g. scuffing toes).

WASHING:

We do not recommend frequent washing of any leather product as it strips the leather of it's natural oils and tends to dry stiffer. For all of our leathers (except vegetable-tanned) you can clean by hand with a damp cloth, or if needed you can hand wash your leather shoes using a gentle shampoo and cool water. Let them air dry. Do not attempt to dry your shoes by exposing them to high heat, such as a clothes dryer, a hair dryer or by leaving them on a radiator or next to a fire. Doing so may damage leather or rubber soles.

We are often asked if our shoes can be washed in a washing machine. While not recommended as a normal course of action, when in dire straits the Elves have been known to toss a pair of shoes in the machine and generally have had good results. Just don't mix them with any other item because of color bleeding. Shoes with sheepskin can take 3-4 days to air dry if fully submerged in water, but you can speed up the drying by stuffing with old newspapers and replacing the paper twice a day.

 



Care Tips for Suede and Nubuck Shoes

WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE:

Softstar Shoes are made from eco-friendly, tanned in USA leathers. Leather is a natural product and some variation in texture and markings is to be expected. Because we use natural food grade dyes in our leather, there will likely be some initial color transference to your socks or skin if your shoes become damp. This will decrease with use, but please do not wear your new Soft Stars with your favorite white socks the first time you take them for a spin!

If your shoes are a little snug at first across the top of the toes, you can gently stretch them by stuffing the toe box with a slightly damp rag. Push the cloth tightly into the front of the shoe (don't worry, you won't hurt it). Let the stuffing sit in the shoes overnight to stretch the leather.

MAINTENANCE:

Use a suede brush to remove dirt. You can also choose to use a suede/nubuck leather care product to protect against stains and water absorption (we recommend Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof). While not necessary, it will help keep your shoes looking new over time. Do not use generic leather care products on suede, but only those specifically formulated for suede. Products for full grain or smooth leather will be too oily and may permanently darken and mat suede fibers. Please do not use mink oil on any Softstar shoes as it will mat the fibers of our natural leather and will break down the adhesive soling on styles that have bonded soles.

Over time, suede outsoles naturally develop a smoother surface with wear If you’d like to refresh the texture and add some extra grip back, a quick touch-up with a suede brush can easily restore the nap.

WASHING:

We do not recommend frequent washing of any leather product because it will strip the leather of it's natural oils and cause it to dry stiffer. When a suede brush is not enough, you can use a damp cloth or hand wash your suede shoes with a gentle shampoo and cool water, then let them air dry. Do not attempt to dry your shoes by exposing them to high heat, such as a clothes dryer, a hair dryer or by leaving them on a radiator or next to a fire. Doing so may damage leather or rubber soles.

We are often asked if our shoes can be washed in a washing machine. While not recommended as a normal course of action, when in dire straits the Elves have been known to toss a pair of shoes in the machine and generally have had good results—just don't mix them with any other item because of color bleeding. Be sure to give your wet shoes ample time to air dry. Shoes with sheepskin can take 3-4 days to air dry if fully submerged in water, but you can speed up the drying process by stuffing them with old newspapers and replacing the paper twice a day.

 



Care Tips for Sheepskin Boots

Softstar Phoenix boots are made from genuine, high quality sheepskin.

While genuine sheepskin is incredibly cozy and beautiful, it is also delicate and will stretch under strain. When wearing your Phoenix boots, use care to avoid stepping off the back or sides of your heels while you walk as doing so repeatedly can affect the shape of the boots and alter the way they fit. The best way to prevent this is by insuring you purchase the correct size. For adults, we recommend selecting a boot size that fits very snugly at first, as they will stretch over time. For children, growing room is important, so a little extra space is recommended. If possible, have your kids wear their boots the first few times on dryer days to give them time to form to their feet.

The boot uppers are made from eco-friendly leathers that are tanned in the USA. Our leather hides are natural products and some variation in texture and markings is to be expected. If you need to clean your boots, wash gently by hand with a damp cloth and let them air dry.

Condition the leather as often as desired with any quality leather care product, but take care not to get any oils on the edges of the rubber soles. Mink oil, specifically, will degrade the sole adhesion and can lead to separation of soling over time—we do not recommend the use of mink oil anywhere on our boots, as it can eventually seep down to the sole. For general conditioning we recommend Bee Natural Amore, For enhanced moisture protection we recommend Bee Natural Rain and Snow or Nikwax Full Grain Waterproofing. Be careful to use these products only on the smooth leather portion of the shoes and not on the suede cuffs (leather care products designed for the full grain leather uppers may permanently darken suede). It is not necessary to apply a suede protectant or waterproofing to the cuffs, but doing so may help keep that portion of the boot looking clean. If you do choose to add extra protection to the suede, be careful to use a product specifically made for suede leather.

Sheepskin boots can take 3-4 days to air dry if fully soaked with water. You can speed up the drying process by stuffing the boots with old newspapers and replacing the paper twice a day. If they become this wet, be very careful to avoid wearing them again until fully dry because the leather will be more susceptible to stretching and the fit may alter. Do not attempt to dry your shoes by exposing them to high heat, such as a clothes dryer, a hair dryer or by leaving them on a radiator or next to a fire. Doing so may damage leather or rubber soles.

Customer Reviews

4.7

228 reviews

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Top customer reviews

  1. Verified Buyer

    Best so far, but still too narrow

    Rating

    Finally I can wear shoes to formal events without squeezing my feet too much. I do find the wide version a little bit too narrow, about 0,5-1 cm extra att the ball of the foot would do the trick. Since Softstar make the widest shoes I have found so far I will suck it up and hope that they decide to make a sole shape that is wide at the midfoot and at the toes. And no, the Primal sole shape wont do either since it's actually more narrow at the midfoot than the Hybrid, according to the sole comparison tool.
  2. Verified Buyer

    Favorite

    Rating

    I love my black chukkas. They go with everything ????
  3. Verified Buyer

    Exceptionally Made&Elegant

    Rating

    I love my new Chukkas! Initially, I had concerns about how they'd pair with a cute skirt, but I confidently styled them with thick black tights, a flowing skirt, and a cozy cashmere sweater for a Thanksgiving party. I felt comfortable and stylish, and my feet were pleased to be free from cramped toes. I even added sheep fur inserts to tackle the Northeast cold winters. I bought them for our week vacation during Thanksgiving, and from the moment I put them on, I was comfortable. We walked all over for our week vacation; my feet never hurt. Despite being hesitant about the higher price compared to other options, I don't regret it for a second—comfort like this is worth every penny! Their soft leather mounds around your ankle light a rich, beautiful Italian, well-made glove.
  4. Verified Buyer

    Perfect work shoes

    Rating

    I’ve found my perfect work shoes! These Hawthorne chukkas are made of beautiful leather, are work appropriate, are minimalist, and are wide enough for my feet. They’re so versatile, they work with all my work clothes. I got the color black so it matches with as many outfits as possible. When you initially get them, they may be a bit tight. I put rags in the toe box for a few days to loosen them up, and once I wore them for a week or so, they were properly broken in.
  5. Verified Buyer

    Great Shoes!

    Rating

    These are GREAT SHOES! They were comfortable right out of the box, and now that I've worn them awhile, they're even better. I ordered them in wide, and these are the first shoes I've had that my wide feed don't extend over the edge of the sole. I was a little concerned that having a shoe up around my ankle would be irritating, but the leather is so soft I've had no problems. Really, the only thing I didn't like, and it's a minor thing, is the extra piece of leather on the inside of the toe area. I'm guessing it's there to help the toe keep its shape. I find that when I stretch my toes, which I do often, it's a bit uncomfortable when they hit that harder piece of leather. I hope you'll consider a more casual model without that piece. This isn't enough for me to return these wonderful shoes, but it would take them from excellent to pretty much perfect.
  6. Verified Buyer

    Dreamy!

    Rating

    I love my boots! I just ordered a replacement pair of the black, so I can rotate the two for wear and repair. I also own the brown. My only request is that you make them in silver, grey, navy, and olive green. I need to have these to match every outfit! Please give us more colours! Thanks!
  7. Verified Buyer

    Mr.

    Rating

    most anatomical-Oblique & ergonomic toe-box area: Bio-mechanically correct to fit a range of human feet. Very flexible unsuppressed UNRESTRICTED-Yet secure enough to run up and down the stairs, run across the street while simultaneously maintaining. ” SURE-FOOTEDNESS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SHOE ITSELF” This is important for any, dress casual footWhere in a metropolitan dense city(Like downtown Chicago and I frequent Boston and Washington DC on a regular basis) And the Solis somewhat different than my brown coffee colored wingtips, I also have the other wing tips, which has the same soul “ The Sleepy banana Color-That’s not the real color:) I hope they put this soul on there other dress, casual shoes. my foot is exactly 11 U.S. inches long. I purchased a size 12 wide.. I have “just over an inch” of forward toe Space,
  8. Verified Buyer

    Comfy but maybe not durable

    Rating

    I have been wearing them a few months for work. They are extremely comfortable all day long. Unlike traditional dress shoes my feet don’t hurt when I get home. Unfortunately there is already significant wear on the soles, so I am not sure how long they will last. Do keep in mind that I walk 1 mile to work and a mile back most days, so this may just be a me problem.
  9. Verified Buyer

    Small sizing

    Rating

    I wear a 10.5-11 for most brands, but I find their sizing runs on the small size. I ended up getting a size up and they fit a bit tight still, but are soft so I don’t mind wearing them in. They are extremely comfortable and are the only minimalist shoe brand that makes chukkas that I could find. I wear them for work and walk a mile to work for two weeks and they are great. Took off one star for the size issue, but if these end up lasting a long time I will change it to a 5. I like to wear dress shoes 5+ years. And at $200 they better last that long.
  10. Wow!

    Rating

    I just received these today (onyx-wide) and I am truly amazed at how comfortable they are straight out of the box! I was saving these for work or nice occasions but I don’t want to take them off. The leather is soft and the flex is great! I can wait to wear these to Amsterdam!
  11. Verified Buyer

    Great Office and Night-Out Shoes

    Rating

    Comfortable, well-made shoes. Their sizing guide was spot-on. I highly recommend them. They are helping me build foot-strength as I slowly adjust to zero-drop.
  12. Verified Buyer

    wide and soft

    Rating

    I got the wide version, very soft and comfortable. Soft Star shoes are the only ones I've tried that comfortably accommodate toe spacers. I like that the sole is light and flexible but not so thin that I can feel every little stone. The toe box isn't very deep, so in order to accommodate extra insoles or thick socks, either they need to be well broken in or maybe have the toes stuffed for a bit.
  13. Verified Buyer

    Fair

    Rating

    + The leather quality seems great. I appreciate that these shoes were designed to be resoled. I hope to get many years of wear out of them. The sole flex is good. - The toe box on the narrow is a little too narrow for me, while the wide felt too wide throughout. I wish there were an intermediate shape. My foot is shaped exactly like a Birkenstock, which none of the Softstar shapes match. The upper-to-midsole stitching seems a little thin, which matches to couple stories I've heard of busted toe or heel seam after a couple years of regular wear. While seams are repairable, cobblers in my town are overwhelmed with work.
  14. Verified Buyer

    Excellent!

    Rating

    I love these! I wear them almost everyday and get so many compliments. I love having the extra width in these and they are so comfortable! The leather is super soft great from day 1. They are an investment, but worth it!
  15. Verified Buyer

    Best ever

    Rating

    I got the regular width because I have a low volume, narrow foot. I bought my regular size. They are perfect. The leather is such nice quality. I have been wearing almost daily for a couple of months and they still look brand new. I expect them to last a long time.
  16. Will they last forever?

    Rating

    I bought one pair of the black Hawthorne Chukas... I'm not sure how long ago. 2017? 2018? I wanted a minimalist shoe that I could actually replace the sole of (I'm looking at you Vivobarefoot) and keep the uppers. I'm finally wanting to replace the rubber sole, its 2024 and the heel is detached and a millimeter or two thick. The leather uppers have some creases, and some of the stitching on the heel broke. I use leather conditioner sorta regularly. I wear mine probably 160 days a year as a teacher, I'm on my feet a lot of the day. I've never replaced the laces. I'll replace the sole myself perhaps or go to a cobbler, but it isn't a difficult job. Fit: comfortable, perfectly spacious. no blisters here! the only issue is my feet slide around a little even with the leather insole addition. Eventually I'll get an insole, but I've been saying that to myself for like 4 years so its not that big a deal. Movability: super good. I can run in them if I want, although I'm sure it'll damage the leather upper. Looks: I've gotten compliments on these once in a while, cuz they're just a little different from the norm. I'd recommend black so that you always have a pair of comfortable black dress shoes in your lineup. I'm the envy at weddings and dress-nice events because my feet don't actually hurt even standing for quite a while. Just buy them. If you don't like them you can give them to your grandkids or something 30 years from now.
  17. Verified Buyer

    high comfort and quality

    Rating

    I've been wearing hybrid wides for about a month now. I have flat feet and some bunion action: the toe box, extra space and soft leather accommodate my feet very well. Ground feel is not the highest priority for me, so I put in a cork insole to adhere a metatarsal pad for my Morton's neuroma and add general cush. Also to fill up some volume --while the width is perfect, the inner vertical space feels like slightly too much without the insole.. That's my only very small complaint and it probably doesn't affect most people. These shoes are quality.
  18. Verified Buyer

    Close to perfect

    Rating

    These are wonderful, comfortable for my wide feet, room for toe spacers, light as air. The soles are flexible with decent ground feel. With no socks they are warm down to the 30s. They are snug enough for my lower volume feet but there's room to expand. I just love them and look forward to new colors. Hickory is nice, but maybe something calmer?
  19. Verified Buyer

    Love the new primal wide chucka!

    Rating

    I purchased a pair of original chucka boots and wore them daily for almost 3 years. When I purchased them, I said in my review, that if they ever offered them in the primal wide size, they would be the perfect footwear for casual or work. With the release of the primal wide chucka, I ordered a pair and have not regretted it. They look nice and fit much more comfortably than the tapered-toe traditional fit. Love them 100% They are exactly what I was hoping for.
  20. Verified Buyer

    Great shoes

    Rating

    These are buttery soft. It took me a couple returns to dial in my size, so apologies to the team for the hassle. They fit great now. I do a lot of urban walking and I'm curious to see how they stand up to the abuse, mainly the soles. No issues yet after a couple months. I applied some otter wax for leather protection. Love that there are American-made and I'm glad to support that. Thanks.
  21. Verified Buyer

    Yay for Hybrid Wide

    Rating

    There aren't many reviews of the new hybrid wide version of these. I (and family members) could never wear them previously due to the narrow/pointy toe box. I wasn't sure how these would look for work but they look *great* actually much sharper and snazzier in person than I think the photos suggest. In black, the tan/light brown midsole looks extremely sharp, adding a great visual detail that's very on point and I expect it would look good in the other colorways as well. Sometimes people are worried about wide shoes looking "clownish" but no one is looking straight down on your feet the way the wearer does so it's really not noticeable to others and the toe shape on these is unobtrusive and flattering. The leather quality is superb. I was a bit unsure TBH of the slight texture to these as I tend to like very "smooth" leather, but these look really good and I think can work well for all genders and nonbinary folks. These are now replacing another major barefoot brand's chukka that I and my spouse both had for work previously that have become too narrow and uncomfortable for each of us as our feet have gotten healthier. Spouse really likes the thicker sole on these. I could do with thinner personally, but the feel and flexibility is still great and the thicker stack height will work well for inclement weather/cold days/etc. I expect to live in these most days of the week now, particularly fall through early spring, going from the office to after work gatherings to light hikes/weekend jaunts and everything in between. Thanks for another winner, Softstar! Looking forward to purchasing other colors and the leather soled ones as soon as budget allows :)

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Zoe! We are so glad you like the wider version :-)
  22. lips

    Rating

    please get rid of the lips around the sawyers and the chukkas
  23. Verified Buyer

    Roomy and solid

    Rating

    I ordered the Chukka that gives the more barefoot feel. The width especially across the toes is perfect. I wanted to have that barefoot feel while being able to put a sherpa insole in for warmth and wear heavier socks. It was the perfect choice. I appreciate the solidity of the sole, since fall walking always means stones and debris. I'm really happy with my purchase.
  24. Verified Buyer

    chukka

    Rating

    I love these shoes! They’re the only ones new, out of the box that fit my wide (11.1 & 11.4 cm) feet without any compression at all to my bunions . Feels like I’m barefoot! They look very nice and are so buttery soft!
  25. Primal "Friendly" Wide

    Rating

    New Primal Friendly wide sole is anything but. I tried this because I'm desperate for more 'formal' looking primal shoes. Not nearly enough width or toe room compared to actual primal shoes. Hopefully they'll stretch out after a couple of wears. They just need to release more true primal shoes. Or I'd pay extra to have any of the normal shoes made in a primal sole.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Nate we think you would be delighted with the new Oxford! Please contact our customer service team so we can arrange an exchange with you.
  26. Verified Buyer

    Wonderful shoes

    Rating

    I love these so much. I had to try a few different sizes before I found the right ones, but the order and returns processed were made so easy. These are so comfortable and after breaking in they look cool! The leather is really nice quality and soft. The soles are a bit more rigid than what I’m used to but very comfortable. I have tried a few different minimalist/barefoot shoe brands over the last 4 years (Groundies, DaVinci, WHITIN) and these are by far my favorites. I will definitely be buying more shoes from soft star
  27. Verified Buyer

    new primal width :-)

    Rating

    I've had a pair of original Hawthornes (in currant) since they first came out - they're fabulous, yet not the most comfortable for my toes. The new primal version is fairly spectacular! This time, I ordered hickory. They arrived today and I was disappointed to see that the color does not look like the photos - instead of a rich, natural-looking leather, the dye process used renders these monotone and artificial looking. BUT after slathering them with Sno-Seal wax, they now have a natural look with translucent-seeming coloring and variations in shade - very rich and lovely. They are, of course, now darker - more of a reddish mohogany - but they are divine and look especially swell with colored laces.
  28. New Primal Friendly Sole

    Rating

    Wow! I ordered these with the new primal friendly sole, and they are absolutely beautiful. Thank you, elves!! They are plenty wide for my feet, but I like that they don't seem quite as wide as the Primal Sawyers, which I can feel a little self-conscious in. Love, love, love the hickory color. Both sophisticated & fun. Softstars are my favorite shoes; they're basically all I own. Happy, loyal customer.
  29. Verified Buyer

    Not Primal Types Shoes Until March 2023

    Rating

    WARNING: If you must have Primal Shoes for your feet, wait until March 2023. I will be honest, these shoes are a bit tight on my feet. I expected them to. On a different note, I bought these for more formal type events so the looks are great. The color is very nice. The pictures they took don't do these shoes justice tbh. The ONYX color they have is just *mwah*. I think these shoes are beautiful.
  30. Verified Buyer

    NOT barefoot, toe box way too narrow

    Rating

    This review is based solely on the barefoot qualities, not craftsmanship. If you care about having healthy feet and splayed toes then these are not for you. I love Primal RunAmocs and Sawyers and have several pairs of each but I had to return these. I could tell the toe box was smaller than primals by the pictures but it was far worse in person. The toe box is way too narrow thus this is not a barefoot or minimalist shoe. Having a proper toe box is the most important barefoot quality, and this is sorely lacking in that department. It was so bad I can't imagine the toe box being wide enough even if I went 3 or more sizes higher than what I wear with Primal RunAmocs and Sawyers. It is sad that the company that sells the best barefoot shoes on the market allows their other models to have such awful toe boxes. In Jan 2021 I sent an email to Softstar asking them to sell safety toe shoes or boots for those of us that need them for work, this was their response. "Unfortunately, a steel toe design would not align with our goals for the flexible, minimalist footwear that we make. All of our shoes are made with soft leather uppers and flexible soles intended to instill a barefoot-like feel. I apologize we aren't able to accommodate this request, but we appreciate your message and hope you are able to find a solution that works for you." They aren't willing to offer safety toe shoes even though there is nothing stopping them from selling a safety toe shoe or boot with zero drop, no arch support, no toe spring, is as flexible as the safety toe allows, and most importantly has a wide toe box, but they do not offer a proper toe box on these. Very hypocritical. Over two years later and there is only one safety toe barefoot style boot on the market, but it is over $1000 and not even made in the USA, though it has better barefoot qualities than these and rogues.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hello Austin - we make many styles of shoes to meet customer needs, and not all customers want or need a primal toe box. Just as you prefer the wider primal shape, we have many other customers who prefer the Rogue, Chukka and Roo shapes. What is a healthy shape for you can be swimmingly too wide for someone else whose foot is a different shape. Health is not a single size.

    With regards to a steel toe boot - we agree this would be awesome to offer and have prototyped several pairs. We learned that our soft, flexible construction methods do not pair well with a rigid, heavier toe box in terms of function (tripping) , comfort OR durability. Designing new shoes takes a lot of time and investment. Just popping a steel toe on a boot sounds easy, but we have not found that to be the case, especially for an important PPE regulated item of clothing.
  31. My first set of minimalist shoes

    Rating

    Background: I've worn Rockports (12 regular or 11 wide) since middle school but was barefoot at home. My first time with minimalist shoes ended up being this one in black 12U primal width. It was listed as irregular but I don't see the reported defect so I basically ended up paying $110 for new shoes that sell for $200 and made in USA. Great build quality. I'm happy with it and while the toe box is snug and shallow for my fat toes I was able to stretch them out with wood shoe inserts after I tried the cloth stuffing method. There are also shoe expanders if you really need to stretch them out. The toe box is reinforced with extra leather but if you have a prominent toe nail there's a toe bulge. Can be worn barefoot or with thin socks. It's a little too snug with crew socks but if worn in winter make sure you size up to fit winter socks. This sole is fine for walking on hard surfaces and dry natural ground. There's no traction on light muddy grass so when it comes time to replace the sole I'll get grippier tread or hopefully by that time the leather switchback will be available in some neutral colors (no need to draw more attention to big feet with bright colors????). There's a slight clown shoe look but that's the way my feet are shaped. Overall I'm happy.
  32. Verified Buyer

    Works with toe correctors

    Rating

    I have bunions and the beginning of hammer toes, and I wear toes socks and toe correctors inside these shoes, even though my feet are 4E.
  33. Verified Buyer

    color & sole

    Rating

    I love these and have two pairs, and would have more if the options were there: The hickory is too light, and the black is too serious. I was able to find the discontinued darker brown, and it's perfect with the leather soles, which is surprisingly nice to wear all around town. Now that the rain is back, I had to get the rubber sole, and it's too thick! I think just a 1mm waterproof sole would be enough. I tried gluing such a sole to the leather but just confirmed why shoe repair shops still exist.
  34. Verified Buyer

    want to love these

    Rating

    I have bought a second pair. i got a second in wide hoping more space would help. the 11 in wide are spacious and comfortable with the correct toes (i usually wear a 10.5 in mens. I have very flexible and flat feet...i just need to suck it up and admit i need more support--my pain is not the fault of these shoes. I want to love them, they are elegant and very fine shoes but i just need a different kind of shoe in the end. i also added the stretchy shoelaces to these and they fit them well and make them a cinch the take on and off at the door.
  35. Verified Buyer

    Soft and sleek-ish

    Rating

    I love the buttery soft leather. I ordered wide size so they are really roomy. The wide look of my toes is taking getting used to, but I like it, and get compliments. The shoes are also light and very easy to pack in my suitcase, which is important for me. They are still new but I’m expecting a long and happy relationship with my Chukkas.
  36. Verified Buyer

    Red Boots

    Rating

    I love, love, love my beautiful, soft RED chukka boots!!!! Thank you Softstar!
  37. I love them!

    Rating

    For my anniversary present this year, my husband said that I could get three pairs of shoes (minimalist, of course!). I've had my eye on the Softstar Hawthorne Chukkas for a while now. I was smitten with the Currant option at first, and then I saw the Dublin Terra... but I never did buy a pair. How nice it was that the spring clearance sale occurred not long after our anniversary! Well, my Terra Chukkas arrived this week and, oh, do I love them! They did feel a bit constricted in the toe box at first, even though I went up a size as recommended (there were no Wide options on clearance). Yet as of tonight, even with my toe spacers on, they do not feel uncomfortable. I've almost convinced myself that I'm going to get Chukkas in Currant and Onyx as my other two pairs of anniversary shoes/boots! (Although, if I do, I think I will drop down to my normal Softstar size, and just make it a Wide, instead of sizing up a whole size in a Regular width. There is some unnecessary length in the toe box of these Terra Chukkas.) The leather of these boots is gorgeous; soft and supple, the Terra a rich, earthy, chocolate brown. The Vibram sole is thicker than the soles of my other Softstar shoes (ballerine flats and Merry Janes) but they are still flexible and very light to wear. I highly, highly, highly recommend these lovely, minimalist ankle boots. I just wish that they were on clearance all of the time!
  38. Love them

    Rating

    I tried a few barefoot chukkas in an attempt to replace my worn out Clark desert boots with something more comfortable while maintaining as much of the classic chukka style as possible. Compared to the vivobarefoot gobi and the primal sawyer, these shoes are much closer to a classic chukka while having zero drop and excellent flexibility. They are the most expensive option for this type of shoe that I've seen, but they look the best in my opinion and are super comfortable. The toe box is not super wide like the primal sawyer, but I have narrow feet so that's not a big concern to me. Plus the material (mine are Dublin Terra) is stretchy enough for my feet to not be too constricted. My measurements fall right in the middle of size 11, but size 12 is the right fit for these. The only downsides I've found are that the end of the toe box where my big toe goes is tight vertically (meaning my big toe nail is pressed down) and the expensive price tag. Time will tell if they are built to last, but no problems in the first week. Awesome shoe overall!
  39. 3 years later

    Rating

    - The toebox was very uncomfortable at first. - Gave it some time and after a few months they stretched and were fine. I doubted my decision for a while, but stuck through it. - My sole is separating 3 years later, time to take them to a cobbler. - Highly recommend. Love these and they look great with professional and casual wear. Best minimalist shoewear I've found. on the fence? I'm picky and find that the purchase was well worth it.
  40. Awesome leather, poor toe box

    Rating

    These shoes really impressed me in regards to the materials. The leather is really soft. They look great and I would be really excited to wear them except .... The cut of the shoe is poor. Compare the top down view of this shoe to the top down view of the "Adult Primal Sawyer" shoe. The Primal Sawyer is correctly design for feet, while these "Hawthorne Chukka" shoes will deform feet by squashing the toes. I dislike how there are no measurements for the wide shoes provided. It would be ideal to provide blueprints of each shoe size for customers to print out and stand on to test.
  41. Verified Buyer

    Hawthorne chukka

    Rating

    Love my chukkas, have 3 colors now. They are tight at first but I put my correct toes on and wear them for a day or 2 and they stretch.
  42. Longest lasting shoes I've ever had

    Rating

    These are awesome shoes. They've been my dress shoes for at least years, but I have literally forgotten how long I've had them. The leather uppers are still in great condition. I get compliments on them occasionally, since they're unique. They're super comfortable. My only issue is that my feet slide around a little in them, and I will get insoles for them. I would buy them again, if these ones I currently have ever actually wear out.
  43. Verified Buyer

    Just buy them already!!

    Rating

    I was hesitant about pulling the trigger on these because of the price and all. I couldn't be happier with them!! Such high quality real craftsmanship and I'm in love with the way they look. Truly. The leather is soft and the sole has just the perfect amount of protection...I've had minimalist shoes that were just too thin. I live in Rhode island so we have a winter. I've been wearing these in 20 degree, snowy weather and my feet do not freeze. I'm super pleased that I can replace the vibram sole at our town cobble (yes, they still exist) . I work a semi-professional job and can wear them with my version of dressy outfits and then also with jeans and old tshirts. Next pair of shoes I buy is going to be from softstar, though I have a feeling that these will last for years. Go buy these shoes. You won't regret it. Promise.
  44. Verified Buyer

    Red Chukka

    Rating

    This is my second pair of Softstar shoes. I also own the Rogue in black. I LOVE my Chukkas. I have painful bunions, and these shoes are truly like going barefoot. They don't cramp my badly shaped feet. They are also a big hit with everyone who sees them--I've gotten a ton of compliments. The service and shipping were easy and quick. Two wishes--i a couple more colors--like green--and a low cut version for fall/summer/spring wear to work. I don't see myself wearing this in May. Still and all--comfortable, practical and nice to look at. A win all the way around.
  45. Verified Buyer

    Longtime listener, first time buyer

    Rating

    I think I read all the Chukka reviews before buying. I'll try to share what my experience has been so far: This is my first pair of minimal shoes (other than flip flops, t'ai chi slippers, Tom's, and Converse all-stars). I've been training to be barefoot for years (I'm 55), with various stumbling blocks, specifically, I'm working on my 3rd round of plantar fasciits - I may have a bone spur, so I'm trying to figure what to do about that. I bought Correctoes, and have been doing all the exercises I can find to strengthen my feet and stretch my hamstrings and calves. I am on my feet much of the day as a baker/store manager. Okay, shoe review: I did all the measuring suggestions and ordered what should fit, even going up a size (measured as a 7.5). Historically, I am a 8.5-9/EU39, but with the foot measuring still thought I should be an 8. When the shoes came, they were too tight in the toes, and I sent them back for a 9. The nines are better. But I still wonder. The toe box is really shallow. I have been ramming dry washcloths overnight in the toe box in order to stretch it out, and that has helped. I do not have wide feet - but maybe the correctoes are working, because even though I can wiggle my toes, I kinda wish I had more room! I bought sheepskin liners because Maine winters, but it's just too tight with them in place (so far). I might take the shoes to the cobbler to see if he can stretch them, or maybe I'll keep on with the wash cloths. I'll save the insoles for another day/pair of shoes. The other thing I'm noticing is that the ankle-height might be annoying my p.f. I'll keep working on the lacing. Another thing I'm learning about is foot shape. The chukkas are on the pointy side compared to my feet, which I guess are more even across the toes. So there's a lot of empty space in the front of my shoes. When I stretch my toes out as far as I can, the pinkie toes press against the outside of the shoe, and the big toe presses against the other side. I guess I could've ordered a wide, but I was nervous about that, since I don't think I have wide feet. When warmer weather hits, I am going to try the Primal Merry Janes, hoping that the ankle mobility and wider toes boxes will do the trick. I do not want to give up on the barefoot lifestyle! And I don't want to give up on the chukkas. The leather is like butter and they really are comfortable. I guess it's just really hard to buy shoes online. But not as hard as trying to find minimal/primal shoes in my part of the world! Thank you for being there, Softstar Elves.
  46. Verified Buyer

    Beautiful Quality

    Rating

    I gave these as a gift to someone who typically wears conventional shoes that are often very hard in both upper and sole and have very narrow pointed toe boxes. Despite the much softer materials, he needed one size larger than his conventional shoe size for adequate length. He says that they are very comfortable. The leather is really beautiful. I love the thickness of the soles. I would say they are perfect if they were available in the primal shape. The thickness and quality of the leather and the more luxurious look justify the higher price compared to other SoftStar styles.
  47. Verified Buyer

    Awesome Shoes

    Rating

    Bought these for my husband for his work shoes. He says they are really awesome - great to walk in. He got red shoelaces as a way to change up the black color (he's a fan of color). They look great - you would never know they aren't "normal" shoes.
  48. Shoes of my dreams

    Rating

    I had been hesitant to buy the Hawthornes because of the price and some reviews mentioning fit issues. I took the elves’ advice and sized up to the wide as I was towards the high end of measurement range. And I am so glad I did! These boots are perfect. They are so light and comfortable and soft and well made. Even with the wide sizing, I don’t think they look like the dreaded clown shoe. The black is so practical and I will be wearing them with everything in my wardrobe.
  49. Verified Buyer

    Great comfortable shoes for fall season

    Rating

    I loved the look of the Hawthorne Chukka but wasn't sure if my Adult 5 very wide, triangular shaped feet would be comfortable in them. I ordered 1 size up to a 6 as recommended. I'm so glad to report that they feel great. They were a little snug at first so I stuffed the toe boxes with a couple dish towels overnight to stretch the leather. That, and continuing to wear them, stretched them to a completely comfortable fit. The thicker sole makes them feel warmer than my thinner soled softstar shoes but I still get the enhanced balance and alignment from the zero drop heal. They look professional for work and can even dress up. As usual, the craftsmanship is excellent and I expect to have them for a very long time. They've filled such a niche in my wardrobe that I donated all of my other short boots to Goodwill. One of the pairs I donated was a Birkenstock which you think would have been comfortable, but they really hurt after walking long distances. I'm so grateful to finally find a line of shoes that let my feet be the shape they are.
  50. person

    Rating

    Love the Softstar Chukkas! And love that they arrived in a reusable mailing envelope, complete with return postage to send it back! A company with a conscience and a great product.
  51. Verified Buyer

    Good looking and comfortable

    Rating

    This is my fourth pair. The new grippy sole is great. The shoe has a wider toe-box than anything else I've seen, but still looks like a "conventional" shoe that I can wear to work. The black chukka is super practical, but I'm really totally smitten with the pair that I bought in the cherry colour!
  52. Hawthorne Chukka

    Rating

    These are a nice shoe but the leather had some serious wrinkles on one boot. I like the overall fit and feel. I ordered in the standard width and had a very tight fitting shoe. These feel soft and cushy on the feet, unlike the other Dash/Run Amoc shoes. I have walked trails with them and they are a comfortable. The standard width works for my wide foot, but I'd suggest ordering the wide if you are a truly wide foot. The leather has stretched and they fit well. I like them a lot, but the wrinkled leather is kind of a turn of. Also they ought to offer these in veg tanned leather for this kind of price. I'd easily pay a few more dollars if I could get a thicker veg tanned leather.
  53. Verified Buyer

    Nice boot

    Rating

    I ordered the Softstar Chukkas in hickory color. They are a very nice shoe/boot! I wear these daily, without socks, as work boots. They are so very comfortable and lightweight compared to the work boots I've worn the past 30 years. I ordered mine right on size, and did take a little time to stretch out in the toe box as stated in the sizing/fitment notes for this show. They were a little snug and I definitely can't use the sheepskin liner in mine. If you want ample wiggle room for your toes right from the start, I'd suggest ordering wide, and/or one size larger. With the Chukkas broke in, I enjoy them every day, and they clean up easily and nicely! I hope Softstar will add a primal sole to this shoe in the future. Thank you for the wonderful shoes you make and the wonderful customer service you provide!
  54. Verified Buyer

    Beautiful

    Rating

    I have bought many pairs of SS shoes for myself and my kids, but I have always held off on buying a pair of Hawthorne Chukkas for myself. I finally decided to indulge myself, and I'm so glad I did. They are amazingly soft and comfortable, yet stylish. I sized up and got a wide width, and they are perfection. I've been wearing them everyday, not wanting to rotate through the other shoes in my collection, I am so happy with them. I am so glad to know that these beautiful shoes will last me for years to come.
  55. Hawthorne men’s black

    Rating

    Just a quick update. Great minimalist office shoes. Comfy but don’t call attention to themselves, follow the sizing directions when ordering. The uppers are AMAZING - any scuffs just rub out, considering getting a pair in brown. Finally needed new soles, $55.00 at my local cobbler today, look brand new now (not kidding). Good job Softstar elves!
  56. Amazed

    Rating

    I own a few different pairs and styles of SS shoes and love all of them. They each have their own small quirks that I’m am sure are unique to each individual and combination. Then I bought the Hawthorne Chukka’s. When I imagine “fine handcrafted leather shoes” these are exactly what I would expect. They exemplify quality and craftsmanship. They fit and wear like a tailored soft supple glove yet don’t cramp my feet in any way. They are amazingly quiet and look great. The extra cushion is perfect. I have found not even one minor quirk to mention.
  57. Verified Buyer

    My third pair!

    Rating

    What mare can I say? Three pairs and probably not my last! I still have my first two pairs and may get around to having them resoled at some point. These are great for business casual, a night on the town or just a general walkabout. All three pairs were made using wonderfully soft, high quality leather and the hand stitched quality is incomparable. Full disclosure that although I BEGAN my journey with Sofststar as a big barfoot fan and imagine many buyers are of that school of thought, at 55 and with flat feet and some old bone injuries coming back to haunt me, I now use them with orthotic foot beds. I know, I know, all you barefoot fans will laugh but I;m telling you, barefoot may be great for the famed Tarahumara runners of Copper Canyon but maybe not for everyone! I'm just sayin... You can love Softstars AND have arch support if you want both!
  58. You will want another pair after you buy the first pair

    Rating

    These shoes are butter soft. At first, I was afraid they were too small but they stretch a bit and mold to your feet and they fit perfectly now. So comfortable and cute. I would highly recommend these shoes. This is my first purchase - hoping to get another pair in the future.
  59. Verified Buyer

    My Softstar Review and Sizing Info

    Rating

    Softstar makes my favorite shoes. I hope this review persuades you to pull the trigger and buy a pair. I also hope this helps you avoid sizing problems. Quality of material 11 out of 10 - I’ve never felt better quality leather. Btw Softstar, any plans to make wallets? Comfort 11 out of 10 - The most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. Fit 11 out of 10 - Fits like a glove, when you get the right size. Weight 11 out of 10 - The lightest shoes I own. I bet the only more lightweight shoes are those high-performance running shoes for athletes. Customer Service 10 out of 10 - They are so friendly, helpful, and quick whenever I have a question or a problem. Environment 10 out of 10 - They’re so committed to the environment. And I love that they only use ONE piece of paper for my entire order. Construction 8.5 out of 10 - The soles are starting to get unglued on my oldest pair (Primal RunAmocs). No real problems yet, but I’m concerned it will get worse. Sizing 6 out of 10 - Pretty all over the place. Part of the reason I’m writing this review. I have the Primal RunAmocs in 10U, the Primal Sawyers in 11U, and the Dash RunAmocs in 12U. They all fit amazingly! I got the Hawthorne Chukkas in 11U wide based on a review I read, but I should have gotten the Hawthorne Chukkas in 12U WIDE (they’re too tight, but I wore them a bunch before really realizing it - going to keep trying to stretch them out once it’s not so hot out). Repairs 5 out of 10 - I think only the Chukkas can be resoled. It might be just a limitation of minimalist shoes. I’d love it if they came up with some ingenious way to make all of them resole-able, though. My SoftStar shoes: Primal RunAmoc 10U Regular - on clearance in 2019 (probably from 2018) Adult Hawthorne Chukka 11U Wide - SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN 12U WIDE - During a sale November 2019 Adult Primal Sawyer 11U Regular - During a sale July 2020 Adult DASH RunAmoc 12U Regular - During a sale July 20, - Originally bought 11U Regular, then exchanged for 12U Regular Overall, my favorite shoes and one of my favorite groups of people to give my hard-earned money to. Softstar for life!

    Response from store

    Thank you Jake for such an awesome and detailed review - it is really helpful! We love making your feet happy :-)
  60. Perfect for the Office

    Rating

    I work in a pretty conservative office environment - I got told off for wearing my VFFs on casual Friday, but no one has batted an eye at my Onyx Chukkas. My feet feel so much better coming back to these after being in heels for meetings and whatnot. I ordered them in 2018, and it took about a year and a half for me to wear the soles down wearing them constantly. Thankfully, my semi-local cobbler was able to resole them back to new, just as advertised, which was a big reason I bought them. I wear an EU 41, but the 9U is just a smidge big on me, and the wide toebox didn't help me feel any less ready to join the circus. Subsequent Softstar purchases have been an 8U, and that's been much better. My big toe deforming the leather is yet to be solved. :P Yes they're expensive, but new soles have bought me another few years of life on them, and I expect that I'll be able to continue that for quite a while, the uppers are holding up amazingly well, just soft enough.
  61. Verified Buyer

    Imprecise Sizing; Bad exchange policy

    Rating

    I very carefully and repeatedly measured my foot to make sure that I only had to order once and applied my measurement to the size guide, but the shoes were too small. Returning the shoes cost me around $30 in shipping since they deduct the initial shipping cost from your refund and you pay for return shipping up front, and there is no exception for exchanges. I can't afford to pay $30 every time I try on a different size, and a $200 pair of shoes had better fit perfectly. Customer service was a breeze to deal with, but either their sizing categories or their exchange policy needs to be revised.

    Response from store

    Alex we are so sad that the size 8 were too small for you - especially after such careful measuring on your part. It IS difficult to shop for footwear online and we try so hard to get our sizing guides perfect - but everyone has such unique feet that sometimes it does take 2 tries to get just the right fit. Please note we offer free shipping on all pairs of shoes. The return label fee is $9.00 (not $30). We will take your suggestion to heart and hope we can get you a size 9 that you love.
  62. These shoes fit well from day one

    Rating

    These shoes are handsome and comfortable. I routinely get compliments on both pairs of my SoftStar shoes. These shoes fit well from day one--I usually wear an 8.5W or a 39-40, and I got the 8U in the Hawthorne Chukkas, sizing up slightly as recommended. I love that I can wear such minimalist shoes at work with nobody the wiser. These let my feet stretch and flex, so my feet stay happy all day.
  63. Hot fire.

    Rating

    These shoes are so luxurious. They feel and look amazing. They do run a size smaller than your typical softstar size.
  64. I have loved these shoes from the moment I laced them up for the first time.

    Rating

    They are so well made. The leather is soft and durable. The artichoke color goes with everything. My feet are so happy in these shoes. My hips and back are happy too. And I can have them re-soled as well!
  65. Verified Buyer

    Versatile for Work and Going Out

    Rating

    I've been hiking in our rough desert and mountains with the Dash Run Amocs for several years and love them, as I love my Ballerines and Solstice sandals for dress-up. I finally convinced my husband to toss his crippling work boots and go minimalist to strengthen his feet and heal his plantar fasciitis. But I had to buy and return 22 pairs of minimalist shoes before he approved the looks, feel, and sufficient width of the Hawthorne Chukka! He wears them every day on the job site, and he even wears them with a jacket and tie for going out! The hickory is such a rich, deep color that he gets compliments from the ladies. And I was so relieved to finally have found a minimalist shoe that fits his very wide foot and doesn't cause his construction crew to snicker-- I bought another pair just for a spare!
  66. Great shoes

    Rating

    Very comfortable shoes. I love Soft Star and I have previously worn the original RunAmoc, the DASH RunAmoc, the PRIMAL RunAmoc, the Adult Roo Moccasin, and now these. They are truly great in comfort and appearance and the only reason they 4 instead of 5 stars is because they cost considerably more than the other shoes.
  67. Very comfy, look great, have gotten lots of compliments.

    Rating

    Great shoe! Very comfy, look great, have gotten lots of compliments. I wear a 9.5 women's or 8 men's. I initially got the 8, but after trying to break them in I realized they were too small and wide. Unfortunately I had to wear them outside to really see if they'd work so I can't return that pair, which is the only reason I'm not giving them 5 stars. I ended up ordering a 9 narrow, which fit well.
  68. They fit perfectly.

    Rating

    I ordered the Softstar Hawthorne in November. I love them. The leather is soft and buttery. They are so comfortable. I received sizing help from the elves. They fit perfectly. This is my first Softstar purchase.
  69. Exactly what I was looking for in a shoe. 5/5

    Rating

    I sized up as per the instructions. Fits well. Buttery leather. Feels good on feet, especially for the uninitiated barefoot adherent. Very nice shoes, received compliments. Exactly what I was looking for in a shoe. 5/5
  70. Perfect combination of Comfort & Style

    Rating

    These are some of the most comfortable shoes that I have ever worn. They’re perfect for everyday wear and look great when you need to dress it up a bit. Had to return the first pair for a bigger size but Softstar’s awesome customer service made the entire exchange process smooth. I’ve been wearing barefoot style shoes for about 2 years so the larger size was great in regards to toe box room (size 9, regular width). Would recommend sizing up since they do run a bit tighter but they also stretch a little once you break them in. Even though these have a thicker sole than a lot of the other barefoot type shoes out there, you still get a really nice ground feel, plus the flexibility makes it feel like you’re barely wearing anything at all. Totally worth the price.
  71. One of my favorite pairs of Softstar shoes!

    Rating

    I love these shoes for work, fall and winter walks, and casual wear! Comfortable and versatile with so many outfits, I also love the thick leather and the currant color. I’ve received so many compliments on these. I tried to wear them for standing at a concert, but my feet got really tired, so I’ll probably order the sheepskin insoles for more cushioning. I’m an 8U in the Merry Janes and Primal Sawyers, but a 9U in the Hawthorne Chukkas which is perfect, definitely listen to the Elves hen they saw order a size up for these!
  72. Verified Buyer

    Great for road walking and wet grass

    Rating

    TLDR: Initially, they don’t feel nearly as awesome as the other Softstar shoes. Once you break them in, however, they are great. Sizing is tough. If you have pretty good toe splay, going up a size is probably the right choice. First Impressions Out of the box, these shoes are stiff in the upper and rigid in the sole. When I initially wore them around the house, they felt separate, uncomfortable, and uncooperative. I described the feeling to my husband as a 2x4 strapped to each foot. Compared to the luxurious, minimalist, made-for-me feeling of the Ballerines and Moc3’s, I considered the Chukkas downright uncomfortable. Too narrow of a toe box, too heavy, too stiff. Despite what I perceived as strikes against the shoe, I kept them for a particular use case. I wanted something that gave me a little more cushion for my morning walks (which are almost always on concrete/asphalt) and water protection for walking in wet grass or bad weather. After 2.5 weeks and 51 miles The mid-sole has broken in, and now they are much MUCH more comfortable. The upper has lost some of its stiff form and the size feels correct. My toes have room and the shoe stays with my foot. The 2x4 feeling is gone. I love the shoes. With its thicker sole (and mid-sole), most of the shoe stays dry. (The toes will get a little wet because of ‘kicking’ through wet grass, but never my socks or feet.) And instead of hating the extra shoe material between my foot and the road, I appreciate it. These shoes provide comfort against the hard road and water protection from the grass. Exactly what I wanted. I can traipse about wherever I want. Yes, ground feel suffers and the shoe isn’t as light as the other designs. But if you’re going for barefoot shoe metrics (room for toe splay, zero-drop, firmly connected to foot, minimal height off ground, etc), these still fit the bill. The only thing I dislike about the shoe is how rapidly I am wearing through the lower density Geo sole. This was somewhat expected since it happened with the primal trail sole (but not the road sole). I discussed it with the elves beforehand and they agreed that it was a strong possibility. I went for it anyway, knowing it might happen and planning to replace the soles with a higher density option once necessary. I did not dock a star, because this is a ME problem and not a shoe problem. As for fashion, I wear these with both shorts and pants. I think the red is beautiful. Sizing! My feet measure 24.5 to 25 cm long and 10 cm wide. According to the SSS size guide, I am a 7 regular. And indeed, I wear a 7U in the Moc3 and the Ballerine. After reading through all the reviews to try and gather a consensus on whether or not to go up a size, I ordered a pair in both 7 and 8 (both regular width). I wore both around the house for several days, stuffed rags in the 7s, and finally decided that the 8s were the right choice. My only concern with the 8s was that they would stretch out to be too big. But the 7s were too tight and I couldn’t sell myself on them. It seemed that even if the toe box stretched out a little, my big toe would remain constrained by the tapering design. The 8s felt snug but retained the possibility of stretching to feel comfortable. The final analysis that helped me decide was that the 8s still felt a little snug even though I was barefoot. Once they stretched out, they would accommodate socks.
  73. Shop Workboots

    Rating

    My sixty-five-year-old husband wore heavy workbooks all his life, resulting in a bunion and very painful plantar fasciitis. After being shown much research on how modern shoes weaken and deform feet, he became convinced that his lifelong dependence on orthotic-like shoes had made his feet susceptible to injury. His pain reluctantly forced him to agree to gradually transition to foot-strengthening minimalist shoes, but they had to be sturdy enough to replace work boots and masculine enough to preserve his dignity among the crew. So began my months-long search for shoes that were zero drop, flexible, un-cushioned, wide enough at the toe box, and yet stylishly rugged. After buying and returning 15 pairs of minimalist shoes, some of which were very nice but not wide enough, we found the Softstar Hawthorne Chukkas! I’ve worn Softstar Ballerines and Dash Run Amocs for years, so I was delighted when my husband finally made his choice from this great company. He approved the style, fit, feel, and comfort of the Hawthorne Chukkas in hickory and began wearing them to work immediately to start transitioning. They are great looking shoes with beautiful soft and supple leather, and the soles are just thick enough to serve as shop workboots without sacrificing flexibility. Thank you, thank you, Softstar!!
  74. Cute and Comfy

    Rating

    I just got my early Xmas gift of Chukka boots (in my fave color--red) and they are great. High quality leather and construction, lots of room for my wide foot, CUTE bootie style! I live in AZ but we do get cold winter days here. This allows me to have a cute, comfy boot but add warmer socks or not, depending on the weather conditions. I own many colors of ballerinas by Sofstar as well for our warmer AZ weather. Thanks for your fabulous products.
  75. This is my third pair of SoftStar's, won't be my last.

    Rating

    Stylish and comfortable - what more could you want in a 'dress shoe'? This is my third pair of SoftStar's, won't be my last.
  76. Great Shoes but ...

    Rating

    Loved the shoe but it was a bit too tight for my very wide feet. So I bought the their "Clown Shoe" and that is plenty wide.
  77. I have been searching for a minimal dress/casual shoe and I have found it :)

    Rating

    I have been wearing the Chukkas for about 2 weeks now. What a great, simple shoe. I can wear it to work and out at night! I have been searching for a minimal dress/casual shoe and I have found it :) I ordered 1 size larger than I normally wear (I am a 12 in the roos, ordered a 13 Chukka). When the first arrived, they looked great. My right foot was a little tight, left foot fit perfectly. The right was not overly tight, so I decided to keep them, figuring it would stretch. After about a week, the right shoe did stretch out.
  78. Verified Buyer

    Shoe is good, sole shape could be better

    Rating

    I love the leather on these and the soft sole. There is just a little cushion which means you can wear these on cement floors all day without issue. But there is room for improvement. First, the sole tapers in on the big toe side where it should be straight. That makes the toe box tight which stretches the leather over your toes. I bought wides and they’re plenty roomy at the ball of my foot, but they squeeze my toes. Some reviewers said to go up a size. I didn’t - I didn’t want the overhang. I think the shoes would be fine if they didn’t taper in as mentioned. Also, the rubber soles have started to pull away from the leather at the heel from driving. It’s easily glued back, but I didn’t expect this to happen after only seven months. At least they’re repairable - most shoes go into the trash after the first problem. All in all, my Hawthornes are good, but if you modify the shape, they could be great.
  79. Impressed

    Rating

    Wow, I’m so impressed with these shoes! I was hesitant to spend so much money and I promised myself I would only keep them if they were perfect and needless to say, I’m keeping them! The leather is buttery soft and they fit like a glove right out of the box. They are by far the most comfortable pair of work shoes I own but I can see myself wearing these all the time, not just at work. I’m so glad I decided to buy them!
  80. Like butter on my feet

    Rating

    I’ve been wearing these as my main shoe for almost three years now. The soles are beginning to show some wear, so I suppose I’ll have to have them replaced at some point. I made the mistake of walking through a puddle, and have a few water marks on them, it takes me back to good memories of making those water marks. I love these shoes!
  81. Beautiful but would like wider toe box

    Rating

    These shoes are beautiful and the leather is amazing :). However the toe box was not wide enough for my toes and I had pain in my big toe so I went back to my RunAmoc Dashs.
  82. Artichoke is COOL!

    Rating

    I am a 39 (8 1/2 women) and wear 8U's for the Run Amok. I sized up to the 9U's based on feedback to size up and they were gigantic. So disregard the 'size up' comments if you are a half size. I returned the currant for the artichoke because I knew that when I got the size right I would want to wear these boots everywhere.. The artichoke are the neutral color of the dark outermost leaves of a steamed artichoke. Yes, they go with EVERYTHING! The pictures are inconsistent and I really didn't not know what to expect so I hope that helps. The boot itself is extremely cute; not dorky looking; and comfy as hell. I spent about a year staring at these boots afraid to pull the trigger . Because of my delay I missed out on the blue (please bring them back!). Big regrets!! NOTE TO ELVES: the single reason stopping me from buying this boots last year was the tragic photo of the group standing on the bench with the cray socks and colorful laces. It looks like 4 people just stepped out of a clown car. It screams Ronald MacDonald and misrepresents cool these boots truly are.
  83. Used as my Winter Shoes

    Rating

    I absolutely love these shoes! They survived daily walks all through the fall and winter, including rainy and snowy days. I used the sheepskin insoles and the Bee Natural rain & snow waterproofing to help with the coldest, wettest weather. For snow, I put yaktrax over them and the shoes held up just fine. Red shoes (the currant color) were a bold departure from my normal black/brown, but I've received lots of compliments on them. Based on the sizing notes, I ordered my normal size in wide and they fit great.
  84. Almost feels like not wearing a shoe.

    Rating

    I've been wearing the Hawthorne now for over a month Monday through Friday. My workspace in my office is mainly a standup desk so most of my time is spent on my feet. My law firm is fairly casual and these are perfect for khakis. So far, these have been very comfortable and needed no break-in to be comfortable. I emailed the company about a sizing question and their suggestion has worked for me. They are a tad long but I can see where one size down could crowd the toes a bit due to the way the upper is stitched to the sole. Leather quality is impressive. It is so soft it is almost like cloth. Lifting my toes bends the entire shoe as if I were wearing only a sock. Loved these so much I just ordered the Primal.
  85. Excellent

    Rating

    Really excellent shoes, very comfortable, very soft leather and they seem to be holding up well.
  86. Love these shoes!

    Rating

    I spent a lot of time deciding if I should buy the shoes since they are expensive. I am glad I did! I ordered a pair with regular width but found them too narrow for my feet so I sent them back to get the wide width. The exchange was fast and the customer service was wonderful! The shoes are very nice looking and are so comfy!!
  87. Amazing

    Rating

    I've worn these most days to work and don't have to change out of them at the end of the day, amazing.
  88. Verified Buyer

    Trial-and-Error on Sizing, but Great Shoes

    Rating

    It took two tries to find a size in the Chukkas that fit perfectly. I ended up very happy with a pair of Chukkas in a size 12U wide, even though I wear a size 10U regular in SoftStar's RunAmoc Primals. The Elves were helpful all the way through the exchange process. In my original order, I ordered a size 11U wide (which was already a size-up from the size 10U regular I wear in RunAmoc Primals) since many of the reviews here on SoftStar's product page suggest the Chukkas can fit very snuggly, and folks reported needing to go-up a size. I then opted to bump-up again into a 12U wide after having some time trying-on the 11U wides after they arrived at my doorstep. In the 11U wides, I found my pinky toes were making contact with the outside walls of the shoes, and it felt like a very tight fit indeed. The fit felt worse at my big toes which were cramming into the front, facing pressure from both above and the side: from above, because of how the piece of leather that makes up the roof of the shoe is sewn to the perimeter of the sole and can pinch-down on the big toe if your toe is pushed toward the front edge of the sole; and from the side, because of how the leather on the inside wall of the shoe would push the big toe over into the other toes, since the shape of the sole comes to a point like the footprint of more conventional dress shoes instead of the wider toebox of the Primals. These issues vanished when I asked the Elves to exchange the 11U wides for the 12U wide. Fit-wise, the 12U wide was roomy enough in the front half to give my toes plenty of room at their sides and front, while also managing to be snug-fitting throughout the rest of the foot. My Chukkas are now a pleasure to wear! The leather, sole, and stitching feel more substantial than the RunAmoc Primals. And, the Chukkas took the Bee Natural oil-based "Snow and Ice" weatherproofing treatment very well. I'll also mention that I did tend to wear shoes in Men's size 12 wide from Nike, New Balance, and Asics before I started wearing SoftStars about three years ago. So, if a comparison of my shoe sizes is helpful: - Men's 12 wide for Nike, New Balance, and Asics - 10U regular in SoftStar's RunAmoc Primals (which I love) - 12U wide in SoftStar's Chukka (which I'm very happy with) Thank you, Elves.
  89. Highly recommended!! Very Quiet Shoes :-)

    Rating

    I bought these upon a recommendation from a colleague. For several years, I’ve been wearing a pair of Clark’s Pikko Alto canvas chukka, a very similar design to these. I owned two pair and on one of the pair, the canvas has just started to wear away, though the gum soles are still going strong. My career as a sound recordist/boom op for films, requires super quiet shoes and the Clark’s have provided that in spades all along, but I was beginning to worry that since Clark’s no longer made the Pikko Alto, that I’d have no substitute. On a film shoot, someone commented on my shoes and asked “are those Softstars?” To which I answered “huh?’ He said “They look just like Softstar shoes” and so I told him my dilemma and he suggested that I look into these as a replacement. Well, I did as soon as I could and while I was trying to steer clear of leather, they appeared to be everything else I wanted in a shoe. I was a bit hesitant about spending this kind of money on a pair of shoes, but I do a tremendous amount of walking and as I mentioned... I need quiet shoes for work. I finally took the plunge and ordered a pair of the red Hawthorne’s (similar to the red Pikko Alto). They arrived across the country in just a couple days and while they fit somewhat snug at first (and I did order up one size), they stretched just enough in the first few days that they have become my replacement shoes. They are comfortable, classy, lightweight and best of all, quiet! Since I’ve owned them, I get compliments nearly every time I wear them out. I’m definitely going to purchase another pair in the future. Just a note: I have bunions and have been wearing shoes with a wider toe box for a few years, as well as minimalist shoes and sneakers. My feet feel extremely comfortable in these and I’ve been able to walk for long distances or to stand for lengthy periods of time and even run in them without experiencing any pain or discomfort. Highly recommended!! I would recommend buying a couple pair of laces... one of mine came unraveled after 2 months of wear.
  90. Chukka Boots Best Bar None

    Rating

    I have always wore Softstar shoes since their inception. These Chukkas are so comfortable and soft they feel like custom shoes that they are supposed to feel good.
  91. Quality

    Rating

    I enjoy the style, color, quality, and feel.
  92. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.

    Rating

    They are now part of my weekly wear-to-work regime sharing more and more days with my beloved Rogues. Took time to wear in, helped by using shoe trees to stretch some. Expect I'll buy a different color next.
  93. Movement teacher

    Rating

    I am extremely happy with these shoes. They feel fantastic! I have funny feet and struggle to find shoes that let my wide toes splay, but fit my narrow heels and accommodate the high volume at my arches. Also I have been looking for a pair of zero-drop, more minimalist shoes that aren't hideous. I am so happy to say these check every box. These shoes totally work for me. My only complaint (and why I took off one star) is that one of the shoelaces literally self-destructed on my second wear : ( which makes me hope that the rest of the shoe is not similarly constructed and will last a little bit longer.
  94. I've been wearing minimalist shoes for over 5 years from many of the major brands...

    Rating

    I don't ever leave reviews, but I had to for this. This is by far the best quality shoe I've ever owned! I've been wearing minimalist shoes for over 5 years from many of the major brands in the minimalist shoe industry. But these are the best deal out there-expertly crafted and so comfortable to wear. I'll be getting a pair of colored shoelaces to jazz up my chukkas!
  95. Exceptional comfort and quality

    Rating

    Fantastic boots! I initially ordered two boots in 13W which is what I wear in the dash and roo moccasin. They were a little tight so I returned them for 14W which fit perfectly. I now have three pairs. One each in onyx, hickory and currant. They are extremely comfortable and they are great for travel since they take up so little room in the suit case.
  96. Perfection at Every Angle

    Rating

    I love my Adult Hawthorne Chukka. Wear them with jeans, dress pants, leggings, dresses, skirts, the sky is the limit! Every aspect of this design, material, and feel is perfection. My feet loves you Soft Star Shoes!
  97. Experienced Barefooter/Minimalist Shoe Wearer

    Rating

    I've been doing the barefoot/minimalist shoe thing for over 10 years. These are the best shoes I've owned so far. I have a full review with me comparing them to the Xero Shoes Daylite Hiker and Vivo Barefoot Gobi II. My conclusion is that these being locally resoleable is a huge bonus. Also join their buy/sell/trade Facebook community is very wholesome. If you are zero waste these are the shoes for you. If you have wide feet, don't waste your time on any other options. I've read a few negative reviews of softstar shoes, and I think they just don't know about minimalist shoes in general. I urge you all to do more research when you're converting from foot coffins to a barefoot friendly shoe. Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks, AntAp

    Response from store

    This reviewer's link to his comparison review was removed by our spam filter, but you can find the full review here: https://imgur.com/a/tog7ISR
  98. What Beautiful Shoes

    Rating

    I got these shoes in wide size and in currant red. The wide shoes are a blessing, as they do not squash my little toes, even when I wear my Correct Toes. The sizing is correct with the wide added. The color is gorgeous; I change my lace colors often to have fun with the couture aspect. The quality of the leather is superb. I walk about five miles per day on concrete floors at my job... I secretly feel like I am walking in my bedroom slippers! Thank you for these!
  99. Stylish

    Rating

    It took several tries but I now have a custom pair that I love. I have different size feet, so I ended up with a 7U left and an 8U right. The material is thick and took some breaking in. I stuffed them with socks over night and wore them several times without socks at first. Now I am able to wear them with and without socks, including the sheepskin insoles. They are very stylish and I love the soles. The aren't as giving as the Dash or the other styles but they are great for cooler weather. I wish I could afford more colors!
  100. Most comfortable shoes I have ever worn

    Rating

    Fantastic! The most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. So far, low maintenance, just slip them on and go about your life. I hope they hold up well over time.
  101. I like the wide width

    Rating

    I love my Hawthorne Chukka Shoes, I ordered one size larger than my Dash Run Amocs and wide width perfect fit and they feel great. Thank you SoftStar Elves.
  102. WOW!

    Rating

    After a couple email exchanges with the elves I ordered Hawthorne Chukka in Black. Tried them on as soon as I received them. Oh My! They fit perfectly! I am so pleased with the fit and comfort. Softstar shoes is on my short list (the only list) for shoes!
  103. I LOVE these boots.

    Rating

    I feel so good wearing them - they are so comfortable and stylish. I've waterproofed mine with nikwax so I can wear them in the rain, as well. I wear a size 7W in the dash RunAmocs and an 8 fits me perfectly in these. At first I was afraid they were too tight in the toebox but they broke in perfectly. I love them so much that after getting a pair in black, I went for the artichoke green as well.
  104. The leather is great - but I find them a bit roomy.

    Rating

    These shoes are a bit of a mixed bag for me. The leather is great, I love the foot bed, and they work in a variety of situations. However, despite ordering the narrow size, i find them a bit roomy. I would prefer a snug fit. So, if you're a narrow footed person, proceed with caution. On the bright side, they work great with wool socks, so I'm set for the winter.
  105. Stylish and Comfortable

    Rating

    This is my 4th pair of Softstar’s and my first pair of chukkas. I am really liking them. They are stylish and comfortable. They are taking longer to break in than other styles I own, but worth it. The colorful laces are a fun touch too.
  106. My new Chukka's make a HUGE difference in my life.

    Rating

    I feel the earth under my feet. I stand taller, straighter. Walking in them engages my WHOLE foot significantly, including my toes. My ankles don't pronate (turn inward). Its way more fun and alive to walk. Thank you, all you big and little elves. Actually, I kind of almost feel like a little elf wearing them. With using the muscles in my feet more, I definitely have more bounce in my walk. I love the feel of feeling the earth; somehow it makes a difference in my whole body; I get a more alive feeling. AND I walk SO quietly. I like that. My regular shoes are movin' out.
  107. Most Versatile Shoes of All Time!

    Rating

    While not perfect business shoes, running shoes, or weightlifting, they are the only ones I know that can actually service for all three while being worn every day casually!
  108. These boots are great!

    Rating

    Initially I was concerned that they were too wide, 8W, but thick socks and/or sheepskin soles make a big difference. Since I have now “ broken” them in, I find that 8R might have been a little tight. I now have one pair, artichoke and one pair currant coloured., both 8W. My correct toes fit in them very well too!
  109. Love them

    Rating

    I've had these in red for about a month. I have low volume feet and wear an 8U in ballerines so went with 8U in chukkas. They fit great. I've been wearing them with a thinner smartwool sock and they are so comfortable. I've even had a couple of compliments. I wear them with Jean's or to work with slacks or a dress/skirt with tights.
  110. I need regular width, not wide

    Rating

    I wear a 6U in the RunaMocs, so bought these in a 7U as the stitching makes the tops smaller. They felt about a half-size bigger than the RunAmocs, but then you can wear socks with them. I worry the 6U's would be really tight. However, I also ordered Wide, in the color Red, and as soon as I took them out of the box Ronald MacDonald called asking for his shoes back. The weird shape of the wide footbed (though very comfy) just doesn't work for me, since I don't really have a wide foot-- I just like foot-shaped shoes that give me plenty of room. I would like to try again with the Brown chukkas in regular width when those come back in stock. My husband ordered his in Black Wide, and they look good on him. The wide is still a little odd looking, but on a man, in black, they work!
  111. boooohooooo

    Rating

    I've got to be the most disappointed girl on the planet right now. I'd been eying these up for a while and was so looking forward to getting them! I'm a long time Moc3 wearer (and I think they're awesome). The fit advice says that the chukkas run a bit smaller so if between 2 sizes then order up... When I use the size printout, I'm on the edge of 5U and 6U, so I stayed with 6U (my MOC3s are 6U and great but have room left at the tip). Well, these are way too small. When I first tried them on I thought they would stretch and be fine because my toes didn't actually touch the tip at all, it's just that the leather felt very tight overtop them. The leather is very supple though and I thought with wear they'll stretch and fit just fine. Maybe they will, a bit, but I've been wearing them all day and my toes are SO crunched up now. There's also no removable insole or anything that can be taken out to make more room... I'm soooo disappointed because they're so nice in every other way, and it's not a cheap purchase either...
  112. These shoes are perfect!

    Rating

    These shoes are perfect! They are my everything shoes: casual wear, hiking, work boots, biking, I've even run in them a bit. Super cute, SO comfortable, handmade, and very high quality--what more could I want? This is the most money I think I've ever spent on shoes, but the quality is super worth it and I know I will love these for years to come. I am normally a women's 8.5 or 9 and I ordered the 8U. They were snug when I received them, but after a few wears the leather stretched out and they now fit perfectly. This is my first pair of minimalist shoes and my feet and legs feel wonderful. Now the rest of my shoes feel super stiff and constricting. I emailed the elves some sizing questions and they responded right away and were very helpful. I also ordered some shoes for my partner that didn't work for him, and found that returns are super easy with Softstar. I will definitely be purchasing shoes from this company in the future, as they have great customer service and high quality shoes. Thanks, elves!
  113. Amazing shoes but run large

    Rating

    I am normally size 9.5 but since there was a recommendation for ordering up I did. Well, the boots are so incredibly comfortable and well made and beautiful that I started wearing them even so they where too big. Now I can't return them but I love them so much that I will order size 9 in hopes that it won't be too large and wear my size 10 with thick socks in colder weather. I most definitely are not finding them fitting snugly - they are very roomy, stretchy and bigger then normal sizing.
  114. Like them, needed a bigger size

    Rating

    I quite like these shoes, but I had to exchange them for a bigger size than the sizing guide suggested, even though I got them in wide. I had bunion surgery years ago and have no desire whatsoever to go through that mess again so I am careful to get shoes which give my toes plenty of room. These are somewhat tighter on my toes than I would prefer, but I just don't go for really long walks in them, I wear my primal runamocs instead. I like that they are such a nice color, and they are warm enough to wear in cold weather.
  115. They work

    Rating

    I ordered these for my husband, who is a teacher, so he needs nice looking shoes. I asked him how he would rate them. He said they fit well. They fit well. They work.
  116. Oh my soles!

    Rating

    These are amazing boots. I don't usually like the way ankle-height boots look on me, and these are pretty pricey, but I have been trying to find a good Minimal boots. I was torn between these and the Lems Boulder (now that they are leather). I adore my other SoftStars, so I decided to give these Hawthornes a try. I was totally prepared to not like them and send them back, but I can't do it - these beauties are mine, all mine! The red is stunning, and from the first minute I put them on, they felt fantastic - truly so light and flexible I could almost forget I had shoes on my feet at all. The currant leather is so soft and rich feeling, it molded to my foot right away. I wear an 8U in most Softstars (Dash, Merry Jane, Moc3), but sized up to a 9U in these as recommended, and they fit like gloves. I am glad they have updated the insole to suede, my foot does not slip around at all. (I may get the sheepskin insoles to add to them next Fall for extra warmth.) Great work, Elves!
  117. Too narrow in the toes

    Rating

    These shoes look great. I got the standard width, and they're plenty wide in the mid-foot, but they're way too narrow in the toes. I had to go to size 13s (I usually wear 11.5) just to get some room, and they're still tight in the toes. I've tried stretching the toe box with shoe stretchers, and that helped a bit, but they're still too narrow. The upper is soft enough that they're wearable, but not the most comfortable shoes I have. I really wanted to like these shoes. Like I said, they look great.
  118. cozy and a harmonizing stand-out

    Rating

    I splurged on these last year. With the sheepskin innersole deployed they make a cozy winter walking shoe (though I do foresee having to replace that innersole for next season), and the suede innersole allows for less slippery summer walking along with tightening the laces slightly. The uppers are supper soft, and I have a few scrapes, and a few rub points, and variations in texture and color where they wrinkle to allow for my foot's natural movement as I walk. I treat them with the Bee Natural Rain and snow, which does darken them a bit. My shoes are simply building character over time. I don't consider myself a "red" person, but the current color is marvelous, and seems to enhance whatever I wear it with. It is a blue-red (vs orange-red) that goes with greys and blues and purples and greens and browns, standing out yet harmonizing at the same time. I get compliments whenever I wear them, including today!
  119. Beautiful, comfortable, well made

    Rating

    I have many other Softstar’s I love. I was not sure about this style but I liked the color so much I ordered them. I am so happy, they are beautiful and the style is better in person than pictures. Just like my other shoes from Softstar, they are super comfortable. My first pair 2 years ago took some adjusting but they are still just as comfortable, going strong.
  120. Manliness and minimalism? I'm in.

    Rating

    These shoes are exceptional in their classiness and manliness while still maintaining SoftStars traditionally high pedigree of minimalism. I greatly look forward to wearing these to my friends' wedding this spring. Thanks!
  121. I love this shoe.

    Rating

    I get dozens of compliments every time I wear these shoes, and they are so soft and comfortable it's like I have nothing on. I am a 9.5 in women's and I ordered the 9U. They fit nearly perfectly, and within 2 hours of wearing them around the house the one tiny area where my toe was grazing the top of the toe box had already stretched a bit to adjust to my foot. I also ordered the sheepskin inserts, but there was not enough extra room for them inside these shoes. However, as someone else mentioned, they fit perfectly in my Lem's Boulder Boots which has been fantastic for winter weather!
  122. These are the best shoes I've ever worn!

    Rating

    I have never spent this much money on a pair of shoes...and I felt a little weird doing so. Until I put them on. Oh my word, these are sooooo comfortable. They feel like butter on my feet. While they're not as minimal as I'd like, knowing that they can be re-soled gives me peace of mind. I find myself wearing these every single day. They DO run a little tight (I had to send a pair back in exchange for a larger size), so keep that in mind. Already looking forward to buying another pair soon.
  123. Great shoe!

    Rating

    I now have three of this model: hickory, onyx, and blue. They are super comfortable, better than barefoot. The sizes run *very* small. I typically wear a 10.5 Medium shoe and for these shoes a 12 Narrow fits perfectly (I had to try and return several to get the right size). I go pretty much anywhere, except someplace very formal, with these shoes. The soles can be effectively patched, if worn in spots, with "Shoe Goo"
  124. These Blue Suede Chukkas Started It All!

    Rating

    I have left reviews on the brown and red/currant chukkas. But these truly started EVERYTHING. Stumbling on the site in my search for good-looking foot healthy shoes for women, I saw the picture of these blue suede beauties in the line-up and fell completely in love. I read the reviews for all of the chukkas, because, well, 4 reviews are not enough for me. The others, being that they are standard colors and not special editions, have been around longer and racked up more reviews. Anyway, these shoes are every bit as beautiful in person. They seem to fit just a little more snug than the other 3 pair, then then again, the brown feels just a stitch more narrow than the black and currant pair. Oh, wait. . . I did not tell you? I got these shoes in EVERY color? I sure did and don't regret not one bit of it. Funny thing is, while I may get shoes in two colors, but never every color - especially not at the cost of these. That is saying something. Besides solid good looks, these are very well made and so comfortable. These are certainly making my switch (about 2 months now, with only 1 day in conventional shoes about 1.5 months ago during that entire time) so much easier. Because it is certainly hard to find really nice looking casual/office passable foot-healthy shoes for women. I get tons of compliments, especially on these and the currant colors.
  125. I Have These In Every Color. . .

    Rating

    Since making the decision to build and restore the health of my feet, one of the tactics being making a transition to minimalist footwear, I've been on the hunt for good-looking, business casual, regular casual, dressy, durable, completely flexible the full length of the sole., zero drop, zero toe spring, non-orthotic looking shoes. Honestly, that is an incredibly high expectation for anything, especially for women, in the minimalist foot-healthy shoe industry (Vivobarefoot, as i I'm discovering, might be another great option for casual/business casual). There is no shortage of athletic shoes in this market. A plethora of weird looking, (unwanted) attention grabbing stock, or even casual/dressy options for men. So, as a woman with low-profile feet and for whom style and good looks in all things clothing has always mattered, I had my hunt cut out for me. Then, by happenstance, having typed in the search engine "minimalist dress shoes for women", I stumbled upon this site. I was immediately taken in. The suede blue version of this shoe completely messed me up . If someone had told me 3 months ago I'd spend nearly $200 bucks on a pair of shoes, or more than two colors of the same style, I'd told them they were crazy. And yet, 2 months ago, after spending a good $500 on two pair each of casual, non-athletic, office passable Vibram five-fingers wool chukkas and linen loafers (both of which I love) and a couple other VFF styles, I turned right around and bought these SSS chukkas in black, brown, and blue. All in one order. After a few days of wearing that buttery soft, springy-stepped nothingness, it was a wrap for me. I immediately ordered the currant color. Oh my GOODNESS!! These shoes fit EVERYTHING on my list of requirements except dressy (legs/ankles are too skinny to pull these off in a skirt, nor do they quite work with my pants suits). Softstar really did something when they decided to offer these! Please make a different color or two per year. I'll buy! Caveat, they DO run small. So follow the instructions to size up. That worked perfectly for me.
  126. Sharp look, warm, winter-proof, great for wide feet!

    Rating

    I'm in love with these shoes and I plan to collect them in all the colors once I have the means to do so! I used the waterproofing wax I bought here and they keep my feet very dry, even when stepping into several inches of fresh snow. I also purchased she sheepskin liners and they keep my feet quite warm in zero degree plus winter weather, even without socks. Colder than that, I add wool socks and my feet still stay perfectly toasty. I have very wide feet and they fit me very well. I did size up, as suggested. The top of the shoe is moldable, so my big toe made an indentation there pretty quickly but I don't feel that this detracts from the appearance and I much prefer that over having my toes smashed by a hard boot, which is a problem I've had in the past. Aside from all of this great functionality, I think they look quite sharp with jeggings, leggings, skirts/dresses and work pants alike. These are definitely going to be a long-term wardrobe mainstay. I just gave away 30-50 pairs of shoes from 5-10 years of frustrating shoe shopping for my super wide feet and now all I keep are these shoes, my Soft Star ballet flats, a pair of Rothy's and a couple pair of Lane Bryant pointed toe flats (the latter two brands don't fit nearly as well as Soft Star but are my fit-well-enough compromises for special occasions). If soft star made a pair of these ankle boots in all black without the brown sole accents and maybe with pull on styling rather than the laces, I would rock these for special occasions too!
  127. Pure Love

    Rating

    The Blue chukkas are incredible!!! I would like them in a red wine color and in a turquoise and in an army green, I hope you will eventually offer them in custom or change the color each year. I have truly fallen in love with these shoes. Thank you thank you, thank you for offering them in this delicious blue color!!! Softstars have changed my life, my feet are soooo happy!
  128. Love the color!

    Rating

    I have pairs of the Hawthorne Chukkas in other colors—so I already knew how extremely comfortable they are for someone on their feet all day. The Indigo color and nubuck leather make these special. I love the color. The nubuck leather is especially soft and comfy to wear. More people have been noticing and commenting on these. I have provided info on how to get to your web site, so I hope this boosts your sales (want you to stay in business).
  129. nice workmanship and materials, but very painful walking

    Rating

    very high quality construction, super soft leather on top part of shoe. very grippy sole on snow/ice. not enough room for toes on top, even though i got largest size 14, though I didn't get wide... they need to be taller not wider for me. only room for thin socks. i got the previous model w/ the hard leather insole...too hard actually. after walking half mile or so, every step was pain, and i have other minimal shoes that don't do this. like the hard sole causes pressure points or something? i tried some insoles, thin ones for $12, still didnt do it. thicker insoles wouldnt work due to lack of room on top forefoot. gave them to charity. maybe somebody will get some use out of them! Note from the Elves: Dear not4me - sad to hear you had such a bad experience! Please note for future reference - we would have loved to hear from you to see how we could have helped you get into more comfortable shoes and exchanged them out for something better - we do want your feet to be happy!
  130. Will Soon Own In Every Color!

    Rating

    Like reviews have said - these do run on the small side, so i am glad that i sized up one size to a U8 women's regular. But these also stretch fairly easy. And what was important is that I am able to wear my Correct Toes with them - though, if they have not quite stretched enough, can be a little tight. But, like I said, they do stretch. With that all out of the way, these shoes are beautiful! They are good to look at, very soft to the touch, and are a combo of butter and nothingness on my feet. Never wore such a luxurious comfort short boot in my life like this. I am on a quest for stylish minimalist shoes (we can be honest, most truly foot-healthy shoes lack woefully in that department, especially as it pertains to shoes for women!). I believe that being well put together goes from your head to your shoes. Nothing worse than seeing a nice outfit and some terrible shoes. But, this fall, i reached a crossroads. I was either going to continue to sacrifice my weak, inflexible, chronically fatigued and aching feet for style and "maintaining my reputation", understanding i could very well be functionally crippled in 10 years, or i was going to have to cast vanity to the wind and ruin perfectly good outfits with orthopedic footwear. Well, I had and still have no intention of doing either. Vain I am, and vain I plan to stay (LOL!!!), but without pain and underutilization of my feet. So, i went on a quest to find stylish, minimalist, non-athletic, non-funny looking, footwear to help me to heal and actually strengthen my feet by learning how to use them. So, I bounced from one website to the next (not like there are many), even purchasing several Vibram brand shoes (5 finger CVT wool, CVT linen, cross-training, and Fukoshiki), which are not practical to wear everywhere (though I found some I could work into my work outfits), and a couple of pair of Lems (not my favorite look, though I do kind of like their short boot). But, I was not satisfied. Providentially, I stumbled up on Softstar Shoes. Now, normally, if I walk into a store and spot a really nice pair of shoes and i see a price over $50 (if that much), I am putting the shoe down and keeping it moving. But, given my desperation for good "normal looking" style incorporable minimalist footwear, I eagerly devoured and redevoured the reviews and sizing tips, ultimately deciding, what the heck. I spent at least $1,800 out of pocket for braces - an investment that has paid off well. It is now time to give my feet a turn. I knew i was taking a big risk though, messing with shoes sight unseen, for my flat, hard to fit feet. If I knew what I now know, I would never have hesitated. I got the suede blue, black and brown pairs. I just turned around and ordered the currant color so that I will now have these in every color (hope they come out with green, tan, burgundy, or customizable flavors). I am very happy with these shoes and will be trying other SSS styles. Thanks for such a quality product.
  131. Wow!! So happy with these.

    Rating

    There are lots of Hawthorne reviews with the regular colors, and I read them carefully and thought hard about whether these would work for me. They seem a little pricey, but I liked the blue color in the photo, and the idea of nubuck which I thought might make them feel softer than smooth leather. I emailed the Elves and got sizing advice too, noting that they run small. I am delighted with these, they are as comfortable and light as I hoped, and they are almost as accommodating of my wide and sensitive feet as my slouchier Soft Star styles. They are also really good looking, and I have gotten a number of compliments on them. The blue color is really versatile. It seems to blend nicely with anything. They are a good compromise in a lot of ways. They look and feel fine with or without socks, they work with pants and skirts. The sole is sturdy without being stiff or heavy -- I think they will be great for cool weather travel.
  132. Looks good, great contact with the ground, needed more toe room

    Rating

    Overall I am happy with the shoes. I followed the instructions to go one size up - definitely glad I did so. Pros - looks good, lightweight, super soft Cons - Toe box needs more room (They feel cramped and I did not classify as a wide foot) The color is nice, though I'd like to see a lighter tan color option
  133. Not for extra wide feet

    Rating

    Really wanted to love this shoe but even after confirming with customer service that my extra wide foot would fit, I had to return them for being too tight. Be aware that when you return shoes, you need to pay for return shipping.
  134. Great, with a few things to know

    Rating

    These are awesome shoes, they look great and are the only shoes besides my Xero sandals that feel truly minimal. Totally work in a professional or casual environment. On sizing, like they say they run very true to size, and while they have a nice large toebox, they do slope quite a bit so if your foot is more square you may have to go up a size to accommodate. I did that and they work great. Also note they are very soft sided, so you aren't going to walk up and slip your foot in without pulling the little loop on the heel with your finger. But once on, wow they are comfy.
  135. The best shoe

    Rating

    I cannot recommend this show enough. It's so comfortable and well fitting - I typically wear a 8.5 sneaker, sized up to a 9 (women's) and can wear two pairs of socks in the fall Chicago weather without anything being too tight. This is the nicest, most comfortable shoe I've ever owned. Softstar will have my business for a long time.
  136. The indigo color is lovely with jeans

    Rating

    This is my first pair of Softstar shoes, being new to the minimalist sole after having some bunion issues from tight tennis shoes worn with thick orthotics. I am so happy with my wide pair of indigo Chukkas. They arrived one week or so after ordering and it was just like Christmas when they came in the mail. The color is nice and deep, and I did add a protective spray which only made them deeper. I got the fleece insole and in a few weeks can wear them with socks, without, and even with the Correct Toes. I can't say enough how happy this process was for me. Thank you Elves from my tired but now happier and colorful feet. I get many compliments on how cute and well made they are too!
  137. Foot hugging, comfortable and stylish

    Rating

    I LOVE my Hawthorne Chukka (Hickory). I used the sizing guide to order size 7U (I am usually a women's 8 so this makes sense). But, they were uncomfortably tight at first. This led me to the FAQ about sizing, which assured me I had the right size; and I used the suggestion on the blog of stuffing the toes with a dry rag overnight. That trick worked really well to kick start the shoes to stretch to my feet. I AM NOW IN LOVE. I don't think the photos do the shoe justice - they are beautiful and more feminine than they look online. And SoftStar customer service, along with the NAFTA approval for easy duty-free shipping to Canada, is INCREDIBLE.
  138. Great shoes!

    Rating

    These are a great, comfortable minimalist shoe.. The leather is soft and high-quality, the sole is minimal and comfortable. I use mine as my winter "indoor shoes" at work. The sizing was significantly different than other Softstar shoes. I needed to go up a full size and go to a wide width for mine to fit properly. I suggest providing the elves with your foot measurements. I did not reduce the rating due to the sizing inconsistency because they are excellent shoes.
  139. Better and Better

    Rating

    This is my third pair of Hawthorne Chukkas! I love how they always seem to fit just right when they arrive. But, then as I wear them, they really conform to my foot so I feel like I am barefoot. Thanks SoftStar!
  140. The dressy sneaker

    Rating

    For months I'd exclusively been wearing Saucony Bullet sneakers. Anything stiffer made my knees hurt. Of course I couldn't keep doing that at work, so I gave these a try. Felt like an expensive gamble. Thankfully, they are amazing!! Super flexible, offering me a natural gait and no pain whatsoever. So relieved to discover these shoes.
  141. A++

    Rating

    Love them! Snug fit, barefoot feel
  142. They even fit hobbit feet

    Rating

    I have adorable hobbit feet. They are wide with short stubby toes that spread. I sent the elves an email and they helped me pick the right size, I was sure they would be tight across the top of my foot but nope, the sizing is great. It's a bit roomy but when I use those heavenly wooly inserts it's exactly right. So, if you want your foot wear to be on point while you chase your kids around, go on nature hikes while working as a pack mule, grab the nteenth cheese stick of the day and still feel up to waiting in line for your favorite coffee, then get these shoes. While your four year old screams on the floor because you asked them to wear pants to library, you can just look at your shoes and smile
  143. Best Shoe Ever

    Rating

    I bought my first pair in early 2016, and wear them every day. At first I babied them, thinking they would not be that durable, but they have held up well with no special consideration other than not wearing them in heavy rain. By far the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. My only suggestion for the elves would be to please consider offering repair services at some point. I had these re-soled recently by a local shoe repair place, and the new soles are not bonding that well. I would happily pay you to restore them to new-ish once in a while!
  144. I wish the toe box was roomier

    Rating

    I really like these shoes. They have a nice appearance and would be quite comfortable for many other people. I purchased these assuming I could wear the Correct Toes toe spacer with them. Even though I ordered the wide, It is still too snug with the spacer. I feel like the next size up may be too long for me to adjust to walking in (I do still occasionally stumble in the size I have due to the attractive way the leather is stitched to the sole). I was considering whether I wanted to return them to try the next size up, as I wore them around the house, and ended up getting a bit of grease on them so I had to keep them. Happily, they have stretched enough to be comfortable without the spacer, and the grease stain did disappear when I treated them to be water repellent. I am leaving off a star because it was not clear that these are not really made to accommodate the toe spacer. I really wanted to wear these on my on-my-feet-all-day job, but cannot because I need the spacers on my feet while I work. I am very happy with the DASH RunAmoc, which are very accommodating to my strange feet and the toe spacers (the soft leather used for them stretches nicely). I just wanted the thicker leather of the Chukka's to protect my toes a little more on the job.
  145. Just keeps getting better

    Rating

    I have owned this shoe in black and brown for two years, worn in all four seasons nearly every day. With a little maintenance in between seasons, these shoes have worn in incredibly and look even better now than when I purchased them. These guys will go 5 years easy, and 10 years with some sole maintenance. I just started wearing them without socks for the first time, and I am more in love with them now than ever before.
  146. Awesome exchange policy, lovely service.

    Rating

    The first pair were slightly too firm and the Mr was not 100% they were the right fit. Not too worry, I sent them back and ordered a wide width and an extra size for good measure. The new shoes arrived and he was 100% happy with the fit. They do run a little snug, so take the advice and go up a size, and don't forget to factor in sock choice as well. If you are a minimal shoe wearer and like room in the toe box, go for a wide width. The Mr has a beautiful pair of dress boots- (Australian) R.M.Williams but I don't think he will ever wear them again as these are classy and much more comfortable. He's never had a pair of dress shoes that a comfortable straight out of the box like these.
  147. Soooo comfortable

    Rating

    I love the Hawthorne Chukkas. They are almost like going barefoot (but warmer :). My first pair was currant (red). Saved up and got the hickory--which is a very versatile medium brown color--goes with so much of my wardrobe. Now saving up to get the black.
  148. Best Shoe Ever Owned

    Rating

    I will keep this review very simple. I have now owned these shoes for almost a year, and quite simply, these are the best shoes I have ever owned in my 32 years of walking, running and cycling. I wear them nearly every day and they keep getting better as they age.
  149. Wonderful shoes

    Rating

    I love wearing my softstar chukkas. My feet no longer hurt from wearing stiff, narrow shoes. They go with almost any outfit. I know that they were made ethically. They are worth every penny.
  150. Love my Hawthorne Chukkas :)

    Rating

    I loved the fit and softness of my currant Hawthorne Chukkas, and needed them in additional colors. The hickory color is beautiful, and the changes SoftStar has made make them even better (sewn in suede lining, color on edges of leather where soles attach). Saving up to buy them in onyx, too.
  151. Comfortable and Clean Looking

    Rating

    I've had these for about a month now and I have to say these are some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. They're easily the most comfortable work shoes I've ever had by a long shot. They need to be water proofed but other than that they're perfect right out of the box. I'm between sizes and ordered the size up as recommended, it's a perfect fit.
  152. Favorite footwear!

    Rating

    I have two pair, black and hickory, and I wear one almost every day. They are very comfortable. They run small, my normal size is 10.5 and these are size 12.
  153. The Quality Assurance Elf Dropped the Ball

    Rating

    The chukka is a 5 star shoe. I followed the size guide and ordered them wide, per the instructions. I'm very satisfied with the fit (more on this below). The sole is flexible and comfortable for all-day urban wear. The leather is soft and also flexible. It's comfortable for hanging out and I would imagine as workwear. It is also thick enough to repel a moderate amount of rain, but I did treat them with a leather wax before wearing them. And with a lightweight wool sock, I found that it didn't get hot walking around all day and I never felt like my feet were sweating. Buuuut, here's the crappy part. I purchased them right before a trip where I'd be walking quite a bit. At the beginning, they were awesome! However, after about four days I started to feel an uncomfortable rubbing on the inside of the left shoe. When I took a look at it, the inside lining of the toe box had separated from the leather exterior. I was initially worried that it came off from wear. But looking at it closely it was not cut properly and not sown properly. I took it to a cobbler who used some natural leather glue and it seems to be holding up. For that reason, I took a star off for the oversight and substandard workmanship, and another for the hassle of having to provide a fix for a new shoe.
  154. best customer service ever

    Rating

    A thief stole all the packages sent our apartment building one day, and these shoes were one of those packages. It took me a few days to figure out what had happened, but when I did I reported the incident to softstar customer support. With a minimal amount of fuss, they arranged for another pair to be shipped. The shoes has been really nice to wear. Really comfortable and they look nice. The perfect barefoot-feeling shoe for those that don't like to draw attention around the office. I walk a bit more than most people, so the soles are starting to show signs of wear after about six weeks of solid use. I recommend these shoes because they are fantastic and softstar, because they customer support is fantastic.
  155. Verified Buyer

    Hiking in Iceland

    Rating

    I took a pair of these on my trip to Iceland for a week with high hopes, and it ended up being a great decision. The shoes were comfortable all through and took on the varied terrain with ease. From walking on black sand beaches to jagged lava caves and snowy mountains, they handled it all in stride. Even when I stood under a glacial waterfall and the leather got soaked through, they dried quickly in the sun and just kept on going. I'm very impressed with the performance and have made these my main hikers. And if they can handle Iceland with comfort and style, then I can pretty much wear them anywhere else with ease. Only designs note: would like some eyelets in the lace holes in future models for some resilience, especially when they get wet.
  156. Wow!

    Rating

    Just beautifully crafted boots! The leather is butter soft and once worn in becomes even better. I'm from Australia and there is nothing of this quality here in barefoot footwear.
  157. Best. Ever.

    Rating

    I don't write reviews for products. I delete every single request to give my $0.02. The fact that I'm willing to sit down and espouse my love for these shoes should be enough, but there's more. These are the best shoes ever. Seriously. I don't want to take them off, and I hate wearing shoes. I will never buy another shoe in my life. They are an investment, but hot damn, they're worth it. The SoftStar team have found the magic shoes sauce, and they're willing to share it with you. YES! I waited months before pulling the trigger and buying these, and for that, I apologize to my feet for making them wait. If you are on the fence, do yourself a favor and BUY THESE SHOES. You won't regret it. You might even be called to stand on a soapbox and declare your love. Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy you these shoes, and these shoes will make you really happy. Note from the Elves: WOW! WOW!! WOW!!! Thanks Ezekiel!!
  158. Great Shoes!

    Rating

    I needed dress shoes for teaching and these fit the bill. While I previously had Vivobarefoot's Ra's, I couldn't get them resoled and they only lasted a couple years. The Chukkas are fairly comfortable and minimalist. They're not as comfortable as my Vivobarefoot shoes because the soles are a little thicker, and the toebox is tighter, but they can be resoled so I figured they are worth it. I only notice the tightness when I arch my toes upward. I'm a size 9 and I ordered a 9, and it seems to fit true to size.
  159. Cloud 10

    Rating

    Forget being on cloud 9, these beauties take it to cloud 10. The comfort is off the charts. The looks are classic and you can travel Europe and the world in style or kick around in them all day in the countryside. Pound the sidewalks, run after buses and trains, float in and out of cafe's. Work in the office in them and then go out to the evening party. No reason to take these off. These babies do it all. Feel the earth under you in comfort. These barefoot shoes will be a go to anytime of the day or night. Don't forget, if the soles happen wear out after a several years, just get 'em resoled. I'm thinking the shoes can last at least 25 years if you put on the leather protection and weatherproofing every now and then. The quality is off the charts. I'm getting the Rogues ASAP and then try the Ramblers. The customer service is the best I've experienced from any company since the 1970's, and that's saying a lot!!!
  160. Best work shoes ever

    Rating

    I absolutely love these shoes. Great traction in wet weather, can walk miles in town and yet look great with a shirt and tie.
  161. Awesome shoes

    Rating

    These shoes are so soft and comfy and I like their classic look, they don't stand out as being 'different'. I have 7U runamocs but I got these in an 8Narrow (my foot is quite narrow) and they still fit loose enough that I can wear thick socks for winter. For extra protection from the rain, I coated them with snoseal beeswax weather protector. I love soft stars. I never feel like I can't wait to get home just so I can take my shoes off. In soft stars I feel like I'm wearing socks all day they are so comfy.
  162. Great replacement for CDB

    Rating

    Love these things. Bought as minimalist alternative to desert boot and will never go back. Have had them for about 3 months now and wear approx 3 times per week to work. I typically wear a size 10 in most shoes and went with an 11 wide in these. I could have probably gone 11 standard, but I don't mind the extra width, especially with a slightly thicker sock like I normally wear to work. I would consider these the most comfortable pair of shoes I currently own. The leather is pretty soft so my only concern is long term durability. Mind you, I have no reason to question the durability at this point as they are still pretty new--just the one concern I would have for the long haul. I think with intelligent care and occasional treatment of the leather, these should last a while.
  163. Great shoe when you dial in the proper size!

    Rating

    As some other reviewers did, I had trouble getting the right size. I ended up with the wide version of my normal size and all is well, thanks to the patience of the Elves! My feet have gotten wider and straighter since wearing minimalist footwear and these aren't particularly straight, which gives them a much more "normal" look, even in the wide version. All in all, very pleased and stoked to have a resoleable shoe! I only wear them without insoles because with the insoles the toe box is a bit cramped, but I got used to the "slippery" feel of them quickly. Worth it!
  164. Love Love Love them!

    Rating

    I have, over the years, purchased several pairs of the Dash, and while they are really nice to wear without socks, I always slip in them when I do wear socks. And in the winter, without socks, my ankles always got too cold. So I finally purchased these shoes because I needed a good minimalist winter shoe I could wear with socks to keep my ankles warm. Well, they fit that category beautifully! While I have (for a woman) a wide foot with a reasonably high arch, these shoes have molded nicely to my foot. When I spoke with an Elf, we discussed my foot length. I am about a third larger than the 7, but definitely not an 8, both in regular width, and so we determined an 8 would work really well. And it has! When it first arrived, I wore it without socks in the house for a while, then added a thin pair of cotton socks. The shoes stretched out nicely after a short time, and so I used Rain & Snow waterproofing on them and started to wear them outside. They have yet to show any marks from any weather we have had, and I love how well they wear and how comfortable they are. I also purchased a set of sheep skin insoles to wear with them and make the soles even warmer. I currently can wear the shoes either with socks and no sheep skin insole (good for keeping my ankles warm on cold days) or no socks and with the sheep skin insole; if I wear them with both the socks and sheep skin insole, they are still too tight, and I really don't want the extra loosening I think they would give me. Also - LOVE the extra leather at the toe! For some reason I raise my toes and my shoes often show my toe outline (I have had this problem for decades even before going minimalist). With the extra leather in the toe, this has yet to happen, so I feel like they have a much nicer look to them; it was a great idea. So I am extremely grateful for SoftStar coming up with the Chukka - it is great for those of us who like taller shoes in the winter to keep our feet warm! When I am wearing them, I really forget that I am wearing shoes, which is as I think it should be!
  165. Excellent shoes for an affordable price!

    Rating

    I've worn Lem's, Five Fingers, Vivobarefoot and they all were great shoes for their purpose, but they seemed to wear out quickly. For what a pair of either of them costs they should last longer than a year in my opinion. Maybe I'm hard to please. When the soles on my Vivobarefoot shoes wore through and I tried to get them resoled I was disappointed to find out they can't be due to the molded sole. I checked out Vivo for something that could be resoled when the time comes and the prices were astronomical! Lem's doesn't carry anything that can be resoled and most other zero drop shoes are either molded soles or priced way out of my range. Then I found Softstar and the Chukkas. These things are amazing! Very comfortable, flexible and they look great. Best of all, when the time comes I can get them resoled and keep on walkin', Thank you elves!
  166. The actual perfect shoe

    Rating

    I received my chukka boots about 2 weeks ago and have worn them every day since. They fit absolutely perfect, they are the most comfortable shoe I've ever put on my foot, and they keep my feet surprisingly warm. They look fantasic with everything that i wear and can comfortably go anywhere. They've gone through snowy -12+ degrees so far wonderfully and will be taking me all around Europe this summer. I typically wear size 8 or 8 1/2, I ordered a (women's) 9 and they fit perfectly to my foot. No uncomfortable breaking in, no sore feet, just pure shoe bliss.
  167. Love my Hawthornes!

    Rating

    You guys, these shoes. They really are just so great. The leather is so soft. And you might think that absolutely flat sole wouldn't be the most comfortable, but it really is. And the red! Swoon! I have a pretty decent sized bunion on one foot so my original intention with these was to wear them with Correct Toes. I knew from reading the product description and emailing with a helpful Elf that Hawthornes do run a bit small. I have a regular width foot--although I do wear a wide running shoe to help accommodate a bunion--and my foot measure a solid 8 in a Brannock device. I measured my foot with the sizing guide download and I was just a bit larger than the 7U so I ordered that in a wide. They fit great as-is, but when I wear them with my Correct Toes, there is a bit of pressure on my big toenails and I think the bunion on my left foot has made that nail sensitive to pressure. I've tried the trick of stuffing cloth into the toes and that helped a bit. One Elf suggested I might consider a size larger but that would be 3/8" longer and that seemed a tad big. I own something I call a shoe deformer that's like a giant scissors with a ball on one arm and a ring on the other that cobblers and shoe stores sometimes use to press out an area of a shoe to make room for bunions. I'm currently adding some extra room around that sensitive toenail and it seems to be working. The leather is so soft, it stretches easily. As I write this I've got my Hawthornes on with Correct Toes in there. Much less pressure than I've had in the past. Also worth noting they come with really nice leather insoles. But when I wear socks I feel like I slide around on that smooth leather. And that would push my sensitive toenail into the end of the shoe. And it's been too cold in Seattle to go without. And the sheepskin liners I could buy also seemed like they'd take up too much room. These shoes come with suede insoles you can slip inside which definitely keep me from sliding around. All in all, I'm extremely happy with these shoes and after a bit of tinkering to shut up my cranky, buniony feet, they're working out just as I'd hoped. Plus, I love that they're handmade and sort of local to me here in Seattle.
  168. Great shoes, but a couple of minor issues

    Rating

    I've had my Chukkas for more than a year and have found them to be a great pair of shoes to wear at the office - I love that they look professional and feel like I'm wearing slippers. I did run into a couple of minor (and fixable) issues with mine; the sole started to detach from one and needed to be glued back on, and the included laces broke in several places quite quickly.
  169. My favorite!

    Rating

    I own 5 styles of soft star shoes, including Phoenix boots and these are by far my favorite! I have them in red and black. I have hiked rugged trails of the Smokey Mountains wearing them and I wear them daily for work, standing and walking on concrete all day. Excellent show for people new to minimalist footwear.
  170. Soft

    Rating

    I buy a pair of minimal shoes every time I run another 1,000 miles barefooted. This helps me feel I am barefooted when I have on shoes. The Hawthorne Chukka - Hickorys are for my 4,000 mile reward. They are light, soft, comfortable. I am enjoying them and receive questions and compliments each time I wear them. They feel better each time I put them on. Note from the Elves: WOW Jerrie!! Congrats on all your barefooting miles!!
  171. Verified Buyer

    Best Shoes

    Rating

    I have previously been unable to wear minimalist shoes... which were often to tight, narrow and uncomfortable for me feet. These shoes, ordered in 'wide' were absolutely perfect and are more comfortable by the day.
  172. my almost perfect shoes

    Rating

    These are my first soft star shoes and now I want to replace all my other shoes... Super comfortable, classic look. I walk about 30 minutes in my daily commute in NYC, and bought these to replace dress boots which is my usual work wear in 20-50 degree weather. The shoes have actually been surprising warm even in the 20s with a some snow on the ground. Maybe because my toes aren't mashed together they get better circulation. I wouldn't stand around on freezing concrete in these or wear them in slushy or deep snow, but great for moderate winter commute/walking. Unfortunately, I think I'd have to size up to use a sheepskin innersole. Also, I'm not into the smooth leather innersole, I don't like the way my toes slides into the front of the shoe. I think smooth leather innersole works in tighter fitting "conventional" dress shoes because your feet don't have anywhere to slide. I tried the suede liners, but they bunched up when I was walking, which I found even more uncomfortable. In short, these are definitely my favorite shoes, and I hope to buy a second pair as they are almost, but not quite perfect. I also think they should include some indication of shoe width on the sizing chart, would have been nice to avoid return/exchange shipping.
  173. Like slippers with a sole!

    Rating

    I have larger feet, so I was really hoping I would fit into the 13 since that is the biggest one they make. Fortunately, they fit wonderfully AND they might even be more comfortable than the SoftStar moccasins that I have been wearing for years. If you are looking for a "true" barefoot feel, be aware that the stack height on these is something like 12mm, which will likely make the purists scoff. Their loss! These things are COMFY! And, they can be resoled, so I think that's worth a bit in trade. I don't use the included suede innersoles, which keeps the thickness down, but I also don't slide around much since my feet are on the larger size. I used some Nikwax to apply a bit of a waterproof coating to these. The only difference I have seen is that the leather has a more matte black look now, but water beads right off.
  174. Ridiculously comfortable and perfect

    Rating

    I've loved these shoes from the moment I got them. They look great, feel great, have terrific quality, and are truly minimalist. My only advice is to be careful wearing these in wet weather; they don't repel water very well, which might be by design. I'm planning to try some wax on the leather in the future. All in all, a fantastic boot and one that I plan to buy over and over again!
  175. Warm for winter

    Rating

    I needed to switch from ballerines now that it's getting colder and these are perfect, so comfortable and warm!
  176. Another great shoe from Soft Star

    Rating

    I wear a 5 wide. These shoes do take a bit of "break in" since they fit very snugly at first. After a couple of weeks of use I am now able to wear them with the sheepskin insoles. If they were a little wider and more square at the toe box they would be perfect for me. I am between a wide and double wide width. This is a difficulty of my foot size not the soft star shoe. Soft star shoes are the only shoes I have ever worn in my life that are not painful. I am 51 so I have some experience with shoes. These are very well made as are all of my soft star shoes. They are my sixth pair. The style goes with anything and they are very comfortable. I am very pleased that they will be able to be resoled when needed. I have found that all of my soft star shoes to be very durable and the sole is not worn out much even after years of use. I hope that this company stays in business as long as I need shoes. I do not know what I would do without out their products.
  177. My favorite shoes

    Rating

    I love the classic look of these shoes, it's hard to even tell they are minimalist. They are some of the most comfortable shoes I own and they look great with just about everything. The leather is incredibly soft and they are ready to wear right out of the box, they don't take any time to break in. The thickness of the sole is great, theyre thin enough to feel the ground and have great flexibility, but thick enough so that walking on rough surfaces like gravel is still comfortable. I only have two minor worries with the shoe. One, there is a small tag on the sole inside each shoe which I can feel poking me through my socks. It makes them slightly annoying to wear without the suede insoles. Two, the eyelets for the laces have no reinforcement and I'm not sure how they will hold up in the long run. These two issues are so small though I don't think they're enough reason to give less than a five star review due to comfort, style, and quality of these shoes!
  178. great

    Rating

    Reading the reviews and following the steps above (to print the size chart) I was able to get the correct size on the first order...I wear these to work and feel like I was cheating on my work clothes because I felt like I was wearing slippers to work...they are awesome! While I have only had them about a month I wear them just about every day and they still look new. I did put the water treatment on them that they sell and when I did wear them out in the rain it didnt seem to cause any problems with the chukka! These are a great pair of shoes that are very comfortable and much better on my knees than my dress shoes! I will have to figure out which ones to get for the summer when it becomes shorts weather again....
  179. Classic Look Barefoot Comfort

    Rating

    We are lucky to live close enough to Corvallis to try on sizes before ordering, which seems to be most people's problem with them. These have thicker sole, so make walking on pavement a bit easier than my wife's dash's with the 2mm sole; though pavement is pavement. Very dressy looking. They don't look like "alternative" shoes. Actually the best looking shoes I have owned (save one pair that had leather soles and so were not good for rain). these are great in the rain.
  180. Didn't fit right

    Rating

    I tried a couple of different sizes and they just didn't fit my foot correctly. I think because it is a unisex shoe it was just too sloppy, even in a smaller size. The shoe was nice looking and seemed well made. It was a bummer to pay the return shipping twice. But i had to at least try them.
  181. Very nice

    Rating

    I love these shoes. They are well made, very soft and comfortable. I got the sheepskin innersole and probably should have chosen a size bigger to accomodate this.
  182. Curiosity

    Rating

    Agreeing with the positive and the critical feedback. Since this is different than other SS by being wider in ankle and tighter in toes, and generally I'm better with the seam-in design, I want to know if an ankle boot will be made seam-in, with identical proportions to Metro -- narrower ankle and wider toe. [And if that happened, I would want to know what size to get in a Metro-like Chukka, being a size 11 Metro]. Note from the Elves: Thanks Greta. We are always looking ahead to new styles/designs and appreciate your feedback!
  183. Lightweight & Comfy

    Rating

    I've had these shoes now for about a month and I'm loving them. Lightweight and super comfortable. Great for traveling.
  184. Chic, elegant comfort

    Rating

    These are so beautiful I almost didn't want to wear them - but I got over that and they are perfection. They go with everything, they felt great day one (like shoes SHOULD). LOVE all my Soft Stars. I don't want anything else on my feet!
  185. Great option for minimalist boots

    Rating

    I've been embracing the barefoot shoe lifestyle since March. However a majority of that time has been warm, dry weather, perfect for sandals and ballet flats. Now that fall weather has arrived, I needed something to keep my feet warm without compromising my sense of style. These boots fit the bill. Comfortable and fashionable enough. It's hard to breakaway from the thought that shoes need a heel to be stylish on a woman, but the comfort and design of these are helping me to be confident in my new style.
  186. Beautiful shoes

    Rating

    Beautiful, soft, comfortable. My favorite shoes ever. I got them, along with sheepskin inner soles, as the weather cooled here in the Pacific northwest. I treated them with Bee Natural Leathercare to help with the rain. They've kept up pretty well! I wear women's size 12 extra narrow. They fit like a dream and the quality of the materials and craftsmanship speak for themselves.
  187. Angels Weep upon beauty of this caliber.

    Rating

    Heaven has been located. It's on my feet. Anyone who gives the chukkas less than a 5 star review... feel free to mail them to me and I'll find them a home worthy of such a blessing. Elves, kudos.
  188. Glad I ordered the larger size

    Rating

    I've been trying to get over a foot condition called sesamoiditis for several months now. It is impossible to find shoes that give my toes room to spread not to mention a completely flat sole. These have worked great. My foot is feeling the best it has in a very long time. The recommendation was to order a size larger than you usually would. I usually wear a women's 9.5, or Men's 8 but I ordered the men's size 9. It is a good roomy but not floppy fit. It works well with thicker socks, but is too loose for thinner socks. I wish there were half sizes, b/c the boot is about a half size too big. If I had gotten the 8 though, it probably would have taken awhile to stretch out to a comfortable fit and I would have to wear thin socks with it.
  189. Exceedingly pleased!

    Rating

    Ive been wearing these boots non-stop since receiving them. They are exactly what I've been looking for. Theyre stylish and functional, suitable for wearing with my Sunday's best, but just as appropriate with jeans and a t shirt. Having worn runamocs for years now I had high expectations for these and they have definitely surpassed my expectations! These even work well for running to catch the bus in the morning! They took a day or so to stretch out but were comfortable right out of the box. I'm almost afraid to scuff them or get them dirty, I don't want them to wear down :( Anyway, im very happy with these. Thanks for another quality offering!
  190. Brilliant! - sheepskin innersole is a must

    Rating

    I have had these shoes for over a year. I have two pairs of Dash's but needed something warmer for winter. Tried the Chukkas for a few weeks and hated them. Foot slips all over the place on the slippery sole and had strange feeling of stepping on heel when walking. Put them away and forgot about them for a few months. Had a pair of sheepskin innersoles I had tried with my Dash's but didn't like them, Dash's are better without innersole and even better without socks. Glued the innersoles into Chukka's and viola! Totally different shoe. Like the Dash's they still take 2-3 months to wear in completely, but be patient. When done these shoes mold completely to foot. Leather is such super high quality, thick but soft after a years wears still look great. Scuffs just wipe off, so soft they can feel like wearing slippers outside (which is a bit weird) but warm enough for cold southern Australian winters with a good pair of wool socks. When the terrain gets really wet and sloppy and rough I have a pair of waterproof walking boots. For everything else in winter I use these. When temperature climbs towards 20 degrees Celsius they get a bit warm and sweaty. Thanks Soft star, don't change these shoes I will be getting another pair when these wear out but this won't be anytime soon as they are so well made. Note from the Elves: We wanted to let you know that after the initial launch of this style, we started including a removable suede innersole with each pair of Chukkas. Many fans enjoyed the look of the smooth leather innersole, but based on customer input we found the suede insert helps if you are sliding like you did - so now everyone has the option to wear their chukkas with or without the innersole insert. Thanks for the review!
  191. Outstanding

    Rating

    I had to hunt far and wide to find a quality minimalist dress shoe and I wish I would have discovered these sooner. They meet all the requirements of a minimalist shoe without attracting unwanted attention in an office environment - my only criteria other than long life. [Disclaimer: I haven't had them very long, so I can't speak to their long-term durability, but they appear sturdy so far.] These things do need a little breaking in with the toe area (the towel-stretching method worked for me) but they are worth the trouble. I'm able to flex my toes around sufficiently, even with the smooth innersole inserted.
  192. Love them after I removed the inside toe cap

    Rating

    I bought these beautiful red boots back in July but didn't start wearing them until 3 weeks ago. I needed to order the narrow and sized up from my usual size hoping it would allow extra room for my toes. Even in a narrow, the laces pull the sides of the shoe totally together, so there is no way that the regular width would work for me. But, it seemed a little tight against my pinky toe in the toe box width, but I thought they would stretch a lot like my dashes. Well, after wearing them a few times, it seemed like they were not stretching very much and they felt still much more "oppressive" on my toes than my other Soft Star shoes, so I tried stuffing them with socks to stretch them for a few days like I did my other SSS. Still no change. I had read a review on the black chukka that said they removed the glued in toe cap that is in the inside of the toe box and it made them more comfortable, and more like the dashes. So I checked with the elves to make sure if I did that it wouldn't hurt the shoe, and indeed they said to go ahead. It's not an easy process and works better if you grip one end with needle nosed pliers and pry the leather apart with your opposite thumb (both of my thumbnails are now sore). You can't just pull them out with your fingers easily. I think it took me 30 minutes to do the first one! But in the end, it was soo worth is and the shoes are super soft and comfortable now. Although the other reviewer said it changed the look of the shoe, honestly, my shoe does not look that different from before. If I move my toes around, you can see them more, but that's it. I like they way they feel much better without the toe cap. They are like beautiful red slippers. The elves told me that you can request the shoe without the toe cap when you order it. It will save you a lot of finger torture, if you prefer it without.
  193. My new favorite shoes!!

    Rating

    I love the quality, shape, and just out of the box comfort these shoes have. You guys have built an amazing shoe!
  194. So cute with a skirt!

    Rating

    Super comfy butter soft leather. I wore them all over London and felt very chic. :-)
  195. Very comfortable but runs small

    Rating

    These are very comfortable and look to be well built. They do run small, as Softstar warns: I usually wear an 11, so I ordered a 12 after using Softstar's sizing sheet. But I needed to exchange these for a 13. The nice thing is that the toebox has is more traditional shape to it, while still being roomy (in comparison to some other barefoot brands that have flipper-like toeboxes). At any rate, the leather is soft while also thick. I am hoping that the fact that these are re-solable will offset the high cost of the shoe. The quality of the uppers suggests they will last a long time.
  196. Wish I could keep them

    Rating

    I really liked these shoes - the leather was beautiful and soft, they were light and well made. I had to return them because the toe box was too low for me. My big toes turn up so shoes with flat [ter] toe box do not fit. Wish The Soft Star could accommodate people like myself. I would have ordered the RunAmocs too.....
  197. So comfy!

    Rating

    I bought a second pair of these - now I have 2 colours, and they are equally good for hiking in the mountains and wearing to work. I love my Soft Star chukkas!
  198. Quite Comfortable

    Rating

    I have a small foot (men's 5 1/2). How nice it was to find a shoemaker who makes shoes to my size. The shoes are so comfortable, just the right length and with a wide toe box. I had to send one pair back b/c, to my amazement, they were too short. There was no hassle at all. I received the right size shoes promptly. Great customer service.
  199. Lovely!

    Rating

    These are classy. Sophisticated. But what I love most is they are different. The red is a beautiful color and looks fantastic with a pair of jeans. I paid the extra for the sheepskin innersoles, which makes these comfortable shoes even more so. Great fit and they feel great right out of the box.
  200. Verified Buyer

    A good shoe after some changes

    Rating

    I like the look of the Hawthornes but they are simply not as comfortable as anything else Soft Star offers. Other reviews have mentioned that the toe box narrows in what seems an attempt to make them look more like classic office wear. I appreciate the attempt but as casual shoes they ended up being uncomfortable in the toes so much I shelved them and stuck with my many other Soft Stars which I adore. THE FIX: Now seeing as I really like this company and what they put out, I thought long and hard about the Hawthornes and how I could make them better for me if possible. I found that the biggest problem is the double layers of leather in the toe area that are there no doubt to help make the shoes look more professional. Luckily, its only glued in. So I pulled the extra layer of leather out from the inside of the toe box and just like that my Hawthornes were comfy. Granted, the single layer of leather has now stretched to look like my toes, much like the Dash and Portlanders do, but they are comfortable, even with the sheepskin insole. I consider that to be a big win. For others who want the professional smooth look, that probably won't work, but for anybody looking for a casual and comfortable minimalist chukka it worked out really well. It would be nice if in the future an option was offered to get the shoes without the reinforced toe area.
  201. Great look!

    Rating

    I love the look of these shoes! The fit is a bit different from my Dashes (4 pairs!). The heel is a bit looser, even in a narrow, and the toebox is a bit narrower.
  202. Amazing shoe from an amazing company!

    Rating

    I got these shoes last October and liked them but basically saved them for special occasions. When they said they'd send me free suede innersoles to stop the slipping of your foot inside the shoe, I ordered them right away. Now they are so comfortable that I want to wear them all the time. What a great company to do something like this for its customers. I'll be back!
  203. Just gorgeous

    Rating

    I love these shoes so much! They are great for city walking--very flexible, flat, wide toe box, but just a bit springier than other Soft Stars I've tried. And they are quite flattering to my very large (women's size 11) feet. The leather is beautiful, too.
  204. Love my new shoes!

    Rating

    These shoes are so, so soft and wonderful on my feet. I don't want to wear anything else. And they may be comfortable, but they don't look like "comfortable" shoes (which are usually horribly ugly). I'm so happy that I no longer have to sacrifice style for happy feet! The leather is beautiful and is holding up well to winter (I treated them before wearing them outside in the salt and slush). I have a 7U and usually wear a women's 8, and these are a tad big on me, but I never tried the smaller size (I feared that it would be too small). After tripping over the toes a few times my feet have gotten used to the size and I appreciate how much nice space there is for my toes to be free. I will buy another pair of Soft Stars as soon as I can manage it.
  205. You've Got to be Kidding!

    Rating

    Okay, I'll be candid here.. I a Brooks Brothers kind of guy, including their outrageously expensive shoes...that are great for their purpose. However, I cannot praise the comfort, quality, and attention to detail these shoes have. I worn them from Washington DC to Dar es Salaam Tanzania - - wow, what comfort. I wear them every other day in this very hot humid country of Tanzania. After I arrived I immediately ordered the brown color... My wife arrives in 2 weeks. I can't wait for her to arrive.......uhhh, also with the shoes.
  206. Great looking barefoot shoe

    Rating

    I very much like the Chukka's style and the flexible design. However, the slippery smooth leather sole inside does not provide sufficient grip for a barefoot shoe. I think the gait forces are transferred mostly via foot inner sole friction rather than by the tight form fit of conventional shoes. Grinding the inner sole with rough sandpaper improved the friction and sensory feedback. The rubber sole is a bit bouncy for my taste, a second option with more dense rubber would be great.
  207. Good looking, disappointing fit

    Rating

    These are my third pair of Soft Stars and I think they're the nicest looking of the bunch. The toe area is more formed so they look like "normal" shoes. I was debating between black and brown and I'm glad I got the black. That being said, they're also my least comfortable Soft Stars. They're a bit too wide around the middle of my foot even though I got a narrow (which fits me perfectly in the Dash), and one side presses on my big toe and gets uncomfortable after a few hours. I also really don't like sliding around on the smooth insole, but don't feel like I've got enough room in the toes to add the sheepskin insoles. They're more comfortable than the chukkas I have from another brand, but considering the price I was hoping the fit would be better. I've been wishing for an ankle boot from Soft Star for a couple of years now and these don't quite live up to my hopes. Note from Soft Star: Dear Reno - Thanks for your good input! Please let us know if you would like us to send you a suede insole to keep you from sliding in the shoe. We are weighing customer input to modify the design to incorporate a suede insole as standard against the dressier look of the vegetable tanned insole - so the shoe may be seeing some changes later in 2016 based on customer input.
  208. My husband's favorite shoes

    Rating

    My husband previously bought another pair of Soft Stars for work... I don't remember what they were called, but he liked them okay. Now, he wants these in black and brown. He says that while he loves his other Soft Stars, these are his favorites and feels they look extremely professional. I agree. During the first week we got these shoes, we got stuck in Chicago during a winter storm and the streets flooded. As we had no other shoes with us, these things were submerged completely in icy/salty water on and off for hours. Though they certainly look worn now, they stood up to the conditions and are still wearable. I am bummed that happened, but we will be buying more of this shoe.
  209. Love It!

    Rating

    I love these boots! I ordered them in the "Currant" color, a lovely cherry. They don't offer the ground feel the other shoes I have from Softstar (Dash, Ballerine Sport, and Mary Jane) offer, but less ground feel is precisely what I was looking for since I'm currently scheduled to do a lot of walking on cobblestones soon. A day of walking on cobblestones with the thin soles I have on Dash is too jolting. My Correct Toes (love them too) are an easy fit with my Dashes, a tighter fit with the chukka. I'm sure the chukka will eventually accommodate the Correct Toes as comfortably as the Dashes, I'll just have to spend a little time allowing the leather uppers of the chukka to stretch. (I already wear a wide width so couldn't size up in width to accommodate the Correct Toes.) I bought the fleece insoles and love them too. I suspect the Correct Toes would fit easily without the fleece insoles, but the fleece ups the cozy factor. I'm sixty-five, so while I love wearing the chukkas with pants, I'm not sure yet whether I can pull off the look of the chukkas with a skirt. I will tell you this though, when I'm wearing my jeans, a classic white shirt and these beautiful red chukkas to the grocery store, all of a sudden the butcher flirts with me. Within the next year, I'll probably purchase these chukkas in black and hickory. I second the plea for the chukkas in blue. Something like the Nova Cerulean?
  210. So worth the wait!

    Rating

    I have been eagerly waiting for these boots to be available and love them! As someone who only wears Soft Star shoes, I have to say that these are my favorite. They look stylish yet unique and the color is beautiful. As with all Soft Star shoes, there was no break in period and the shoes are beautifully made. The only trouble I had was that the inside sole felt slippery, causing my socks to bunch up uncomfortably. Then I decided to add the sheepskin insole, which solved that problem. The insole is also fantastic for keeping my feet warm. All in all, it's the perfect shoe. It's also the only shoe I've worn since they arrived on my door step 2 months ago.
  211. Insanely comfortable

    Rating

    I own several styles of Soft Star shoes and I think these are my favorites. Insanely comfortable right out of the box. Worn the first time for several hours with no break-in at all. The hickory leather is a classic chukka color. The onyx is beautiful too, almost dressy. I wish they came in a nice dark blue!
  212. Yeah!

    Rating

    Really glad to have a minimal shoe with a more rugged tread on the sole. Thrilled that they are available in the wide width!!!!!!! They are comfortable. I do wish for more room around the big toe. I ordered the wide width, as I always do. I have the kind of big toe that sort of sticks up . . . you can almost always see the outline of my big toe nail through my shoes. That is the place my shoes wear out first. I've worn these about 15 times now, for one to several hours each time. There are still tighter than I'd like over the big toe. Other than that these are great shoes. VERY nice looking. I've gotten several compliments on them. Keep up the great work, Soft Star! FYI: I did try a size bigger, but they were too long.
  213. Fabulous!

    Rating

    I adore my new Hickory Chukkas! The color is luscious, the fit is great (Soft Star size 9N, my usual Soft Star size). I love the thicker soles, feel so comfy walking around. I’m so glad I splurged and bought these! They’re fabulous - it's true, these chukkas are just right!
  214. Just right!

    Rating

    I'd been searching for a minimalist/barefoot chukka-style shoe for a while now and was thrilled when Soft Star unveiled their latest design. I wear a 5U in Soft Stars (I'm usually a women's size 6) and initially ordered "up" in this style as recommended, but realized that the 6U would be too large once the leather stretched. Now after wearing my 5U's for several weeks, I can say I'm glad I went with my regular size. At first, the toe box area was a little tight, but now the shoe overall is perfect...fits my foot like a soft glove with a more substantial sole. I've worn thinner socks with them, but I imagine they'd be fine barefoot, too. I added sheepskin insoles to mine (after allowing the shoes to stretch out first), making my feet slip less and adding softness and a little warmth. The hickory color is a perfect brown to go with everything! The only thing I'd wish for would be shorter laces...a problem I have with many shoes in my smaller size. I'm hoping these hold out for years to come...they're just what I wanted. Note from the Elves: Thanks Becky! You might want to try our leather laces as you can trim them to whatever length you would like! Also we might have some shorter laces available for you, but probably not in the same waxed version you have now.
  215. Perfect addition to my lineup

    Rating

    I adore my new Hawthorne chukkas in Currant! They were super comfortable right out of the box which suprised me. I expected some break-in time on the toebox, but no need. Another of my concerns before ordering was the ankle height. I was afraid the leather might be stiff, but no such thing. The leather is supple and soft enough that my ankles didn't feel bound at all. I have a number of Soft Star shoes and wear every sole thickness from moccasin to RunAmoc. The chukkas are a little thicker than the RunAmoc sole, but for winter use I think that's a good thing. I don't know how rain-worthy they will be because I don't want to take a chance on spotting that lovely red color. I expect excellent durability considering how I've worn my other SoftStar shoes for years now and have seen very little wear signs on any of them. Once I've worn them a while, I think I'll add the fleece soles just for cushy fabulousness. Right now they fit perfectly with regular socks. I did call SoftStar before I ordered so they could recommend size based on my past order history. The customer service elves are fantastic and have always given me great advice. In short, I am delighted with my new shoes as I am with all my SoftStars (8 pairs now!). Thank you, elves!!
  216. Love

    Rating

    I really really really love these boots. My feet love the minimal sole, and the rest of me loves the way they look. Very versatile--I can wear them with trousers or skirts to work (business casual) or jeans. They seem very well put together, and I believe will last many years, with care. The sheepskin inner sole is pretty much a requirement, as my foot slides around inside the shoe without it.
  217. Soft & buttery

    Rating

    I have been buying Soft Star shoes for my daughter for the last 5 years. The last time I ordered a pair of DYO shoes for her, I decided it was time to get a pair for myself. The Chukka boot had just been released and looked like a good option for work. From the first wear, my reaction has been positive. These are the softest shoes I have ever owned. The soft & buttery leather is conforming to my feet and adding to the experience. I'm not one for overt attempts at fashion; however, my optician really dug my "cute" boots (her words). Said she was getting a pair for her boyfriend.
  218. BEAUTIFUL AND ALMOST RIGHT

    Rating

    I have just discovered the Soft Star brand and am trying out different styles to see what will work well with my relatively narrow foot that has a big bunion! It's an endless quest, so I was thrilled to come upon Soft Star. I bought the Chukkas in the currant color, which is very nice. The quality of the construction of this shoe is excellent. The leather is beautifully soft and supple. The toebox accommodates my bunion very comfortably. Sadly, I must return these shoes for two reasons. I bought the equivalent of a woman's size 9 since that's what I usually wear. However, there was too much width in the shoe right where the shoelaces are tied and the leather looked bunched up there. I have a little extra room at the toe and was going to try the wide width one size down but I've already had to send back the ballerine flats for a different size and there is not free return shipping. The other problem for me with this shoes is that although I only wear flat-soled shoes, I'm not looking for a barefoot experience and I found the soles on this shoe a little too thin. I need more protection for the bottom of my feet for walking outside. I don't really care for the other styles that are offered, but I'll keep checking back on the Soft Star site to see what's new. I gave these shoes 4 stars because probably for many people, they're just right!
  219. Great Shoes!!!

    Rating

    These are *fantastic* shoes overall-in style and comfort. I think they are the most comfortable shoes I own--starting right out of the box! Love them! I have the currant color--and they are a really great, deeper shade of red. I have gotten so many compliments on them. I also purchased the sheepskin innersoles--but have not put them in the shoes yet. I am looking forward to trying them out once the weather cools off here in the South. Thanks for the lovely shoes, Soft Star Elves!!! I hope to see them in more colors soon--blue hawthorne chukkas, perhaps?
  220. Style AND comfort!

    Rating

    With or without socks these are hands down the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I occasionally feel a tiny bit of rubbing from the seam near the instep, but this likely has to do with the fact that my feet are high volume with low arches; regardless, there has so far been no irritation associated with this, it's just something I have noticed. I wish I could justify buying the other two colors right now!! These have instantly become my go-to everyday shoe. The leather softly hugs the feet, and the insole/vibram geo combo feels comfortable without being too squishy. I love my Hawthorne Chukkas!
  221. Coziest Shoe Ever

    Rating

    Solstice is my summer shoe & Metro has me covered for fall and spring, but I didn't have a Soft Star shoe for winter (I tried RunAmocs, but I just couldn't go there with my style). Now I have Hawthornes and I see wearing them every day this winter. My other Soft Stars are 9W, but after putting some sheepskin insoles in my Metros and seeing how much better they looked and felt, I realized I only needed a 9 and ordered that size in the Hawthorne. I tend to buy shoes that fit exactly when I try them on and then end up with shoes that are too big once the leather stretches. The Hawthornes are snug and I can see how others may want more wiggle room for their toes, but even with athletic socks, I think my Hawthornes are just right. Even through my socks, my feet felt enveloped in gentle leather caresses. While I love the currant color in theory, I don't think the shade quite works with my wardrobe. After a friend admired them, I mentioned possibly having them dyed black and she told me I shouldn't. I may try for a more burgundy red. Also, I think I could wear them with dressier outfits if the sole wasn't contrasting natural leather. The look is a bit too rugged for my NYC life. Overall, I wore them all over the city yesterday and never felt a cobblestone or broken piece of glass like I often do with my other Soft Stars. I want the Hawthorne sole on ALL of my shoes. Actually, I might keep the current pair and simply splurge on another pair in black… Note from Soft Star: Thanks for the great feedback Lola - please note that if you wish to dye & polish the color the contrasting natural leather sole to be black - that should be an easy trick for your local cobbler.
  222. THE most beautiful color of red

    Rating

    I just received my Hawthornes this week, and they are beautiful, comfortable and fit perfectly. I wear a size 9 in all my other soft stars, and I ordered the same size. My feet measure on the small size for a 9, so I had no problems with the fit like the other reviewer did. I am so happy these came out. I am a teacher and wear the Merry Jane Metros to work, but I wanted something for fall and winter this year so my feet wouldn't get so cold. My only regret is that I didn't just pony up for the sheepskin insoles with these.
  223. Excellent Shoe - Near Perfect

    Rating

    The Hawthorne is my 4th pair of Soft Stars. They arrived Thursday and today is Monday. I can say that I've worn them every day and haven't experienced any discomfort. The thickness of the shoe is perfect for someone who may be just transitioning into minimal footwear. I find my feet aren't tired at the end of the day, as I've noticed with the Rambler that I've worn for nearly three years. I absolutely love the quality and thought that goes into the designs of the Soft Stars shoe collection. The Hawthorne doesn't disappoint. Although the toebox is not as wide as other models offered by Soft Star, I believe the tighter fit of the Hawthorne is essential for the shoe's ability to maintain its form throughout many years of wear and tear. The sole being replaceable was icing on the cake. I look forward to adding the two additional Hawthorne colorways to my collection.
  224. order a larger size

    Rating

    I wear only Soft Star shoes. I have 5 different styles. The are all size 9. I just tried on size 9 Chukka's with very thin socks. Like every other Soft Star shoe I have tried, they are well made, good looking, and will feel great, but they are too short. My toes are squished by the length, the width is fine. I am returning and getting a size 10.
  225. Classic

    Rating

    I am on my first day wearing these boots. I think they will be a great multi season addition to my wardrobe- looking good with cropped pants, leggings and skirts alike. However, the biggest adjustment for me with these boots is the smooth intersole. My feet slide around a bit inside and it feels less barefoot to not have that connected grip between the foot and the ground. The first review mentions putting in a sheepskin innersole which I think would be a fantastic winter addition that would resolve this.
  226. Classically Cool, CRAZY Comfortable!

    Rating

    I am a Soft Star "Elf" and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do an advance review of the Hawthorne Chukka. I was SUPER excited to try the shoe, as I really love taking traditional "men's" fashion pieces and putting my own spin on them. I chose the the red, "Currant" color because I thought they would make a bold-yet-classy statement; boy, was I right! I receive compliments every time I wear them, and I wear them constantly! They look great with jeans and a fitted flannel, but my favorite way to show them off is sock-less with a dress or skirt. All of my friends, both men and women, want a pair, especially after I take them off and let them feel how, soft, light, and flexible they are! The sole has a classic, traditional look while still giving me great ground feel– they are perfect for keeping me out of the puddles now that the rainy Pacific Northwest winter is on its way. The Vibram GEO soles feel great after all day on my feet and walking around town. The innersole is a very beautiful, smooth leather (looks very dressy) but is new and different from my Soft Star experience with suede soles. I tried adding a sheepskin innersole. When the shoes were new, this felt too snug and I took them out – but now that I have been wearing the shoes for a few months they have stretched a little - I added the sheepskin innersoles back in and feel like I have a warm winter boot in the package of a dress shoe. I also like the smooth innersole now – just was different from what I expected. They look great after 2 months of continuous wear. You've GOT to try this shoe :)
  227. Classically Cool, CRAZY Comfortable!

    Rating

    I am a Soft Star "Elf" and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do an advance review of the Hawthorne Chukka. I was SUPER excited to try the shoe, as I really love taking traditional "men's" fashion pieces and putting my own spin on them. I chose the the red, "Currant" color because I thought they would make a bold-yet-classy statement; boy, was I right! I receive compliments every time I wear them, and I wear them constantly! They look great with jeans and a fitted flannel, but my favorite way to show them off is sock-less with a dress or skirt. All of my friends, both men and women, want a pair, especially after I take them off and let them feel how, soft, light, and flexible they are! The sole has a classic, traditional look while still giving me great ground feel– they are perfect for keeping me out of the puddles now that the rainy Pacific Northwest winter is on its way. The Vibram GEO soles feel great after all day on my feet and walking around town. The innersole is a very beautiful, smooth leather (looks very dressy) but is new and different from my Soft Star experience with suede soles. I tried adding a sheepskin innersole. When the shoes were new, this felt too snug and I took them out – but now that I have been wearing the shoes for a few months they have stretched a little - I added the sheepskin innersoles back in and feel like I have a warm winter boot in the package of a dress shoe. I also like the smooth innersole now – just was different from what I expected. They look great after 2 months of continuous wear. You've GOT to try this shoe :)
  228. Classically Cool, CRAZY Comfortable!

    Rating

    I am a Soft Star "Elf" and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do an advance review of the Hawthorne Chukka. I was SUPER excited to try the shoe, as I really love taking traditional "men's" fashion pieces and putting my own spin on them. I chose the the red, "Currant" color because I thought they would make a bold-yet-classy statement; boy, was I right! I receive compliments every time I wear them, and I wear them constantly! They look great with jeans and a fitted flannel, but my favorite way to show them off is sock-less with a dress or skirt. All of my friends, both men and women, want a pair, especially after I take them off and let them feel how, soft, light, and flexible they are! The sole has a classic, traditional look while still giving me great ground feel– they are perfect for keeping me out of the puddles now that the rainy Pacific Northwest winter is on its way. The Vibram GEO soles feel great after all day on my feet and walking around town. The innersole is a very beautiful, smooth leather (looks very dressy) but is new and different from my Soft Star experience with suede soles. I tried adding a sheepskin innersole. When the shoes were new, this felt too snug and I took them out – but now that I have been wearing the shoes for a few months they have stretched a little - I added the sheepskin innersoles back in and feel like I have a warm winter boot in the package of a dress shoe. I also like the smooth innersole now – just was different from what I expected. They look great after 2 months of continuous wear. You've GOT to try this shoe :)
Write Your Own Review

You're reviewing: Adult Hawthorne Chukka
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Customer Questions
Sorry, but no. The Hawthorne Chukka is made with a more complex process than our other shoes and uses a unique grade of leather only available in the colors we offer.

The regular width Hawthorne Chukka fits tighter than our other adult shoes, so ordering one size larger than your normal Softstar size is recommended for most people. The Wide width is roomier in the toebox, and most people don't need to size up unless they are towards the upper end of their size range.

The Hawthorne Chukka in regular width is more fitted than most of our shoes, so we recommend ordering the Wide width if you are concerned about toe splay.

This version of our Hawthorne Chukka has rubber soles and is not grounded. But we do make a leather-sole version that is grounded. You can find it here.

Use our Sole Shape Comparison Tool to visualize how the Regular vs. Wide widths differ between many of our adult styles including the Dash, Hawthorne, Merry Jane, Oxford, Phoenix, Solstice, Switchback, Primal Merry Jane, Primal RunAmoc, and Primal Sawyer.

Softstar shoes that are still in brand new condition may be returned for a refund for any reason within 45 days of receipt from any country in the world. This also applies to shoes that you customized with your own unique colors and motifs. We will refund the full cost of the shoes, but customers are responsible for all return shipping charges.

Visit our returns page to learn more.

There are some exceptions to this policy: shoes treated with leather care products, shoes purchased from our biannual clearance sales and shoes made with advanced requests are non-returnable.

Your refund will be applied after the shoes arrive at our shop. If you would like to exchange your shoes for a different size/color/style then you can simply place a new order at your convenience.

Please let us know if you need help with a return. Softstar also has a Happy Feet Guarantee which outlines replacements/returns for workmanship, fit or durability concerns. 

We 100% guarantee we will repair or replace any defects in leather, sheepskin or workmanship free of charge within 30 days of receiving your shoes. This does not cover wear and tear or misuse on behalf of the consumer. Wear and tear is damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of normal use.

We stand by our product and will send you a return shipping label and either repair or replace your shoes if they fail for durability as described below:

  • Peeling of leather finish or print within the first 6 weeks, excluding our shiny leathers which naturally scuff and/or develop patina appearance with normal wear.
  • Stitching defects within first 3 months.
  • Heel support detachment within 3 months.
  • Innersole bunching, coming loose or developing bald spot within 3 months.
  • Sole delamination within 3 months.
  • Leather inlays coming loose within 6 months.
  • Non-functional closures (VelcroTM, buckles, elastic failures, zippers) within 12 months.

Click here for more details about our guarantee.

It depends on what you mean...

If you want one of our existing shoe styles made with your own unique color combinations and motifs, then YES! You can choose these custom options for any style that shows the swirly "CUSTOMIZABLE" rainbow icon in the upper right corner. When you are selecting colors for these shoes you will see a "Customize Your Colors" button below our collection color options.

This is part of our everyday fun to see what creations you design as we handcraft each pair for you here in our Oregon workshop. These custom shoes are also fully returnable according to the terms of our return policy.

If you are looking for customization beyond the shoe shoe designs, colors, or sizes available on our website then we do offer limited services for special requests. Special requests such as longer straps, special motif colors, split sizes or single pairs can often be done. Click here for more details.

All Softstar shoes are 100% designed and handcrafted at our workshop in Philomath, Oregon, USA. We don't outsource any of our manufacturing processes, but instead do it all under one roof. All of our order fulfillment and shipping happens directly from our workshop, too. For more information and to see how our shoes are made, visit this page.

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