Shoe is Customizable

Adult Megagrip PRIMAL RunAmoc

74 Reviews
From:
$200.00

The Megagrip Primal RunAmoc is a barefoot trail running shoe that combines our innovative foot-shaped design with the added grip and durability of VibramTM Megagrip soles. Your feet will be free to hike, run, and explore any terrain with ease.

Note: This shoe fits slightly shorter than most of our other styles. Most people will be okay ordering their usual Softstar shoe size, but if you are between two sizes, we recommend ordering the larger size.

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Size Guide
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How They're Made How They're Made

primal-sole-foot-shape-comparison

Calling all adventure seekers! We are excited to introduce a new spin on the Primal RunAmoc you already know and love. While thin, minimal soles are excellent for maximizing flexibility and ground feel, sometimes you need a little extra help to conquer a challenging trail. The Megagrip Primal RunAmoc hiking trail running shoe features VibramTM Megagrip soles that are unparalleled in grip and longevity. These soles perform well in both wet and dry conditions and are a favorite among extreme trail runners. We also added a 3.5mm midsole for an extra buffer from sharp rocks while maintaining a streamlined, minimalist design.

With these VibramTM Megagrip shoes, you will get all the features of our standard Primal RunAmoc with the added benefit of a tough, trail-ready sole. The Primal sole shape embraces the natural physiology of the human foot with an extra-wide toe box for free movement and a natural toe splay. Get ready for a strong, yet flexible foundation for wherever your adventures may take you with this barefoot hiking trail running shoe.

  • Innovative sole shape with extra roomy toe box. If you are curious how the Primal compares to our Standard sole shape, check out our sole comparison tool.
  • Flexible, breathable materials for maximum free foot movement.
  • Made with premium, responsibly-sourced leathers.
  • Zero-drop 6mm VibramTM Megagrip Zegama rubber sole + 3.5mm midsole (total sole height: 9.5mm).
  • Padded tongue for a snug, secure fit.
  • Protective toe cap sustainably upcycled from used bike innertubes.  Each pair is unique!
  • Expanded lacing system for a customized fit.
  • Can be worn with or without socks.
  • Made in USA: designed and handcrafted in Oregon using US-sourced materials.
  • Add no-tie elastic Lock Laces® to turn your Primal RunAmocs into a slip-on shoe. Sold separately.

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.

Adult Size Chart
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
Youth Size Chart (5-10 years)
  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
Baby/Child Size Chart (0-5 years)
  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?

Adult US Size to Softstar Size Converter

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.

Whether you need it for the trail, street, studio or workplace, we have the perfect RunAmoc for you!


RunAmoc Style Comparison

RunAmoc Style Comparison
  Primal Dash Moc3
Summary Primal RunAmoc Ultra wide at the toes for maximum toe splay and healthy, natural foot function. Dash RunAmoc Multipurpose athletic/casual shoe with a more traditional (but still roomy) fit. Moc3 RunAmoc An ultra-light running "sock" with the durability of a shoe.
Features
  • Extra wide toe box featuring our Primal Sole shape. This shoe is widest at the toes, rather than the ball of the foot, and is ideal for people who have particularly wide feet and/or want to maintain/restore natural foot shape and function.
  • Rubber toe cap protects front of shoe from scuffs and abrasions, useful for hikers and trail runners.
  • Extended lacing system is designed to fit snugly around instep, yet allow toes to spread out as much as possible.
  • Underside of tongue is lined with a thin layer of Breathe-O-Prene, a breathable, neoprene-like material, to hold the shoe securely across the top of the foot.
  • Highly customizable: Choose the Custom Primal RunAmoc to select your leather colors, outsole, lace colors, and more!
  • Spacious toe box featuring our Standard sole shape.
  • A versatile minimal design that can function as an athletic shoe or a casual shoe.
  • Mid-level minimal shoe option for people who do not want the extra wide toe box of the Primal RunAmoc, but prefer a shoe that is more traditional than the Moc3.
  • Short lacing system allows adjustable fit around the instep while leaving the front of the foot unencumbered.
  • Highly customizable: Choose the Custom Dash RunAmoc to select your leather colors, outsole, lace colors, and more!
  • Unique foot-shaped toe box for a glove-like fit.
  • Our lightest minimal shoe, and one of the lightest in the world! Designed to be as flexible and lightweight as possible.
  • Easily rolls up and fits into small spaces when not in use, such as a small bag or tucked under a belt.
  • Slip-on design allows quick on/off when you're on the go.
  • Breathe-O-Prene lining hugs your foot from all sides for a snug, but ventilated fit.
  • Sole pattern is cut sparsely to allow maximum flexibility and barefoot experience (see image below).
Sizes

Adult Sizes 5U–15U

Available in regular and wide widths.

Adult Sizes 5U–15U

Available in regular and wide widths.

Adult Sizes 4U–13U

Available in regular width only.
Weight

6.4–10.2 oz.

Weight varies depending on size.

5.0–9.5 oz.

Weight varies depending on size and sole.

4–6 oz.

Weight varies depending on size.
Sole

Primal sole shape:

Primal Sole Shape

Available in 3 sole options:

  • 5mm Vibram™ Lightning Sole.
  • 2mm Vibram™ Street Sole, available only when you customize this shoe.
  • 6mm Vibram™ Megagrip Sole with 3.5mm midsole.

Dash sole shape:

Dash Sole Shape

Available in 4 sole options:

  • 5mm Vibram™ Lightning Sole.
  • 2mm Vibram™ Street Sole, available only when you customize this shoe.
  • Bullhide Leather Sole, available only when you customize this shoe.

Moc3 sole shape:

Moc3 Sole Shape

The Moc3 is only made with 2mm Vibram™ Street Sole cut to a minimal patterned footbed. The sole is entirely covered with thin material, but the thicker 2mm sole covers the shaded areas above.
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Soling Material Comparison

RunAmoc Sole Comparison
  5mm Lightning 2mm Street 6mm Megagrip Bullhide Leather
Summary 5mm Lightning Sole Multifunctional sole for a wide range of uses. 2mm Street Sole Minimal space between feet and ground. 6mm Megagrip Sole Unparalelled grip on steep, rocky and muddy trails. Bullhide Leather Sole Extremely flexible sole for most unrestricted foot movement.
Features

Ultra-flexible in all directions, plus longer durability over thinner soles. Tread pattern provides sufficient traction on most surfaces.

Our thinnest and lightest sole. Minimal space between feet and ground.

Includes deep lugs that have been tested and proven by ultrarunners for performance on difficult trails.

We add an additional 3.5mm midsole to shoes that use the Megagrip sole to provide an extra buffer from sharp rocks.

Our most flexible sole! 3–4mm thick (natural hides vary slightly). Pliable texture provides our highest level of groundfeel and most unrestricted foot movement.

All-natural leather material allows grounding conductivity.
Use

A versatile sole for most uses. Rubber compound provides natural "stickiness" on smooth surfaces while zig-zag tread helps grip onto unnatural surfaces in nature, such as gravel or rocky paths. Thin and flexible enough for optimal groundfeel, yet thick enough to keep feet protected.

Perfect for running on smooth surfaces or for trail runners who have strengthened their feet to tolerate groundfeel of rough surfaces.

Designed specifically to handle challenging terrain, Megagrip soles perform well in both wet and dry conditions and are a favorite among extreme trail runners.

Megagrip soles are heavier than our other soles due to their extra thickness and density.

A favorite for dancers and people who prefer to run or walk barefoot. Like the street sole, it is recommended to have feet strengthened for barefoot-style running before using this sole on rough or rocky terrain.

NOTE: this sole can become very slippery on smooth, wet surfaces.


Leather Material Comparison

Leather Material Comparison
  Smooth Full Grain

Includes Sublime, Aged, Shiny
and Vegetable-Tanned Leathers

 LITE
Summary Smooth Full Grain LeatherSmooth and semi-glossy topside (leather labeled as "shiny" is extra glossy with metallic finish). Underside is suede. LITE Perforated LeatherSmooth, thin and light. Perforated for increased breathability.
Features

Pros: Naturally water resistant and easy to clean. Keeps feet warm and protected in cold, wet weather.

NOTE: Vegetable-Tanned leather is a "naked" material and may stain easily, even with plain water or leathercare.

Cons: May cause feet to feel warm in hot climates, depending on your tolerance for heat/cold—but still more breathable than most rubber or faux-leather shoes.

Pros: Lightweight, keeps feet cool and ventilated. A favorite for running in warm weather. Easy to clean.

Cons: Not water resistant... it has holes!
Use

Smooth leather provides the most protection from the elements. A popular choice for protecting feet from cold or wet weather. Also gives a classy look for dressy or formal occasions.

While naturally somewhat water resistant, smooth leather can be made more waterproof with full grain leather care (found in our Accessories menu).

Great for athletes wanting to keep feet ventilated and cool. This naturally lightweight material minimizes shoe weight to maximize performance. Although it is not water resistant, the thin, airy material dries quickly and is easy to clean.

Customer Reviews

4.4

74 reviews

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Top customer reviews

  1. Verified Buyer

    Exactly what I needed

    Rating

    The Primal RunAmocs are a major relief for my wide feet. Correct Toes can be worn in the extra wide rendition. This has been a game changer for revitalizing the health of my feet. They are expensive, but they are good!
  2. Verified Buyer

    Exactly what I needed

    Rating

    The Primal RunAmocs are a major relief for my wide feet. Correct Toes can be worn in the extra wide rendition. This has been a game changer for revitalizing the health of my feet. They are expensive, but they are good!
  3. Verified Buyer

    Fit great after breaking in

    Rating

    I’d read several reviews talking about the tightness on the big toe regarding the toe box height and after putting the shoes on I understood what the previous posts were referring to. However, after wearing the shoes a couple days, the leather gives and the shoes fit great! Thank you to the great Elves who make shoes worth wearing! My back, knees, and feet have never felt better since I started wearing SoftStar shoes.

  4. My toes have never felt more free!

    Rating

    Comfortable and wide, so wide, maybe even too wide, which is amazing because shoes are always too narrow in the toe for me, and finally my toes are not squished!! I had to get used to the appearance that made me think of clown shoes at first, but now I love them. Light, flexible, and good traction. My feet do get wet on hikes though, the water gets in around the edges where the sole is stiched on. I would buy from this company again even though they are expensive, they are the only shoe I have found that actually fit the width of my toes. Yay freedom!

  5. Many great qualities to this shoe but overall doesn't work for me

    Rating

    Pros: the primal shoe shape is perfect; the leather is soft and comfortable and extremely durable; well stitched and constructed (I've never had any delamination issues with the sole on any of my Softstar shoes, including the Sawyer and the regular Runamoc, despite years of use). The megagrip sole is grippy, so I thought these Megagrip Runamocs would be ideal for my use case of short but tough hikes and scrambles. Unfortunately, the toebox is just too tight for me - not in width, but in height, even after lots of stretching the leather with a rag. Due to the way Softstar shoes are constructed, there is no rigid 3D toebox, instead, the shoe is somewhat 2D, with an acutely angled space at the toes where the upper meets the sole. Since the megagrip sole is relatively stiff and heavy (compared to other Softstar soles), the upper can't move and flex with the foot as much, and my toes were painfully bruised after a day's hiking in these Megagrip Runamocs. I suppose I could get these a larger size but I don't want excess shoe length tripping me up just so that I can fit my toes in height-wise. I might try figuring out a way to alter the toebox myself with some pieces of leather, because other than this issue it's an excellent shoe.

  6. First ever shoes that fit

    Rating

    I purchased these wide Primal shoes in January and although they were heaven on my feet at home, I was new to minimal shoes and it has taken me this long (until end of October) to be able to wear them all day. Now that I wear them everywhere, it was definitely worth the time and effort to get used to them because my balance has improved and I walk more comfortably. Because I never had shoes that fit, I have calluses, my toes are crooked and I have bunions. I wore orthotics and Birkenstocks and I had to transition away from the arch supports, icing my feet after a walk in my RunAmoc shoes. I could still use a bit more substantial sole, since I walk a lot on concrete sidewalks, but I am encouraged that my feet are getting stronger. I look forward to selecting more RunAmoc shoes in fun colors!
  7. Verified Buyer

    Not suited for backpacking

    Rating

    These shoes are quite comfortable for short hikes. I took them backpacking for the first time recently, and I realized about three miles into a 45-mile trip that they were the wrong shoes for the occasion. There is way too much foot movement for a long hike, especially with weight. Even with hiking socks, my feet were a mess of blisters by the end of the trip. 95% of the hike was made in pain. There is also some separation now between the soles and the uppers. As I mentioned before, these are great and perfectly suited for short, leisurely hikes, but they’re not built for anything more intense.
  8. Verified Buyer

    Mrs

    Rating

    I love them. So soft, so comfortable and so light. They make me smile every time I wear them. It is such a joy to wear a pair of shoes that have been made with care. I am so grateful. Thank you!

  9. Second pair!

    Rating

    I just received my second pair of Primal Run Amocs with the Megagrip soles. I have added the Lock Laces to convert them into slip-on shoes. After wearing my first pair for a couple of weeks in Michigan spring (country) weather, doing chores and taking walks. They perform well in the muddy conditions here and clean up well. They are so comfortable I don't mind leaving them on all day (usually I am on and off with shoes all day because I don't like wearing other shoes that work well in the yard and barn). I recommend getting the Lock Laces or other permanent/elastic laces for extra flexibility and comfort in the shoes' uppers. Oh, and I've gotten several compliments on these shoes. Another reviewer doesn't care for their appearance, but I and my friends like them a lot (one friend says they're very cute, even). Love, love, love these shoes. Thanks again, Elves!
  10. Verified Buyer

    Extremely comfortable

    Rating

    Honestly. These shoes are exactly what I wanted, they’re so so fun to run in, I don’t think I’ll ever run in anything else! I love the leather, I love how flexible they are.. amazing quality. Yes they’re hideous but oh well. You stop caring after you feel how it feels to run in them!

  11. Fantastic shoes

    Rating

    I love my custom Primal RunAmocs! They are comfortable, beautifully made, and perfect for a variety of uses. I'll be wearing them hiking, working in my yard, and exploring tourist venues on vacation. They're just what I wanted. Thank you, Elves!
  12. Verified Buyer

    Love this shoe

    Rating

    I love the feel of this sole when I run even on concrete. I worried that the toe box might be too wide but it feels not much different than the regular Dash Run Amocs. Great shoe. I look forward to many good runs with it.

  13. what others have said

    Rating

    I have had 2 pairs of these and both times the sole detached in less than a year. I did not mistreat the shoes in any way, and they fit perfectly. I did discover the solution -- not shoe goo as the elves recommended, which could not hold the soles for long, but Gear Aid Aquaseal SR Shoe and Boot Repair Adhesive, Clear Glue: you can get this from Amazon and it is amazing stuff. If only the Elves used it we would not need to be running our own repairs.....

    Response from store

    Dear Barefoot hiker - Thank you for the repair recommendation! We will definitely check it out!

  14. Restrictive rubber toe bumper

    Rating

    I really wanted to like these but the inner tube rubber toe bumper is super stiff and defeats the purpose of the otherwise flexible shoe. They prevented my toes from moving as they truly needed to. Sadly ended up getting rid of them without ever really wearing them

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thank you Cgal for your review. The toe bumpers are a customer favorite for durability purposes, and cut from reclaimed bike tubes. We are curious if perhaps we could revisit sizing with you for a wider or longer size as your toes should move freely in this style?
  15. Verified Buyer

    Disappointed Ditto

    Rating

    I must say that I agree with John Doe. I ordered the Primal Run Amok in my regular size with Soft Star Shoes, which the Elves were so helpful in finding for me. I wear a 10.5 5E width shoe (which no one makes) I have previously worn a 12 primal shoe from them, so I ordered these in 12 Wide. Day one wearing them, they seemed like they might work. Then I tried wearing them at work...NOT A CHANCE. The toe box is just too flat and proved to be crushing and painful by half way through the day. And the length, definitely not even close to my previous 12 Wide Primal shoes. But since these were now worn outside, all I can do is to eat the loss. I will try to stretch them out if I can, otherwise I am out the $200.00. Sure wish that Soft Star gave an option for this sole on other shoes. The nice luggy sole should be available on any other shoe (instead of offering street slicks). Otherwise, Love you Elves.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Glad to hear you like the Megagrip sole - but it can make Primal RunAmocs fit a little snugger in width and length initially as the sole will not flex as much as the more minimal soles which can bend up at the edges and toes to give more volume and length initially. It looks like you have a 13 Wide on your previous orders, if helpful. With the 12 Wide you have, please take a soft towel, dampen it, and press it tightly into the front toe box of the shoes and let them sit for 24-48 hours. The leather can be wonderfully responsive to stretching, especially when damp/wet.
  16. Verified Buyer

    primal biking shoe

    Rating

    At least the closest thing to it. I've had these for a couple of years, and they're good for hiking in cool to warm and lightly muddy conditions. The soles are too stiff for trail running because they don't conform to the soles of my feet well, but they're now my go-to shoe for bike commuting (~3 miles) and biking longer distances when it's too hot for wool-lined switchbacks.

  17. Sole detaches from shoe

    Rating

    I like these to shoes to wear but have had a few pairs now and every time the sole has started to detach from the shoe, meaning they only last 6 months or so (which very poor considering the price). I've seen many reviews complaining about this, so I don't understand why Softstar don't fix this by using better glue.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Tom - thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experience. We would like to help you with concerns and encourage you to reach out to our friendly customer service team. Sole delamination is not common but can happen repeatedly in some cases when there are issues that we can help troubleshoot. Not knowing your particular situation, we cannot speculate, but have helped customers in the past who needed larger sizes (less stress on the seams), or whose shoes were getting too hot (sun or dessert conditions). We look forward to hearing from you.
  18. Verified Buyer

    Just what I wanted

    Rating

    Am wearing them right now with Correct Toes, barefoot, plenty of room. They work for both feet (a size difference between them). Thus far, have worn them around the house and yard. Haven't had a chance to test them on trails (would be walking not running), but have read good reports about their performance on trails. I'm in the process of "reversing" a Morton's neuroma from wearing shoes that weren't a good fit, although perhaps 30% of population has them asymptomatically because most shoes are too narrow. Well made and very comfortable with or without socks (toed and hiking socks). I bought the recommended conditioner and applied it. Look forward to wearing them for a long time! I measured my larger foot per your instructions and selected size based on instructions. Perfect fit.
  19. Verified Buyer

    Disappointed

    Rating

    I own a pair of primal runamocs and I like them, probably my all time favorite shoes. They are a size 10U, which are ½-¾ inches too long for feet. The megagrip rumamocs, however, are a disappointment and are poorly designed. The website says, "this shoe fits slightly shorter than most of our other styles. Most people will be okay ordering their usual Softstar shoe size, but if you are between two sizes, we recommend ordering the larger size." This is an understatement. I wear a 9u. I am firmly in the middle of 9u, not "in between two sizes." So I ordered a 9u megagrip. It was too tight on my big toes, but only by a little. So I returned the 9u's for store credit and ordered a 10U. The 10U is also too tight on my big toe, not in terms of length, but in terms of volumetric space. The rubber toe guard is too flat, and thus tight on my big toe. This is a problem my regular runamocs don't have. More than that, however, the eyestay has been repositioned about an inch further back (closer to the ankle) on the megagrips, but also about ½ lower, than it was on my older pair of non-megagrip runamocs. This means that unless one has extremely tiny ankles (like those of a small child–I'm not exaggerating, I actually measured it out) then it will be very tight or impossibly tight to lace the shoe up to the highest (last) 4 eyelets. This matters because the final 4 eyelets are the only ones that have metal rings which help protect the leather and provide longevity. This means that if you have an adult sized ankle (small, medium, or large) eyelets without the metal rings will have to bear the brunt of the wear, and since they have no metal ring, it means they will wear out quickly, thus limiting the longevity of the shoe. In my older pair of primal runamocs (not megagrip) I could lace all the way up to the highest (last) eyelets, and I had ample room for my small-meduim sized ankles. With the megagrips, however, I can only comfortably lace the shoe up halfway (the bottom 6 eyelets). On the megagrips, the highest eyelets touch my ankle bone. Something is wrong with the design of the megagrips. Also, they have different shoe laces that look and feel to be of inferior quality than those that came with the regular runamocs I got about three years ago. Significantly less foot space (volume), weird sizing, and weird eyestay positioning. This time when I return my megagrips, I think I'm going to ask for a refund instead of store credit and try to find another place that sells wide minimalist shoes. Maybe Lems.

    Response from store

    Dear John (CM) - We are sorry to hear the Megagrip version did not work as well for you as the Lightning Sole version that you love.

  20. Under sized

    Rating

    The shoe is over one size too small. The shape of the forefoot is not a good fit for a straight foot- will be fitting well if you have a Hallux varus deformity! Do not recommend this shoe.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Dear Kgee - Sorry to hear that your pair did not fit well. Please reach out to our friendly Customer service team for assistance with return and sizing, we would love for you to try a pair that fits well.
  21. Verified Buyer

    I like my shoes with a "but"

    Rating

    The Vibram sole on my right Adult Megagrip PRIMAL RunAmoc shoe had during construction not received any glue on quite a large area under the arch. I asked Softstar Shoes to help me with this, but they told me to buy shoe cement and fix it myself. After two short seasons, now the soles begin to come off at the toes. Otherwise, I like my Softstar shoes a lot. They are spacious, look nice/funny and give a good grip.

  22. Good with flaws

    Rating

    Just like another reviewer states, my soles are peeling off. The stitching on the back of the heel has also come undone allowing my heels to slip out of the shoes while walking. I love Soft Star. They are the only brand of shoe I own. I love the primal design and have another pair of shoes with the omniflex sole. That pair has held up. Soft Star needs to take the megagrip design back to the workshop.

  23. FALLING APART

    Rating

    Very wide, light and comfortable. Zero pinch in the toe-box. I usually wear size 6.5 and I got 5u and it fits well with extra space in front. Unfortunately the sole is detaching itself. I had them for a year but have not wore them very much. They have around 200km on them. I am disappointed in the quality.

  24. Good shoes but pretty heavy

    Rating

    The primal in wide fit is the only shoe i can wear with correct toes. My only concern is that the shoes are pretty heavy for long distance in trail running. The non megagrip model is lighter but they don’t have the same « grippy » sole. I wouldn’t like a « hybrid » between the 2 primal runamocs models (mega grip sole but slimer to reduce weight or maybe mesh areas instead of all leather ? Just ideas to reduce weight)
  25. Verified Buyer

    Best foot shape shoe so far - with a couple complaints

    Rating

    I’ve been wearing my Primal RunAmoc Megagrip (primal wide) for over a month now, and the biggest thing for me is the width of the toebox! I can spread and wiggle my toes. It’s amazing. The leather is super soft and supple, and I feel no constriction of any movement whatsoever. The workmanship is… “handmade” - meaning, there are imperfections that are human in nature… stitching that isn’t always spaced the same throughout the sole; the outsole cutting has knife marks here and there… but this is endearing, honestly. It doesn’t feel like an industrial product, which I appreciate. The biggest negative for me is the cushioned midsole - even at 3mm, I feel the squish and it bothers me… I want to be as close the ground as possible, with the grip the outsole provides. I will get over it, but this also means I am planning on getting a non-megagrip version just to have a more “down to earth” experience. If there were an option to exclude the midsole when ordering a made-to-order megagrip RunAmoc, that would be greatly appreciated. Final negative - the opening of the ankle is a bit wide / low. Meaning, it’s a pebble magnet for me. A “mid” version with a slightly higher ankle would be a good option without having to go for the Switchback boot.
  26. Verified Buyer

    Genuine Big Toe Box

    Rating

    These shoes are great. The toe box really is big. With the wide, and a toe spreader, the pain in my arch is gone! The MegaGrip sole is really grippy, on rocky, muddy trails. It does make the shoe heavier with less ground feel than the regular sole. I ended up getting 2 pairs--one with MegaGrip for wet days and rocky trails, and one regular sole for summer and milder trails. My feet are very happy!

  27. Finally!!

    Rating

    I'll put it bluntly. I have duck feet. For years I've been blowing out the sides of shoes well before anything else wears out. The wide version of the Soft Star shoes are the only shoes that are wide enough for my feet and I've tried a number of other "primal" style shoes such as Lems, which were better, but still ultimately had the same issues because they just weren't wide enough. Furthermore, the way these shoes are built is top notch! Materials, stitching, style, are all great. These are far and away the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and the soft chrome tanned leather (I think) needs no break in period. For me the other fail point on shoes has been the heel cup area, but these Primal RunAmoks have a well stitched leather heel counter which should mean, in theory, that the fail point will be when I actually wear through the soles. That's a feat I've never managed with any shoes, so my fingers are crossed on these. I'll definitely buy again!
  28. Verified Buyer

    GREAT FOR A MEDICAL OFFICE AND THE OUTDOORS

    Rating

    THESE SHOES ARE AMAZING. BIG TOE BOX FOR MY BIG FEET. I BOUGHT A TOE SPLAY TO WIDEN MY FEET FOR STABILITY AND MY GOODNESS. MY FEET FILL THE WHOLE SHOE. I AM STILL ADJUSTING TO THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF PRIMAL SHOES BUT AFTER WATCHING MANY PT'S ON INSTAGRAM, I STUMBLED ACROSS THESE. I AM WELL ROOTED INTO THE GROUND LIKE A TREE. I WROTE ANOTHER REVIEW ON ANOTHER PRODUCT ABOUT WEIGHT LIFTING. GOOD STUFF.
  29. Verified Buyer

    Fun run

    Rating

    Great shoe, just love that sole. Fits perfect. Mud, Rocks, rain you name it, the shoe performs. My go to trail shoe.
  30. Verified Buyer

    Well-made, dependable shoes that can take a beating and don't stink.

    Rating

    Softstar is the best shoe company on the face of the Earth. I purchased these shoes because I wear out the treads on the regular primals too quickly. Thank you Softstar for providing a shoe which meets my long-term needs!
  31. Verified Buyer

    Excellent quality

    Rating

    I am giving this four stars because 9 1/2 would have been a perfect fit and Softstar does not make half sizes, I do hope this changes sometime soon. Nine is my usual size but my right foot, was is slightly longer than the left, made it too uncomfortable to wear. I sent the 9 back and bought a 10, but I find myself tripping occasionally because the 10 is much longer than the 9. Like I said, I believe 9 1/2 would have been a perfect fit. Otherwise the quality of materials and workmanship is excellent. The shoe fits like a glove. I had to wait 2 weeks for them to make it, but it was shipped quickly when it was done. Everything was efficient and star quality. I think I'll be buying a lot more from this company. I hope they maintain the good standards and continue making shoes for a long time!

  32. Ahhh-mazing!!!!

    Rating

    These are the most comfortable pair of shoes that I’ve ever worn on a hike. Finally, a shoe that actually fits my foot shape! No more bruised toes from shoes that aren’t quite wide enough (even from other barefoot shoe brands). I really love the leather piece on the inside to cushion the heel. The traction of the megagrip sole is outstanding! Went hiking on a lot of sand covered rocks with no slipping. The treads are great on getting a grip in deeper sand as well. The flexibility of the sole keeps more of your foot in contact with the ground also providing more traction. The leather looks gorgeous and is so soft! So many beautiful colors to choose from in customizing your own pair. When I first put them on, the rubber toe area took some getting used to. I stretched it out per Softstar’s instructions. It gave me no problems on the hike. My hiking buddy kept commenting on how comfortable they looked. I can’t wait to order another pair!
  33. Verified Buyer

    My favorite shoes

    Rating

    The entire Primal line is excellent. I have wide feet and these are the only shoes I've found that fit and don't cause pain. I just love them. I'm so grateful for Softstar making these wonderful shoes. I have two pairs of Primal RunAmocs. I hike about 5 miles a day in the Megagrip Primal RunAmocs and they are sturdy, comfy hiking shoes. Note: If you purchased RunAmocs before April 2022 the size has changed (in addition to the width change). The RunAmocs are now 1 size smaller than they used to be. For example, I use to wear a 8U and now I needed to go up a size to 9U. This is not explained in the description. Additionally, this new size makes it so I wear 9U in RunAmocs, but still 8U in Mary Janes and Sawyers. So its a little confusing. Hopefully they can fix the sizing confusion.
  34. Verified Buyer

    Tighter than Sawyers

    Rating

    The grip is great, and also works to insulate from cold ground. The insides (towards the body's centreline) of my big toes get irritated by the tightness of the rubber in the front. Perhaps it will stretch with time... but perhaps it won't. Rubber and leather are different after all. We'll see.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Joel - Glad to hear the grip is good on the slippery Swedish ice :-). They will definitely stretch a little more with wear and we hope you will find the upcycled rubber toe caps super durable.
  35. Verified Buyer

    ?

    Rating

    This is my second time trying Soft Star shoes, the first time I loved the fit for my extra wide feet. However I had the vibram 2mm sole, I wore a hole right through the foot beds. The shoes were custom made so comfortable I even feel asleep a few times with them on. I always thought if Soft Star could use something like the Xero sole (5,000 mile warranty...it is thin, flexible and durable) then Soft Star would have the best shoe ever. Xero's fall apart after a few months from the seems and tops and they are not wide enough. This time I ordered the shoe with the lugs. I love the fit. I don't always love the thickness of the lugs. But I think they will last longer than the thinner Vibram sole. I really like the rubber reinforcement over the toes, that is an upgrade from my last pair. Durability could be improved on the thin sole, but right now I think it is the most comfortable shoe on the market for my wide feet. I feel I am a bit of a wide foot and minimalist shoe expert. I have tried multiples of Xero, True, New Balance wide, all other name brand wides, Vivo barefoot, Vibram toe shoes, and Soft Star.

  36. Absolutely worth it!

    Rating

    Having owned Altras that barely fit for over a decade, I had reached a point where I needed something else after Altra discontinued everything that fit me. I decided to give this company a try. And I was not disappointed. The shoe actually FIT, like it was supposed to, around my circus freak foot. It was comfortable, and flexible, and if it wasn't in such high demand, I'd have another pair on the way. For people with wide toes, THIS IS IT. Can't recommend it enough.

  37. Glue slowly stops working

    Rating

    I'm giving these shoes 4 stars because of the glue issue regarding the outer soles. While the seams are holding together much better than my last, regular primals, the outer soles on these seem to slowly peel off the main shoe. Things end up getting wedged between the sole and the foot of the shoe because of it. That said, I'm STILL going to stay with these shoes because: 1. They actually FIT my WIDE toe box. (No other tie shoe has ever allowed my toe box any space, only these have.) 2. They FLEX WITH my foot, and have minimal sole to have a small sense of "grounding". 3. They're handmade. 4. They're handmade by an independent American business. These shoes are still some of the best I've ever worn, even though there are some flaws still.

  38. Best Trail Shoes Ever

    Rating

    I can't say enough about how amazing these shoes are! They are the best trail-running shoes I have found. I run on very technical, rocky trails, and these shoes protect me from the rocks while letting me feel the ground. I haven't fallen on the trail since buying these shoes because now I have a good sense of where my feet are. The traction is great as well--I can navigate slick terrain with confidence! I would highly recommend these to anyone looking for a barefoot shoe that can take on rugged trails. The primal fit is great as well! I have found that many "barefoot shoe" competitors have narrow shoes that are constricting. I truly have never found anything else like Softstar primal shoes. My toes are free to spread in the way they do when I walk fully barefoot. If you're on the fence about these shoes, I would give them a try! It might change your life.

  39. Best!

    Rating

    Best shoes ever!

  40. A little in shock

    Rating

    I followed the sizing suggestions from Softstar. Got the shoes and from looking at them I was wondering if I ordered ones that were too wide. Upon trying them on I saw that the front of my foot spread out and filled the entire shoe. Makes me wonder how cramped my feet must be in other shoes! These are incredibly lightweight and remind me of my old pair of 10v1 that have been discontinued, and until now I haven't really found a suitable replacement, but these appear to even be better. If you're worried about getting the correct size, don't be, their sizing method worked perfect!

  41. Great Shoe

    Rating

    I have had my shoes with the megagrip soles for a month and wear them everywhere except work, in a medical facility, and I absolutely love them. The thicker sole works so well on gravel, uneven ground, so far, every surface I walk on in them. The leather uppers are sturdy and I will order another pair soon.
  42. Verified Buyer

    The

    Rating

    My mega grips are my go-to shoe for activity and have really been as advertised. I normally fit a 10.5 wide and these primal widths are perfect in the size 10s

  43. These are pretty awesome

    Rating

    Got size 9U Narrow Foot length is 26cm, 10.6cm at widest in front. I have about 1cm in toe space, the omniflex sole is extremely comfortable. The lace up design helps keep my ankle from pronating inwards a bit. The leather is really good quality, there was a slight difference in leather thickness. I swapped the laces for lock laces, also plan on wearing these with no socks and with athletic type clothes/leggings since they look really sporty and casual. I was worried they'd look a lot like floppy clown shoes but they only look a tiny bit like floppy clown shoes. Not enough like floppy clown shoes for me to get embarrassed in public with them on. I love them and can see myself getting another pair in a light color, 5/5.

  44. This was my last go at SoftStar.

    Rating

    Over the past few years I've purchased the Dash, Dash Lite, and now Primal for daily use. Walking my dogs, mostly. And despite walking, not running or anything strenuous, I always have issues with the soles. With the Dash and Primal, the soles remain attached for 3 months at a time, maybe. And after one resoling you start having the issues with the back of the shoe coming apart. Given the added cost of having to maintain the shoes, and how little they last, I don't quite think they're worth it. Comfortable but lacking in durability and value.

    Response from store

    We are sorry to hear you had this experience with our shoes. This is not a normal experience for our customers and we would like to reach out to connect with you and see if we can find a solution. Please contact our customer service elves if you are willing to give us another chance.

  45. My husband

    Rating

    It was not until you made these available in all black that I got my very picky husband to try your shoes. He now wears them every day!
  46. Verified Buyer

    Best shoes: ever

    Rating

    I normally don’t write reviews but loving the mega grip primal runamoc shoes like I do I thought I should. I own literally dozens of pairs of shoes but none of them offer the comfort and perfect fit like my runamocs. They are great trail shoes that stand up to the very rocky terrain here in Hell’s Canyon and they work equally well on the asphalt trails in town. They fit perfectly in the heel where most shoes seem a little too roomy and my foot stays put on the very steep trails. In other words they don’t shift forward in the shoe when going down the mountainside. They were comfortable right out of the box and required no. Break-in period. I can’t recommend these shoes highly enough.

  47. Most Comfortable Shoes Ever

    Rating

    These shoes are incredibly comfortable, fitting perfectly snug on your feet while their flexibility still allows your foot to move around as much as it needs to; almost as though you were barefoot. I have been wearing SoftStar shoes since my first pair of shoes in my life, and these are better than anything but their moccasins. I can use these shoes for everything: running, walking, hiking, fencing, etc.

  48. Really Good

    Rating

    I've gone hiking in these on some California trails, and the shoes are great. The megagrip worked really well on some really steep trails, with some loose sandy dirt. The barefoot feel and the toe box is nice, you can feel all your toes going on every step. The leather is soft so no blistering or rubbing.
  49. Verified Buyer

    8 Plus miles Still Work great

    Rating

    I hiked in western CO over rocks, crossing streams, walking across small pebbles. These seemed more comfortable than regular hiking boots. I have been wearing minimalist running shoes and trail runners for 10 years and these by far are my favorite. I'm most impressed when I did a 4.5 mile 2300 foot elevation gain hike all over rocks, I mean, no dirt in site. On the way down, I felt no leg, foot or hip pain. I can't believe these work so well. There is a flaw though. The glue on the sole is starting to separate. Please don't let this turn you off. I'm going to contact Soft Star and get them repaired in the fall. They are in no way separating quickly, so not too worried. I am completely happy with my purchase.

  50. It's Not Just About the Shoes...

    Rating

    ...it's about the packaging. It's cool how the envelopes in which the shoes are sent are returnable and reusable. It's interesting to think how many shoes may have been in that envelope before my pair and where those shoes may now be taking their owners. The shoes themselves arrived with quite a scent to them. Very unpleasant. Now, that being said, they were perfect. Well, perfect if you like shoes that looks like paddles. Before wearing Primals I'd have said maybe but now I don't want to wear anything else. I was a diehard New Balance girl just because I could get them in a double wide. To be honest, a men's quadruple extra wide would be better for me but I only wear a size 7.5 in ladies. My feet are 4.5 inches when my weight is on them so having room to wiggle my toes has never been possible. These may look a bit awkward compared to the norm but if you have truly WIDE feed they're sublime. I'd been walking about barefoot the last few months on a wooden floor over slab at our new apartment and also due for a new pair of sneakers. I really didn't want to go the same route and started searching around online for the widest shoes possible. I ran across these and had my doubts. What about my arches? My doubts are gone and have been replaced by the feeling of walking barefoot but with a super grippy sole. My feet never get tired and I've even taken my Primals on my favorite hiking trail. There was (for once) no breaking in period and I even found myself forgetting I had them on. I will definitely be a return customer and will be getting something for this winter. Time to get them for the husband and kids, too. Expensive prospect? Somewhat but on the other hand what is it worth to avoid a podiatrist?

  51. Great Hiking Shoes

    Rating

    I purchased the regular Primal RunAmocs last year, which I have been wearing for running but after a few day hikes with them, I realized that I needed a deeper tread for more rugged trails so I purchased the Megagrip just before my trip to the Pacific Northwest. The Megagrip tread made SUCH a difference when on more rugged trails, but I still felt the terrain under my feet giving me ultimate control and agility on the trails. Great shoes!!!

  52. Best Shoes I have ever tried on

    Rating

    Received my Softstar primal mega grip today and tried them on and are just amazed how well made and comfortable they are. The sole is thick enough to protect against rocks and roots when running or hiking with a heavy backpack. The knobs underneath will give great traction but is not felt through the sole on hard surfaces. There quality looks much better than anything I have seen from competitors. There are no textile lining to soak up water or mesh that is of no use in Sweden where I live. I will put these to the test (with bees wax) to see if they withstand water enough for hiking in cold and wet conditions where you want to keep the feet somewhat dry at least. The shoe is just soft leather and the reinforced toe cap. The heal have a with a cushioned leather pad that keeps the heal secure in place (Generally you won’t need the heel cushions that are sold separately). The sizing was my biggest concern since my foot was kind of between 11U and 12U. I let taste dictate and took the smaller size for my 280mm long and 110mm wide feet. The 11U sole are 300mm long and 130mm wide and the inside have basically the same measures since it is just soft leather on top of the sole. For me that gave about a index finger to spare around the toes (front and sides) which suit my taste perfectly. With socks and after a days hike it might get tighter than ideal but I count on the leather being soft enough to give room if needed. From the balls of the foot and back the shoe is snug just like a normal shoe. For shoppers in Sweden or EU note that there are customs due to be paid on top of the list price (in Sweden the customs are collected by the freight company when the package arrives). The only downside is that my other non Softstar shoes now feels obsolete :)

  53. Best shoes on Earth!

    Rating

    Iv worn every shoe on the market that might come close to accomomdating a natural foot thats its owner can actually use (me) The alternatives are embarrassing. Vibram ff come close, but wear out in about 15minutes. Finally I can use my feet like monkey hands and spread my toes! Pure delight! Although my next pair will be with a natural sole this is the shoe of my dreams. An inverted triangle, rather than tryna put 5toes into the point or a Ronald Mcdonald flipper!
  54. Verified Buyer

    Best trail shoes ever

    Rating

    I have worn PRIMAL RunAmocs for a few years now, and they are great on the trails. I just took my first hike in the Megagrip version, and they are SUPER DUPER GREAT on the trails. Fabulous grip, and extra protection from the rocks, without compromising ground feel. I love these shoes!
  55. Verified Buyer

    Awesome Shoes for Serious Hikers

    Rating

    I live in CO and hike all over the place up here. These shoes have been great so far. The megagrip tread is a must. My feet flex in these like no other, and the megagrip tread helps absorb some of the shock of the small rocks, and I definitely feel comfy climbing larger rocks in these. As for size, I do have wide feet (size 7.5), and I ordered the size that was recommended from the chart, 6U. However, I did not like the fit at all. They were too roomy, and my toes stopped right before the rubber front part. I sized down to a 5U/Narrow. Perfect! I The upper part was tight enough to add more security, and the toe box still had more than enough room for my toes to move without my feet sliding all over the doggone place. Don't be afraid if your toes come too close to the edge (clip those toenails, hikers!. Make sure they at least sit under the rubber part. Another thing to consider, I do incline sprinting, (very extreme incline and repetitive running), and I usually get hot spots/ mild blisters on the balls of my feet behind my big toe. This would probably be related to the constant uphill running and the shoes moving around. I haven't solved this problem yet, but I'm working on it. If you're thinking of going minimalist, pick these, For the love of all that's holy, buy them! :)

  56. Fabulous shoes!!

    Rating

    These are my first pair of shoes from Softstar, and I really can't say enough about them. I went hiking at Hocking Hills, Logan, OH and for the first time ever my feet did not hurt nor my legs! I was apprehensive about them and took my other hiking shoes just incase, but I never used them as there was no need to. I would highly recommend these shoes! I rarely write reviews on products but felt I had to with these shoes!

  57. Too large, strong chemical smell

    Rating

    I was so excited to get these as I only wear minimalist shoes now (mostly Softstar) and needed shoes for hiking. But these were so big I had to send them back--lots of toe space, but really too much for me even wearing toe spaces. I am worried about ordering a smaller size because I am afraid they won't fit at the heal. Trying to figure it out. They also had a SUPER strong glue smell and because I have MCS, this was a deal breaker. This was the first time a pair of shoes arrived with such an impossibly strong smell. I am not sure whether I can do these shoes now which is disappointing.
  58. Verified Buyer

    Bought a second pair!

    Rating

    I love these shoes so much that I got a second pair one size down for wearing barefoot. (I wonder what others think, these seem to me maybe a little big, maybe order 1/2 size down?) I am usually an 8.5 or EU 39-40, and my first pair is an 8U which is great - especially with socks. This second pair is a 7U and is perfect barefoot! These shoes are really very well made and I love the additional cushion at the achilles. I never thought I had a wide foot but after wearing these for several weeks, I realize that my mid foot really needed more room and this is likely why I have always had calluses there. Also, I love the 9.5mm sole! My feet have often been sore after wearing barefoot shoes - I walk on concrete a lot, and these are really protecting my soles from any soreness. These are really wonderful shoes. Thank you!

  59. Lovely wide shoes that have good sole protection

    Rating

    I have been wearing minimalist shoes for about 15 years. I have tried many brands. My primary reason for purchasing these shoes was the thicker sole since I have never been comfortable with the thin soles that most minimalist shoes have. I have not been disappointed! These shoes have a nice sole but I still feel like I am using all of my foot muscles! Yay! And I am not experiencing any soreness on the soles of my feet from rocks or walking on concrete! The shoes are very well made but I have only had them for a few weeks so I can’t say how long they will last. The one issue that some reviewers comment on is the appearance of the front of the shoe. Let me say it, it does seem weird at first. The toe area of the shoe is pretty wide. But I’ll say this, my foot isn’t being smushed and my toes have room to move and I can wear socks without making the shoe too tight. I have gotten used to the way they look and they are so comfortable that I don’t care. These are my new favorite shoes and I hope the Elves will eventually offer a few more color choices. Thank you for making a minimalist shoe with a more protective sole!
  60. Verified Buyer

    Great for the trail

    Rating

    I love the primal moc line to begin with and this will be my 3rd pair. I’m so excited these have a grippy sole. It’s just what I needed when walking on hilly wet trails. Grip is perfect. No slipping on the wet leaves. Thanks soft star!
  61. Verified Buyer

    Great improvement

    Rating

    I so much appreciate the Primal shape and the Megagrip soles! About the fit: my feet have that triangular “duck” shape; extra wide at the toes and ball, but more average at the heel. Last time I had them measured at a shoe store, they were women’s 7 1/2 EE, but conventional shoes in that size never fit - I used to wear 8 1/2 EEEE New Balance shoes, and my toes were still cramped. I first tried Softstar shoes in 2016, but was disappointed that the toe boxes were tapered and low volume. I broke in a pair of Dash RunAmocs in 8U wide (a full size longer than I measure for), but they still pinched my toes, so I gave up on them. I tried the Primal RunAmocs in 2018, with the trail sole that was available then. I was hesitant about them not being available in wide, since most foot-shaped shoes are nowhere near wide enough for me in the mid foot, even when they are comfortable at the toes. But surprisingly my mid-foot did not overhang the edges of the Primal 7U regular. At first they did feel too narrow at the ball from the tightness of the upper, but the upper is not restrictive, so eventually they broke in to my satisfaction. So I was not disappointed after all when Softstar decided against introducing a wide Primal. If they did I probably would only try them for use with extra thick socks. Now that I am used to the fit, a new pair of Primals only feels bit tight at first at the ball on my left foot (which is a tad wider than my right). Since I was used to wide sizes which are also wider in the heel, I initially thought that my heel overhanging the sides slightly would be a problem, but I quickly realized it was nice to have the shoe cup my heel. The width at the toes is ample of course, and such a relief after struggling my whole life with narrow toe boxes. It looks like it curves out too much at the side of the big toe, but I think my big toes turn in more than they should, so I am planning to try Correct Toes, which will probably make me appreciate that extra space. The Primal is also low volume, but the vertical toe space works fine for me, perhaps partially because in length my feet are on the smaller end of the 7U size so I have a bit of extra space to give it slack. About the sole: the original trail sole didn’t have enough grip for any real trails, but using it on roads wore it down quickly. The very thin sole along with the extra wide toe box somehow caused too much friction on the bottom of my feet, despite the snug fit at the ball, so longer walks resulted in blisters. I was pleased to see the Omniflex sole offered, but I haven’t tried it because while I was considering it, the Megagrip sole became available. I immediately ordered a pair even though I didn’t like the color of the upper, and I was impressed with the tread. I felt secure hiking on slippery trails in a rainy climate. Finally I am no longer excluded from buying practical shoes just because I have wide feet! The problem I had with friction on the bottom of my feet was greatly reduced, I think because of the thicker midsole. I was excited to order this year’s colors. I haven’t used these extensively or in truly rough conditions, so I can’t report on how durable they are. The leather is thin, but everything is excellent quality. Changes I hope for: The fit around the ankle doesn’t feel quite secure enough, and allows in little rocks and other debris, so I wonder if that can be improved. Adding a heel pad made them feel more secure for me, but when I trimmed the pad to fit flush with the top edge, it fell apart quickly, leaving behind the sticky layer, which tore fibers out of the leather when I pulled it off. So now I don’t dare try another heel pad. I imagine a lot of people probably wish for half sizes, though I can understand how that complicates things. I especially wished for a half size with my most recent Softstar order, which was for Primal Merry Janes (so pretty and soft!). I could tell that a whole size down would be too short, but a snugger fit might be better. The laces are too short. I replaced them with 45 inch laces. I don’t wear these much in the winter because they are too thin to keep my feet warm, and they let in snow. I would be interested in a high top style, maybe with space for warmer insoles. I ordered the sheepskin insoles, but it looks it would take a lot of stretching out the shoe and packing down the fleece to get them even close to fitting, and even then they would make the ankle area sit too low. I hope more people start wearing shoes shaped like these! Pointy-toed shoes should be the embarrassing look, not these healthy shoes. I think Softstar made their best looking designs yet with the Primals.
  62. Verified Buyer

    Feel super great

    Rating

    My feet are so happy running in these... release and relief. I waterproofed them with snow sea;, its worked out lovely Loved picking out my own custom colors My only concerns with them: 1. The toe box, anatomically would come straight out from the big toe, not splayed like a duck So it's alittle silly, unless I am wearing correct toes. 2.The laces are so short that i barely can make a teeny tiny bow, so had to buy longer laces

  63. Perfect for hobbit feet

    Rating

    It wasn’t until I’d blown out the sides of every pair of sneakers I ever had between ages 12 and 25 that I realized extra wide shoes were a thing. I’ve since searched and search. VFFs were a godsend but I’m lazy about putting on shoes so they got tiresome. Found a couple models of vivobarefoot shoes but they kept discontinuing the models I liked. Finally I landed here and these are the best yet. I only wear shoes when I have to, so it’s nice to wear these and feel actually barefoot. I don’t run, but I hike a lot and walk all the time. Anyway, yes, they look like clown shoes but who cares? I feel like that should have been self evident based on the description. Thank you elves.
  64. Verified Buyer

    the apotheosis of shoemaking?

    Rating

    Perhaps. I am loving these shoes! Have spent a few weeks in them, including a 20 mile hike, a 6 hour bike ride, and about 100 miles of just miscellaneous walking around doing stuff, both in socks and barefoot in the shoes. These are just lovely to have on the feet! And I am not easily impressed. Some background. I'm a shoe searcher. Early adopter on barefoot running, back when people thought it was still weird. Bought the very first VFF. Have owned and extensively used many minimalist shoes, including but not limited to: vivobarefoots (dress and casual), carets, bedrock cairns, unshoes, topo sneakers, Lems, many different Sanuks (my regular go to shoe), olukai flip flops, my bare feet, searching for the right combo of toe splay and walkability. I never bought softstars because the last time I checked their website many years ago I thought the shoes looked bad, like a leather sack, and for some reason I had crossed softstar off my list on potential shoemakers.. Well, not anymore! Newer models look awesome! Softstar leads the pack! The closest shoe I've had to the primal runamoc was one pair of very early vivobarefoot that was super wide and duckfooted looking, back when they were a new experimental company. I think it was the early 2000s. I've kept that pair going for a couple decades, patching it up with shoe goop from the sodhopper guy, because of the splay, the beautiful wideness. Because I mainly wore them at work, they didn't get thrashed. This softstar shoe is even a tad wider, and feels better on the foot than that beloved vivobarefoot! There's nothing on the market that I know of that allows full toe splay! WHY? WHY!? To me, it's a beautiful thing to let the toes move with absolute freedom in the shoe. I cannot do that with ANY OTHER of the barefoot shoes. Sandals, yeah, but sometimes I really want or society demands an enclosed shoe. Yardwork. Some hikes. Winter. Weddings. Court. Etc. Even the vivobarefoot duckfoot shoe that i wore to work for many years has my toes graze the edge of the shoe at full splay, which was ok, but, suboptimal? why would I want that?! Primal runamocs have that extra couple millimeters to make things right. Sure, they look a little weird, but so freaking what? they are the RIGHT SHAPE. I plan to give all of softstar models a try, including the narrower runamoc, because the workmanship, the gorgeous leather, the design, all deserve our attention. Everyone in the nation should be OUT of their narrow "normal" shoes and experiencing actual foot comfort. I think the nation would be better off if everyone's feet were relaxed. Thank you softstar!!!! I believe you are doing vital work! I hope that your "crazy looking" shoes become the norm someday!

  65. Kyla

    Rating

    Shoes have a very clownish look to them due to the extra wide toe box. If this doesn't bother you, you'll probably like them.
  66. Verified Buyer

    Great upgrade

    Rating

    Thank you for giving the Primals a better sole for mountian and rocky trails! It is exactly what I needed, and I totally love them! Better grip, better protection from individual stones, same wonderful space to splay.

  67. transformed..

    Rating

    1 week into receiving and wearing this model.. these are the most comfortable shoes i have worn to date.. until wearing this style,, i have worn standard heavy / thick sole shoes & sneakers.. these have transformed my opinion of truly comfortable footwear.. the feedback through the shoe is outstanding.. it properly relays the information of the ground surface to modify and adjust my footing.. they are new,, so although this is a pleasant change from other show styles,, i expect brand new items to perform well.. i may update this review after i have more usage..
  68. Verified Buyer

    Awesome Hikers!

    Rating

    I love the MegaGrip! I feel much more stable out on the trails. With other shoes I was slipping on areas covered in algae or thick leaf cover. With the MegaGrip I have so much more control and can still feel the ground.
  69. Verified Buyer

    Ms

    Rating

    I wore these on a rocky, gravely, hilly trail, without breaking them in at all. They were awesome! In fact, my hiking companion was probably getting tired of listening to me comment about how much I love these shoes. I've been wearing Soft Star shoes for a few years now, but the relatively smooth sole on the other trail shoes always made me feel a bit uncomfortable on steep terrain. The sole on this shoe solved that problem, and I could still "feel" the ground just fine. I love the extra-wide toebox, and my feet never started to hurt like with the other hiking boots or tennis shoes that I was forced to wear. Highly recommended.
  70. Verified Buyer

    Search is Over

    Rating

    I've long looked for a shoe that I can use for trail running and trail walking. These shoes fit my wide forefoot and toes while holding the rest of my foot securely. Plus, my feet have almost always felt really sensitive to rocks and even pebbles in other barefoot shoes. These shoes seem to manage what my feet land on to the point that I don't get the sharp shots of pain from shoes past. Yet, I still feel stable and aware of where my foot is and what it's doing.
  71. Verified Buyer

    Shoe buyer

    Rating

    These are great for golfing! Excellent service from the elves. I highly recommend, especially if you love the feeling of walking barefoot in the grass down beautiful fairways. Perfect for all different weather. Great grip, no sliding in wet conditions. I wear a 5 regular in other Soft Star shoes, so I purchased the 5 narrow. Still plenty of room for fall or winter socks. So very happy.

  72. Great hiking shoes that let your toes flex

    Rating

    These shoes have been great when hiking more rugged terrain. I wore these in SW Washington around Mt St Helens and in Central Oregon. They handle loose rocky terrain as well as rough rock without issue. The mega grip sole makes a big difference on the dry rocky loose ground as well as more wet terrain. The midsole helps provide more protection for my foot when sharp rocks are encountered. Highly recommended for anyone that likes the primal toe box and wants a more rugged sole. The only downside is I find I need to use gaiters to keep small pebbles and debris out of my shoes in some environments with ash and dust due to the lower top.

  73. best shoes ever

    Rating

    Was really glad to see softstars w a vibram sole. I have moccasins but wanted something to wear out in the woods, walking around town, etc. This are it. My favorite shoes! I like wide shoes and I got the wide version, so much room it's like walking barefoot (but w/o all the pain of not actually having shoes). The soles are a great thickness -- protective & grippy but super light. when soles wear out I'll get them re-soled for sure.

  74. What a great lightweight hiking/running shoe!

    Rating

    After years of heel pain, I have been transitioning to zero drop flexible shoes and have been happy with the results. However, anyone who has hiked forest roads or mountain paths knows that lightweight shoes also need to protect from sharp rocks. I hesitated because these are spendy, but I am so happy with them. We just went camping and hiking in the Cascades and these were perfect for everything on the trip. They offer great flexibility and wonderful grip (even on wet rocks) They are light and easy to pack. I hope to put so many miles on them that I am happy to buy another pair! My only con would be that my foot is right between sizes and though not narrow, on the narrower side of normal. I like the extra room in the toe box, but it is a bit much for my foot, causing a little slipping. I would have likely considered the smaller size or the narrower fit if I would have tried them on first. I still give 5 stars because I think that this is a problem with my measuring and decision and not a problem with the shoe.
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You're reviewing: Adult Megagrip PRIMAL RunAmoc
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Customer Questions

The fit of the Dash RunAmoc is usually true to one's normal Softstar size. For the Primal RunAmoc, however, we advise most people to size up one from their normal Softstar size. For example, if you wear a 7U Dash RunAmoc, you are likely to want to size up to 8U for the Primal RunAmoc. This is because of variations in how the uppers are designed. Subtle differences in an individual’s foot shape can also change how a shoe feels. Rest assured that we offer an easy return/exchange process if needed.

No. The heels of Primal shoes are the same size and width as the standard heel of our other shoes.

The Omniflex soles of our standard Primal RunAmocs are cut from large sheets, so we can cut them to fit any size we need. Megagrip soles, however, are pre-cut by Vibram before they arrive at our workshop. These soles are intentionally made larger than the shoe so they can be trimmed to fit our sole shape, but a size 14U Primal RunAmoc with its wide toe box is so wide that it exceeds the size of the untrimmed Megagrip sole. Sorry, but Megagrip soles are simply not made big enough to fit on Primal RunAmocs larger than size 13U.

Sorry, but no. The unique Primal toe cap is only available on Primal RunAmocs.

Both wide and regular widths of the Primal sole keep the toe box as the widest part of the shoe. The regular width is reduced most along the toe box, slightly less at the middle/instep portion of the shoe and has no change around the heel.

When to Order Wide Width
If you normally wear wide shoes, have a large midfoot/instep or have ordered wide Softstar shoes in the past simply because you wanted more room for toes to spread, then the wide Primal width will likely work very well for you. Wide width is also recommended if your feet are widest at the toes, or if you have been wearing Correct Toes or other toe spacers to restore a natural foot shape.

When to Order Regular Width
If you have a slim midfoot/instep then you may prefer the regular width. Regular width is also recommended for people who do not need the full amount of space in the toe box. For example, if you are new to minimalist shoes and have been wearing tapered/pointy shoes most of your life then your toes likely point inward and you may find the full amount of space from the wide width to be excessive, especially at first. We find this to be the case with most of our female customers, due to the conventional tapered shape of most women's shoes.

Very likely! Our shoe designers are tinkering with new ideas for the Primal sole. At this time it is available for the following shoes:

These are listed on the Primal category page.

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.

Yes, we sell sheepskin insoles that fit our Primal shoes. When you purchase our Sheepskin Plus innersoles, you will first be prompted to select the shape: Standard or Primal. Select Primal, and new options will appear for you to select your size and width.

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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