Adult Switchback Boot

201 Reviews
From:
$250.00

We're raising the bar for zero drop hiking boots. Our Switchback boots are minimalist, lightweight, and breathable. The rugged Vibram™ Megagrip soles will securely take you through the most extreme treks. Choose between virtually indestructible Superfabric® or the all-leather look. Get ready for your next great adventure!

Size Guide
Free Shipping Options
Easy Returns within 45 Days
Wherever You Are Wherever You Are
SuperFabric Demonstration SuperFabric Demonstration

We designed these Switchback boots after asking our fans what they wanted in a minimalist hiking boot. We are proud to offer these in both a Superfabric® version and an all-leather version. Get ready to hit the trails with your zero-drop hiking boots!

The Switchback features a foot-friendly design with a toe box that is more spacious than your typical hiking boots. The width options follow our Hybrid REGULAR and Hybrid WIDE designs which you can inspect on our Sole Shape Comparison Tool.

DURABLE ECO-FRIENDLY ITALIAN LEATHER

Whether you purchase the all-leather version or the Superfabric® version with leather trim, we use a uniquely durable Italian leather pretreated with water repellant LeatherShield™. This Green Guard certified leather is also anti-bacterial and stain resistant. While the leather used on Switchback boots is treated for water repellency, please keep in mind that they are not fully waterproof, as they do not have a gusseted tongue or water-sealed stitching seams. Instead, we prioritized flexibility, comfort, and allowing your feet to breathe with every step. If you clean and treat your leather regularly, your boots will get better with age.

Torino Leather Trim

SUPERFABRIC® SHELL

When we say this material is virtually indestructible, we mean it! Both the Slate and Sandstone versions have SuperFabric® uppers, an innovative material designed in the USA for ballistic products. Performance is enhanced through the configuration of tiny armored plates that provide resistance to a variety of harsh elements. An environmentally friendly solvent-free curing method is used to make this material: no water or phthalates are used and no VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) are produced during the process.

SuperFabric® combines the following features:

Quick Dry
Quick Dry
Interior

 

Breathable
Breathable

 

Ultralight
Ultralight

Antibacterial
Antibacterial

Abrasion Resistant
Abrasion
Resistant

 

Puncture Resistant
Puncture
Resistant

 

Easy to Clean
Easy to Clean

 

Made in USA
Made in USA

MERINO INNER LINING

The Switchback is lined with 100% merino wool for a cozy and quick-dry interior. Our wool is sourced from Germany from humanely-treated sheep and is Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified. 

 

Merino Wool Lining

ZERO-DROP VIBRAM™ MEGAGRIP SOLES

Unparalleled in grip and longevity, these 6mm soles perform well in both wet and dry conditions and are a favorite among extreme trail adventurers. We also added a 6mm midsole for an extra buffer from sharp rocks while maintaining a streamlined, minimalist design. Like all Softstar shoes, the Switchback soles are zero-drop and contain no raised heels, toe springs or arch supports.

Vibram Megagrip Sole for Zero Drop Hiking Boots

REPLACEABLE MERINO WOOL INSOLES

It may take some time, but after enough rugged adventures, you may eventually notice your Switchback's wool insoles wearing down. You can easily replace them to keep your boots looking, performing and smelling like new. Replacement merino wool insoles can be purchased separately.

Replaceable Merino Insoles

DESIGNED AND HANDCRAFTED IN OREGON, USA

Every Switchback boot is 100% handmade and shipped from the Softstar workshop in Philomath, Oregon.

Handcrafted in Oregon, USA

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."

Switchback boots are very easy to clean! Simply use a damp cloth to wipe off any dirt or stains, then let air dry.

Customer Reviews

4.2

201 reviews

Write a review

Share your thoughts with other customers

Top customer reviews

  1. Love these!

    Rating

    My Switchbacks have made it through their first Chicago winter now, and I can honestly say I'm quite pleased with their performance. I got them in the superfabric. Aesthetically, I'd prefer the leather, but my mental health has been making some care tasks harder to get to, so the lower-maintenence material is really helpful. The wool lining gives an excellent boost to the wool socks I wear all winter. They don't look much worse for wear either despite our messy, slushy, muddy winters. My only cons are that I wish the water resistance was higher (bc if I step in one puddle one time, I get soggy socks), and I wish the company offered half sizes. I think my perfect ideal fit would be halfway between the first pair I ordered and the second pair I exchanged it for. I know that would be a whole big undertaking to basically double the number of sizes on offer, so I don't assume that's likely to happen anytime soon. I still like these boots and this company's whole vibe well enough that I just bought some primal Sawyers to take me into spring, and I have my eye on a good few other styles I'd love to get. But if the stars should ever align to make half sizes a reality, I'll be first in line!
  2. Verified Buyer

    Love them and wish for more options

    Rating

    I wouldn't have tried these but for a friend's enthusiastic recommendation. Hiking footwear, for me, should be either the lightest and most breathable possible or sturdy and waterproof. These are neither, and yet.... they are so stinking comfortable on my incredibly picky feet that I've worn them for more than just hiking. They're great for my morning walk along the river on sloppy wintry days. To my surprise, they kept my feet warm on all but the bitterest days. Partly this is down to the wool lining, and partly it's the sole lifting my foot farther away from the cold ground. (Yet somehow the soles flexibility still gives me decent ground feel!) Their traction helped me navigate the large ice patches we had this winter. The soles will allow for sturdy scrambling on rocky White Mt trails, though I'd not take these superfabric ones on proper winter hikes. For that the full-grain leather ones might do, so long as you also use gaiters. (If I could have one change besides the ungusseted tongue it would be for the laces to be situated better for hooking on gaiters.) My usual size is 8U and in this a 9U perfectly allows for a thickish sock and room for the foot to swell after hours of hiking. But because the laces tighten well, a thin sock also works. Ecstatic to have a great hiking boot that my feet love and that I'll be able to resole. If the full-grain ones go fully waterproof I'll get those as well. Here's hoping!

  3. All leather oak hikers

    Rating

    I purchased these shoes with the intent on using them as a winter hiking boot. So far they have proven to be an incredibly comfortable boot but it wasn’t an easy path to ensure they preform in all conditions. First of all fit is fantastic once you get the size right. I wear a size 11 normally. I ended up with a 12 in these boots. The exchange process was easy and the company is great at communication. Five stars. The next challenge was I found microspikes do not work with these boots or any barefoot shoe. I found that crampons have more structure and are fantastic when you have them fitted correctly. Downside is the crampons I have tub slightly and have caused some wear on the leather. For snowshoes they are fantastic. But same with the crampons if you don’t have them fitted just right any rubbing will cause wear on the boot itself. I have about 18 miles on the boot though rough winter Adirondack trails. They fit like a glove, I’m able to use crampons or snowshoes depending on equipment. When paired with the correct winter wool sock they are warm. As for longevity goes time will tell. But they are a drastic improvement in overall fit and the first hike I noticed I was not complaining about my feet by the end of the day. They truly feel like a glove for your feet. I hope they go the distance.
  4. Verified Buyer

    So comfy!

    Rating

    These shoes offer wonderful support on my ankles while keeping my toes spacious and free. I love the laces- the color, the boot hooks, the length. The wool lining keeps my feet warm. I do wish that they had a gusseted tongue- with this addition they would be unstoppable.
  5. Verified Buyer

    OTR Truck Driver

    Rating

    Made in American. Support your homeland. Fits great to me. Comfortable without socks. Toes are free of bondage. Great for traveling long and many days in my Softstarshoe. Thank you, Softstarshoes.
  6. Verified Buyer

    Five Stars from Australia

    Rating

    Softstar knocked it out of the park with this boot! I bought the all leather slate (black) in wide fitting and could not be happier. The shoe was so good that I subsequently purchased the Primal Sawyer, which was also great. I will be buying more shoes from Softstar! Anyway, back to the Switchback. The last shape of the boot is fantastic. Heel and instep are perfect - snug with sufficient instep height to accomodate my medium/high arch. The toe box width is like Nirvana for my toes, whilst the 'moc-style' construction in the vamp provides ideal volume - a perfect environment for the toes and ball of the foot. The leather is soft enough for comfort, but of sufficient thickness to maintain the structure of the boot. The leather has a beautiful pebble grain matt finish. The outsole is flexible and allows for ground feel, whilst also feeling substantial and protective at the same time. My review is properly considered and unsolicited. I'm no novice - I've walked the earth for over five decades. I bought my first pair of Danish 'wide' toe box shoes in the 1990's before barefoot was a thing. I own multiple shoes/boots from five different barefoot European brands, four USA brands and a couple of famous Australian brand Chelsea boots of 'conventional fitting' (which are a joke in terms of foot health). Given all that, these are my favourite boots without a doubt. Softstar are accomodating the natural shape of the human foot. I ordered as per the Softstar size guide - which worked out well. My only complaint is that Softstar don't have a retail outlet in Australia. P.S. Delivery to Australia was quick (I don't really care how long it takes to arrive, so long as the product is good when it gets here - which it was).

  7. Not a fan

    Rating

    These are made to be roomy in the toe box, but at the same time, the leather is pulled into the toes and is stretched in a very low profile across the entire foot. Tried over the past year to stretch them a bit, but just could not get these to be comfortable at all. Never wore them outside of the house just trying to get them to feel ok. Should have returned them immediately. Probably just going to toss them and chalk it up as a loss at this point.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Tyler - Please reach out to our Customer Service team and reference this review. Although you are out of the time window for our Happy Foot Gaurantee, the fact that you haven't worn them and that it is a current style means we can honor the "Fit & Comfort" portion of this. We want your feet to be happy. Unfortunately we can't reach out to you directly as we had multiple Tylyer's purchase Switchbacks last year, but would love to hear from you!
  8. Verified Buyer

    Best Boot I Have Ever Owned

    Rating

    (Background: I was diagnosed with Morton's Neuroma, several years ago and was told by a doctor that my feet would keep getting worse year by year until I would eventually lose the ability to walk. I did some research and decided to stop wearing tight fitting hiking boots, shoes, and any other footwear that smashed my toes together. After a couple of years of wearing shoes with generous toe boxes, my symptoms have disappeared). I waited to take a hike before I posted this review and can now say definitively that the Softstar Switchback Boot (wide) is the most comfortable footwear I have ever owned. I am in my late fifties, a lifelong walking adventurer and have summited mountains, forded streams, slogged across mud, sand, and stone, and have tried may shoe brands and styles. Without hesitation, I can say that Switchback boots are peerless. On my test trail, the route was steep with a mix of gravel and slick mud: I had loads of traction. Going downhill, my toes had plenty of clearance. No jamming toes here! As minimalist footwear, it felt light as a feather when I first put them on my feet. The construction is top-notch. I love the paracord style laces as well as how they feel in my hands. The soles are wearing well. The leather is of a fine quality; soft yet durable. They can be taken on and off very easily. I clean the mud off easily with a soft, damp cloth. I've been wearing them for several months and due to the roomy fit (but not loose feeling) my little toe that has lived under my fourth toe since I was a child, is now slowly migrating to it's correct position. These shoes are loved so much that I purchased a pair of Rigels. I don't know how they've had such and affect on me, but I smile just from wearing them. Softstar is now and forever my favorite shoe brand: Elf love for my recovering feet!
  9. Verified Buyer

    Switchback

    Rating

    So far so good, and comfy for my hobbit feet ????. Feel like a pair of slippers ,but also durable in are Canadian winter this years They pass the test
  10. Verified Buyer

    Sturdy and roomy

    Rating

    These boots have passed the test on a short, average trail and in light snow. The soles protected my feet from rocks on the trail and the leather and wool kept my feet warm and dry in the snow. (Note the snow did not come up over the lacings.) I also credit the warmth to the fact that since the boots are wide enough, my toes were not squished together. I have a low volume foot and the boots are just wide enough but have too much volume, so I may order additional insoles to place on top of the current ones to try to take up some of the space inside the boot. I have struggled to find shoes and boots that fit. Now that I have boots that fit, I may spend more time on the trail.

  11. BEST SHOES EVER

    Rating

    Aloha! I have been an avid athlete for the last 30 years of my life. These are the best shoes I have ever had...PERIOD. I use them to trail run, hike, mow the grass, adventure with my kids, and do every day life with...every day. I have the tan with the mesh. We have likely tried 10 different softstar shoe model...hands down the rest. I would wear them for a 100 mile trail race, for walking the dog, or hiking the national parks. da best!!!!
  12. Verified Buyer

    Best boots so far

    Rating

    These are the best boots I have found so far. The width is almost enough for my ultra wide feet, but I could use another centimeter or so of width at the toe joints. The toe box is wide but it leans inward a lot, if you get what I mean. Therefore I have to wear the boots without the insole to create some extra volume for the toes. I would prefer a gusseted tongue to make them waterproof. These (and the Hawthorne chukkas) are the best barefoot style shoes I have found so far, thank you Softstar! Mainstream brands aren't close to wide enough for me. Because there is room for improvement I will give the boots 4 stars out of 5.
  13. Verified Buyer

    Shoe with no purpose

    Rating

    I was so much looking forward to this shoes. Hoped they would finally be a meaningful hiking barefoot boot, so I was ready to pay top dollar for this pair. But ended up completely let down. How come? Just for the record, I'm not angry or giving 1 star review like average dissatisfied customer. I own 6 pairs of Softstars and love them. Some are good others are better, but generally good shoes. Yes, overpriced, but hey, let's support local handmade shoes business, right? So this is by far not my first softstar pair. But it's by far the worst. Here is why: 1. These shoes are NOT GOOD FOR HIKING! And this should be their first purpose! Even afer longer trail (forget about serious hiking) they get uncomfortable and feel very insecure. Your foot is somehow all over the place. On the end I went back on using my Shapen winter boots for hiking because they were doing much better job in hiking, and they are not even hiking boots... Someone already wrote, and unfortunately I have to agree, Softstar are fine with making casual footware, but they don't have the know how of making hiking boots. Making a hiking boot is a serious and demanding task and needs a lot of checked boxes and good execution to make usable product. Unfortunately Switchback is a big miss in this regard. Besides insecurity wearing them, they also have only one stitching row, meaning very short lifespan if You really plan to use them hiking. Many other customers already reported boots getting unstitched and ripped even after few uses.... So if You think about buying Switchback for hiking or trail, not a good choice. 2. These shoes are NOT GOOD FOR WEARING IN WINTER NOR IN SUMMER! Why? Softstar made a mistake, so much spoken about also in another reviews. What mistake? They wanted to maintain breathability so they didn't make these shoes waterproof. Yes Softstar, I love You, but You can make all the excuses You want, but this was a mistake and I know You know it. Why is this a deal breaker? Because You cannot use this boots for winter conditions. It doesn't even have to rain properly, light rain or drizzle is enough for Your feet to get wet. And imagine how is it on trail or mountain with wet morning grass... Completely useless... Can't wrap my head around this weird choise of theirs not to make hiking winter boot waterproof. Other way around. Shoes are not very warm, but warm enough to be too hot on warmer days so Your feet start sweating. So You end up with super expensive boot, that's like a niche product which can be warn ONLY ON DRY WINTER DAYS. Speaking about versatility... 3. One big problem that seemingly nobody mentioned is that (in order to make these boots mountain friendly, which they are not) they made thicker sole with padding. Why is this a problem? Because the sole is too thick and has too much cushioning. So as soon You start to use them, You tend to begin walking "lazy" again, as You did before with non barefoot shoes, meaning You start treading too much on Your heel, because You can, Your body always choses the laziest method and it can do it because of too much cushion... So You find Yourself losing the good proper way of walking You put so much effort in and acquired through barefoot shoes in first place. Meaning, these shoes are on edge of not being barefoot shoes. For me this might be even the worst of all the bad points... But it's hard to give them priority because all 3 are grave matter. SO! To sum it up. I love Softstar, but this shoe is a complete failure in all aspects. It's simply almost useless (non-)barefoot boot. Not for hiking, not for trail, not for winter, not for summer.... So if there is any scenario in which these shoes are worth their price, of even buying for any price, go ahead

    Response from store

    Thank you Mirko for taking time to share your experience and I am sorry that you were unhappy with the security, the sole thickness and the breathability/Waterproof tradeoff. We are sad to hear they were not enjoyable to you, especially when shipping all the way overseas for you. I did notice that all your previous sizes were 10U in other styles, and the you opted for the 11U in the Switchback. I am concerned that the insecurity you are experiencing may be a sizing issue. I will reach out to you directly regarding this. Your review has been reviewed by our design elves and we really appreciate your feedback!
  14. Verified Buyer

    I really like these

    Rating

    I bought these for work. I've found another brand which makes work boots in zero drop, and knowing SoftStars quality for many years, I thought I'd take a chance on these. Normally, a Softstar 10 is a great fit. they are a true ten, and I'm a 10.5. I take a wide. These were a touch short out of the box and the wide could have another 174 on it as well. Still, after 24 hours of wear, they broke in very well. The leather outer and wool lining are very accommodating. They are easily the most comfortable boot I have. Like walking on a cloud. The vibram sole seem very durable so far. I'm very tough on heels and after several weeks is showing little wear. If you intend these to be worn barefoot or with a lightweight sock, get your normal size. Should you want to wear a heavy sock only, size up. I would recommend these without reservation.
  15. Verified Buyer

    15 Please

    Rating

    Am in the process of returning these boots, love the quality and shape but am desperate for a size 15. (size 14 is too small for my feet) I can understand the shoe/boot making process is precise and complicated, however I do have some small confusion on how these are handmade up to size 14 but Softstar cannot accommodate making a size 15 in this boot. The Primal RunAmoc is one of the few models that offer a 15 and I've been buying them for years. I have emailed customer service before with a request to pay extra for a custom size 15 and was told it was not possible. These boots are already pricey and paying more for longevity and quality would be amazing. I would love for the possibility for a larger size 15 sole, especially if the rest of the shoe is handcrafted to order around the sole. It seems as if the acquiring a sole in this shape is the issue?
  16. Verified Buyer

    Best most comfortable excellent design

    Rating

    I have had these for about six months, and I love these hiking shoes. I got the canvass exterior. I did have to break them in a bit but they are the most comfortable work shoes/hiking boots I have ever worn. The interior wool lining is fantastic. Excellent quality. I ordered the same size as my dash runamoks and they fit perfectly.
  17. Verified Buyer

    Comfortable for days on end. Finally wore off the vibram knobbies

    Rating

    I was so happy when the elves started making these boots in leather compatible with snoseal or nikwax. These are light and fit in like gloves after a few days. Good choice of leather for light job and hike boots that just work even in the wet. But with many miles of hiking around festivals, working, along with mile upon mile on trails, I've finally worn the vibram soles nearly flat in midsole. This is the tradeoff we make for softer, more grippy performance rubber to go with the light uppers, vs stiff ultra-long-wear rubber. So it's time for a hiking pair with fresh knobs, and for my current pair to continue walking around the house and yard.
  18. Verified Buyer

    Have Four Pairs of Switchbacks Now Altered the insert thingie

    Rating

    Obviously, I'm lovin' them having purchased four pair. The blue, black, brown, and gray. Only run ins were the blue was one of the first made and part of the lining wasn't glued on. Gotta find a cloth glue to reattach it. The insoles in the blue and synthetic gray were taped in with double sided tape and taking them out meant tearing off part of the insole and leaving some behind to be scraped off. I don't know why they bothered with a pull on loop because there's no way a man's finger fits in it. A big loop like on Lems would work. For me, the insoles are too mushy. So I pried them out and wore them without insoles. But too thin without insoles. Finally found a solution. Buffalo Wool company offers a buffalo wool sheet you can trace and cut out insoles. It's perfect. Not too mushy and not too thin.
  19. Verified Buyer

    Mr.

    Rating

    These boots are fantastic, I feel just as ready to stomp branches apart as I do to run and jump like a ninja. Aragorn might have an elvish sword but we have elvish boots!

  20. Not worth the Money, broke after a year.

    Rating

    Hello all, Do not buy these shoes, they are costly and will not last. I hiked 120 miles on them and they have broke after about a year. Reached out to support and they don't repair their own shoes after a year, refered me to a local shoe repair, don't waste your time or money.

  21. Amazing

    Rating

    I'd been wanting to try these boots out for a while and just happened to be driving through Oregon, so I stopped at the factory. As soon as I put them on I knew I would buy them. They are INCREDIBLY comfortable. I've gone on several hikes wearing them, worn them as an every day shoe, and when I got home, wore them while working our cattle. Admittedly, I did put an aftermarket insole in them for a little extra cushion, but I cannot stress how impressed I am with these boots. I've worn them literally every day since I bought them.

  22. A near miss

    Rating

    These boots don't work for me, and I'm kind of stunned that they don't because they seemed like a sure thing. I hope at least my experience may be helpful to some buyers and maybe even inform further developments at Softstar. I've been wearing Wide Sawyers for some time now and this time I bought a pair of Switchbacks and a pair of Sawyers. Occurred to me I should get the boots in a size up in case I wanted to wear them with thick socks. Then I thought I might do well to go a size up in Sawyers too because my feet are so wide that, in the 'right' size, my little toes were still a bit pinched. My feet are just under 26cm long and just over 11cm wide. So I went up from 9 to 10 and in the Sawyers that was the charm: the first shoes I've had in living memory that don't hurt my feet in any way at all. I wish the same was true of the boots. Quite simply, Wide Switchbacks are not as wide as Wide Sawyers. I assumed this was just a feeling born of the more rigid materials and, especially, the stiff leather around the toes, but no, I've just held the Sawyer sole up against the Switchback and, the Sawyer is wider: there's more space for the big toe to splay. That's space I badly need because without it I start to get knee pain again. And no, I wasn't sent the non-wide version by accident, I've checked the label inside. And I don't think going up to size 11 would work for me because in the 10s there's already too much space between my toes and the ends, and I'm not convinced that going up a size would give me the big toe splay space I need. It's a real bummer. I'd really looked forward to finally having a pair of good walking boots for winter. Softstar, I think you need to be a lot clearer about the fact that just because one wide model works for a customer, it doesn't mean they all will. I'd appreciate the Elves' advice on whether they think a pair of Primal Megagrips would work for me, but at this point, I'm really reluctant to stick my neck out with another big purchase that could go this wrong.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thank you Barefoot Boy for your review - We do have different sole shapes - and it sounds like the Wide Primal shape is exactly what you like. All Primal shaped shoes have the word "Primal" in their name. In addition, each page has a link to the sole shapes used on our shoes and our Sole Shape Comparison page: https://www.softstarshoes.com/sole-shape-comparison-tool.html Here you can see that the Switchback is on our HYBRID sole shape, and the Primal Sawyer is on the Primal shape - and you can even overlay the two shapes to visualize them. Styles that would work well for you would be WIDES in the PRIMAL Chelsea and Sawyer. The Primal RunAmoc Megagrip is also a good option unless you have fairly "thick" (tall) toes, in which case you are better sticking with the Sawyer and Chelsea as the Primal RunAmoc Toe box has a rubber toe cap that can be too low for some people with thicker toes. While it works great for most, it does not work for everyone. Please note that we are happy to return and/or exchange any pairs in brand new condition and encourage you to connect with our friendly customer service team with any questions you have.
  23. Verified Buyer

    Very very good

    Rating

    These shoes are awesome, I bought these by suggestions of a friend who is big into natural health and holistic health. Hence he is a big support for barefoot shoes, I bought these for good foot health since I have some issues with my feet…and I love these! I half expected these to perform like running in flip flops or sandals but NOPE! All in all, you get what you pay for, and these are certainly it. Well done y’all, well done.
  24. Verified Buyer

    Epic boots

    Rating

    So stoked to have these for cold, wet weather. I love the wool lining, how I stay dry, and all the versatility. Leave it to a Not Giant, local company to produce such a rad product. I would like them to be more “barefooty” sometimes and understand you probably had to strike a balance. I wear the Sawyers most of the time I wear shoes. Thanks for being in business.
  25. Verified Buyer

    The perfect boot

    Rating

    I haven’t owned a pair of non-snow or rain boots in well over a decade. They’ve all been too heavy, too hot, or too restrictive. (And I don’t do much to warrant more than sneakers, anyway.) I bought these for a summer trip to the Great Plains, where we intended to hike, ride horses, and tromp around a farm in 90+ degree weather. Paired with wool socks, these were absolutely perfect for everything. They kept my feet protected, supported, and flexible without overheating. I got the SuperFabric, and the material was both breathable and immune to the crisp, prickly grasses of the prairie. I can’t wait to try these out in the mountains, next!

  26. Unraveled

    Rating

    I was so excited when they came out with a hiking boot. I had to wait because they sold out so fast. Unfortunately, they slapped them together so fast that the boots don’t STAY together! Very disappointed! I wanted to save them for hiking and wore them less than 20 times. Alas, I moved last year and didn’t get a response to my email and when hiking season started this year, I had to email twice to get a response. Mine unraveled, too. Obviously, they have manufacturing issues, but I am outside of the “happy feet” guarantee. After years with Soft Star, I’m looking for another brand. They no longer care about their customers or quality.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: As per our phone conversations and email, we are unable to repair your boots as we do not have the type of repair post machine needed in your situation, otherwise we would be happy to. As we told you, we searched our email server and we did not unfortunately receive any other email from you. We responded to your email quickly and kindly, as well as on the phone. It saddens us to hear that our customer service did not meet your expectations.
  27. Verified Buyer

    Switchback boots leather

    Rating

    I found these boots true to size and comfortable from moment one. I have worn them in rain with no problem, but have not walked through streams. I treated them with grease prior to using them in the winter and they were leak proof. The heel is wearing down faster than I would like and there is the beginnings of slight separation of the seam holding the sole to the shoe, but overall satisfied.

  28. Genuine Leather

    Rating

    These shoes are shamefully bad, particularly because Softstar clearly knows better than this. The materials used in this shoe are very low quality. They are made of genuine leather (the lowest quality leather available). The wool liner feels like cheap felt. The boots offer zero ankle support. My other softstar shoes have been made of full grain, high quality leather. Frankly, I can't believe Softstar created this boot, compared it with their other shoes, and allowed it to go on sale. I should have returned them before trying them on a hike.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Please note the leather used on the Switchback is one of the most expensive and highest premium quality leathers available. If possible it would be wonderful if you could reach out to us in person to help us understand why you feel it is not good quality? If your concern stems from the difference between traditional thick oil tan leather used in most leather boots vs. a glove tan, the softer leather does not mean it is lower quality, and often can mean iit is more expensive to produce than oil tan. The leather chosen for the Switchback is softer to obtain the glove-like feel and lighter weight experience.

    The wool lining is 100% oeko-tex certified merino wool from Germany.

    You are correct - these boots do not have ankle support as they are minimal boots allowing your foot to move naturally and strengthen naturally.

  29. Verified Buyer

    Favorite boots ever

    Rating

    Premium quality, sharp design and look, very durable and VERY comfortable

  30. Dr

    Rating

    Ridiculously bad quality... you are not paying for longevity with these, the outsole is completly worn, the stitching undone in several places, the insole worn, the wool fluffy and disintegrating, the metal hooks loose... the only part of these boots that has lasted the 6 months I've had them is the laces. Since the start I have been completly unable to contact customer service, just don't waste your money.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: We are dismayed to read your review and would like to help. We are confused about not being able to reach us as we pride ourselves on responding to all inquiries within 1 day and work hard to delight. Our customer service team is here on site in Philomath Oregon Monday thru Friday. I searched our order database and am unable to unfortunately find any orders for Red or Dr. Red. We also search thru our spam folders weekly and did not find your email there, either. Have you been trying to reach us via phone or email? If via email, it is possible your emails might be getting blocked? Please reach out to us at 541-602-0716 during business hours. We have never had anyone wear out the Megagrip sole yet in the many years we have offered it - and would appreciate you connecting with us.

  31. Great for working outdoors in winter

    Rating

    I absolutely adore these boots! They are warm without being overly thick and have great traction for wet, slippery terrain. I work at a forest school and put these shoes to the test in all weather. With reapplications of mink oil, they keep my feet dry by wicking away moisture. With a thick wool sock my feet are warm even on the coldest days. I got the wides and they have plenty of room for toe splay. This is my favorite brand of shoes and look forward to buying more pairs for me and my children as we wear through what we have.

  32. Love!!

    Rating

    I have a pair of the leather version in wide, and I LOVE them!!! They are genuinely my favorite non-sandal shoe I have ever owned. We have a small farm and I use these as my work boots and they have been fantastic. I am very particular and have tried a lot of boots trying to find a winner. Every other minimal footwear boot has felt too stiff or too narrow, and these offer flexibility and plenty of spaciousness for my wider feet and toes all while breathing well and yet still keeping my feet warm. Some advice- I treated them with SnoSeal at first to waterproof as we live in the PNW and that worked pretty well, but I do think that ultimately the way I wish I would have gone in the beginning is to use Obenauf's like I am using now. I think one of my biggest lessons with leather shoes is that you do need to care for them and then they will really last and love you back!!! Thank you so much Softstar for this wonderful boot.

  33. Best ever--could not be happier

    Rating

    I took my switchbacks out for another hike yesterday and was reminded just how consistently impressed I've been with these boots. I have kind of odd feet and have been searching for good zero drop hikers that won't cause blisters. I've tried trail runners and gaiters and they've been okay but these boots are amazing. The uppers, wool lining and excellent soles combine to wrap my foot in protection, secure my steps but never feel heavy or the least bit clunky. The perfect hikers.

  34. sweet on my feet

    Rating

    I really really like these boots, and I want to love them. I’ve had them for about a year now and they are still wearable, though it only took a few months for the sole to start peeling. I can think of only a few reasons this may have happened aside from the quality of the sole. It may be that I got the primal size and didn’t need it. I trip over my feet often, regardless of footwear, but toe boxes well beyond the toes don’t help. Perhaps I was too rough with them, though I can’t imagine being too rough on a pair of hiking boots. I don’t do anything really unusual, as far as terrains go. Fortunately the soles peeled only so much and haven’t gotten worse. It does affect my enjoyment of them. Anyhow, I find these boots comfortable and cool, and I want to get another pair to replace the ones I have. I wish the soles hadn’t done that thing where they split in the front.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Roote for your input - it is very helpful. Please note that sole separation is not to be expected and is covered by our Happy Feet Guarantee if it happens in the first couple months as you indicated. I know you have had them more than a year now so that window has expired but wanted to make sure you know this going forward if you decide to try a new pair. We would love to delight you.
  35. Verified Buyer

    Troy

    Rating

    I have been seeking actual functional barefoot shoes for well over a decade. This review is left in goodwill, in the hopes that a practical 'barefoot' leather trekking shoe will arrive on shelves someday. The shoe offered (for me) a balance of proprioception, protection, and traction. They walk, hike, run, jump and ruck well enough to convince me throughout many terrains. Upon first setting my foot in these shoes, the first mile, and onward my footsies and tootsies felt pampered in their new cradle. Later on, my mate asked me how my new exciting shoes feel and serve me. I responded "I forgot I had them on my feet" My mate responded: 'thats about the best thing you could want from a pair of shoes' I was in agreement on the. matter. We're both really talented walkers. Professional, some may call it. Dirt does easily find its way into these shoes in dusty environs, due to the gusset-less construction. Perhaps wearing a sort of boot gaiter may aid in this. Surprisingly, before even returning home from my first excursion wearing these shoes, the construction has unraveled so to make the shoe further unusable; as it will continue to unravel and damage the product further. The upper is disconnecting from the sole of the shoe. Hence the one star review; I couldn't figure out how to give a 0. I may have been fooled into granting a 5 star, if they would have lasted more than 5 uses. They didn't last 1 use. So a 1 star review is forgiving per this contrived grading system. Unfortunately, I cannot afford one-time-use disposable products priced at a premium. I can hardly afford much time spent reviewing gear on the internet for free. So I will probably super glue the leather upper back to the sole, and move onto the next 'shoemaker.' Unless y'all got any other ideas. Im open to ideas. Thanks for reading my review. Cheers

    Response from store

    Hi Troy -
    Thanks for reaching out! So sorry to hear the Switchbacks had a catastrophic fail for you on your first use - that is NOT OK, or to be expected! It sounds like we made an error on the sole attach process. No worries, your purchase is covered by our Happy Feet Guarantee and we will be able to get you a replacement pair. We will, however, need to get your photo, and will reach out to you today to help troubleshoot the technical difficulties. The photos help us troubleshoot what went wrong and improve. Something that would also help us is to understand what was all involved in your first excursion - if you can provide some insight into anything that might help us either improve, we would appreciate it. For example, if you were in any extreme temperature environments, if they had a lot of water exposure and how many hours/type of use.

    Please go to our contact us page and select "Happy Feet Guarantee" under the request type dropdown. Fill out the information required and we will get back to you soon. If you have any questions about the process, please either give us a call or respond to our email. Thank you for your patience!
  36. Verified Buyer

    Journey ended here

    Rating

    Switchback wide SuperFabric was the culmination of a long search according to my criteria. 90 models down to 7, shortlist of 2 and Softstar had the edge. No 2 was a Czech shoe designed by a well - known podiatrist in Central Europe but it lacked the vibram soles and only had leather uppers (limited traditional outlook re. materials). My only concern now is that Softstar stays solvent and continues to produce this particular model until I die.
  37. Verified Buyer

    Good start, could be better

    Rating

    I love the minimalist zero drop design, the nice leather outer & the merino wool inner. I don’t love the shape——please please make something with the primal sole. Also, the fit is weirdly cramped. I have medium to low volume feet but with my high instep these feel tighter than I would like.
  38. Verified Buyer

    Fantastic boots!

    Rating

    My husband and I each own multiple models of Soft Star shoes and love them. These boots are also fantastic and fill a niche for colder weather. When they first came out, we had to return a pair because the toe height wasn't enough, but the elves shortly redesigned the model, and we tried again. They are now nice and roomy in the toe height depth, and the "hybrid" width is just as comfortable and roomy as the full ultra-wide Primal sole. We hike all summer, spring, and fall over rough desert and mountain terrain wearing our Megagrip Primal RunAmocs, but these higher-top Switchback boots with the same soles and added wool lining are perfect for when the weather turns cold, rainy, and even snowy up on the mountain. (Though I had to convince my husband to save them for winter--he wanted to wear them all the time for everyday!)
  39. Verified Buyer

    best boot

    Rating

    love it and I'm buying another pair. runs a little bit short in sizing I found. So I'm ordering 1 size larger. wide sole is fantastic and the widest I've ever worn.
  40. Verified Buyer

    I have 3 pair of Switchbacks now

    Rating

    Blue, Acorn and Slate. My go to boot now after trying various Belenka and Lems boots. I take the insole out of my Switchbacks....except the blue pair the really really glued that thing in. Love the quality and the soft leather feel. Lightweight for an olde guy to walk in. Makes a difference at age 79
  41. Verified Buyer

    Adult SwitchBack Boots

    Rating

    I've got about 100 miles on these boots so far. Most comfortable hiking boots I have ever had. Between my bunion and my wide feet I can wear them all day without complaint. I am hiking The Wave in May can't wait to see how they feel.
  42. Verified Buyer

    Great quality, made in the USA.

    Rating

    Love my all leather oak switchbacks, comfy all day shoes. Only thing I would change would be a gusseted tongue all the way up. Other than that they are my favorite minimalist hiking boots.
  43. Verified Buyer

    Nice and comfy boot!

    Rating

    I'm very happy with my 14 wide Superfabric Sandstone boot! I have several pairs of Softstar shoes now and these meet the high expectations for minimalist quality and comfort I expect. Super happy!
  44. Verified Buyer

    Too Fragile for Work Boots

    Rating

    I've owned both the Superfabric and Leather version of these boots and wanted to love them, but they are simply too fragile to be considered work boots for me. I've had stitch failures on the side of both boots and with a 3 month warranty on stitching, I'm on my own to have the shoes repaired. These are fantastic in theory, but they just aren't tough enough for my daily use. The leather version of the boots were a substantial upgrade over the Superfabric version in my case, and I managed to get 6 months out of them. Your own mileage may vary.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Sorry to hear that the boots are not holding up well for what you need. Our customer service team will be reaching out to you directly to better understand how we can improve for your use case.

  45. Too pricey for what they are

    Rating

    It has been 4 month since I got these boots, and yesterday I decided people should know what they are getting into. First time seeing the boots, they look huge and kinda weird looking, but I said whatever people wear weirder looking things, anyways, I started wearing them and I like how they feel, my feet feel stronger and tons of space, however, these are not for hiking unless the ground is dry and flat or you will feel the water creeping into your feet and break the leather. Before buying the boots I reached out to the vendor and ask if they can double or even triple sew it so they would be better protected, they said the issue was resolved ( I read they used to break, anyway, four month in and I was thinking how over prices these boots are and how they would not last pass a year, mine are already all scared up with just a few hikes. I love support american made item because they are suppose to last a lifetime* but these boots would not make pass a year with just normal hiking in CO. Please make them better.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hello Sterling - Could you please reach out to our Customer Service team so we can better understand if the issue is the leather is scarred cosmetically or if there is a functional defect? We are glad your feet are feeling happy and stronger in them!
  46. Verified Buyer

    So cute so fun

    Rating

    I've owned these boots for 4 months. From day hikes to overnights, in the city, the snow, and the everyday I love these boots. I added an additional wool insole. They're warm and durable and even with all the wear and tear they look as good as the day I bought them. I get compliments on them all the time and they are so comfortable.

  47. Best boots ever

    Rating

    i had switchbacks for over a year, bought a pair of blue back then when leather ones were only available in that colour. Great boos, incredibly comfortable. They aren't insulated against water (despite the description), but regardless they are the most comfortable boots ever. I painted my blue ones in black, so great to see that they are now readily available in a normal shoe colour. They are warm, thick but soft sole makes them well insulated agains mediocre cold ground (perfect for UK climate), the leather stretches to fit the foot perfectly within a few weeks. As mentioned, thick sole helps with insulated some moisture, but the feet get wet within one minute walking in heavy rain. Disclaimer, you need to learn to walk in "toes first" (not "heel first") manner to take full advantage of them (as with any other barefoot shoes). Generally, since I tried softstar, I now have 3 different pairs of them for different seasons and gave away all of my other shoes to charity. I tried another 10 ish brands (literally every one i could find) of barefoot shoes and none fitted my wide toe foot well, had to return them all. Softstar is the only brand on the market making shoes that fit my foot well (to be completely accurate there is also a Vibrams five fingers, they are also great for wide toes but they are not appropriate in more social situations, which leaves me with softstar without competition). Finally, a brand which doesn't cause my big toe to hurt, is overall comfortable, durable, and looks good! Thank you Softstar!
  48. Verified Buyer

    DO NOT BUY!!

    Rating

    Pros: -comfortable Cons: -expensive -WILL fall apart after a few months -Softstar will not stand behind it's product The upper separated from the sole as I was walking the dogs. No precipitating damage (i.e.- cuts, tears, etc). Just *pop*, broken boot. So, I submitted a claim. Rejected! Why? Because my boots are 7 months old (mind you, I've only been using them for the last 2-3 months, since the weather cooled down. Customer service even noted the good condition of my boots.) Fair enough. You gotta draw the line somewhere, I guess. Although, it's pretty clear that issue is due to defective construction/materials, not abuse. So can a pay a nominal repair fee and have the manufacturer repair my boots? Nope! According to customer service, the repair process is too toxic for THEIR people, so I should find some old cobbler in rural Montana somewhere to do the work, because it's OK to expose HIM to the toxic process!? I was offered a $30 store credit, though, lol. After my $250 boots fell apart with 2-3 months of mild usage. Customer service says that their profit margins are too thin to offer a more comprehensive warranty. Think about that. The only way that would be an issue is if you have a high number of warranty claims. How do you get a high number of warranty claims? By selling substandard products. Slight tangent: you know how it seems to say that the boots are water resistant? Read that carefully. The FABRIC is water resistant, as in "doesn't ABSORB water." It is extremely PERMEABLE. Anyhow, the boots are garbage. DO NOT BUY THEM!! And the company seems more interested in marketing the idea of its supposed virtue, than in making/selling/supporting a quality product. STAY AWAY!

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: We are sorry to disappoint you Nick. As you noted, our guarantee is for 3 months, and 7 months is outside of our warranty. I also hear your frustration that a $30 store credit was not helpful to you. Please note we have no warranty in the case of abuse. In your case, where shoes are worn normally, we have a 3 month warranty. Although we have a low number of workmanship warranty claims (<0.2%) we take them all very seriously. Any failure of material and/or workmanship is reviewed by our team to best understand how to improve. While we work hard to delight each and every customer, we recognize we unfortunately did not hit the mark with you and will be reaching out to you personally.

    With regards to repair, as explained by Elf Lewis, our workshop is not set up with equipment to efficiently handle repairs. It is more efficient, and greener to have shoes repaired locally as well as supporting local businesses. Removing soles is a common, non-toxic repair process that is done by cobblers who have the proper equipment.

  49. Comfort 10/10 utility could improve

    Rating

    LOVE the fit and comfort of these!!! I took them on a long trek and never had foot pain or blisters like I usually can, and they grip is phenomenal. However, use case for these doesn't make much sense to me. The wool lining makes them so so hot as a hiking shoe in warmer months. Backpacking with them my feet were baking. Then in cold months were we have a lot of rain and snow, these are not waterproof so my feet would get wet!! I'd like to see them either 1) more breathable for warmer weather or 2) more water tight for colder months. right now they seem to be at an awkward in between so I don't go for them as often as I would like. Because of this, I usually just use them to walk my dog when it isn't raining.

  50. Durability lacking

    Rating

    I have very wide feet and splayed toes from walking barefoot — past 6E in shoe stores. SoftStar has been the only place I've found something that remotely fits once they released their primal line. Over the last several years I've bought a pair of the Primal RunAmocs, two pairs of the Primal Sawyers, a pair of the Hawthorne Chukka (too narrow even in wide), and most recently the Switchback Boot. And my main frustration with the boot is the same as the shoes: durability. I wear sandals as much of the year as I can, meaning I'm in shoes about half the year, yet still I'm hard pressed to get a pair of SoftStars to last. The sole wears through, the stitching gives out, the glue comes undone. I once had a local cobbler put a new sole on a pair of the Sawyers that lasted far longer than the original did, so I know there are more durable materials out there. This would all be fine if the shoes were about half the price they are. But having just blown out the side of these boots after less than a year of use is hard to stomach when their price is creeping towards 300 bucks. I realize SoftStar isn't a factory and needs to keep the lights on — and I'm happy to support what you're doing as I appreciate the wide products — but it's frustrating to spend so much on shoes knowing they're not going to last.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thank you Tim for your review. We appreciate you trying our shoes for your needs, and empathize with your situation. Unfortunately our shoes are not made for 6E wide feet. Many people with wide feet do love our shoes because we have lots of room for toes to wiggle - the widest toe box on the conventional shoe market - But a wide toe box does not mean the entire vamp is made for and 6X wide foot, which would put too much stress on the stitching. For reference, most wide shoe people who purchase our wide shoes are between and EE and EEE. Your feet are no doubt wonderfully lovely, but unfortunately not in the size range we make.
  51. Verified Buyer

    Love my Switchbacks

    Rating

    I LOVE my switchbacks! Plenty of room for my fan feet at the forward part of my foot, especially my toe area. I can even wear my CorrectToes with them. They are warm, very water resistant and flexible. I also really like the design and the way they are easy to put on.
  52. Verified Buyer

    I love these boots!

    Rating

    Would recommend! I love the look and they’ve been great in the rain and snow so far.
  53. Verified Buyer

    Comfortable, grippy, possible durability issues

    Rating

    I bought these shoes in late 2021 and they got most of their use the summer of 2023. I've used them for light hiking, snow shoeing, a 30 day backpacking expedition, a 19 day backpacking trip and one shorter backpacking trips (3 days). I found them the Primal Version very comfortable and grippy. The grippy vibram sole and outdoor build is what led me to buy these. In the rain, I trusted them when walking on unstable, rocky terrain and to dry relatively quick. In dry dusty terrain, I trusted them to keep me from slipping. I've found them easy to run in with their high flexibility and lightweight material. The few times I used them in the snow with a sheepskin insole, I found them a bit too cold for comfort. The felt insole that is included, can become a bit "hard" and cause a little friction if not wearing thicker socks. Overall, they treated me well and I wished they lasted me longer. For context, I am an outdoor instructor that leads expedition-based trips for youth in the mountains through many terrains. On a 30 day course, the superfabric ripped at two points on my right foot, the sole started delaminating, the leather in the back heel started to degrade, and the fabrics "plates" started coming off. The eyelets and hooks are very durable, they do rust once the paint comes off. I got them resoled (same sole, shows moderate wear) and stitched up by a vibram authorized shoe shop. I then took them on a 19 day trip. Two weeks into it, the stitches opened up and eventually led to a tear across the whole bridge and the sole started to come off again. I did a field repair using a "speedy stitcher" to make them walkable. This is how they exist now, help up by thread and used for light gardening. Conclusion: they are a reliable, great shoe if you use them for light hiking and shorter backpacking trips because the sole itself is very durable. I would buy them again for this purpose and I'm still on the search for a dedicated outdoor boot for my longer trips.
  54. Verified Buyer

    Switchbacks are so comfortable

    Rating

    These are such great boots! I've had them for a few weeks now and they are very comfortable, right from the start. The toe box is nice and wide and the ground feel is okay considering the thicker sole. I especially love that my low volume feet are comfortable in these boots!
  55. Verified Buyer

    Cozy and light

    Rating

    So comfy and warm and light on the feet. Also they don’t look too unconventional and “clownish “ like some other soft stars. Easy to lace up eyelets and easy to take off quickly compared to other lace up shoes. Was super water proof the first time I used them but it wore off pretty soon. Now they are still fine in the rain but not in puddles. Loss of waterproofing is reason for 4 stars but I’d buy again.
  56. Verified Buyer

    Best boot ever made

    Rating

    These boots are the best thing ever! They are so spacious, warm, and comfortable for the miles we walk around town or hike in the woods. My husband was so excited when I got him a pair after I've had mine for a couple years. They're lightweight, sturdy, durable, and flexible. My favorite boot ever
  57. Verified Buyer

    Wonderful

    Rating

    I have hesitated about ordering these for ages as they’re such an investment and I’m ordering from the UK. But I’m so glad I did. They are the most comfortable boots I own and warm and waterproof. I’m happy wearing them out hiking or with a dress. I decided to size up as I’m near the end of one of the size ranges and I’m very glad I did, although I didn’t order the leather version which might be prone to stretching. I’m so pleased with them and wish I’d tried them sooner.
  58. Verified Buyer

    Great boots

    Rating

    I love these boots. They are well made and comfortable.
  59. Verified Buyer

    INSANE GOOD...

    Rating

    Finally found a pair of boots (Adult Switchback) that fits my platypus feet. Literally ordered a wide and it's VERY primal. My mom tried them out too and while they were way too long, the width for her was also excellent and she was impressed so much she too will be ordering a pair. They are a *LOT* of money, like a *LOT LOT* but you get what you pay for. This company rocks and the quality is INSANE good.
  60. Verified Buyer

    First SoftStar pair, and definitely NOT the last

    Rating

    This is my first pair of SoftStar shoes, and I absolutely love them! I live in Michigan, so I needed something warm that would keep my feet dry, AND could accommodate my extra wide feet. This pair of boots is perfect for what I needed. I love the wool lined boot and how much room I have for my toe splay. I will definitely be purchasing sandals for the summer, with this kind of quality, they've got a customer for life!
  61. Verified Buyer

    best boots ever

    Rating

    Cant say much more than my feet are finally free after 49 years of jail. would like to see the loop big enough for a man with a 12w to fit his finger in there..otherwise these things are IT.

  62. Great boot!

    Rating

    Long review warning. I like these boots! I have been wearing Softstar for over 4 years now and put thousands of KMs running and hiking in the Rocky Mountains on Megagrip primal shoes. They are hands down the best grip on the market for this style of shoe. The boots are a direct extension of the primal line but in a boot. The first thing I did was put them on and go for a 16km hike in Canada snowy winter. Great boot for -5 to +10c temp range. The sole is thicker and very grips. No complaints at all. They are confident in mud and on rocks while still giving that ground feel. Overall super light. The boot upper is very light and movable. They fit tighter than other primal shoes. I sized up a bit and glad I did. My feet just fit. The upper is too thin for colder weather and even at -5c you need to move, I might try running in these next to see how they hold up. I wish the toe had a cap like the primal mega grip shoes. I wish the trail shoes had gator compatible clips and Velcro heel for gators. To be an actual hiker I think they need a bit more tweaks. Maybe more insulation in the upper would help in cold weather. Overall very happy. Not sure how long the wool insides will last. I wish the all leather model was not weird blue color as I would,like to try them.
  63. Verified Buyer

    Ultimate Shoes

    Rating

    This is my second pair of Switchbacks, first in leather. I consider these the ultimate pair of shoes. I call them shoes, but then again I call my F350 a car and before I shunned heel lifts I've owned three pair of boots from same company that Arnie wore in T2. I've been trying to make my own shoes for about seven years now, and all five attempts were unsuccessfully trying to make essentially these. Other than adding a bit of bounce for walking cement floors, they wrap my feet in protection, and let me move fast without worry. I actually pay more attention I don't stub my feet in Dashes than I do barefoot, and certainly worry more about traction, but in these I'm as stable and nimble as barefoot, but feel more powerful, able to focus on tasks instead of groking the environment. The leather uppers on this second pair provide a lively feeling the synthetic Switchbacks don't. They conform to the foot better and the leather's spring gives zest to my step.. And man, I absolutely love the wool liner. Stroke of utter genius. Lets the foot breath without being two pair of socks that the foot slides around in. Massive massive props to Softstar. I do wish for half sizes though, unless I'm sockless I'm a 7.5, and it's in the higher athletic performance that Switchbacks encourage that I really notice it. I have molds of my feet for my own shoes and I did lots of soaking these 7s for hours then jamming the molds in the shoes overnight, and lots of shoving toes fwd while skidding downhill, and I still have less toe room than I wish. My 8 synthetics are OK, and I can fill them w thick socks in winter, but they're not the Ninja boot the leathers allow.

  64. Ms

    Rating

    In the past I have been pleased with Softstar shoes but these have been the most expensive and the least wearing! After only 9 months of average use, the outer soles began to peel away on both shoes quite dramatically. If only that was the only issue! After about 8 months of use I noticed that two white raised beads (I had purchased the slate switchbacks which come with whitish raised beads /Superfabric ) had somehow disappeared. A few months later, I was shocked to discover that there were now two full blown tears in the same spots. The "Superfabric" is clearly inferior to any leather shoe I have ever worn. I am very disappointed and cannot recommend.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Dear Ms. Mary - We are concerned to hear that the ceramic beads came off the Superfabric, and that your soles started to separate. Can you please reach out to our Customer Service team so we can assist you?
  65. Verified Buyer

    So far so good

    Rating

    I came to Softstar after a years long search for wide enough shoes, having tried several barefoot brands in the meantime (Xero, Wildling). All were not wide enough for me and only aggravated a tailor's bunion injury caused by too narrow shoes in the past. My dad has EEE feet and it's come to a point I can't wear normal woman's shoes anymore, especially since I have to wear toe spacers to fix my very atrophied feet. My feet are also a very different shape than most women's shoes out there, which also contributed to the tailor's bunion injury and gave me numb feet at times from the compression. So I had a lot of hope for the primal width sole of the switchback. A few back and forths with the customer service at Softstar to make sure I was getting the right size and then I took the plunge (I live in Canada). Once I got them I made absolutely sure they were not too big, and then I oiled the raw leather edges and seams along the sole a little. Been wearing them for a few weeks now and man my feet are pretty happy. They're like slippers I hardly notice on my feet, except for the tall sole which requires a little mindfulness to walk properly with. Hopefully I won't have issues like others such as busting seams and getting soaked. I live in a pretty dry climate so the latter isn't too much of a worry, hence why I chose the Switchbacks over a more waterproof minimal shoe. I haven't noticed much stretching in the leather yet, but I'm sure they will as all leather shoes do. So far so great!

  66. 2 years of switchback

    Rating

    I have had these boots for about 2 years now and they are my FAVORITE shoes. I would highly recommend these and so many people want to know where I got wide toe boots. Some things to note though, from my 2 year relationship with these lovely companions. I have just about replaced all the original stitching. This is easy enough to to do and have found that (of the things I’ve tried) artificial sinew holds up the best. I have the one with the super fabric, which is starting to get holes in the highest stress areas and where the fabric from the tongue of the boot rubs on the inside of the boot. Super fabric beats super fabric I guess. They didn’t have the leather one when I purchased mine, when these water out, I will get the leather ones. I would not expect much water resistance, the seem between the sole and uppers hasn’t been able to keep water out no matter how much wax I have rubbed into it. All of this being said, these are the most comfortable and practical shoes I have ever owned. I have had another pair of soft star and didn’t love them as much as these. I have worn these almost non stop since I got them and haven’t been gentle on them either. They are snug where they need to be and roomy where they need to be. <3
  67. Verified Buyer

    Yay, wide boots #2: leather is even bettter!

    Rating

    Update on my Jan 2022 review of the superfabric switchbacks. My 2 cons were a tight fit compared to my other primals (sizing up was too big and a tripping hazard) and cold feet. I've had the leather version for a year, and that can say that the solved both of those issues. I also wear both pairs for biking since they're the stiffest-soled shoes that I own. Here's what I find each pair most useful for: Superfabric: hiking/walking when cool, wet, or muddy / biking when cool to warm, both with thinner socks Leather: any activity when cold, wet, or snowy When it's warm to hot, or for running, I'll switch to run-amocs or VFFs.

  68. Comfy but

    Rating

    I’ve worn my Switchbacks once and the grass was wet but it wasn’t raining. The boot upper might be waterproof but the seams with the sole definitely aren’t. Two days later the felt lining is still wet so I’m not super happy with these. I’m not sure how I’ll get my metatarsal pads to a) stick to the felt and b) stay stuck in the wet. I may use these as combat boots but I’m disappointed with them as a hiking boot
  69. Verified Buyer

    Good Boot, with some reservations...

    Rating

    I have worn my Primal Run Amoks almost exclusively for several years and was delighted when the Switchback boots came out. I ordered the slate Superfabric in the same size as my Run Amoks. They are definitely superior to any other hiking boot I have worn as far as the width of the toe box. The sole is good, comfortable and sturdy enough to wear on rocky terrain without feeling stiff or thick. My biggest complaint is they are not very warm. When I got them in August, they were too warm with lightweight socks. Now that we are in the upper 20s in the morning, even with medium to heavy weight wool socks I feel the cold across the top of the foot and along the seam where the sole attaches to the body of the boot. I wish I had gone a size up to allow for two layers of socks. My other concerns are fairly minor. There is a seam in the tongue of the boot, and the marino wool lining is cut too short over that seam, so it has curled up and the scratchy raw edge of the Superfabric is exposed. And I wish the tab on the back was a little bigger so I could get a finger through it to pull the boots on. But overall I am happy with these and will probably order them again, just larger.
  70. Verified Buyer

    Fantastic Boots!

    Rating

    Having tried a few different types of barefoot shoes, sneakers and sandals, I was fortunate enough to have discovered Primal RunAmocs through an online recommendation. I wear them almost every day, but was aware that with winter coming, I might sometimes need something warmer, higher and waterproof. I decided based on my wonderful experience with the RunAmocs to get a pair of Switchbacks. I have worn them on some rainy days here in NYC since and they have kept my feet warm and dry, and they are just as comfortable as the RunAmocs I love. It never fails that when I am out and about, or at the places I work that people approach me to ask about these shoes. I can't say enough good things about them -- I am most definitely a fan! Keep up the great work Softstar and thanks for making such wonderful shoes!
  71. Verified Buyer

    Too narrow

    Rating

    Compared to the Runamoc primal it's too narrow. I have about 2 inches of empty space at my toes because I went for a bigger size too to have width. I'm a size ten and got 11 to 11.5.
  72. Verified Buyer

    nice addition to Softstar lineup

    Rating

    I'm glad Softstar added these to their lineup. They do run small with the wool lining compared to the same size I wore in PRIMAL RunAmoc (prior to the update) Now I wear the same size in both PRIMAL RunAmoc and these boots. The boots are great, they're very comfortable and have a similar feel to the PRIMAL RunAmoc (of which I've worn extensively for the past few years). They do have a thicker sole which is desirable for their intended use, giving a bit more separation from sharp rocks out on the trail. I'm also optimistic about the durability of the attachment between the sole and the leather uppers. I think it will be a more durable junction than is found on the PRIMAL RunAmoc. It should be noted that I am very hard on footwear and I think most people will find all the Softstar shoes to be of very high quality.
  73. Verified Buyer

    Dr

    Rating

    Gorgeous boots. My life is so much better with them. No more squeezing and pinching, it’s a such a relief to find the right fit, colour and style! I went for the primal friendly version in oak and love them!
  74. Verified Buyer

    Hiking and Cobblestone!

    Rating

    My first pair of zero drop hiking boots! I've been wearing these since September to hike on grassy and wooded trails. I recently wore on a trip to Europe with cobblestones everywhere and did great! (Last trip to Europe , I wore athletic shoes with a heel and had shin splits throughout the trip.) Another bonus - super easy and lightweight to pack! I've got narrow feet (especially heels), so I bought the regular width. They fit really well and my toes still have plenty of room to spread out. I do lace them up all the way, which just took a while for me to get used to, and now they seem like second skin. I bought the Superfabric in sandstone. I like plain colors, and wasn't sure if I'd like the orange in the shoestrings, but they've grown on me. I wore in light and medium rain showers, and my socks were dry. I was careful to avoid puddles, so I can't speak for possible leakage. My feet are generally cold. In mid-50's to high-40's temps, my feet have been keeping warm while wearing wool socks. Hoping they'll work for our winter temps in Indiana!
  75. Verified Buyer

    Love my leather switchbacks!

    Rating

    I had a hard time finding reviews on the leather switchbacks, so figured I could share now that I finally decided to get a pair. First off, I love how wide they are! They are also pretty warm. People said the shoes were warm, but it seems like a lot of people who are used to being barefoot seem to have adapted feet for colder weather, and I do not! My toes are always freezing. I usually start wearing wool socks in fall, I live in the PNW, and for fall, wool socks with these is too warm! Walking or going for a run in these my feet were getting too toasty in 50idh degree weather. So I wear thins socks with them and feel more encouraged that these may work well as my snow boots too come colder weather. As for water resistance, a lot of people said water seems in near the toes...when I got mine I put snow seal on my boots and really tried to work it into all the seams and near the edges of where the leather meets the rubber. They have done pretty well for me. I've biked in puring rain and gone for walks in the rain and my feet stay almost completely dry. However, water does seem to sneak in where the tongue of the shoe near my toes is. It hasn't been much water, sometimes I'm not entirely sure if it did get wet because my feet stay so warm anyways. Overall I've been really happy with these boots. I have been transitioning to minimalist shoes over the last 9 months and don't have running shoes yet, but I've been running in these. The high top isn't my favorite for running, but it gets the job done. Ive only owned these boots for a couple months, so I can't speak to the durability of them, but I'm just so relieved to have a shoe that actually accommodates my bunion and toes spacers without having to purchase shoes two sizes too long for my foot. Last thing, the leather stretches a lot! I stuffed socks in them for a couple days and got lots of wiggle room for my toes by doing so.

  76. WIDE and Flexible

    Rating

    I bought my switchbacks second hand on ebay (w/ an open seam my cobbler fixed for five bucks), but I felt compelled to leave a review because of how hard it is to find actual wide barefoot/zero drop hiking boots. 1. They're wide. I wear an extra wide/4E and was pleasantly surprised that my pinky toe could actually splay out in these boots (unlike with my vivos, lems, bearfoot bruin, et al). My feet are 273mm long by 111mm wide and my switchbacks are size 11 Wide. I think I would be comfortable in a size 10 as well because there's still a bit of room left that I can tighten up with lacing. 2. Very flexible and lightweight. You can actually roll up these boots without worrying that you're going to crack/crease/tear/bust them like other barefoot brands. They're lightweight and breath pretty well, though I might not recommend for very cold climates unless you have thick socks. 3. While I prefer leather -the super fabric is quite tough. It's like armor, but again flexible. I hike 200-300 miles a month on dirt and gravel and my used pair have held up fantastically. I have a bunch of leather boots and in retrospect I'm glad I got the super fabric 'experience'. 4. Water resistant, not waterproof. They're fine walking in wet grass and mud but water will get in through the toe stitch if you step in a lot of puddles. I noticed other reviewers making the same observation about the toe. 5. The Vibram outsoles work very well on trails. Mud evacuates easily and they have pretty good grip on slippery pavement. I ended up buying the same outsole(1443 Zegama) to put on a separate pair of boots. I burn through a lot of shoes and boots and have developed a serious appreciation for these pair. A very practical design with a good balance between the aforementioned factors. If you have bigass wide volume filling feet, I would highly recommend.

  77. The second edition wins!

    Rating

    We love these shoes, everyone in the family except for the five yr old wears them for some summer hiking in the desert and all winter. The regular is great for my width foot which seems average. The wide is great for my very wide and high volume footed 11 yr old. My husband also prefers a wide though he can fit in either. My 13 yr old like a regular. They are warm for Utah winters and adequately waterproof. We have a few of the super fabric but everyone seems to prefer the leather especially my high volume foot kiddo. I love them because they are so comfortable! I wish they came in black because I would order a pair just to get my Wednesday Addams going on! Might order the brown this year because I love the blue from last year but it doesn’t go with everything I wear. We did experience a few of the problems mentioned in the first pair we bought with the original release but the next three pairs have been fabulous! The tweaked design has been a winner! They are so comfortable! I haven’t tried replacing the laces with stretchy ones to see if I can make them a slip on but I might soon.
  78. Verified Buyer

    Reminds me of my old moccasins

    Rating

    Very comfortable and what i was looking for. My only complaints are that the pull tab on the back is not big enough for me to stick my finger through to help pull the boots on, and that the right toebox seems sewn "off" and pushes my foot off-center, rolling onto the leather upper so that my foot is standing/walking partly on the upper, not solely on the sole . The margins beyond the stitching are also not the same as the left, so I think it's a quality control issue. The left one is perfect. Overall I would definitely buy again.

  79. Mr

    Rating

    According to specific criteria ie toe-width, toe out curve. zero drop, ankle support, vibram soles etc I went through many companies and models in North America and Europe. Only 2 fulfilled all the criteria - one from a company in the Czech Republic (realfoot) and Softstar which had the slight edge, hence my purchases and continuing purchases in the future. I've been thorough so won't ever need to look elsewhere.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Mr. Morgan - This is terrific to hear!

  80. Mr.

    Rating

    Just picked up my leather Switchbacks, wide size. I've been using Lems for a few years. This boot is better in every aspect of fit and build quality (stitched on vs glued on soles, which was the constant first failure point on the Lems). I was finding that the Lems were too narrow after several years. I suspect my feet have spread. My only complaint would be that my pinky toe still presses on the side of the Softstar Switchback a bit. Using their sole comparison tool, I strongly suspect that the Primal wide will solve that, and will be ordering a pair of Primal Sawyers and a pair of Primal RunAmocs. I hope that Softstar reads this review and considers making a boot last with the same profile by the pinky toe as the Primal wide.
  81. Verified Buyer

    One of my favorite Softstar shoes

    Rating

    I have been watching these for so long and when they went on sale, I took the plunge. I just had a bad fitting softstar shoe for the first time after buying 4 different styles so far and so I was hesitant. I am so glad I bought these. They are one of the best fitting of all the styles I have. I wear a 6U in all the styles. The primal merry janes are too tight fitting on the top for me in a 6U. I'm right on the edge of needing a wide and these have plenty of room as a regular. These give plenty of room all around and have room for socks. I have to wear socks with these since the wool gives me a rug burn at the top edge of the shoe without them. I haven't walked in water to test their waterproofness, they did not let any debris in when I took them for hike.
  82. Verified Buyer

    Amazing boots

    Rating

    My feet are about 11.3 in long and probably about 5 inches wide depending on how much I flatten them down. The wide width 13 works fantastically. So many brands that are “barefoot” have narrow toe boxes or mid foot (looking at you Vivo, Xero, Wildlings, most Lems, etc). I did replace the wool insoles with 3mm rubberized cork insoles that I hand cut. Did not care for the wool, my feet slipped around inside the boots way too much and I run hot. Excellent 3 season wear, but can also do summer wear with thin socks. These boots are slipper soft in the uppers basically right out of the box. The laces have small bulges along them to keep them locked in wherever you tie them, no slippage. Great laces, one knot is plenty to keep them snug. Excellent speed hooks, I have seen many bend in odd ways because they’re too malleable (even on premium boots), but these are so solid I can’t see them ever bending. And REAL vibram hiking grade rubber on the bottom, not junky in-house hard foam or soft injection blown rubber which so many other companies use. And softstar actually attempts to be eco conscious and care for employees (it seems from the outside - I hope anyway). I can’t see myself using any other boots.
  83. Verified Buyer

    Next best thing to custom boots

    Rating

    There are few minimalist boot options and I'm happy SoftStar offers the Switchback now. I've had a pair for ~1 year and just bought a second pair. I've worn them primarily in a factory setting. Stitching is holding up perfectly. Sole wear seem above average for a minimalist shoe. I purchased the 12 wide and appreciate the extra width. They look a little clown-like at first, but I suggest you pursue function over fashion. Some observations: The ankle doesn't have much "flare" at the top. Because of this, the top of the boot is irritating if laced up all the way. So I skip the top speed-lace. Problem solved. The speed lace hooks are a nice touch, BTW. The end of the toe box tapers vertically, so if your toes come close to the end, you'll feel the top of the toe box. If this would bother you, just choose a longer size. With the thin wool lining, the boots seem a touch warmer than leather. They do breathe well though. I wouldn't make a decision based on this unless you're really sensitive to how warm your shoes feel. The sole is fine, but I'd prefer a smooth-ish sole instead of the lugs so I don't track mud inside so much. If you're shopping minimalist boots, you may have considered Lems Boulder boots. These are superior. I've had 3 pairs of Boulder boots: they curl up (think elf toes) as they age, the soles wear quickly and unevenly (to the point of needing to be sanded flat again). The fabric ones last pretty well, but both leather pairs come unstitched pretty quickly. The only thing I've found better than the Switchback are custom boots from Buffalo Boot Trading Co, and comparing off-the-shelf and custom isn't really fair. Try these, you'll probably like them.
  84. Verified Buyer

    Best hiking boots ever!

    Rating

    I can’t believe how great these boots are. I got the primal (wide) version for the widest toe box and they are SO comfortable! But it’s not just the comfort - I just feel so much secure when hiking. Is it the zero drop? The material the sole is made from? The wide footprint? Whatever it is, lumpy rocky trails, loose gravel, and wet river rocks are all so much easier to navigate than with other shoes. Congrats to the Softstar elves for creating the most secure, most comfortable, healthiest hiking boots ever!

  85. Fell apart

    Rating

    One of the major selling points of these very expensive boots was the fact that they are resoleable, which would theoretically offset the high cost by extending the life of the shoes. Unfortunately, just as mine were approaching time for a resole after 9 months of part-time wear, the entire upper separated from the midsole along the outside of one of the shoes. I'm not sure what else to say, other than that was a disappointing outcome.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hello Brian - can you please reach out to our customer service team for assistance? We would like to help you with this issue.

  86. Switchback Boots

    Rating

    I bought a pair of these boots when they first came out, within two months both boots failed. (The stitching along the outside) Soft Star took them back and sent me out a new pair which also failed. I offered to trail a other pair that they had modified with two different alterations; that was over a year ago and try as I might and I have really tried, I can't make these fail. These boots have been my work boots(wet weather, outdoor use), hiking boots, they went to Burning Man (playa dust is brutal) and they are still rock solid! As for waterproof being an issue: I've never had a boot that was 100% waterproof and I have learned that I prefer one that is warm when wet and dries quickly over "waterproof." This boot does keep my feet warm and dries quickly. I need a new pair of laces and the soles are wearing down (they are Vibram so that attests to how much use they've been through)but still a lot of life in these. I paid for my boots and have not been compensated in any way by Soft Star and I whole heartedly recommend these boots!
  87. Verified Buyer

    I Love These Boots

    Rating

    Thank you for making these boots, Softstar Elves! I’m a Floridian who enjoys “hiking” around my home state but when it came time to visit the PNW, I knew I wanted something a little more than my runamocs. These boots were absolutely perfect for my May visit to parts of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. My partner and I both purchased a pair, and are both extremely happy with the comfort and performance. The grip is amazing while still allowing the foot a natural range of motion. I tested these boots at the tail end of the Florida winter season and loved the grippy soles for slippery swampy terrain so much I ordered a pair of the megagrip primal runamocs for my Florida excursions. I’m looking forward to wearing my switchbacks on my next adventure!

  88. Switchback (blue leather) is NOT waterproof

    Rating

    I bought the blue leather Switchback boots to wear during hikes on a trip to New Zealand last April 2023. Good news: The boots were comfortable out of the box. I wore them for the first time in NZ and I had no issues with fit and/comfort. Bad news: They are NOT water resistant at all. The day I hiked through the Tongagiro Crossing was freezing cold, windy and wet (persistent drizzle). I did not step through any puddle or walk through streams but the boots were soaked through in a short time. It was miserable hiking with soaked boots in freezing cold. It took 3 days to dry the boots. I wore them on another hike on Mt. Tarawera in drizzling conditions and the boots were soaking wet in a short time also. I did not step on puddles or walk through streams. I regret buying these boots.

  89. Happy!

    Rating

    I bought the hiking boot in my regular size wide version. The blue leather. These are by far the most comfortable hiking boots I’ve ever had. I have a wider forefoot and skinny ankle/heel. The boots have been water proof so far-the sole is rugged and provides a little bit of cushion- it actually feels GOOD on my feet to walk on uneven ground. I’ve noticed a thicker stack height makes me prone to tripping- these are the perfect height. Thank you. Would like to get my BF a pair for hunting.
  90. Verified Buyer

    My dream boots

    Rating

    I have been wishing and looking for over 20 years for hiking boots with a wide toe box, a generously wide width size, and excellent tread. I thought I would never find all those features together, but here they are! Zero drop, no arch support, and flexible materials have also become important to me, so Switchback boots make me happy. SIZE AND FIT My Switchbacks are size 8U wide. My feet are 24.5cm long and 10cm wide, which on the size chart is near the larger end of size 7U regular, but I definitely need to size up from that, I assume due to shape and volume. My feet are sort of triangular shaped: not especially wide at the heel, definitely wide (and possibly higher volume) at the ball and toes, with squarish / plateau toes (less tapered than average), and I may have somewhat high insteps. Even though I only measured as a D width last time I went to a shoe store with a Brannock device, I always used to wear extra wide sizes in conventional shoes (and even those pinched my toes). The wide Switchbacks fit similar to the wide Primal styles. The Switchback sole is a little more tapered along the outside of the toes than the Primal sole (as shown on the comparison diagram), but since I size up, I don’t notice that difference when I wear them. My first Primals were 7U Runamocs, in the wider width, but the width / volume at the midfoot pinched even after thoroughly breaking them in. I now wear 8U wide Primal Runamocs with the redesigned heel that makes them fit slightly shorter, and I like the way those fit. I ordered the 8U wide Superfabric Switchbacks when they first came out in fall 2021, but they were so painfully low volume over the toes, I could barely even try them on. I tried the 8U Superfabric again in spring 2022 and was impressed with how much the volume had improved. They were still tight over the ball of the foot on me, but I kept them and they did soften after a few short hikes; they are still quite snug in that area even with thin socks, but no longer feel uncomfortably tight. I got the all leather version when the came out in Fall 2022, and they stretch and form to my feet much more easily Superfabric. Because the leather is more flexible than the Superfabric, they are more comfortable even before breaking in. I got them in 8U as well since I need that width at the ball. They do not fit slightly short like the Primal Runamocs, so they are a little long on me (my toes end approximately where the toecap begins), though I do like having some extra length in my hiking boots so there's space when my feet slide forward slightly while walking downhill. The insoles pack down slightly as well as the leather stretching, but I ended up replacing the insoles in my all leather pair with more durable insoles that don’t pack down, so I still wear them with ultralight hiking socks. If half sizes were available I might be able to get the perfect length. I understand how complicated and expensive it could be for Softstar to offer half sizes, but from my point of view as a customer, it’s just a frustrating exclusion that can end up making their innovative fits mediocre (for example, I can’t wear 7U wide Primal Merry Janes because the shallow toe box makes them too short, but in 8U wide they are too big all around, and 8U regular is too narrow for me). UPPERS The uppers are well designed, easy to lace up. I have not had a chance to wear either the Superfabric or the leather on rugged hikes yet, so I don’t know the extent of their durability or weather resistance. On both, the seam that attaches the lower strip of leather to the main part of the upper is now made with two rows of stitches at the sides and heel. The Superfabric is obviously more abrasion resistant with its ceramic beads, but the leather is also clearly high quality. The all leather version is the most comfortable. The Superfabric material made annoying snapping noises with each step when it was new, but that resolved after some wear. I am neutral about the lack of tongue gusset - of course I don’t want debris and water getting in, but uncomfortable bulk where the ankle bends would be a far worse problem. LINING I don’t really like the merino wool felt lining. I was hoping the all leather version would have a leather lining (though I imagine that might make it more heavy and expensive), but it is fully wool lined, same as the Superfabric. I love wearing merino wool in winter, since it is soft, wicking, quick drying, and odor resistant, but in my experience, even though it’s good at regulating temperature, it has its limits and is still hot in warm weather. These have been great boots for fall and winter, but indoors my feet can get quite warm in them, so even the all leather version may not be as versatile as I hoped for summer. I am not looking forward to wearing them in summer, yet it only gets into the 70s where I live, so I’ll still want the protection of a boot. I would love to see Switchbacks offered with a less hot lining. The wool lining is also fluffing up or pilling in spots, and it seems to slowly shed tiny fibers, so I’m a bit nervous about its durability. INSOLE AND SOLE The insole is 1/4 inch thick, with 1/8 inch wool felt glued and sewn to 1/8 inch Poron foam, so it is very comfortable. It is removable, but only for replacing it, because it is stuck down with extra sticky double sided tape between the foam and the boot’s rubber midsole. The foam is fragile and tears badly even with careful removal, though the midsole is tough and the sticky residue can be removed with rubbing alcohol. I would prefer to have the insole removable for drying, since moisture can get trapped under it, but I assume taping down the heel is necessary because the insole is soft enough that it could slip out of place under some conditions. I traced the insoles and then cut my own pair from from some 1/4 inch Spenco insole material I happened to have a sheet of (it doesn’t slip out of place). The megagrip sole is amazing; flexible yet durable, and provides secure footing on rocks, mud, and even snow and some ice. I hope Switchback boots remain available for a long time - superb comfort along with this much functionality is a rare thing.

  91. great fit but not durable

    Rating

    I have 6E feet size 10 so I love the fit of the primal width, but these shoes aren't durable. They are single stitched which is a recipe for disaster. The came unstitched within 2 months. Luckily I have an old cobbler sewing machine and double stitched all the seems. Then the sole came loose

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves. Thanks Caveman for your review. This certainly sounds frustrating and is not what we would expect, either. Please know all our shoes are covered under the Happy Feet Guarantee for the first 3 months of wear. Please contact our friendly customer service team and we will help you.

  92. Not actually waterproof

    Rating

    The boots fit good and are comfortable. However, the way the tongue is designed(it's disconnected from the rest of the boot) allows water to seep in fairly easily. It's only really waterproof when it comes to light rain but with anything else it'll make your socks wet.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hello Matt - The Switchback are highly water resistant and breathable. To be waterproof, the design would need a gusseted tongue which adds bulk around the ankle, and often sacrifices breathability which is important, as well. One of the benefits of this is if the boots are submerged, they dry quickly compared to waterproof boots. Fully waterproofed boots usually trap sweat inside, and if submerged take days to dry. There definitely are pros and cons to both. Please check out the long description on our product pages which covers this in more detail. Thanks!
  93. Verified Buyer

    Love these!

    Rating

    Size: 13U WIDE Foot Length: 28.7cm Toe Box Width: 11.7cm High Instep MY OPINION/EXPERIENCE If you have unusually wide feet with high insteps, and you're looking for zero-drop and/or minimalist footwear, SoftStar is DEFINITELY worth trying. Their "shoe elves" (support team are wonderfully helpful folks. HOW I'VE BEEN USING THE SWITCHBACK BOOTS I've had the Switchback Boots since Sept. 2022 (about 4 months). I've used them in a wide variety of situations including fairly easy hiking, mountain biking, road biking, and occasionally for every-day wear. Around 100miles of walking. About 100miles of biking as well. They are very comfortable, and the best-fitting pair of shoes or boots I have ever owned! After 4 months of regular use, they're definitely showing signs of wear. But so far, they're holding up pretty well. HOW THEY STAND UP TO DAMAGE The only damage that has occurred was my own fault. It only cost $12 at a local shop to fix it. One day, the side of the boot caught on one of the pins of the pedals on my mountain bike. It tore out about 1.5inches (3.8cm) of stitching. To my surprise, even though the thread ripped out, there was no damage to the actual material! The only remarkable damage was the stitching came out.. Thankfully, we have a local shop that works with all sorts of shoes (including SoftStart) and it was a simple $12 repair. HOW SoftStar FOOTWEAR IS CHANGING MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER Prior to getting the Switchbacks, I wore a pair of Primal Run Amocs for several weeks. I wore Inijinji socks with Correct Toes and the Metatarsal Pads. In a matter of weeks my to box became significantly wider. My pinky toes began straightening out. Between wearing the zero-drop shoes, and my feet gradually transforming, it significantly alleviated some of my back, knee, and ankle issues.,while improving my balance and flexibility in ways that were new to me. At 42yo, those things are a bigger deal than they used to be. SoftStar is the first company I've found that makes shoes that ACTUALLY fit my feet. They are the ONLY one I've found in the zero-drop or minimalist foot-wear space. who have been able to create a shoes that fACTUALLY FIT my unusually wide feet with high insteps. Getting the shoes have been quite the investment. At the moment, I believe the investment is worth it. I'm also developing a different relationship with how I understand footwear. And I have a feeling that I'll be developing a relationship with the local shop where I got the Switchbacks repaired, to help each pair of my SoftStart footwear to last longer.
  94. Verified Buyer

    One question

    Rating

    I having been wearing softstar running flats for 6-7 years, and the improvement has been life changing allowing me 4-5 miles a day in walking. I have their chuckas, but when these hiking shoes came out< I grabbed them, and have just had TKR on the left a week ago. These are helping so much with a steady recovery. My question is can I scotch guard/seam seal to get more waterproofing protection.
  95. Verified Buyer

    Wide foot, High instep

    Rating

    I spent a lot of time on chat before ordering these. The chat elf kindly measured the insole - 11.4cm at the ball in a 9U. SoftStars recently increased the "ceiling height" of the Switchbacks; if my RunAmocs had this much space I'd have loved them out of the box. I bought the leather boots; leather stretches. I have a wide foot (10.1cm) and a sky high instep. There is room for my feet in the Switchbacks without compromise. The boots are very warm for Ohio. I slopped NikWax on them. If I could change one thing it would be to fully attach the tongue so that globs of snow don't insinuate through the lacing. These are not the boots you want for wading up creeks, but they are perfect for our semi-sloppy Ohio winters.
  96. Verified Buyer

    Love these boots

    Rating

    I love these boots. Super comfortable to walk miles in, rain or sunny. Only one issue—the loop on the back of the boot that is intended to help pull on the boot is too small for my finger—and my hands are normal size. A larger loop would make the boots perfect! Excellent craftsmanship. And they stay dry inside (I live in the Puget Sound area, so rain is more a norm).
  97. Verified Buyer

    Love My Switchbacks

    Rating

    I love my leather switchback boots. My foot is very wide at the front and narrow at the back. My ankles are also narrow. I got the wide width and these boots fit me perfectly. The quality is very high. The leather is buttery soft and I really like the merino wool lining. I have lots of toe room and they fit nicely around the midfoot and ankle. They are not bulky at all and are very light weight. The soles are not as thin as some barefoot boots, however I was looking for traction and warmth so willing to sacrifice the thinner soles. They are still flexible enough and feel very light on my feet. I am very happy with my purchase.
  98. Verified Buyer

    Winter Hiking Boot

    Rating

    I live in the Pacific Northwest and was looking for a water resistant winter hiking boot, so I purchased the wide leather version of this boot. I have an extra wide toe box, low volume feet and skinny ankles. These boots are wide enough for my toes and too roomy for my low volume feet and skinny ankles. While wearing thick wool socks I have to tighten the laces as far as they go so that the two sides of the boot meet up at the ankle and the leather buckles over my toe box. I tried filling some of the extra space with Softstar’s sheepskin insoles but then my toes got squished. My ankles slip around and my toes jam into the front of the toe box when hiking downhill because I can’t make them any tighter. Despite the wool lining these boots are not warm enough for below freezing winter hiking even when paired with thick wool socks. Specifically it’s the bottom of my feet and toes that get cold. If the insoles were removable there might be enough room for sheepskin insoles, which would make these warm enough for me. Unfortunately the insoles are glued to the sole of the shoe. My feet stay dry in rain, but as soon as the ground holds water (think mud/slushy snow) water seeps in at the seam between sole and leather. After 3 miles hiking in shallow intermittent slushy snow, my socks were wet and cold. I would not recommend these boots for wet conditions or winter hiking or if you have low volume feet. Otherwise they are well made, extra wide boots that work well for hiking in dry, cool conditions.

    Response from store

    NOTE FROM THE ELVES:
    Hello Al - Please know you can always reach out to our helpful Elves with any sizing issues! We will be reaching out to you today as we have some ideas to help. The innersoles can be removed - they are secured to shoe with double-stick tape, and can be removed.

    We also see your previous purchases were 8U Narrows, and are concerned that the 9U Wide is MUCH too big for you, which could create issues with water seeping in if they are gappy. Sounds from your description we definitely need to get you a smaller pair :-). Please be on the lookout for an email from us.

    The Elves
  99. Verified Buyer

    These boots are the best

    Rating

    I got my first pair last year for a trip to Siberia (city of Chita) in Nov-Dec. It was cold, but not bitterly cold (10-20F generally) and when I'm there I'm doing a lot of walking in the city. So comfortable and plenty warm. I went on a Sunday hike with friends outside the city up a small mountain in 3-5 inches of snow in 15F sunny weather and again, the boots were ideal. I wear them all winter for exercise group down at the park 3 mornings a week at 6am right through the winter here. I may be slow, but it ain't the boots: comfortable, dry, warm. By the way, I'm still on my first pair of Primal Megagrip Runamocs into my 3rd year. The rest of the group keeps talking about their new shoes, but not me. I expect the same from these boots. I now have both the fabric and leather versions. Both great.

  100. Not lasting

    Rating

    Nice enough shoe but just hasn't lasted. Side stitching has come undone and sole is starting to peel at the front. Only done about 100 miles
  101. Verified Buyer

    Awesome boots!

    Rating

    I have transitioned over 18 months to wearing only SoftStar Primal shoes. No other barefoot brands I've tried are even close to what I consider barefoot. My feet/legs/hips/low back have never been better. I was excited to see this high top hiker vs the RunAmok with a beefier sole (I do loooove my RunAmoks though). I take an 8 in every SoftStar Primal except the RunAmoks, in which I take a 9). I initially ordered a 9 Primal (as per reviews advice) in the SwitchBack (blue leather) and it was huge on me! Swapped it out for an 8 Primal and they fit PERFECT. SoftStar does recommend ordering your usual size and they are right so don't overthink the reviews as I did! I'm not experiencing the tight toe box as others mentioned; in fact, I find it quite roomy. Also not feeling any scratchy-ness from the wicking wool lining (I wear them barefoot most of the time or with a light weight Injinji sock). Style, fit and make quality is superb but importantly, they offer great comfort, movement and traction. Thank you SoftStar for making the most amazing shoes ever.
  102. Verified Buyer

    Great Boot

    Rating

    I love the fit and comfort of this boot. Haven't taken it out on a trail yet but so far it feels great. I also love the color!
  103. Verified Buyer

    I NEED MORE COLORS

    Rating

    Before leather Sidewinders came along I'd preferred BeLenka Nevadas. own two pair. Also have two pair of BeLenka Rangers and a pair of Lems Boulder boots. I much prefer my Softstar Sidewinders and WANT to order more pairs but so far there's only one color - the Blue. Hope Softstar will offer the same custom color option for Sidewinders as they do for Run Amocs....PLEASE! Custom Colors....Please...Please...Please

  104. One year with my switchbacks

    Rating

    I bought these shoes shortly after they were released and have now had them for about a year. Overall I am happy with them and would recommend them, with caveats. Pros: Super comfy, fit well. I have high-volume, somewhat wide feet that are a bit less than 23cm long and went with 5U in Wide in the sandstone superfabric option. The first run of these shoes got some flack for being too shallow and tight in the toebox, but I found that the leather stretched nicely to fit my feet perfectly. Amazing traction. Great in mud, gravel, wet rocks and logs, and snow. Ok on ice. Warm. Been wearing these as a winter boot in MN down to the teens (F) w/mid-weight socks without issue. Easy to clean. Honestly, they're almost self-cleaning. I got the lighter color and was worried about this, but they look like new even after being submerged in mud w/minimal care. Pretty breathable. My feet tend to get sweaty even when they're cold, but I rarely have that problem when I wear these boots. Cool-looking design. Takes a little while to get used to their wideness, but now I think they look like a mean, capable pair of paws. I love the combo of colors/structure on the sandstone. Cons: Warm. My feet run warm and sweaty and I find I can't comfortably wear these when it's warmer than 60F. But it's not a dealbreaker for me since i prefer to hike in sandals anyway. Not super water resistant. Wet grass seems to be the downfall for these boots and my toes get consistently wet when I walk through that. But weirdly they've been alright in light rain; I also haven't experienced permeation in snow. Busted seams at pressure points. I have a somewhat prominent (though not severe) bunion or bone spur on my right foot and the seams on my switchback broke open right below that where the leather meets the super fabric while I was running through snow last winter. When inspecting it, I saw that the thread holding those sections together ran through some of the superfabric ceramic plates, cracking them and making them jagged, and the thread had frayed and broken at one such plate. This makes me wonder if super fabric is a good choice for the kind of high-pressure seams required for hiking boots. Softstar sent me a replacement pair, and I also hand-sewed the busted section back up and haven't had issues since so maybe this is a moot issue. (The replacement pair also had a noticeably taller footbed fyi.)
  105. Verified Buyer

    Construction Fail

    Rating

    I wanted to love these boots in spite of how really ugly they are. Amazing wide toe box, true minimalist sole, and actual tread for hiking - plus water resistant! Everything I wanted in a boot. But, the stitching failed after only wearing them a couple dozen times. And since I only wore them for hiking last spring, the (very short) 30-day warranty had already expired when I went to put them on for a hike this fall. When I pay this much for a pair of boots I expect years of use from them, not days! I'm also pretty underwhelmed by the company's store credit as compensation for the construction fail on these boots - not enough to even pay for clearance sale prices on slippers, much less a decent credit toward replacing the boots. They suggested I take them to a cobbler for repair, which is just more money out of pocket for me. I'm sad, as I really want to support small local businesses, but this product is not worth the price.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves- Mary- thank you for your input. Our happy foot guarantee is 3 months, not 30 days and we often are more generous than that. Unfortunately, after one year we do not warranty the boots. I realize in your case this policy is disappointing.

  106. So close!

    Rating

    These are the only barefoot style shoes I’ve found (and I’ve tried many brands) that are actually wide enough for my feet with the primal width. Nice style. It would be perfect if you guys made a waterproof version of these boots! There is some digging pain/uncomfortable pressure though In the heel/back of the foot area unfortunately, even after months of wear and going in there with my hand to try and stretch out the leather. All in all a great boot and glad you guys are making them.

  107. I want custom colors

    Rating

    I have belenka Nevadas and Rangers and Lems Boulders but like my new blue leather switchbacks best. Easy to get on without a shoehorn despite my high arches. Widest toebox. Love them! Now I want custom colors like my runamocs.....PLEASE!!
  108. Verified Buyer

    Just what I was looking for

    Rating

    My uncle gave me his old army boots when I was a kid, and I loved their simplicity and durability. Looking for a hiking boot that was a bit less clunky and zero drop (something I find necessary for extended journeys), the softstar switchback hit the nail on the head. After 2 months of heavy use (I’m a hitchhiker/ backpacker/ gypsy), they are holding up excellently and no hot spots. The break in time is minimal and construction lends itself to comfort. I am a 9 1/2 so I got the 10. Good room in the toes, quality laces. The only two things I’ll say against this shoe is the wool lining (not a problem but constantly loses fibers through friction) and a small issue when the shoes get soaked my socks and feet got black stains (fabric dye leaching out?). Not really a problem and like I said they are new so only a one time problem. Building and shipping was timely (ahead of their posted 2 week schedule). Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for an ultralight, yet durable shoe with no frills and zero drop. Great job Softstar.
  109. Verified Buyer

    Comfy with generous toebox

    Rating

    I love Softstar shoes, the only brand I’ve tried to date that fits my 27cm long, 11cm wide fan shaped feet without squishing the baby toes. Customer service was superb in helping me decide which size to get (went up one size from my Primal Sawyer and they fit perfect). The Switchbacks are super comfortable with good grip but I agree with past reviews that I wished they had been better at resisting water. I will try some water proofing spray and hopefully that works. Also, one of the seams holding the tongue piece together ripped in the first day of use so I’ll have to stitch it back together.

  110. Wide sole, not waterproof or durable

    Rating

    I've had my pair with the Superfabric uppers for about a year and am overall disappointed in them in any not-perfectly-dry scenario. The Good: I really like how wide the sole is (although I had to size up for them to be equivalently wide to my Primal RunAmoc's), and how the sole is thick enough to delay foot fatigue from stepping on sharp rocks (although a rock guard may do a lot to counter this as well). The upper is also thick enough to not feel occasional rock or branch scrapes. Waterproofing: They aren't waterproof, or even water-resistant. As others have pointed out, even walking through grass with some dew is enough to let water seep through the seams, let alone hiking in snow, rain, or mud, all of which have given me wet feet; waterproof uppers are pointless if the rest of the boot isn't waterproof. Durability: I jammed my boot between two boulders while hiking, and the process of removing it ripped open the boot between the Superfabric and leather strip connecting to the sole; the entire boot is held together by a single row of weak seams, which is unacceptable for a boot meant for any kind of rough terrain. Overall: I love the premise, and if they added a truly waterproof (Gore-Tex) upper and either beefed up their seams or moved to a single-piece upper, then these would be my dream boots. As is though, they're just not enough for any kind of serious hiking in anything other than ideal weather circumstances.

  111. Super fabric vs leather

    Rating

    I am fortunate to live close enough to Softstar to go in for fitting. I own the softstar switchbacks in super fabric in a size 11. The super fabric is great but not as breathable and they were hot on my feet in any direct sun. I think this is due to the ceramic beads which make up the indistructable super fabric. I just today purchased the all leather as I really appreciate the grip and ankle support. The all leather are perfect for me in s 10 whereas I have a low volume foot and being all leather I know they will stretch some anc mold to my foot. At 67 years of age .. I’ve tried many shoes and boots.. these leather ones are perfect in every way! I can’t wait for other colors but the blues look great !

  112. Would be great in a desert at night, otherwise not up to task.

    Rating

    I bought these shoes to replace my first pair of zero drop boots which I had worn through. A major attraction was the grippy and replaceable sole, but the absolute must was water resistance and warmth. First off, they arrived in a bag, not a box and with no protective packaging. It seemed as though they'd been returned, I assumed just from a mistaken fit so this didn't worry me. They're warm, for sure, and once I got a pair that fit they were comfortable (the size guide is way off, go a size bigger and for the wide toe box if you've ever had barefoot shoes before). After 20 minutes walk on a damp surface, a mix of asphalt and well grazed short grass the right shoe had leaked in enough water to completely soak my big toe. Once clean and dry I treated the outside of the boot with waterproofing treatment. The next walk, 30 minutes in light rain left me with two feet completely soaked from the toes back to the arch. Left to dry stuffed with some newspaper (which I'm told isn't the approach to dry these out due to the wool lining) they still weren't dry after 26 hours. Customer service has been pretty good, but clearly quality control is not up to task and marketing need spend some time actually wearing the shoe in some different weather conditions. Tl;dr Not the slightest bit water resistant Extremely slow drying Comfy Grippy If you live anywhere further north than 42° don't bother buying these because you'll risk trenchfoot.

  113. best hiking boot ever!

    Rating

    I own 2 pairs, because I hike a lot and a backup pair is something I like to have. I live in the desert Southwest, so very rocky terrain with vegetation that likes to stab you (cacti, catlaw bushes). Thorns do not penetrate these boots or soles and traction with sole lugs is great on trails that range from rocky and hard to loose talus to dusty/sandy. Also high temps much of the year. Wide toe box lets my feet hike for hours in comfort. Ankle support and lacing are great for support. Merino wool lining super comfortable without getting hot. I am a fan of these boots! The leather and tech materials for uppers also rugged.
  114. Verified Buyer

    Almost great

    Rating

    So far these are the best hiking boots I’ve found. However, there are some things I’d change if I could. If you read the other reviews it’s fairly obvious that these boots fit some people well and other not so much. This is the case with softstar in general, especially since they stopped doing half sizes around 8 years ago. In fact, I stopped buying their shoes when they stopped doing half sizes because at the time none of their shoes fit me right in whole sizes. Currently, the switchback and primal runamok fit me well in full sizes, so I can once again wear their shoes. First and foremost my major gripe is the lack of tongue gusset. I can live with the boots not being super water resistant, but the amount of debris that tends to get in is quite annoying. Grass seeds sawdust sand decomposed granite, anything smaller than about 1/8” in diameter can work it’s way in quite easily. Including a thin flexible (perhaps stretchy) and breathable gusset would mitigate this issue and not decrease the comfort of the boot at all. I think there’s a difference between high top and the low top shoes in terms of debris entry with a non gusseted tongue. With a high top there is a deformation crease at the ankle that has a more constant opening for things to get into. Second on my list of wants is the lining material. I love wool, and my feet are actually okay in these boots even in 100+ degree weather. However, I think I’m the exception here and a thin fabric liner would be more comfortable in hot weather. Here’s my overall suggestion. Develop two versions of this boot. One that is lined with thin breathable moisture wicking fabric and has a thin breathable tongue gusset (perhaps even a gusset on the forefoot only). Then a second version that is lined as the current model and has a water resistant or waterproof full gusset. I’d buy two more pairs immediately if these options were available. As it stands these are a strange mix of hot and cold weather boot features that do neither as well as they could with the above mentioned changes. For the time being, I’m happy that I have boots that mostly work for my needs. It’s just unfortunate that they aren’t as good as they could be.
  115. Verified Buyer

    Best minimalist shoe I've owned

    Rating

    I've tired a lot of minimalist shoes over the last few years (since I discovered the genre and really began exploring it). These are my 8th pair of minimalist shoes from a range of 4 different brands. I can say with absolute confidence that these are the best I've owned. They match the comfort of the most comfortable other shoe I own. They exceed the weather resistance of all but one other pair I own (which is all leather with a gusset). They breath better than others I own that consider themselves at all weather-proof (and especially compared to the all-leather full waterproof hiker I just mentioned). The ground-feel is better than the other pairs I've owned that were considered hikers and I consider the tread pattern to be better, as well. I absolutely will order another pair of these.

  116. Great shoes

    Rating

    I love these! I wear them about every 2-3 days and alternate with my chuckas.. super comfortable and supportive ! I’m 67 and grandma does wear combat boots! Lol

  117. Ungusseted and un-versatile

    Rating

    Pros: Wide, zero drop, Vibram soles with good tread, bomb-proof upper material. Neutral: the lack of toe volume doesn’t bother me much, although I have yet to wear them in really cold weather where I’ll need thick socks. Cons: Why would someone from the PNW design a cool-to-cold weather shoe and not gusset the tongue?!?! Water comes in easily and immediately in anything wetter than a strong dew. Since the upper material is waterproof but not very breathable (claims to the contrary notwithstanding), water that comes in stays in. I suspect the wool lining contributes to them not drying quickly. The lack of breathability makes the shoe too hot for temps much above the 60’s, which means spring, fall, and winter… when it does what in the PNW? RAINS! The lack of tongue gusset also means that trail dirt gets in badly. After a dusty day hike my feet are covered in dirt, and yes, I was wearing socks plus pants that cinch over the top of the boot. Nits: I would love it if they did half sizes so I wouldn’t have to get the wide size as a compromise. They glue the wool insole to the bottom of the shoe. Who does that? I replaced the wool insole with a superfeet Insole, and had to rip the wool insole to do so. Some kind of minimal collar around the ankle would be useful for comfort and keeping trail debris out.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Tod - Thanks for sharing your experiences. Gusseted tongues have benefits, but we chose not to include it as gusseting in the lacing area which can cause discomfort and bulk in the area of your foot where the most bending is happening, so there is a tradeoff in terms of natural movement and comfort on long treks. From a water resistance / breathability perspective we would love to reach out to you in person as your experience is very different and we would like to understand what might be driving that? We could help troubleshoot sizing and /or lacing issues that might be contributing? Wool is extremely fast drying and homeostatic with temperature regulation. Many of summer hikes / stream fords / wet testing has gone into this boot and it has fabulous breathability and dries out from stream fording in hours. Our reviews from 105 degree summer treks in Yosemite have been terrific but sad to hear this has not been y our experience.
  118. Verified Buyer

    Hobbits: these are not the boots you're looking for. Primal Runamocs with Megagrips are our best bet right now.

    Rating

    I have a handful of Primal, wide width Softstars (Runamocs, Sawyers, and Merry Janes.) I have wide, high volume feet without much slope to my toes - so the square-ish shape to the Primals is my dream. I also have a wide forefoot with small bunions from my pre-healthy footwear days. When I purchase new Primals, they usually feel a bit snug, but the leather stretches nicely to accommodate my unique, hobbit-like foot shape. I ordered one size larger, still wide, in the Switchbacks to accommodate thick winter socks and to follow the sizing notes in the description. (By length, I'm not really in between sizes - I just know my feet take up a lot of space in general.) I returned the Switchbacks. My pinky hit the edge of the shoe and felt like it was being pressed in. Sizing up would make the boot too long. I also felt that the wide ball of my foot would hit the narrower part of the shoe if I tried to size up any more. The lack of pinky room didn't feel like an area that could be stretched; rather it seemed to be a result of the boot last being slightly more sloped than the Primal line. Glad these work for some people, but for those of us with square, wide, hobbit feet, they aren't our long-sought after hiking boots. (Perhaps that will change with the leather version; we shall see!) I ordered Primal Runamocs in Megagrip instead, and they were brilliant for my hiking needs this summer! No, they don't have the warmth for cooler months, or the water-resistant features, but they're the best shoe for hiking I've had to date. (And the waterproofing spray on the runamocs really does make them functional for dewy grass and rainy days, so not a huge deal!)
  119. Verified Buyer

    Surprisingly Great

    Rating

    When holding these boots in the store I was concerned they would not hold up to rough use, as I have a tendency to thrash boots. I have put over 50 miles into these boots across various terrains including the mountains of Western Oregon, Central California and Southeast Alaska, I can confidently say that is no longer a concern. They were not too hot when hiking around in 100 degree temperatures despite the wool lining. These boots have been the most comfortable I have ever owned since I prefer flexible boots. These boots held up well in the jungle of the Oregon Coast with no sign of breaking down. They also took the abuse of rocky trails near Ketchikan Alaska extremely well. The tread was great for the muddy trails and wet grass on those trails. The fit of these boots is fantastic and I'm fortunate that Terran helped me in the store. I was encouraged to try the wide size and it was an excellent choice for my long-term comfort.
  120. Verified Buyer

    Perfect balance of durability and lightweight comfort

    Rating

    Awesome boots. I never would have believed that there could be a boot that is built rugged enough to endure really rough trail conditions that feels as comfortable as barefoot when fully laced. The wide toe box really gives toes room to live and breathe without having a loose blistering shoe. Also the softstar crew has incredible customer service. Really surprised at the quality all the way through.
  121. Verified Buyer

    Light and Nimble, yet Very Sturdy!

    Rating

    Originally ordered a 11U Regular (as I wear that size for Primal RunAmoc), but my feet felt the need to stretch out more. I called and talked to a very knowledgeable Elf who advised me to go with a 12U and Wide. The shoe fits as it it were molded to my foot! A really great shoe for tromping around snow, hiking up mountains, and some stream crossings. The waterproof level goes up to where to tongue down to the vamp. So I'm getting about 2" of water walking zone. The laces are really wonderful as well. Strong and stay tied all day long! A great shoe all around. Especially for paragliding in areas where boots are a must! Thanks for another amazing shoe Elves!
  122. Verified Buyer

    Well-made, still not right trouble foot

    Rating

    Solid boots, upper is water proof but tongue isn't gusseted to keep water out from the top. Unfortunately my search for a no drop, wide fit hiking and field boot continues because my right foot doesn't fit either the 8u or 9u size I tried. My right foot is wider respective to it's length(and every shoe I've tried). This is causing the wide part of foot to sit into the not widest part of boot, arch pain and now sometimes ankle pain in both sizes. Very unfortunate and I don't know where to go from here.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Devin - Sorry to hear we could not get the fit you need :-(. The all-leather version coming out Fall 2022 will be more pliable and this might work better for your needs. Please check back with us then.

  123. Love these boots for many reasons… but really wish they were waterproof

    Rating

    After owning these boots for six months with many hikes and dog walks in the rain I feel like I can honestly comment on them. They are great in so many ways: the wide toebox, zero drop, mega grip soles are like sticky tape on boulders and slippery roots, and the Merino wool insole is a welcome additional cushion against sharp rocks and even concrete sidewalks. I just really, really wish they were waterproof which they are definitely not. Just getting the front toes wet with dewy grass at the dog park you can feel moisture inside and on hikes in the rain my feet were very wet. Please Softstar, fix this one issue on the next generation and then they will be the absolute best boots ever.
  124. Verified Buyer

    Great Shoes

    Rating

    I've only had the Switchbacks for a few months but already they're my favorite shoes for many activities. I do a lot of hiking but I also find myself walking on paved roads frequently and the Switchbacks are very comfortable for both activities. Very comfortable! I also like weariing them in the woodshop where I'm on my feet for extended periods of time. I would highly reccomend these shoes.

  125. Warm and breathable - 8 months and counting

    Rating

    I thought I would be done wearing these once summer came... but still my favorite work boot due to comfort and function. And surprisingly, not too hot although plenty warm enough last winter. My feet don't get sweaty or smell at all. Almost ready for a new pair as I abuse the heck out of these every day - looking forward to leather version this fall.

  126. Perfect!

    Rating

    I have never had a pair of hiking boots that I didn't need to break it. These shoes were comfortable instantly, half the weight of my Vivos and much better grip. Love them!

  127. Great sole and width, not quite what I hoped

    Rating

    I really wanted to love this boot, but it's not quite for me. THE GOOD: - A genuinely rugged sole that doesn't slip and won't wear down fast. I've tried other barefoot hiking boots (like vivobarefoot), and the tread was too thin and fast-wearing--I slid all over leaves and mud compared to my conventionally-shod companions. I'll keep them just for this - The width! I got the wide size, and this is probably the only shoe that is actually shaped to accommodate the ball of my foot. It's still not quite wide in the right spots (there's a weird empty spot by the toe and you can see the laces are stretched at the last hole), but it's closer than anything else. THE BAD - Effectively, these aren't waterproof. The absence of a gusset in the tongue makes a huge difference. My socks get soaked just walking through dewy grass or stepping through a puddle. Getting gaiters might help with this, but I haven't tried. -Even though the tops are pure fabric and flexible, somehow the cut and rigidity of the fabric still gives a weird tight uncomfortable feeling. I had to stop lacing up around my ankles because it felt quite restrictive. I wish I had waited for the leather; I think this would have helped some with this. -Ugliness. I really never want to wear these for anything but hiking, while I used to use my leather hikers for other situations. Overall, I love the shape and sole of these shoes, but they aren't perfect yet.

  128. 400 miles and loving them!

    Rating

    Just finished a section of the PCT.... snow, ice, mud, rock and I cannot rave enough about these boots! My feet are happy to put these on in the morning and in no rush to take off at the end of a hard day. I stayed dry, and not too hot, never cold. The sole grip was extremely trustworthy. The light weight and flexibility of this boot was best I've ever used, and superior to Vivo. Holding up great - I will get several seasons out of this pair.

  129. Wonderful, and...

    Rating

    Hello, I got my boots in January. It is currently May. I love them. They are comfortable, durable, warm, flexible, and wide. I love the way they look, I love the way they feel. I love softstar as a company, the ethics, small business, and everyone from softstar I have interacted with has been nothing but wonderful. The seam on the inside of the shoe just behind my big toe where the fabric attaches to the leather trim has unraveled on both boots. I know how to sew and it is a pretty simple fix. I was an early adopter so I do not expect the boot to be tried and true or perfected. I would make the choice to buy them again. I am fairly hard on shoes and so I must take some responsibility as well.

  130. Love!

    Rating

    Amazing. I have a really wide toe box and it is rare for me to find a shoe that accommodates my toes but isn't loose everywhere else! these fit snug but not constructing! The feel on the inside is amazing, no hot spots and super soft from the wool lining (but I have found this means i can't wear them barefoot because the wool can be itchy. light socks fixes that problem! probably best to wear socks anyways lol). customer service was incredible when i realized i needed the wider version, they got me set up with an exchange right away and they were super nice and responsive. I love love love that these are made with mindful and sustainable materials here in Oregon! My only drawback is that I didn't realize how warm they would be. they will be great for winter and cooler hikes but this won't be an all-season shoe for me :( which I am bummed about. I think they'll be too warm for late spring and summer since my feet have been getting heated on walks with my dog just around town. Regardless, I highly recommend. the comfort and fit is just on point. oh! and i am so impressed that Softstar listened to customer advice and has updated the toe box to have more height. I really like that adjustment :)
  131. Verified Buyer

    Incredibly comfy but not well made

    Rating

    These boots were the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned. They are flexible and wide and I only needed a couple of days to get adjusted to the new feel. But unfortunately the single stitching came apart and the tread started peeling off in less than a month. Apparently they are double stitched now. I was offered an exchange (as per their brief exchange policy) but they are insanely expensive and in order to expedite the new boot delivery I would get charged again and then hopefully reimbursed at some point…and we’re talking about a $240 pair of shoes. So almost $500 and 4 months later I can decide again whether or not they are built better? Sounds like a gamble.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hello L - sorry to hear you were not pleased with our replacement policy. Certainly the issues you experiences are fully covered under our guarantee. We reviewed your emails with us and we understand you would have preferred we mailed you a new pair free of charge while you continued to wear the original pair so that you would not have to go without boots for the exchange period. We do request shoes be returned for refund or replacement so we can learn from the issues and continually improve our designs. Please know we always issues refunds very promptly. It looks like you decided to continue wearing the original pair for 4 months and are now returning them for full refund. We hope you will give us another try in the future so you can see that we not only stand by our footwear, but that they are durable for you.
  132. Verified Buyer

    Good…but…

    Rating

    The first pair I got had a blowout on the upper within 50 miles on the Appalachian trail, which I sewed back together with floss, twice. Customer service was nice and they replaced them for free, and so far I’ve got about 200 miles out of them. They are super light. They are also quick drying. The vibram is trustworthy on wet rocks. I can also finally stretch my feet out. On the negative side, knowing that these are barefoot shoes, I did wish for more heel stability. There is no heel cup or anything holding your heel in place and they are so wide at the heel that I was sliding around a bit. Wide tie box is great but the heel needs more material to be great. I would recommend that indestructible upper be wrapped around the footbed, everything double stitched, and make the heel smaller with a padded heel cup. Also, if you’re making them by hand anyways, why not take custom orders? It would solve some problems. Overall I’m happy with them.
  133. Verified Buyer

    300 mile review over 4 months of walking use

    Rating

    These are super comfortable and lasted about 300 miles over about 4 months of use. This mileage is according to my phone mileage counter and is a fair estimate. I’m reviewing them now as I just logged in to get another pair and they are back ordered. At near to that mileage the right foots outside stitching failed rendering the boot useless as it now had a 2.5” - 3” opening. In fairness I do pronate to that side but for the price I was a bit let down as some of my other Soft Star moccasins have lasted years. The sole held up well and the rest of the construction seems solid. The “Primal” toe box is plenty wide. Due to the toe cap they do not stretch much but it does a great job protecting the front of the boot. So I’m on the list for another pair (on backorder as I write this) in hopes that the issue was an anomaly. Follow up: Thank you for the rapid response and your generous offer to replace the Switchbacks. Please do send another pair. These are a great idea and I am sure the improvements you mentioned will make them even better. I'm looking very much forward to receiving them.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi John - glad we were able to reach you directly!
  134. Verified Buyer

    Loving Them

    Rating

    Firstly I love the boots, they are waterproof, and durable so far. I wear mine for everyday use, I'm outside a lot; in the woods and at the park. They are a snug fit which I enjoy. Be WARNED when I first put them on the top of the boot was cutting into my foot which was cutting off circulation, I simply stretched the boot by shoving a small hand towel in it and leaving it overnight.
  135. Verified Buyer

    What a Relief!

    Rating

    It has been a progression of foot growth over the last ten years, in length but especially in width. Started out in Nike high-tops, went to Altras, then to Lems, and now to Softstar. What a difference having these shoes has made. Bunions receding, have room for spreaders, neuropathy 98% gone, and extended hiking ranges. I'm never going back.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Paul for your story and review! So glad to hear the neuropathy is resolving - yay!!
  136. Verified Buyer

    Well made bad design

    Rating

    The primal sole made the toes turn in. Very odd clown shoe like. Made walking cumbersome..also the flopping of the sole as i walk is clumsy too. The vibram sole was cut out of a larger pattern it seems because the tread on the bottom was uneven and the toe tread was slivers of rubber, very odd. Comfortable but mega awkward to walk in . i wish the toe was more straight then curved in. Big toes dont turn in??

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hello Shawn and thank you for taking time to leave a review. Unfortunately they sound much too big and you would have done better in the regular width rather than the Wide primal-friendly shape you ordered. If you have already been wearing them out-and-about it might be too late to exchange for regular width, but you could use our Happy Feet Guarantee for fit & comfort (https://www.softstarshoes.com/guarantee) and exchange them for credit towards another pair that might fit better, if helpful. Please reach out to our customer service team so we can help get you into a pair that fits great!
  137. Verified Buyer

    Big improvement in the toe area

    Rating

    I recently got my second pair of the switchback boot since my first pair had problem with the stitching. They now have more volume in the toe area which is fantastic. Now I can fully use the wide toebox! Thank you for that alteration. I use them daily. Love them!
  138. Verified Buyer

    Love this boot!

    Rating

    Recently got a pair of the switchbacks. I had been looking for a good pair of boots and these did not disappoint. I look for reasons to go hiking just to wear them. They’re awesome!!!
  139. Verified Buyer

    Wonderfully wide

    Rating

    This is the second pair of Softstar footwear I have, the other pair are the Primal RunAmoc. They are the first shoes I've ever owned that are wider than my feet! I can't tell you how over the moon I am to have finally found shoes that fit, as the tight fitting shoes were having a long term negative effect on my feet. I have the 5U in both - I find the Primal RunAmoc are a tiny bit wider and longer, in fact a bit too long for me(I may go for the oldest kids ones next time). So these Switchbacks are perfect. There is only one problem, which is that I have narrow heels. The heel grips were enough with the Primal RunAmocs, but not with the Switchbacks, so I still need to find a thicker heel grip. But once I have that sorted, these will be perfect! I love the style too, and the quality of the materials. I'm living in Ireland so waterproof footwear is essential, and it doesn't get particularly cold during winter so they are certainly warm enough. Thank you for making such lovely and wide footwear :)

  140. Good boots

    Rating

    Finding good minimalist hikers has been a challenge. Tried many brands, many styles. These are good. I had to return a pair that the stitching blew pretty quickly (2 admittedly harsh hikes), but Softstar customer service was (as always) phenomenal about that. These are pretty darn warm with the wool lining. My feet got hot and sweaty, so these are definitely for colder hikes. They are super comfy and have good gripshion. Just the right amount of flex and feel for rocky hikes. They are one of my 2 faves.
  141. Verified Buyer

    Favorite shoes

    Rating

    I'm so glad I recently found Softstar, their primal shoes are the first shoes I've had on my feet that almost fit properly, and over the course of a month I'm noticing a major transformation of my feet from their shoes (along with the use use of Correct Toes). When I initially received the Switchback I was really disappointed because of the lack of volume, my feet are extremely wide and high volume. However, with some wear, I can say that they stretched to fit like a glove. I put well over 100 miles on them in a month hiking and walking and they've held up great and perform well. I love the wool liner and insole, keep foot warm but breathes and does well with water. The material is really breathable, which is wonderful for activities, but not a boot for sitting in the cold. Some critiques, I wish the seams and tongue were sealed and I wish the ankle was a little more snug. I'm looking forward to the leather version.
  142. Verified Buyer

    Great boots; the low toe-box breaks in!

    Rating

    Bought my set in the first run (Oct 2021), and they've been great. Have been using them in warm Queensland, Australia, and believe it or not, they've been working fine in the heat. Even wore them out to Mt Isa for a week (Dry 45degC/113degF heat) hiking around in the bush for work. The great points: - Wide fit is excellent, works very well for me with my long 4th toe, and my big toe can actually be straight/splay inwards (a big peeve I had with the Lems shape). Lightweight and flexy upper is great, going to go to a snugger fit since the shape is so good and they're so flexible. - Construction is solid, zero build issues. Their construction will mean that any seams that go will be repairable. - Sole grip is outstanding. Mechanically grippy lugs, and chemically grippy soft rubber. No excessive wear, still standing up fine after regular use for 3 months, but it is a softer rubber, so don't expect it to last for years with heavy use. But, it's resoleable, so that's not a problem! Notes on some of the common points: - People gripe about the toe box tapering down. They fail to realize that the leather trim around the toebox will break in and stretch slightly, and relieve that. The Superfabric doesn't stretch, but the leather does. Pretty much all shoes have a break in period. If my next smaller pair break in like this pair has, they'll be great. - The lack of a gusseted tongue is.... a shame, it can let water, dust, dirt and debris in, but I've been living with it. It does mean you can open the shoe up better for it to dry out fast though. Overall, they're expensive, like most minimalist footwear, but they're one of the first pairs where I feel like the cost is actually worthwhile. Honestly, I hope the next iteration only has a gusset tongue as a change, everything else is pretty much spot on.

  143. I take it back. I really love them!

    Rating

    At first I was disappointed in these boots because I got hot spots on both heels the first few times I wore them. I think the problem was the liner. Too much friction where my skinny heels rubbed the back of the boots. I put duct tape on the inside of the boots over the areas that rubbed and voila, end of problem. Now I wear them every day and have grown to love them. Thank you Softstar!

  144. Finally a boot for barefoot hikers!

    Rating

    I’m a hiker. I converted to barefoot shoes about 5 years ago. There are plenty of shoes to hike in good weather. But I hike in all weather. The few barefoot boots tried, but had issues. I was cautiously optimistic when I got these boots. I’ve now worn them in snow, ice, mud, rain, and on some days all of the above. They have far exceeded my expectations. The soles are flexible enough to feel the terrain, and have a great grip. My feet stay dry and warm., even when it’s below zero. There are 3 minor things that I would change to make them perfect: - add a soft cuff at the neck so they don’t cut into skin without wearing tall socks. - make the laces a bit longer. They are good laces, but not quite long enough to double knot. - add a “gaiter groove” on the sole. A narrow strip across the sole at the arch to accommodate the strap used to keep gaiters in place. A shallow enough groove that it removes only the tread, not the functional part of the sole. Thank you, softstar, for making a boot I can finally hike in again!!!

  145. Almost perfect

    Rating

    Great construction and material quality. The ankle is high enough and the sole luggy enough to do real boot things in. It's a huge plus that they are resoleable. As others have stated, considering the more rugged Superfabric, they could benefit from a little more volume, especially at the toes. My toes can end up feeling pretty beat up by the end of the day. It would also be better if the tongue were fully gusseted. I get a surprising amount of debris in the boots while working around the yard or doing carpentry. They also sit in the weird zone of being mostly waterproof but not really, which ends up just meaning that whatever water gets inside, stays inside (including sweat). I'm looking forward to the all leather version coming out! This boot in full grain leather with a gusseted tongue would be the best thing, ever.
  146. Verified Buyer

    Great idea, missed the mark

    Rating

    Like so many others, I wanted badly to love these boots but the toe box was painfully shallow. I really hope the all-leather version of the Switchbacks has more room over the toes, a gussetted tongue (not much point in water-resistant boots if they fill up at the first stream crossing), and leather lining rather than wool (I'd much rather wear two pairs of socks in winter than have the socks built in). I had to return the synthetic Switchbacks but am holding out hope that the next iteration will be the breathable, water-resistant, durable leather hiking boots of my dreams.
  147. Verified Buyer

    Yay, wide wide boots!

    Rating

    So excited to get super wide boots now that my feet are hooked on Primal width! Pros: width, breathable mesh (in warmer weather); some heel blistering on the first long walk; almost too wide to fit in my snowshoes Cons: breathable mesh (in colder weather), Originally I sized up because I wanted to wear extra thick socks, but those were way too big, so I'm wearing same size as my other Primals. They're stretching a bit so I can wear one pair of thick socks but not too. Now that it's snowing, my feet are cold, so would love to see these with winter insulation. Guess that's why the Elves are already working on a leather version.
  148. Verified Buyer

    Great hiking boot

    Rating

    I bought these for my spouse and he wears them all the time, so it’s safe to say he’s a fan! I ordered a size up based on previous reviews and knowing these would mainly be worn in the winter and spring with socks. The fit worked perfectly from what I hear. No complaints about them getting wet yet — he’s worn them on January PNW days and through some muddy trail areas, but not through snow or heavy rains.
  149. Verified Buyer

    Good boots

    Rating

    Overall I like the boots and look forward to using them for hiking. They are a size smaller though and need careful foot measurement. My normal size in minimalist shoe is 11.5 to 12. I had to size up to 13 with these. Also, they are mostly a minimalist shoe with zero drop, wide toe box and light weight. I wanted a minimalist boot for hiking that was water resistant but breathable. The wool lining is also great. Only downside I found was the tread, a bit too thick & stiff compared with vibram 5 finger. This might be a good boot for those who are new to minimalist shoe's and want some flexibility but not completely feel ground style. I've been wearing minimalist boots for a while and actually like feeling more of the uneven terrain. This might be an additional variation for future versions of this boot, a choice between tread thickness & flexibility? Thank you Elves
  150. Verified Buyer

    Sad

    Rating

    I was so excited for these boots, but they didn’t work for me. The width was fine, but the volume is super low leaving no space for the front of the foot. I ordered a 9 which is slightly big on me, so sizing up is not an option. I wore them around the house hoping there would be some give/stretch, but nope, just my feet slowly going numb. Thankfully, SoftStar has great customer service and returning with a refund was very easy and incredible fast. I would love these boots with better foot volume and also, while I’m writing, properly waterproof.

  151. They Kick Butt!!!

    Rating

    They give your feet the feeling of protection from sharp objects, and add rubber grip knobs. Other than that, the only thing you notice is a sense of relief that someone finally got shoes right.

  152. Biomechanically Correct

    Rating

    I discovered a way to raise the toebox depth. After walking in the rain and walking in high wet grass, I take the boots off and put a handful of dry newspaper and press it forward hard as I can into the toebox area and let it dry at room temperature for 24 hours. Once I try the boots on again there was about 3/16-Half of a half an inch of elevation more toe space. These boots are the most anatomical oblique ergonomically correct biomechanically correct to human anatomy. I have three sets, or 3 pairs.
  153. Verified Buyer

    Mr.

    Rating

    Falsely advertised. These are NOT waterproof.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves. Dear J - thanks for your follow up discussions with our Marketing team to help us understand your concerns and address them.
  154. Verified Buyer

    Janet Krueger

    Rating

    So far wonderful for snowy icy conditions. I sized up one size to be able to wear thick wool socks. Got the primal shape want LOTS of space in front. Short break in time. Not good for standing around ice fishing for hours. Best for moving around in cold winter situations such as walking and doing outdoor chores. Very nice grip on snow. Flexible and light weight considering what they are. Never have wet or sweaty foot problems. Top quality. I would say they have the widest toe box area of any minimalist boot out there. Love the ease of on and off. I like that the tongue is not gusseted because I am not walking in creeks or deep puddles. It makes them very nicely adjustable. I like the quick tie eyelets are the top and the laces are nice for staying tied. I have skinny feet and they fit great.
  155. Verified Buyer

    Great design and comfort, minor quality issues

    Rating

    I have been using these boots for backpacking and woods walks. After a week on the Pennsylvania AT, the soles began to delaminate in the front but soft Star had great customer service and replaced. My second pair is still looking good but after minor use one of the shoelace grommets came out. (Fixed that one myself)
  156. Verified Buyer

    FINALLY!

    Rating

    I’ve been in search for over 6 years for a waterproof, minimalist boot with good tread and a very wide toe box. Softstar did it! I just tested them today, walking around in deep snow and the waterproofing held up better than I expected. I assumed the top of my foot would get wet but nope! Stayed totally dry! My toes were cold despite wool socks and the wool liner but so minor compared to wet feet, IMO. The tread is best on the market from what I can find. Yes, you do lose a bit of mobility. But I scramble over wet logs and rocks in the PNW so tread is a must for me to feel safe. Thank you so much Softstar!! I have the primal fit-they are a bit goofy looking with extra wide toe box but I don’t care! My toes (and toe spreaders) have so much room!
  157. Verified Buyer

    finally, a toe box that is wide enough!

    Rating

    This is my second pair of Sofstars (previously bought the primal 7 wide), and was able to go to Sofstar for fitting. Decided to go with the 8 wide as the 7 wide felt too short. The 8 wide may be a smidgen too long but I am happy with the fit, overall. I wear thicker socks. These boots arrived two weeks ago; I have worn them for numerous dog walks and, in the past two days, have battled 8 inches of snow with my feet warm and cozy. Love the grip, love the width, love the comfortable fit.

  158. Great for my feet!

    Rating

    I have been a Softstar loyalist for a couple years now. I only ever tried buying other brands because I neeeeeeeeded zero-drop, natural-shape hiking boots. When these came out, I drove to Philomath and tried them on ASAP. I wear an 8U in most Softstar shoes, and I ended up in a 9Wide for these. They are working great for me so far, through some low-impact hikes and yard work. I threw some gaiters on and tromped around in the snow all day today, and my feet stayed warm and dry. I'm eager for an all-leather pair with a gusseted tongue!

  159. still on the fence

    Rating

    My feet are short, extremely wide and thick. In the past year I've transitioned to wearing SoftStar shoes exclusively due to the damage done to my feet because of conventional footwear. In addition, I'm wearing correct toes to reverse bunions. Shoe shopping can be as painful an experience as looking for a new bathing suit... I have found Primal style shoes to fit the best (Sawyer, Merry Jane and RunAmoc). I was excited to hear about the Switchback boot and hoped that it would be the solution to my winter footwear need. I walk 3-4 miles daily regardless of the weather. My RunAmoc shoes have suffered from walking in the rain and I'm tired of wet feet. I also need boots for snowy weather. I emailed the Elves with a drawing of my foot so I could be advised which size Switchback to order. They suggested I order a size up and I'm glad I did. There is minimal give to the boot. The width is a bit tight but not uncomfortable. My issue is that I am experiencing pain on the top of my foot where my big toe sits under the first eyelet. I've been wearing the boots inside hoping that my feet will adjust but after a minute or two I have an angry red spot on my foot. I've always been told that good footwear that fits properly shouldn't need to be broken in. Perhaps my feet are just too thick. I haven't decided whether or not to return the boots. I WANT them to work. I need boots for the winter and for my daily outdoor exercise and I don't have other options. I would recommend these shoes to anyone wanting a high quality boot that are wide enough for your feet. However if your feet are thick, be aware that you may need to return them.
  160. Verified Buyer

    MD

    Rating

    Love these. I brutalized a pair with rock-scramble steep-mountainside rhododendron-shuffle and the stitching popped between the upper and the sole, unfortunately. It was only their second time out. I loved their performance, however, so a new pair was sent (no cost to me) and I've been gentler (so far) to them and I like them as much as I did the first pair. They feel more "barefoot" than other barefoot hiking boots I've tried (it's a hard thing to accomplish, I admit.) I think I'll stick to "light duty" with these.
  161. Verified Buyer

    H

    Rating

    I've had the sandstone switchbacks for about a month and I love them. I've only got in to minimalist/barefoot shoes in the last 2 years but am amazed by how many of the brands still make super narrow shoes. I ordered the wide fitting for these boot and they are the first boots which have ever fitted my feet properly. They are super warm and comfortable straight away. The only worry I have is waterproofing. I really want a fully waterproof boot and I'm aware that this doesn't claim to be fully waterproof but that feels like a missed opportunity, why not go the whole way and gusset the tongue and seal the seams if that's something you can do low down on the boot?? Do it with the rest of the seams too! My boots haven't leaked yet but I haven't walked in heavy rain or through long wet grass yet (partly because I'm trying to preserve my total love of these boots!). Would absolutely recommend them.
  162. Verified Buyer

    Got these just in time!!

    Rating

    I got these shoes just before it snowed. They work beautifully!! They've got a great grip, extremely comfy and a nice color. I could go on, but it's something you should try for yourself! Worth every penny!

  163. Love these hiking boots!

    Rating

    I love these hiking boots. They fit me perfect especially with the wide toe box.
  164. Verified Buyer

    LOVE THEM

    Rating

    After reading the sizing comments, I ordered one size up. I LOVE them. I have plenty of room for wearing thick socks and they are super comfortable. I also sprayed them with waterproofing spray before wearing them after reading some of the previous comments, but I have yet to test the limits. Very happy with this purchase!
  165. Verified Buyer

    Top Shelf, No Nonsense

    Rating

    #1. These boots are “the most” foot shape boots that I am aware of on the market. Feet friendly, to fit a range of different feet shape, Unsuppressed unrestricted, (oblique and ergonomic toebox plus the spaced out lacing system over the forefoot & instep gently narrows going toward the ankles and up ). Gives a snug down sensation, a pancake-ish rap down with a gentle snug, without cramming the toebox or forefoot. Agile and nimble, yet rugged. #2. The whole boot seems to be biomechanically correct, NO spring toe, NO elevated heels NO exaggerated stack height, engineered anatomically to fit most earthlings feet. This is my third pair (I’m kind of stocking up…no play on words :) #3. This sandstone color is one of my favorites for sure. I’ve always wanted my boots to be of an earth-organic, canyonlands, Mars-burnt orange or forest green and olive drab, or light granite and moon, oxblood-cardover and brown rock. Just suggestions. #4. I am very much aware that there are people out there with much girth and thickness to their feet (my feet is not all that wide and not all that thick and my ankles are skinny. #5. Suggestions: increase the depth in the toebox area just before the second eye-lacing holes, add another eyehole lease going forward to the toebox and an additional overlay (aesthetically speaking) if you can get a gray or brown sole.
  166. Verified Buyer

    Amazing traction and hella wide

    Rating

    I was looking at a lot of options for minimal-ish hiking shoes that were at least water resistant. My highest priorities were fit and traction and these delivered for me! I’m fortunate enough to live near the Softstar flagship so I got to try some on in person for fit and glad I did. I needed the widest width and they look a little like clown shoes but that’s the honest shape of my foot. The traction is fantastic. I debated whether I wanted more of a barefoot feel from a different shoe, but my others have been too slippy in mud (Lems and Xeros). I’ve done a few 4-5mi hikes in these and I LoVE the way they handle the mud up to a couple inches deep. I wasn’t worried about slipping around at all! I have not yet tested them in rain or puddles or around nettles/brambles. The upper material is a little stiff for my taste but seems durable so that’s awesome.
  167. Verified Buyer

    Perfect Oregon Coast winter boot

    Rating

    This is the perfect Oregon coast boot, walking in the sand is so much more enjoyable and natural, and when the waves get too close, no problem. I also find that the foot-freedom keeps my feet warmer than a cinched-tight shoe.
  168. Verified Buyer

    Good Comfy Boots

    Rating

    I've owned several pairs of Softstars - these are by far the thickest. About as warm as my Hawthorn chukkas but maybe not as waterproof (!) My first day of ownership was a rainy day here in Oregon. I took a ~2mile bike ride (fenders on the bike, and it was not super rainy) and came home a bit surprised to have wet socks! Don't expect much water resistance, my sealed chukkas do much better with walking/riding in the rain. They are pretty warm and the comfort factor is great. They have great traction and i'm excited to try these out on long DRY hikes or with waterproof socks.
  169. Verified Buyer

    0oh yea

    Rating

    I read the early reviews and worried about sizing and snugness. I wear a 12 reg primal, so I ordered a 12 wide. They did feel a little snug in toe box right out. Two weeks later, and they have broken in nicely. I run, hike, bike, work in the yard and wear the casually. I prefer the sole to my primal and wish softstar would make me some sawyers and runamocs with this sole pattern.
  170. Verified Buyer

    Barefoot feeling even in Winter

    Rating

    Love the feeling of these boots. I’ve had them a little over a month and don’t want to wear anything else. Soft, cozy, dry & flexible. I swapped out the shoelaces with rainbow color, get compliments every time I’m in public.

  171. Love, love but wish they were leather

    Rating

    My boots were a gift from my husband for my birthday and I LOVE them! We are outside a lot as we run a landscaping company and I finally have warm, dry work boots that I don't feel like I am clumping around in. The Superfabric material looks sharp and cleans up nice, but I hope Softstar will make these in leather someday as leather is just softer and more supple feeling - something I am used to with their shoes. I will be back for another pair next year! (Maybe 2 if leather).

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks LeeAnn for your review. Rest assured, you are in the company of many elves who also want all - leather pairs. Be on the lookout for them when our new collection launches in Spring.

  172. Perfect for Me

    Rating

    Reading other reviews I am surprised how many people are having issues with the volume in the toe. These fit me well out of the box in length and girth, and over past 3 weeks have also stretched a bit when paired with thicker socks. I am enjoying these at work - they are warm and sturdy. I also am having no issues with water and I live in a raininy/muddy area. Thanks Softstar - these are perfect for me!
  173. Verified Buyer

    Much room for improvment

    Rating

    These are my first shoes/ boots from Softstar and I had high hopes but unfortunately I was somewhat disapointed. I like the wide toebox but they are really low volume and quite snug even when I removed the insole. I never had this problem before with other shoes. I also had hoped for a bit more waterproof then just the bottom seal. As soon as they get wet above the bottom leather the feet get wet and that happens often during the wet and muddy months where I live. The grip is very good!! and they keep warm despite getting wet! But the low volume makes them in my opinion hardly worth the price.

  174. Not quite

    Rating

    I love Softstar shoes, own over 15 pair, so I did not hesitate to order when I saw these babies even with the price tag. Ordered my normal SoftStar size, 10U regular width. Straight out of the bag, wow were they tight. I have thin narrow feet, not much volume at all and the toe box is entirely too constrictive. There is just not enough vertical space. My big toe has already left a noticeable indent. I've stuffed the toe boxes with a wool sock to stretch but with little improvement. Sizing up would leave my feet sliding inside the boots. Disappointed with the toe box for sure. The second bummer, the two-piece sewn together tongue...where do I begin? Let me start by saying I love the fact that softstars are hand-crafted, painstakingly I'm sure. But the sewn together tongue looks sloppy and the outer edges of where the two pieces meet result in sharp pointed edges that dig into the merino. Both boots are the same. That unfinished sewn together edge has dug holes into the merino lining. I realize the upper part of the tongue has padding that the lower part does not have, I just wish that same effect could be achieved in one continuous piece. Like other Softstars I own, it took actually wearing the boots outside for me to realize I should have returned them first. With that, I love the look of the Sand boot, the Vibram lugged sole is fantastic, and the warmth is good. But I feel like I received a demo pair...."give us your feedback and we'll work on what we need to improve" vs. a ready for retail, $240 finished product. But I still love you guys ????
  175. Verified Buyer

    Absolute Heaven!

    Rating

    Cozy, light, sweet, warm . Whoops! Enough about me, now on with the shoe! The Switchback is all of the above and a lot more. Lightweight, yet tough. Protects us from slips and slides while trudging through wet leaves and muddy trails. Hugs the terrain and our feet, keeping them cozy, warm and dry. Thank you Soft Star for creating shoes we love, who love us in return!
  176. Verified Buyer

    Not enough toe height

    Rating

    Nice looking, great concept, but the height from footbed to toenail is too short. It binds my husband's toes, as do the Primal RunAmoc and Dash. Only the Chukka has enough vertical room for his toes.

  177. Total comfort and traction after 5 hikes!

    Rating

    I have now done enough hikes (5 or 6) with these new boots to give an accurate review over a variety of terrain types. Last 3 hikes have been in moderately rocky areas--desert southwest, so rough rocks, some 5-6 ft cliff-like areas to climb, thorny underbrush. Performance was outstanding! Sticky soles great help in clambering over ascents and my feet can spread out in comfort to let my toes grab on rocky surfaces. High ankle lacing of boot is a great advantage for stability in hiking. Boot material and soles very tough and I had NO problems with thorns in the soles (that was a problem with Lems brand). I am super impressed with how tough these boots are and how easily my feet adapted to the flexibility of the soles.

  178. Love these boots!

    Rating

    When I first tried these on, I thought I would have to return them b/c the toe box was so tight. But I wore them around the house a few short times and they loosened up just fine. I haven't worn them in anything too crazy, but I've taken them on slick, muddy trails, and they've handled miles of dew soaked morning grass. They are really comfy, and I agree with another reviewer that I prefer them over my Xero waterproof hikers comfort wise. Would definitely purchase again.
  179. Verified Buyer

    Finally!

    Rating

    We were soooo excited to order these this year, they were delivered yesterday and initial impressions are good! The fit on my husband is great! He usually wears an 8u primal dash runamok and he sized up to a 9u wide for this boot. It fits him very well! Our 9 yr old was also treated to a pair. He was more of gamble. His last pair of youth ramblers (ordered in May of this year) were a size youth 6. He feet didn't grow too much and so I ordered a size 7u wide. We were so happy particularly for him because we tried the Phoenix boots last year and his feet are just too wide for them. These fit perfect! Though if they were any tighter across the top then they would be too snug. He has high volume and wide feet. So pleased to see how the winter shapes up. It will be an adjustment for the child getting used to laces, might see about some elastics if possible. Anyway the new fabric looks very durable and the soles are rugged!
  180. Verified Buyer

    Surprisingly comfy, great grip, a few bummers

    Rating

    My foot's 22.9cm long, which is at the upper end of the 5U size range, and I was pretty sure they weren't going to work given the reviews I'd seen that recommended sizing up. But they had a 5U Wide Sandstone available so thought I'd try it out just in case. And wow, it fits my foot soooo well! I have pretty high volume feet and have preferred tall toeboxes in the past so I don't know how this works so well for me, but it does! Seriously, I've never worn more comfortable shoes in my life. Makes me wonder if the toebox issues others have experience is more of a problem in the larger sizes; perhaps there was a scaling problem? So far I've tried them outside twice and have had an overall positive experience, with caveats. The first time I wore them a couple hours when shore fishing in the rain and I didn't get any water penetration (I was wearing rain pants that covered about 2/3 of the tongue area). The second was a 7-mile hike this past weekend. Again, they were so comfy the entire time, even when wet (more on that below). They gripped super well and I clambered over wet rocks and fallen trees with ease. Unlike the reviewer below, I found that my foot stayed put well - maybe because my foot length's at the upper end of the 5U size range? I was also able to tie them down tight over my mid-foot and (skinny) heel and ankle, which provided a lot of support and stability. They also got pretty covered in mud and I was surprised that they pretty much self-cleaned as the exterior dried. Didn't even wipe them off and they look pretty much like new. During my hike (in the wetter-than-normal Cascades) I stepped in a lot of mucky puddles and forded some streams, with water coming up to about the tongue line (maybe even over it a few times). I did get water intrusion and while I know these boots aren't waterproof per se, the wetness was concentrated at the very front of the boot and seemed to come in where the upper attaches to the sole - which the descrip says are supposed to be sealed. Also, these boots aren't drying as fast as I'd expect given how minimal they are; it's been two days and they're still damp (and they were never super soaked to begin with). Finally, a couple grommets on the boots were not fully attached and came loose even before I wore them outside. They're on same spot on both boots where multiple pieces of leather come together; seems like the grommets used for that section weren't deep enough to account for the extra thickness of the leather there. Despite these bummers, I am happy with these boots and look forward to wearing them for many years to come.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Morgan for your review! Our Customer Service elves are reaching out to you regarding the grommets - that is not acceptable and we want to address it. Sounds like you are putting them to good test!

  181. Saved me - awesome in the mud

    Rating

    Love my Switchbacks - and they saved my *** this weekend in the mud - the Megagrip sole meant I was the only one in my group not sliding all over the place. I'm not sure why an earlier reviewer said his foot was slipping inside the boot unless he bought them too big? My foot stayed well positioned on extremely rough terrain and my feet love them. I also tried the trick in the video to put knife through the Superfabric like in the video (in an inconspicuous part of the tongue) and granted I didn't try super hard because I love my boots, but I couldn't even get the tip in - pretty cool stuff and wiped clean like new after a very, very muddy weekend backpacking trek. Kept me comfortable, dry and upright!

  182. Excellent materials and quality, forefoot too narrow/small

    Rating

    Overall disappointed in the fit, otherwise the boot looks and feels fantastic. Materials, quality and build are top-notch. SuperFabric is really cool and seems very durable, not to mention waterproof. Wish I could field test them...alas, these are not wide enough for my extra-wide hobbit feet (~116mm wide). My feet are super comfy in the Megagrip Primal RunAmocs (which share the same outer Mega sole) but I can barely get my foot into the Switchback (even with really thin socks). The boot doesn't have enough forefoot volume for me, especially my big toe, and the material is very tight across the top of my toe joints and pinches into the top of my toes quite uncomfortably.

  183. Oh thank the Lord

    Rating

    I was a bit surprised by the unusual shape of this boot when I opened the box and put them on fully expecting to be disappointed YET ANOTHER pair of hiking boots. But as soon as I slipped my little footy inside I felt foot bliss that I have never before felt in a boot. think I moaned a little. If you're wondering, these are a far superior to Xero's minimalist hiking boots in shape, durability, and quality materials. Get the regular if you have long and thin bird feet like me, get the primal if your feet are on the wide side. I love you Softstar!!!!!

  184. Smaller than Primal RunAmocs

    Rating

    Title says it all, I ordered 10 Wide, and they are too tight on my smallest toe, while my 10 Regular Primal RunAmocs fit perfectly well with space to spare. Looks like I'm waiting 6+ weeks to get a replacement pair :/

  185. Yes, but unfortunately no

    Rating

    FYI: 5'4"/130 lbs/wide foot without structural problems. I ordered the Adult 7U Primal Friendly and the length was fine. The boots are adorable and appear to be made with nice, sturdy materials. But the lack of height in the toe box just makes it a non-starter -- and that was trying it on barefoot. I own 4 pairs of the Primal Sawyer, and have noticed the lack of height in the toe box with that style as well (I mean it's so shallow, the big toe pokes up looking like it will wear through the leather). Fortunately, those are made of very soft leather, so that, along with adjusting up a size, "fixes" the issue. But honestly, one should not have to step up a size in length in order to try to accommodate toe box height....that's just silly. It's even sillier, and I would argue not foot-healthy, to have to step up a size with a hiking boot. Proper length is critical when moving around on rough terrain, and there should also be ample room for the toes to naturally flex without being under undue pressure by the top of the boot. I can imagine some bruised toenails with the current version of this boot. The other problem worth noting is that the internal stitching, where the tongue attaches to the boot, creates a stiff and uncomfortable pressure on the top of the foot (where the base of the toe joins the foot) each time my foot is in the push-off phase of the gait. I can't help but think that the lack of toe box height may contribute to that, but it could also be a material issue. One thing I can say for certain is that if Softstar is able to correct some of these issues, I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to try to purchase these again. The current model, though, will have to go back.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: We discovered that the tongue issue on your boots was caused on our end by a batch of boots improperly laced at the "logo tag" on the third grommet instead of the fourth. We were able to replicate this and recreate the problem. Our sincerest apologies for this and thank you for alerting us to it! The height in the toe box is something we are also working on making more accommodating with some additional tweaks in construction consistency. Please consider reaching out to our friendly customer service team in January and refer to your review so they can best assist you if you want to try a different pair.

  186. Extremely comfortable 1st hike

    Rating

    I was anxious to try these since I prefer a high-top boot with ankle support hiking, plus I need a good, chunky lug. Hiking is all on desert trails with dusty, rocky, thorny conditions. I have many Sofstar ballet slipper shoes and love them. Just did 6 1/2 miles on an easy trail to get my feet used to the more flexible sole, vs. the stiffer sole on my Altras and Salomon boots. So far, nice grip on the little ball-bearing pebbly terrain where other boots may slide. Will further test and comment next week after more rocky terrain hikes. Love the toe box room...can't settle for less now:-)

  187. Love these boots

    Rating

    I agree with one of the reviewers below - at first they may seem too small, but after walking around in them for a bit, they're the perfect fit. I'm glad I didn't size up. These boots are super comfortable & they look great. I got the wide option. I wore them in pouring rain & they held up really well. I've been looking for a solid autumn/winter boot for trails & town. These are fantastic! My husband is jealous & wants a pair too.

  188. Retired U.S. military “uniform services” 26+ Years

    Rating

    This boot is absolutely outstanding, Exceeded my expectations, I purchased two pair size 13 switchback , from a size 12 runamok, Wise decision based on just a few of the reviews, The sizing could be off because it being a boot or because the stitch down construction, Very nimble with agility yet rugged-And stable,(My foot is not all that wide) Medium to normal with wide, Narrow heels narrow ankles, Normal to low instead; that’s why they work for me as if they were custom made for me, I don’t know if this was by design or just the circumstances being a coincidence for me(The space between the lacing and the overall low-profile),Makes it so the boot could be snug down in a gentle way keeping your foot centered within: The Anatomically~oblique toebox & ergonomically correct foot bed, Biomechanically correct to fit a range of human feet. I got the sandstone color, It is aesthetically pleasing, A medium brown pair or Cardova ox-blood would be nice, or lunar gray with contrasting leather on the toebox of mars, Rusty burnt orange canyon-lands. Thank you very much for all the good people at the Softstar footwear Company.

  189. so close to amazing but too-short toe box

    Rating

    These are a far cry from any other winter boot I’ve tried and are so close to being an amazing hiking boot, but as others have mentioned, the toe box is just too short in height. I don’t have particularly large or prominent big toes, but the downward pressure in the boots that are otherwise the correct size for me is really irritating, and I’d be worried about getting blisters on the tips of my big toes. Interestingly, if the toe box were taller, I would actually take my usual length. The Primal Sawyer 8U narrow fits me perfectly, and the 8U wide Switchback feels custom-made for my foot, other than the toe box height issue. Going up to the 9U wide relieves the pressure on my big toes, but only because the shoes are so comically long that my big toes sit really far back in the taller part of the toe box/forefoot area of the shoe. I will likely keep one of these pairs, but only because the pressure on the big toe (or the ridiculously long shoes, if I keep the bigger pair) is the lesser of evils compared to my other, too-narrow winter boots that cramp all of my toes. However, I was really hoping to just have an all-around incredible pair of boots where I didn’t have to settle for less than amazing or make some sort of compromise, which I’ve been doing for the last 11 years since I started wearing minimalist shoes. Soft Star, please, please, please go back to your roots (material-wise) and make a Primal Phoenix!!! I’m sure I’m not the only customer who would order a pair the second they became available, and the flexibility and comfort of all-natural materials that conform to your feet would be completely worth the trade-off of a little less waterproofness, especially for those of us who live in cold, snowy climates where warmth is the biggest factor.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Skye for your feedback! We think an all leather Primal option would be awesome, too and are working on something you will love... !
  190. Verified Buyer

    I can't say enough good things...

    Rating

    These boots! I bought the tan and they are gorgeous! Fair warning - they are going to feel *super* snug when you first put them on. I almost returned them for a bigger size upon opening the package and trying them on. GIVE THEM TIME! Once they stretch a bit - just, wow! They're soft, comfy and extremely waterproof (I accidentally hosed my foot down washing my kayak, and my socks stayed dry). They have excellent stability in the ankle - I have muscular dystrophy, and these puppies kept my wobbly ankles stabilized on the trail. I absolutely LOVE these boots.
  191. Verified Buyer

    Wish they fit

    Rating

    I so wanted to love these boots - thinking I finally found a wide-enough, zero drop water-proof boot. I have leather Softstars that I love (most wear in my Rogues size 9), and have now tried two different sizes of Switchbacks to no avail. Size 9s were too long - toe was bending and uncomfortable. Size 8s were too small, tight on most of my foot (both width and depth) though they were the right length. So yes, talk to Elves about sizing as these are different from their other models! Hope y'all find the perfect Switchbacks! Search continues for me for finding very wide, barefoot hiking boots.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Jaefrie for your feedback and will be reaching out to you shortly.
  192. Verified Buyer

    More positive update

    Rating

    I decided to take a chance by trying to stretch the too-low big toe area and wear the boots outside to see if the hard fabric would soften with wear. I was able to gain some height in the big toe area of the boot by pushing in a eyedrop bottle. I still have to wear thin socks. The fabric has softened some after a couple of long walks and no longer makes a noise when it flexes. I found the boots to be comfortable on gravel and lumpy ground. My complaint now is that when I walked through grass that had gone to seed the seeds got into the boots through the area along the tongue. Lots and lots of seeds that pricked my feet and I had to pick out of the boot linings and my socks by hand once I got back home. I can see ticks being able to get in too. A very thin leather gusset that covers the entire instep including the lace holes would make these boots far more practical for hiking on grass. These will be my go-to outdoor boots not because they are perfect, but because I haven't found anything else that's as wide in the toes (I got the Primal-friendly), is snug on the ankle but not too restricting, and has a flexible, flat lugged sole.

  193. Amazing but room for improvement

    Rating

    First let me start by saying these are my favourite boots and I’m still super happy with them. I just ordered my normal side (also primal, as I have wide feet) and I feel like I could have sized up. The length was okay, I actually feel like the foot volume was lower than other shoes or maybe just less flexible. So personally I would say to size up if you live anywhere with seasons so that you can also wear with thick socks. I was in doubt because I didn’t see any indication in the sizing advice, but I guess I should have guessed as it’s the same with all boots that it’s usually 1 size bigger than your normal shoe size
  194. Verified Buyer

    I really want to love these. . .but I don't.

    Rating

    I want to start by saying that I love softstar shoes. I have 6 pairs of the Merry Janes, am on my second pair of primal runamocs, and have a favorite pair of sawyers with the star leather. I love all of these shoes, zero drop, wide toe, breathable leather, but they are casual wear only, even the bicycle tire toes of the Primal runamocs have worn holes through them I was SO EXCITED at the prospect of foot comfort in a pair of boots that could stand up to some outdoor abuse! The switchback boots are lovely fabric, have grippy soles, and all the trademarks of softstar quality. I ordered 10 wide, a size up from my normal primal toe size 9. These shoes are too small. There is not enough height in the toe box, even a size up, they are pinching hard across the joint where my big toes meet my foot. I removed the insoles to get them on, and they are still too tight. When I walk, the bend at the bridge of the boot is digging into my foot. The size 10 is already about half an inch too long, so I can't go up a size for more height. I really want to love these shoes, but they really don't fit. I'm sending them back, I will be once again ordering xero boots for my winter wear.

  195. Durable but a different kind of fit

    Rating

    I feel like I will walk the soles off these shoes before the upper wears out same as the rest of my soft star shoes. I have the same issue as others in that the toe box area is not quite high enough to be comfortable and I should have ordered the primal. I can only wear thin socks with them. I was hoping they would stretch a little or the felt liner would squish down to give me some more room but it doesn't seem like it is gonna give much. They are good boots but just a weird fit for my feet. Also the shoelaces are too short to lace the boot all the way up. They need to be at least 4 inches longer. Overall a good boot but order wider than what you think you need.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Sarah - we will get the longer laces in the mail to you today!

  196. Hiker

    Rating

    Dang, way too small. The upper is pretty rough against the top of my foot. Hoping a whole size bigger will help.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Amy - please let us know how the next size up works for you - We appreciate your feedback!

  197. FINALLY!!!

    Rating

    I have been waiting so long for a durable minimalist hiking boot that includes a truly zero-drop lugged sole and a wide toe box. The toe boxes of Vivobarefoot's boots are too tapered for my feet and while I love Lem's Boulder boots for lighter uses, their soles are too flat and are just not built to handle rough terrain on the mountain. The Switchback not only delivers on these features, but goes the extra mile by being lightweight, flexible and (so far) extremely durable. The Superfabric material used to make these boots is truly amazing. I have a pair of cross-trainer shoes that are made from it and they really are indestructbile... after two years they still look new. I have high expectations that the Switchback will follow suit. This Megagrip sole offers some of the best traction I've ever seen on my hikes and holds me on steep muddy trails like velcro. The merino wool lining on the inside is ridiculously comfortable. I'm a little concerned that it may feel too warm in hot weather, but most of my hiking is done on high altitude alpine trails that are very cold, so I appreciate having it. I also wish the tongue was sealed against water, but at the same time I've never been a fan of gusseted tongues since I don't like the feeling of bunched-up material on top of my foot. I hope Softstar finds another way to seal this area in the future, but I'm still very happy with the waterproof uppers and sealed seams around the rest of the boot. I received an early pair for testing and can verify that they do a great job of keeping feet dry as long as water doesn't reach the tongue. Just make sure your pant cuffs cover most of the lacing and stay out of deep puddles and you'll be okay. Thank you Softstar for not only making a hiking boot that fits my wide toes, but also excels in every other way! They're right when they call this boot a game changer. Regarding sizing, I went with a size larger than my normal Softstar shoe size and they fit me very well, but I was always close to the next size up anyway. I'd say they fit about half a size larger than my Primal RunAmocs. I definitely recommend ordering a size larger if you plan on wearing them with thick wool socks. And if you wear Correct Toes and/or want your toes to spread then go with the wide. I have wide toes with a narrow instep, but was able to tighten the laces down enough that my instep was snug and comfortable without any bunching happening. If I loosened the laces then there would be a lot more room for a wide/thick instep.

  198. Warm and wide.

    Rating

    I LOVE these! Sandstone 6U and finally a solution for cold weather. Last fall I wore my Bedrocks with socks because I couldn't stand ANY minimal boots - and I tried them all. This boot has warm, roomy toes and fits perfect. I didn't need the wide, the regular width was just right. Have been wearing outside working and super comfortable, but will update review after 20 mile hike this weekend.

  199. This Boot is what I needed

    Rating

    Out of the box, I have to say I was worried about the boot not being leather and being stiffer. But after working outside with them, I get it! Blackberries, slick mud were no match for the exterior... they look brand new and cleaned up easily despite how hard I punished them. Glad I ordered up as I am sometimes between sizes. The sole is perfect - very grippy even on slick surfaces, and I feel solid yet light, flat, wide and flexible in them - responding to my foot. I wear with socks and they are warm, dry and comfortable despite being in wet pasture all day. They are great in toe box - I got the wide and they have as much room and just as comfortable as my Primal RunAmoc. This is the best part - how they actually fit my foot and toes - finally a wide minimal boot. Throwing out my Vivos which are never wide enough. So while the textile upper is stiffer and even made noise initially, I appreciate how functional they already are and I enjoy wearing them. I hope Softstar will make a leather version soon for everyday non-work wear, too. for when I'm not in the brush.
  200. Verified Buyer

    On the Fence

    Rating

    First of all, I really wanted these to work. I have found nothing that's totally comfortable and practical for walking around the fields and gravel driveway at my farm. My criticisms stem from the fabric and the low toe volume. So far I've only worn these walking a little on carpet rather than wearing them outside. I got my regular SoftStar size and if I keep them I will be able to wear only my thinnest socks. Forget about hiking socks. They may be warm enough in winter due to the wool lining. The sole thickness and flexibility is great but so far I'm not sure I will be able to tolerate the stiff, hard fabric. Despite the lining I can feel the wrinkles forming sharp creases when I bend my feet. The fabric also makes a popping noise as it flexes with every step. My favorite thing about SoftStar shoes is the softness and flexibility of the leather uppers. I can see using a thicker leather for hiking boots, but so far I think the fabric is a big sacrifice of quality and comfort. Especially since water can come in around the tongue anyway. I'd rather have a leather boot with a gusseted tongue that might absorb a little water after long exposure but not fill with water the second I step in a puddle. And then there's my perennial issue with SoftStar shoes, which is that there's not enough volume at the front for the comfort of the big toe on my larger foot. I always have to stretch the leather in that one spot. There's plenty of space in front of the toe, but not enough height, so sizing up isn't the answer. As for the width, the wide is close to the primal narrow, but maybe a little narrower Again, the stiffness of the fabric leaves less room for error. The height of the boot at the ankle is good for protection from scratches and the lack of a padded collar allows a more natural ankle movement than some other hiking boots.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Alisa - The fabric in the Switchback does not stretch at all like the leather shoes. Please be assured the width of the side is as wide as the primal regular, as well. Checking your order history, you definitely ordered the correct size so we are bummed that the toe height is not enough for you. Thanks for your feedback and will share with team.
  201. Verified Buyer

    Switchback Primal Friendly is super small

    Rating

    Yikes! These are really small in comparison to the primal runamocs. It is super they have popular sizes ready to for launch. They looked good out of the bag. The shoe is a little firm out the bag, but not so much that it dampened my excitement. It went downhill quickly once I put them on. A 10U runamoc primal is the best fitting shoe on my foot ever. With the 10U Switchback Primal Friendly, it's not even close. With correct toes in my baby toes go number quickly. The length is way short, also. My great toe pushes hard against the tip of the shoe when standing. Either this set was mislabeled or they entirely refactored their sizing. Will return. Not worth the hassle of fighting with sizing.

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Thanks Christopher for your feedback. It IS frustrating to get the same size and have it fit differently in another style! While we strive to make our sizes as consistent across styles as possible, it is not something that is realistic given how different materials sew, stretch and upper construction methods, even when the lengths and models we design to are identical. The Switchback SuperFabric uppers do not have the same stretch and feel as leather, for instance. We're sorry these didn't work out for you, but we do think a larger size would solve the problems you described. Please let us know if you would like to try again. In the meantime, I will put a note in your order to make sure we triple check that you shoes have the correct size label - and make things right for you if it is labeled in error.
Write Your Own Review

You're reviewing: Adult Switchback Boot
loader
Loading...

check-circle You submitted your review for moderation.

Customer Questions

No. The uppers of the Switchback boot are made from water resistant materials and the seam that connects the uppers to the soles are sealed with a watertight adhesive, but the other stitching seams are not sealed and the tongue is not gusseted. This means that while the boot should keep feet dry in mildly wet conditions, moisture may still seep in through some seams and higher portions of the boot if exposed to moisture for extended periods of time.

Due to the unique construction of the Switchback boot, a new sole shape was needed for its design. The shape of the Switchback boot's sole will vary depending on the width you choose. The regular width features a toe box that is wider than most shoes, but the wide width features an extra-wide toe box that is very similar to Softstar's Primal shoes.

The Switchback boot fits slightly snugger than most of our other styles. Most people will be okay ordering their usual Softstar shoe size, but if you are between two sizes then we recommend ordering the larger size. The SuperFabric® Switchback will not stretch like the leather version of the boot and our other leather shoes, so you may also want to order a larger size if you normally need to wait for your Softstar shoes to break-in before they feel comfortable.

If you normally wear a regular width in other shoe styles and do not need extra room for your toes to spread then our regular width will likely be best for you.

If you normally need wide shoes, have a naturally wide toe splay or are seeking to restore your natural foot shape by using toe spacers such as Correct Toes then we recommend ordering the wide width. To see the difference between the regular and wide width, use our Sole Shape Comparison Tool!

Not at this time. Currently, the Switchback is only available in the color options shown above.

We have two shoelace lengths for the Switchback boot. Sizes 5U–7U in regular width come with 54" laces, and size 7U in wide width and all larger sizes come with 63" laces. You can order replacement laces on our Accessories page.

Using non-toxic, sustainable materials is a high priority for Softstar and we are happy to say that SuperFabric® meets our standards.

The makers of SuperFabric® have taken an environmentally responsible approach to their manufacturing process, which does not use any phthalates and does not create any VOCs (volatile organic compounds). They have even developed a water-free process of attaching the armored plates to the base fabric to reduce their waste and carbon footprint.

SuperFabric® does not contain any brominated fire retardant chemicals, which have been linked to hormonal and neurological irregularities and are now banned from use by US manufacturers.

Yes, Switchback boots can be resoled, but that is not a service provided by Softstar.

Resoling shoes requires a different set of skills and tools than those used to make new shoes. We currently do not have the necessary equipment in our shop to resole shoes, but Switchback boots do include a midsole layer that makes resoling easier for someone with those skills.

If you would like to have your boots resoled then we recommend that you seek out a skilled cobbler in your area. If you need new outersoles to bring to your local cobbler then contact our customer service team to discuss purchasing those separately.

If you need help finding a local cobbler then this online tool from Vibram may be useful:

Note that this tool may not show all cobblers in your area, just those listed in Vibram's directory. Searching your local business listings online may show more results.

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.

You may also like

Navigating through the elements of the carousel is possible using the tab key. You can skip the carousel or go straight to carousel navigation using the skip links.

Brown Hawthorne Chukka Boot

Adult Hawthorne Chukka


$200.00

Primal RunAmoc in Navy and Tahiti Leather Shoe is Customizable

Adult PRIMAL RunAmoc


$190.00

Adult Megagrip PRIMAL RunAmoc Shoe is Customizable

Adult Megagrip PRIMAL RunAmoc


Starting at $200.00
Loading...