Please move this thread if it should be elsewhere. I'm asking for opinions of footwear that isn't strictly 'running', but is similar to many barefoot running shoes, so I figured you all might be able to help.
So, I guess this is a sign of me getting older, but I finally found a pair of shoes I love, and now they don't make them any more
I picked up a pair of Merrell Barefoot Reach Gloves back in 2013. I was originally skeptical, but I fell in love with this 'snug' lightweight shoe, and was able to wear it almost everywhere in a casual / business casual environment.
Things I loved about them:
The Tune footwear boat is the top contender I have seen online that 'looks' similar with a similar sole. But I don't see many reviews of it. The biggest concern I see in the few reviews I do find is for durability of the sole, but on other accounts it seems the most similar to my reach gloves. The fact that this company was launched out of an indigogo campaign also makes me question the overall quality level as they likely just went to a low-cost Chinese shoe manufacturer and didn't have a ton of experience going into the design.
http://www.tunefootwear.com/boat
Most other 'minimalist' zero-drop casual and business casual type shoes seem to have gone for more 'slipper' type flat soles. I have no doubt they are comfy, but I get the impression that they won't hug my foot with a higher instep like the reach gloves did:
Anyone have any suggestions? If you know of other forums online I should ask, please let me know as well.
Thanks!
So, I guess this is a sign of me getting older, but I finally found a pair of shoes I love, and now they don't make them any more
I picked up a pair of Merrell Barefoot Reach Gloves back in 2013. I was originally skeptical, but I fell in love with this 'snug' lightweight shoe, and was able to wear it almost everywhere in a casual / business casual environment.
Things I loved about them:
- Lightweight
- Snug fitting with a high instep (I have a moderately narrow foot without super wide toes)
- Seemed to last forever, even though the sole was thin and lightweight. I wore them for three years and they were only just starting to show wear on the fabric of the insole, and the sole was only around 50% worn.
- Zero drop, and thin, so that I could 'feel' the ground. Originally this felt weird, but I grew to really like it.
The Tune footwear boat is the top contender I have seen online that 'looks' similar with a similar sole. But I don't see many reviews of it. The biggest concern I see in the few reviews I do find is for durability of the sole, but on other accounts it seems the most similar to my reach gloves. The fact that this company was launched out of an indigogo campaign also makes me question the overall quality level as they likely just went to a low-cost Chinese shoe manufacturer and didn't have a ton of experience going into the design.
http://www.tunefootwear.com/boat
Most other 'minimalist' zero-drop casual and business casual type shoes seem to have gone for more 'slipper' type flat soles. I have no doubt they are comfy, but I get the impression that they won't hug my foot with a higher instep like the reach gloves did:
Anyone have any suggestions? If you know of other forums online I should ask, please let me know as well.
Thanks!