Be Lenka Trailwalkers - Josh's Barefoot Shoes Reviews

[@andreayes9600]

nice review as always. I received my Trailwalkers today, they are adorable. but 3 things I don't like. 1, the rubber cover on the front tends to bend downwards making me feel like I'm touching the shoe a little with the 3 side fingers, so I should take 1 size larger even if the length would be good with this one. 2. you say that you don't feel any crease inside, instead (in mine) there is a step at the seam that goes all the way around the bed of the foot, creating a depression/lowering downwards of the entire central part. It feels less with the insole, but (at least for me) it feels quite noticeable pressing under the metatarsal head of the big toe and along the outer edge of my foot. I probably have feet that are too wide and sensitive, but given the price is so high, I would expect to have a totally flat surface under my foot, there can't be these errors. 3. the stitching of the tongue creates a very evident double layer of skin. I have a medium instep but that is the only place that is tight. therefore I absolutely do not recommend this shoe to those with a medium/high - high instep. For everything else it is a fantastic shoe but now I m chosing if change for a size up or not

[@barefootshoejosh]

Hi.. apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I've been out of state on vacation for the last week. That's all very interesting information. My experience was different, but we all have different feet, sensitivity levels, etc. If it's the surface under your feet that is bothering you, perhaps you could consider a thin insole, if you have the space in there? Just an idea.

[@marinaj7877]

Love them and i think, I will buy them 🤗 Are they also suitable for everyday use? I m living in a rainy area and i ´m using belenka boots in autumn and winter very gladly

[@barefootshoejosh]

I would TOTALLY wear these for everyday use. However, since you're in a rainy area, these have very thin soles (4mm), and they are a nice soft leather--so my advice would be to either wear these on dry days, or give them a really good waterproofing treatment. If you end up getting some, please use my affiliate link: bit.ly/joshbelenka Thanks in advance!

[@plazas1242]

Josh I love love those Be Lenka shoes in the green color the leather looks so soft Thank you for the review.

[@barefootshoejosh]

Yass.. The green is super nice, and the other colors are really rich and pretty too. These are easily one of my very favorite shoes now. I've only had one other pair of shoes get the same point score from me as these got (92/100). If you don't know what I'm talking about with the scores.. follow my new Instagram account at instagram.com/barefootshoejosh :)

[@sublimesamoyed]

I want some of these so badly, but the price tag is just BEYOND comprehension. I feel like I'll have to pick up a shift at work or something to even remotely talk myself into them. Gosh, just too expensive.

[@barefootshoejosh]

Yes before I started wearing barefoot shoes, my whole shoe shopping priority was "how cheap can I get some shoes that I at least kind of like?" It's taken me a decade to be willing to spend this much on a pair of shoes. The thing I learned along the way is that those first barefoot shoes I bought a decade ago? I still own them and wear them here and there. And these will be no exception. If you look into Be Lenka.. they actually sit and hand-make these, and the quality when you look at them, touch them, and put them on your feet will blow your mind. If you get bored of them 5 years from now, you can resell them for at least half of what you paid for them. Or better yet, check eBay, Mercari, Facebook Markteplace, etc.. and see if you can score some for half price yourself! Or sell some old shoes you don't wear anymore to get the money to try them out. Change things up! :) They are indeed pricey; but these are tied for the highest score I've ever given a shoe. Love 'em! Anyway, best of luck in finding the right shoe for YOU! :)

[@sublimesamoyed]

@@barefootshoejosh Thank you. I own some Be Lenka Prime's that I got on sale for, I think $110 like 6 months ago. I really like them because I have a 25cm x 10cm foot (so very wide), just find that they require more care when putting on or taking off than I expected because of how thin they are (their first addition Prime's, anyways). They were my 2nd pair of barefoot shoes ever, first being Xero, but those are laughable and got returned because Xero's toe boxes are by no means wide; I have regular shoes with wider toe boxes. Long story long, I do believe barefoot shoes are very well made for the most part, especially Be Lenka, but that fact that they don't accept returns from the US and get up to about $200 a pair is pretty steep to me, even as a person who is not overly cheap. Do you happen to think these would work as gym shoes, due to the traction element and how easy they are to pull off and on (which is a major selling point for me personally).

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@sublimesamoyed yes I think they would work as gym shoes with the grippiness. The width is a major selling point for me with Be Lenka. They are in my top 5 widest barefoot shoe companies, along with Softstar Shoes, Bohempia, Freet and Saguaro. Like you, I found that Xero Shoes are not wide enough for me at all. My foot is 27x11, so I'm heavily gravitating to the widest shoes now. If you're looking for gym shoes, maybe you could check out the Saguaros--they're like $40, very wide, pretty comfortable. You're going to sweat all over them, so maybe give them a shot. Here's my review of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4XWoIerpqyUapY If you're looking for easy on/off for most shoes, I can't recommend elastic laces highly enough. I use two different types, depending on the shoe. - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FX7RMFC/?th=1 - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QJB9PV5/ Lastly, I saw a post from Be Lenka that said they're taking returns from the US now.. and also that they're offering free shipping until this Sunday.. but I can't tell if the "returns from the US" also ends sunday.. it's worded weird. Would be worth asking though! Here's their post on Instagram: instagram.com/p/CdDpbxqJqBq/

[@sublimesamoyed]

@@barefootshoejosh YAY! Thank you so much for sharing all that awesome info with me and also including the Instagram post. I may inquire to them further if returns from the US is something they will continue to allow going forward (especially since the Trailwalker shoe I want is the new black color and doesn’t ship until the end of May). I will be sure to buy through your affiliate links any of the shoes I do go with and seriously appreciate the thoroughness and speed with which you replied!

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@sublimesamoyed Thanks for using the affiliate links if you end up ordering. I can't always get back to folks this fast; but I'm off of work right now, recovering from surgery, so you caught be with the laptop out today LOL. Glad to help!

[@CozyCruiserr]

Thanks for reviewing! ( :

[@barefootshoejosh]

no problem.. I love them!

[@chun1htx_288]

Yeah, that's a easy suscribe! Glad I found the channel :)

[@barefootshoejosh]

Thanks.. that's a great compliment with all the choices available on YT!

[@user-zv1ui8vp1d]

I love the look of these, but worry about wearing them in hot and humid weather. Would they be too hot to wear in the hot weather and would they dry fast if get soaked by rain or mud? Or it would be better to consider Freet Feldom? TIA

[@barefootshoejosh]

Hi.. Interesting questions. I mostly hike in southern California, where it is dry most of the time, so it didn't cross my mind to address this on the video. These Trailwalkers are leather, so yeah, they probably wouldn't do great with getting wet, as they aren't a quick-dry material. I love Freets, but I don't have the Feldom model myself, so I can't speak from experience on those. I read their specs, and it doesn't specifically say "quick-dry" anywhere. I do use their Tundra boots for wetter/muddier hiking. They aren't quick-dry but they're easily waterproofed. Tundra review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fILWY6WPecebfJI&ab ***If you end up getting some Freets, please use my affiliate link bit.ly/joshfreet and code JB10 to save 10% The first low-top, quick-dry, hiking shoe I think of in my collection are the inexpensive, affordable Saguaro shoes I reviewed on the channel. Maybe you could take a look and see if they might work for you too. * Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4XWoIerpqyUapY&ab * Amazon affiliate link: amzn.to/3HyGwfq

[@cyrusseEr_Ly]

Looks exactly like moccasin climbing shoes! Cool shoes though 👌

[@barefootshoejosh]

I'm not familiar with those but cool!

[@trinitysun9856]

You're doing it again, your wave test sold me on the Freet Talus. But that didn't work out for me, my big toe bulged over the edge. Same with the Tanga and Flex. So then I bought Belenka Elevate it gray. What a dream, so comfy, no overhang anywhere. I bought a second Elevate in blue I like the shoe so much. I also bought the Bohempia Wide Koldaversion from your review. Total Dope shoe! And nice to finally switch away from Lems after 10 years. Which never really fit my foot 100% anyway. So my question is, this trailwalker wider than the Talus at the big toe? Midfoot? I've only tried belenka's bean-shaped sole, it fits everywhere. I'm worried the trailwalker sole may revert me back to midfoot overhang at worst, as long as the big toe doesn't touch the side I'll be happy in trailwalker.

[@barefootshoejosh]

I just held the two shoes up sole-to-sole, and they look very close, with the Be Lenka maybe only a tiny bit wider. BUT if you are fitting other Be Lenka models, then these should be more or less the same fit as their other models. If Freets are borderline for you.. then the only wider shoes I know for sure are Bohempia (in their WIDE width), Softstar shoes' primal models, and Luks. I have reviews on all of these here. I'm glad you like the Bohempia Kolda. Their shoes are great! I love my Kolda and Hoska models. I need to get some more of their options.. Hmmm..

[@jacquelinehamer6280]

Are your feet extra wide in the instep? Or just the forfoot? I have flat feet that are wide in the instep. Almost no barefoot shoes fit me properly.

[@barefootshoejosh]

My feet are pretty wide in both the forefoot and the instep. I'd post a pic of the outlines of my feet here if I could.

[@DevelopingNL]

How long is your longest foot in cm and how much space do you have at the end of the shoe?

[@barefootshoejosh]

My foot is 27cm long. These shoes, according to the sizing chart on Be Lenka's website (in size 44) are 28.6 cm long, so that leaves 1.6cm extra space in front of my toes. In my case, that's great. I don't feel like they're too big for me at all.

[@OrtegaOY]

How long might the sole hold up to everyday use?

[@barefootshoejosh]

There is no way to predict that really, as we all have different situations and variables like location/walking surface/environment, weight, gait, etc. That said, they are 4mm, which is among the thinnest soles out there. For me? I'm 'sure I could wear them every day for a good while before they wear out; but for you, I have no way of knowing. These are awesome though. I wore them less than a week ago on a tough trail and they're butta for me, and still almost as good as new.

[@OrtegaOY]

@@barefootshoejosh Are they wider than Xero shoes? And any thoughts on durability by comparison?

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@OrtegaOY I like Xero Shoes (and I'm an affiliate of theirs too); but they are actually at the NARROW end of the barefoot shoe spectrum.. whereas Be Lenka are at the WIDE end of the barefoot shoe spectrum, so yes, significantly wider. Hand made, way higher quality in my opinion.. more expensive as a result. I just wore my Be Lenka Trailwalkers on a tough trail the other day (my feet are more used to tough trails with very thin soles than most people's are), and these shoes are almost as good as new.. Love them.

[@mamabear9389]

These look great. Wonder how they compare to the SoftStar Primal Runamocs.

[@barefootshoejosh]

The only Softstars I own currently are the Primal Sawyers.. so I'm not sure of the comparison between these and the RunAmocs. What I do know is that I *love* these!!

[@yajtruth7553]

These shoes are dope

[@barefootshoejosh]

agreed!

[@zsl1717]

Do you think they are ideal for longer backpacking?

[@barefootshoejosh]

Well that depends on a number of factors like.. how long have you been wearing only barefoot shoes, and how conditioned are you to it.. have you gone on shorter backpacking trips with 4mm sole barefoot shoes? How was it for YOU? How rough is the particular trail area you'll be backpacking in? Etc.. etc..

[@mamabear9389]

Does Belenka offer returns to people in US?

[@barefootshoejosh]

www.belenka.com/returns-and-exchanges/

[@missionfitness7933]

These look nice

[@barefootshoejosh]

I think I'm in love with them LOL

[@stephanie1342]

How are these shoes on asphalt and streets?

[@barefootshoejosh]

For me, they're great everywhere; but I've been wearing strictly barefoot shoes for a long time. Have you been wearing barefoot shoes for a good while now? Have you worn other 4mm shoes on pavement? If so, it's the same. If not yet, it may take you a step further along your barefoot journey :)

[@stephanie1342]

@@barefootshoejosh I've been wearing barefoot shoes for about 2 years. But I have a desk job, so I don't walk that much. And when I go on a long-distance walk of about 20+ km, I wear traditional shoes. up to 20 km I manage to walk in barefoot shoes, after that my legs and feet are still very tired. But I want to have barefoot shoes for the long distance walking.

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@stephanie1342 These are great for ME for walking on both pavement and hiking trails. Be Lenka shoes are wide, and may be too wide for some people--although I personally need that width. Have you measured your feet and compared them to the sizing charts for the dimensions of the inside of these shoes? Make sure to leave a little extra length in there, as usual. You sound like you've had enough barefoot experience to at least try them out on your walks. I'm curious what other barefoot shoes you wear on the longer walks, and how thick the total stack height is on those--and how that compares to the 4mm on these... But anyway, these are my very favorite hiking SHOES for 90% of my hiking. I have BOOTS I wear on rougher/tougher hikes or in cold/snow.. but for everything else, these are my go-to hiking shoes. If you decide to grab a pair, please use my affiliate link, it helps me out! bit.ly/joshbelenka

[@DevelopingNL]

Is it as wide as Freet?

[@barefootshoejosh]

My Freets are 10.9cm and my Be Lenka Trailwalkers are 10.8cm, so there is only 1mm difference in width. HOWEVER, the Be Lenka is slightly lower volume. Volume is the "thickness" of your foot, from the top to the sole. My feet are mid- to high-volume. So--SOMETIMES--when I wear my Be Lenka Trailwalkers, I feel a slight tightness across the top of my foot.. but only sometimes, and it may be because my feet swell a little when I hike. The Freets are a little higher volume and I haven't experienced any tightness across the top of those yet.

[@DevelopingNL]

@@barefootshoejosh which size are you comparing?

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@DevelopingNL they are both size 44

[@komeilkarimi]

Unfortunately the Be Lenka Trailwalkers are all wrong. They have a great (even amazing) upper, toe box width and volume, brilliant toe guard, fit amazing and hug heel, but the sole rubber is too soft. Great for ground feel but rubbish for durability. 200km and the soles are gone meaning a perfectly new upper leather goes to the landfill. Be Lenka don’t have a re-soling program either. Very environmentally unfriendly for something that supposed to connect you to nature. They could easily replace the sole with something like the Ranger soles and make the ultimate hiker.

[@barefootshoejosh]

Thanks for commenting, and I understand where you're coming from; but I would respectfully disagree. I would call them a more "casual hiking" shoe--which is perfect for most people who hike. I've worn them tons already and they're still in amazing condition--because I put these on when I know I'm going to nice clear, well-maintained, flat dirt trails. I have also worn them on a few tougher ones when I didn't think ahead much. It went well but I'm sure repeated rough use would wear them out--which seems to have been your experience. Normally, when I'm going somewhere tough and rocky, I wear tougher soles. Different shoes for different applications, that's all. And just because Be Lenka doesn't re-sole them, doesn't mean your local cobbler couldn't. [NOTE: I'm not an expert on which shoes are re-sole-able and which aren't, so I don't know for a fact whether these are or not]. Then you get to NOT throw the uppers in a landfill, AND you help support local small business. Just some thoughts off the top of my head. Thanks again for commenting.

[@komeilkarimi]

@@barefootshoejosh definitely to your point at the end, anything to keep them out of landfill. Agree with your point on different usage and these soles don't fit mine sadly while the rest is exactly what I was looking for

[@barefootshoejosh]

@@komeilkarimi Yeah just ask the cobbler whether or not they can re-sole them. If they can, you should be able to get like a Vibram Megagrip sole or something tough if that's what you're looking for.