Soft Star Shoes :: Handmade in the USA, Stylish, Minimalist Footwear

Shoes are a practical necessity. They serve as the protectors of our feet from the elements as we walk on various surfaces throughout our day. Since we rely on our feet so much, we should probably take care of them, right? That means our choice of footwear is more important that we realize.

Soft Star offers handmade footwear that mimics walking barefoot for healthy feet. They have many styles available for the whole family, including the option to design-your-own with your choice of colors, closures and fun motifs! I've worked with so many amazing companies over the years, but sometimes I come across one that is an absolute gem. Soft Star is certainly a gem!

I received complimentary product for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

Soft Star was founded by Tim Oliver in 1985, and has been handcrafting all-natural, leather shoes in the USA ever since. The traditional techniques used by Soft Star shoes allows for maximum comfort, flexibility and softness. From cutting the leather to the final product, every step of the shoe-making process is done by hand, and inspected by Tim himself at their Corvallis, Oregon workshop. No added stiffeners or adhesives are used since your feet are unique, and so your shoes should be also!

Safe materials are of great importance to Soft Star. Their (mostly) USA-sourced premium leather is colored using FDA-approved food grade dyes and meets the highest international safety standards as well. Environmental impact is important to them so recycling and reusing is of great importance. Soft Star uses a variety of materials including leather, sheepskin and rubber. They do use petroleum-based materials for their vegan-friendly shoes, but that is simply for durability since other natural fiber options don't always hold up well on shoes.

As my readers probably already know, I love ballet flats. If I had to live in one type of shoe forever, it would be ballet flats. But they can't just be any ballet flats. They have to be extremely comfortable for everyday wear and a cute cut is a must. Naturally, I chose to review the Ballerine Flat (LITE version) from Soft Star. With the tiny holes throughout, I figured they were a little more breathable than the smooth Ballerine and appropriate for spring and going into summer.

How do they feel? Literally like I'm walking on clouds. Heavenly. Delicious. Something in that range. I have the same range of motion that I would walking barefoot, but with a soft suede innersole to add a bit of cushion in my step. The leather is soft and flexible, and there was really no break-in period although they do seem to be even more comfortable after wearing a few times.

Due to the features of genuine leather, these will conform to your foot, giving you a custom shoe that will quickly become a favorite. There's no rigid toe box, so you might notice the my toes showing a bit in the photo above. That's normal for Soft Star shoes and further evidence of the premium quality leather use.

The Ballerine Flat is a must-have not only for daily use, but as your new favorite travel companion or perhaps after work when you find your high heels are killing your feet! They fold in half and take up hardly any room in your purse or carry-on luggage. With a shoe as flexible as this, you can rest assured that they are truly allowing your feet to have the healthy, full range of motion they should have, just like bare feet.

The outsole is a 4mm Vibram rubber that offers great traction and grip. It's super flexible, as I've already mentioned. You can really take these anywhere you need, although I'd like to keep them pretty so they probably won't go on a hike with me anytime soon. :)

The heels and toe box are reinforced with an extra layer of leather for durability, but this in no hinders the flexibility of the shoes or natural movement of your step. There is a bit of hidden elastic in the leather collar trim so you do get a proper fit.

What else...have I told you that I love them yet? The Ballerine Flat offers a fabulous fit, flexibility that I love, and no rubbing! They mold to MY feet, not the other way around. I tend to always think that I have weird feet because most flats do not fit me well, but with Soft Star, I'll get a custom fit every time. I can also wear these with just about anything in my wardrobe. From casual jeans or a maxi skirt to shorts or a summer dress.

I can definitely see the love and great care that was taken to make these, and I really, really can't wait to buy another pair. I have my eyes on a pair of design-your-own Ballerines in a bright color with a sport closure. Or maybe a pair of Merry Janes with an applique flower! Thank you to Soft Star for introducing me to the world of minimalist shoes and your fabulous custom fit.

 

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