Unshoes Pah Tempe

Agnesd

Barefooters
Jan 24, 2012
144
150
43
Lake Stevens, WA
Anyone tried the Pah Tempe style of the Unshoes yet? I haven't found many reviews and am curious. I already ordered a pair and figured if they didn't work out for me for running/hiking, I'd have a nice pair of zero drop sandals. I just can't wait to get them and try them out.
 
I have had the Pah Tempes for a couple of weeks and love them.I've done two 10 mile hilly runs in mine on dirt and rutted gravel roads. They are the most comfortable and stable huarache in which I've run. Since there is only a continious strap secured at 3 points with a quick adjustment buckle changes on the fly are quick. However I've adjusted these less than any huarache I'e tried. Like the other Unshoe styles, once adjusted they are a quick slip on. This is nice as on some of my favorite runs there are long paved areas, then gravel or trail. I like slip them off and run barefoot on the pavement.
They are very secure on steep downhills as the strap adjusts to the forward pressure and holds the foot securely. This is much nicer than the feel of a toe strap biting on long down hills. The wide strapping probably helps make them more secure too. They are also the quietest huarache I've owned. For comparison, I have the Unshoe Feathers for over a year, the 4mm Wokovas before that, and have made several pairs of the Invisible Shoe type myself with 4 mm cherry.
At the risk of being a barefoot runner with a shoe fetish, I'll admit I love these huaraches so much I've ordered a another pair with the 10mm Newflex sole (like the Luna Leadville). My justification is that the crushed gravel roads I find myself running on can be painful with 6 mm sole, especially the long downhills. Plus the brown sole with rust strap will look cool. :) This is going to be a thick sole for me, but I keep reading the 10mm Newflex has good ground feel. The Feathers are 5mm Newflex and feel as close to nothing for ground feel as anything I've run in.
It can take 3 weeks to a month to get an order from Unshoes since they make them from tracings, but it is worth the wait. I'd asked Terral to make my Feathers and then the Pah Tempes snug at the heel they are great.
~David
 
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I have had the Pah Tempes for about a month and I love them. I don't run in them much (I have been trying to be mostly bare), but I have used them for hiking. Like DavidP said, they really shine on the downhills. You can get a much more secure fit by tightening the straps. They also work better in the mud than regular huaraches. On the downside, they are a little heavy. I personally would not like the 10mm sole. The 6mm is plenty thick. I'll try to do a write up in a future post.
 
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I have been very curious about the Pah Tempe too since I generally dont like the strap between the toes. But being that I have gotten used to VFF I decided to give the Wakova Feathers a try first. I think the PT's would be good for rougher trail runs, winter (easier to wear socks with), but I think I would wear em just out and about since I dont go out bf to public places usually. I was thinking they would be good for hiking as well. I do plan on getting them, but waiting on the feathers first incase I need to make any adjustments in the fitting department.

As with anything custom there is a longer wait like DavidP states. I was hoping to have mine for a 5k this coming weekend as a backup (I've never raced bf yet) and I waited to put my order in a little too late I think. I got an email confirmation that he got my tracings on the 10th. Can't wait to get em, whether in time for the race or not.
 
The 6mm Pah Tempes have ground feel comparable to my Vivobarefoot Neos, a little less than the VB Ultras, but much more feel than my Merrell Road Gloves. They are as quiet as the Ultras which is a big deal for me. I hate the slapping sole sound.

I have had the Feathers for a year and wear them a lot casually. As for running, they have spent a lot more time tucked into the back of my shorts on runs where I might need some foot protection. They are so lightweight they are perfect for carrying as a backup.

I need to make tracings and order my wife a pair before she asks me about it again :) She does not like the bright blue straps for me on the Feathers, still wonders a year after I got them why I did not get black straps.

~David
 
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Well I've had the feathers for a few days now, and think I am going to order the PTs. I've warn them all day long a couple of days, and ran in them a few miles. I'm not a big fan of the toe strap. Odd thing is they feel better running that just walking around. Seems walking around the sole tends to shift to the outside and put more stress on the toe strap. Maybe my walking gait isnt the best, IDK, but I often find my big toe going over the inside edge. When I run they seem to stay centered just fine? In any case, they will work excellent to take with me for backup footwear. However for a go-to pair for casual use I think I'll like the straps of the PT better.
 
Tristan, yes the feathers seem to work better while running. Give them time and they will mold to your foot better and also your toes will get used to the strap. I like to wear them as loose as possible to minimize the pull on the toe. Also, there are alternative lacing methods. See: http://unshoes.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/strap-modification/ but using this method makes them slightly harder to get on and off. Also to everyone receiving new Unshoes. Do not trim any extra material off the sole. Over time, the sole material seems to shrink a little.

The Pah Tempe is a great sandal. Great for hiking and casual wear. You can run in them, but I find them a little t00 heavy. I also wear them loose. The tighter you make the straps, the more your foot will want to come out of the front.
 
The Pah Tempe is a great sandal. Great for hiking and casual wear. You can run in them, but I find them a little t00 heavy. I also wear them loose. The tighter you make the straps, the more your foot will want to come out of the front.
Yah, I had trouble with fit too. I like the over-the-foot strap, instead of the between-the-toes one, but the fit just isn't right. I only wanted them for shoe police evasion, so can't speak to what it's like running with them. My wife likes them though. She says they look more manly than the Luna sandals.
 
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The longer I have worn mine, the more I like them. The sole is starting to form to my foot and the straps fit perfectly. I recently did 17 miles in the Grand Canyon. 5 miles bare and the rest with Pah Tempes. No blisters, no mis-steps, the front did not fold over once, and the traction was great.

I have run a little bit in the sandals. They work great, but I get a little toe rub on the front strap.

There has also been a few comments about the extra strap material. Simply tuck it under after adjusting. Don't trim any, you will want the length to slip them on and off.
 
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Sounds good Rick. I debated on the soles considering a wide range of uses I have in mind including hiking in the mountains, and decided on the 6's. I figure if I end up feeling to much roughness if I'm on rocky trails I'll order another pair later with the 10's. Still waiting on mine though, thats the only problem when you order 'homemade' stuff! I am proud to say a lot of my hiking gear is all made by individuals or small family businesses (sleeping bag, tent, stove, etc) rather than the chineese big box store stuff.

I see what you mean about the soles forming to your foot. I can see my feathers now molding to the contours. However the same problem persists. They tend to rotate to point more out in the front, and my big toes are over the edge. I can feel the edge under the center of my big toes every step. No biggie for the couple miles I have em on here and there, but if I were to run 10 miles straight or something like that I wonder if I would get a blister there. I've tried tightening them but it seems to make no difference, except for pain from the strap. The alternate strap method didnt seem to change that either, so I just put em back to norm and run with them a little loose and just not worry about it. If I could move the hole outboard a little might help, but I dont think I can really do that, and the hole seems to be in the right spot just by placing my foot centered on the sandal. Maybe I am twisting my foot or something when I use them? I have noticed I think my gait is slightly different with them, I think I tend to pick up my toes more and run with more of a bycicle like stride since my mind seems to think I am going to trip over the front lip of the sandal or something.
 
Tristan, I wish I had more suggestions to help with the off center issue. I have noticed that the tighter you make the straps, the more pull there is and the big toes hang off. I run with mine so loose, that the heel strap will fall down. I have a flat heel, so I add a shoelace to help hold them up if I don't want to mess with a sandal falling off. I think you will like the Pah Tempes. None of this to worry about.
Try to keep your gait the same as barefoot. If your adjustment is good, the sandal will just float underneath your foot. After some time, you will get used to running in the feathers. The only time I have folded the front under is in tall grass.
 
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