I'm thinking about another pair of SoftStar's Dash for work and play. I have two currently, but one is not a good fit. I got it on their annual clearance sale which only had 'regular' width. It fits ok, honestly before my barefoot running I'd not have even paid attention to the fact that my big toe and pinky toe where squeezed inwards a bit. But now I don't want any pressure at all on them. So they have basically sat in my closet for a long time. Also I wanted to try there bullhide leather sole, so the shoe would be all leather with no rubber at all. It has some really great reviews like here http://birthdayshoes.com/soft-star-runamoc-with-bullhide-review Unfortunately they only give you a couple color choices while dozens are available. They give you choice of size and 3 widths along with 2 choices in soles (but not the bullhide). If you want the leather sole or different colors you have to pay extra for customization. And their regular prices have gone up quite a bit over the years and the custom price on top of that (plus extra for leather sole too) makes a spendy shoe, I admit. They do have one bullhide available as a standard shoe, but it's one of their rather strange color combos with two shades of green. I'd rather stick to black or shades of brown leather to fly under the radar at work.
I've never done a full review, but for a casual shoes they are great. And while certainly not a traditional business styled shoes, they have flown under the radar with very few comments at work. Completely flat sole, non-formed last, uppers so soft they pretty much deflate to flat once of your foot. So soft, almost like buckskin. And a small American company in Oregon that hand makes them with elves (that is what they call themselves anyway lol). They have been very helpful answering questions in the past and have an easy return policy (except for custom or clearance items). Most of there shoes besides being hand made in Oregon are also using mostly all locally sourced materials. I love this! Here is a couple shots of mine in both 'smooth black' and 'chocolate'.
I stuffed them to give em a bit of shape. The blacks are the regular width that I don't hardly wear, the chocolates have a lot of wear and the edges have lost their color. Actually a lot of the wear has been from running in them during the winters. They are just as nice on the trail as in the office. I've tried treating with shoe creme but it just doesn't seem to hold the color. I don't mind the worn look a bit, but would like another pair in the rotation for work.
If I have to pay extra for custom, I thought I'd utilize the ability to pick whatever color combinations I want. Besides the sole you can customize the 3 different leather sections of the shoe (front/back/side color) as well as thread, lace, and grommet color. I might just stick with all black to replace the narrow one I don't wear, certainly can't go wrong there. But just for the heck of it I picked out some other color combos that I thought would look different but still nice enough to be worn to work. What do you think, stick with the solid black (or chocolate) or one of these combos?
I started with both chocolate and then black front & sides, then added contrasting backs. The look is growing on me, but not sure. The sides can be different colors too, but I didn't like the look unless it matched the front. For the back I used there 'aged' leather in 3 colors; oak, black, and walnut, in that order from top down, then oak again for the last one. Any votes for the combos?
FWIW they do have one Dash with bullhide on their website without paying custom charges, but it slightly odd green and brown combo that might draw some unwanted attention at work...
Also, FWIW, they do have a bit more formal looking shoes, the Hawthorn Chukka, but I have decided against that one. It can't be customized, no bullhide or thin sole option, leather is up over the ankle which some comments have mixed feelings about, and though I like the look the way it's stitched down takes up some of the foots volume and I don't want to give any up. Very pricey too. But they might be better for businesses that pay closer attention to footwear. Since I already have the Dash, I know what size and width is perfect for me, and they've been fine at my workplace.
I've never done a full review, but for a casual shoes they are great. And while certainly not a traditional business styled shoes, they have flown under the radar with very few comments at work. Completely flat sole, non-formed last, uppers so soft they pretty much deflate to flat once of your foot. So soft, almost like buckskin. And a small American company in Oregon that hand makes them with elves (that is what they call themselves anyway lol). They have been very helpful answering questions in the past and have an easy return policy (except for custom or clearance items). Most of there shoes besides being hand made in Oregon are also using mostly all locally sourced materials. I love this! Here is a couple shots of mine in both 'smooth black' and 'chocolate'.
I stuffed them to give em a bit of shape. The blacks are the regular width that I don't hardly wear, the chocolates have a lot of wear and the edges have lost their color. Actually a lot of the wear has been from running in them during the winters. They are just as nice on the trail as in the office. I've tried treating with shoe creme but it just doesn't seem to hold the color. I don't mind the worn look a bit, but would like another pair in the rotation for work.
If I have to pay extra for custom, I thought I'd utilize the ability to pick whatever color combinations I want. Besides the sole you can customize the 3 different leather sections of the shoe (front/back/side color) as well as thread, lace, and grommet color. I might just stick with all black to replace the narrow one I don't wear, certainly can't go wrong there. But just for the heck of it I picked out some other color combos that I thought would look different but still nice enough to be worn to work. What do you think, stick with the solid black (or chocolate) or one of these combos?
I started with both chocolate and then black front & sides, then added contrasting backs. The look is growing on me, but not sure. The sides can be different colors too, but I didn't like the look unless it matched the front. For the back I used there 'aged' leather in 3 colors; oak, black, and walnut, in that order from top down, then oak again for the last one. Any votes for the combos?
FWIW they do have one Dash with bullhide on their website without paying custom charges, but it slightly odd green and brown combo that might draw some unwanted attention at work...
Also, FWIW, they do have a bit more formal looking shoes, the Hawthorn Chukka, but I have decided against that one. It can't be customized, no bullhide or thin sole option, leather is up over the ankle which some comments have mixed feelings about, and though I like the look the way it's stitched down takes up some of the foots volume and I don't want to give any up. Very pricey too. But they might be better for businesses that pay closer attention to footwear. Since I already have the Dash, I know what size and width is perfect for me, and they've been fine at my workplace.
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