I’ve been in the book writing trenches for a few months and – hurrah! – just sent back my final review of the galleys to my editor. More posts in the next few weeks including a very exciting book giveaway next week from an amazing woman (hint: she brings a lot of joy to living with less).
Okay, you’ve been telling me for years: check out Soft Star shoes. And I am happy to report it has finally happened. So so many comments about Soft Star shoes on this post about my ‘investment’ shoes that fell apart after a few months.
Sarah at Soft Star shoes contacted me about doing a review of their shoes and it was the loveliest email to receive. I get many requests for reviews or endorsements of products and 99.9% of them are not a fit. This is a blog about owning less stuff so no, I don’t think anyone wants to read about a spring yogourt flavor or a big brand cleaning product. But minimalist durable made in the USA shoes that readers have been telling me for years are awesome? That actually fits.
Soft Star Ballerine Flats
I’ve been trying out the Ballerine flat by Soft Star Shoes for two weeks and so far I’m very pleased with the shoes. The style they sent me was a black suede paisley and it’s one part classic and one part earthy. I can slip these on with a dress for a summer date and they also work to elevate my casual daily look of jeans and a t-shirt. The Soft Star Ballerines come in some sportier styles like this one that would be a great pop in a neutral capsule wardrobe.
What I Love About Soft Star Shoes
- they feel like slippers. It was actually disconcerting at first, I felt like I was leaving the house without real shoes on, but after a day in them I was used to it. So yes, A++ for being foot friendly.
- the heel cut is very comfortable. You can see in the photo above that the heel comes in from the sole and it hugged my heels nicely.
- the construction is beautiful. These shoes are handmade in Oregon and the seams are all beautifully finished.
- these shoes are great for travel. If you do like to wear heels for a night out, or clip in bike shoes for your commute, these pack easily into a bag so you can change shoes at your destination. Ideal airport and travel shoes that you can slip off and on at security.
- Soft Star is doing good. It’s hard to find companies that are creating earth friendly and attractive and wallet friendly goods.
- they come in my size! It’s very frustrating to get recommended North American made or fair trade or eco-friendly fashions that only come in conventional sizes (I’m 6ft tall and wear a size 11 or 12 shoe and wear a 14 tall in clothing). But Soft Star has a great range of sizes and you can even custom order your own shoes in your color and material preferences.
This is a minimalist style shoe and the sole of the Soft Star Ballerine is a Vibram Cherry sole. There is no arch support or deep cushioning. The footbed is finished in ultrasuede and has a thin layer of cushion with it. I’m already acclimated to minimalist shoes so easily walked 6 miles a day in the Ballerines right out of the box with no blisters or foot pain.
My only small nit pick about the Ballerines is that the Vibram sole has a waffle weave mold – good for traction on smooth surfaces- but I stepped on a piece of wax and it took a bit of work to get it off the sole.
Price: these Soft Star Ballerine Flats shoes are $120 and while I feel like my brain is stuck in the 1980s for pricing – what? apples cost over a dollar a pound??!! – I think the price is very reasonable for the quality of the shoe. Other minimalist ballerina style shoes that aren’t nearly as well made are retailing for $200. Soft Star shoes use mostly USA made leather and use non-formaldehyde tanning methods that are better for the earth and for us. They produce all the shoes right in their factory in Oregon. You’re paying for quality and craftsmanship with Soft Star shoes – not marketing and fancy packaging.
Soft Star shoes also have a selection of children’s shoes that are adorable and great for growing young feet.
I will update this post down the road once I have put more mileage on these shoes but they feel very sturdy and built to last (unlike my other shoes). I’ve had dozens and dozens of comments and emails recommending Soft Star shoes so I am thrilled to finally be able to chime in in agreement: these are great shoes! You can also read my review of their Fireside Slippers here.
Disclosure: I was provided a pair of Soft Star Shoes for review but all views are my own.
Any update on this shoe after wearing it for a year? Do you still think it is better than the Tieks?
Yes I think the quality is better than the Tieks. It is a different type of shoe – it’s a minimalist build with a Vibram sole. So your feet have to get used to a bit less material between them and the pavement.
They’re $150 now. =( With the minimal price gap between these and the tieks, I imagine it’s a tough call for some, especially with the virality of the tiek brand.
Hey ladies! Any idea how much these stretch? I just received a pair (yay!) and they seem to fit but my toes are a little scrunched up. The leather seems really soft and like it may stretch out enough? Any experience?
Do you have an update on how these shoes have held up?
I’d also really love to hear how these hold up! I read your review of Tieks first, and I feel like I’m finally hearing someone be honest about it (I too have seen a ton of raving reviews lately, and I worry they don’t have my lifestyle). Living with less means I really need what I have to perform. I believe in investing in quality stuff, but I can’t afford to have my shoes failing on me, especially when they cost that much. I’ll gladly pay for a good pair that will last.
Curious as to how these are holding up?
Thanks! 🙂
Great! Much better than the Tieks. Still early of course but the construction is so much better than the Tieks.
I would LOVE to have an update on these flats after a little more wear to see how they hold up and if they are really worth the $$. I was just online 2 nights ago looking at some Hush Puppies and Clarks flats as I need new ones and have no problem spending $$ on a good quality, long lasting, comfortable shoe but I wish there was some way to try them on first…i’m always between sizes and widths so that makes ordering without trying them on hard!
I’m so happy to come across your review. I’ve been thinking of getting soft star shoes for a few years now and I have also been looking at other flats like Tieks. This morning I was searching for a review that could compare the two and help sure up my decision since the cost is like a day or two’s wages for me. You’ve helped me make up my mind to go for it and try the soft star shoes in the near future. Thanks for your honesty! And yes “they” our world just don’t make things like they used to…everything is disposable (or people think.) Blessings!
These sound like comfortable shoes, but $120 is much too expensive.
I love the zero drop of Softstar Shoes. I have 3 pair: Runamoc Dash in chocolate, Metro Merry Janes in burgundy, and the Ballerine in shiny pewter. I’ve worn nothing else for over 3 years and they are still going strong. Love them!
Great to read this from someone that has been wearing Soft Star shoes for three years. 🙂
I can’t wait to give these a try! I also wear size 11 and 12 shoes and just to make things even more difficult I wear a plus size in clothing. For me, “Do they make it in my size?” is the first thing I ask when evaluating any line of apparel or shoes. I’m not impressed by eco-friendly, fair trade, made in America, or anything else if I can’t actually wear the company’s products. I’m glad to see a company making something responsibly that is also of use to me.
Yeah! Glad to hear from another of my odd sized people 🙂 I feel like the Soft Star Ballerine runs a bit big – I could definetly wear an 11 in it. I am probably a true 11.5 since having kids (was an 11 before) but no one makes that size!
I love my Soft Star shoes, too! In fact, my Merry Janes in Pewter were the only shoes I recently took on a 5 day trip to California, which included a wedding. I have to be honest, I’m a “heels with my dress” kind of gal, but I was way more comfortable and the shoes looked great! Plus I wore them traipsing all over from the Redwood forests to the streets of San Francisco in comfort and style 😉
I own one pair of heels and don’t wear them much so I’m happy to have a cute foldable option to stash in my bag. I can’t do a long night in heels anymore… hello almost 40 🙂
How great that you had one pair of shoes for a five day trip that included a wedding and forest walks!