Foot Friendly Fashion

Featured

Carets FER 4.2 Cap-Toe Initial Review

Feature Highlights:
Hollow Zero-Drop Heel
Flexible Polyurethane Sole
Leather Footbed with Thin Poron Cushioning
~8mm Stack Height
Chrome-Tanned and Veg-Tanned Full-Grain Calfskin Leather Upper
Moderately Wide Toebox
Weighs ~10 oz Per Shoe

*I was not paid for this post and purchased the shoes myself. I do use affiliate links and receive compensation if you buy from their store through my link, which helps support the blog!

A beautiful oxford dress shoe, achieving a timeless oxford silhouette from every angle without compromising its barefoot shoe features. The hollow heel and extra length at the front allow your feet and toes the same room as a typical barefoot shoe, yet maintain the tapered front expected of a conventional dress shoe. They balance style and function in a truly ingenious way. Its only downside, a visual size increase for your feet, which may look quite exaggerated in larger sizes. The length at the toe hasn’t gotten in the way of me walking around and taking stairs, but it requires a little finesse when salsa dancing, as is my plan for my black Outlet Store pair! Overall, they’re extremely comfortable out of the box, and relative sizing matches my Lems and Xero Shoes quite well.

Doctors, pilots, financial workers, lawyers, any career demanding a high level of professionalism in your dress code, this is the most stylish barefoot footwear option in the US. If you simply want to look properly dapper at a wedding or formal event while in comfort, these are a standout choice as well.

Left: Carets FER 4.2 Cap-Toe, Cacao ($250 Covid sale). Right: same shoe in black (Outlet Store $100 sale)

One obvious downside to these shoes is their high retail price. $350 is steep if you don’t need these to meet dress code in your career field, and bundle sales aren’t helpful for your average guy who only needs one pair for infrequent formal social gatherings. The branded shoe trees, shoe bags and additional waxed laces are quite premium. The return policy is also exemplary. However, the unique Chronology patented soles are cemented to the upper and likely can’t be resoled with an equivalent design by a standard shoe cobbler if Carets is unable to fulfill their resoling program. In terms of finishing, the stitching and chrome tanned full-grain leather look and feel excellent, but the adhesive from the cement construction is visibly higher than the outsole by a full millimeter on the inside of the right shoe along with imperfections in the edge of the outsole, with less noteworthy but still visible adhesive in other spots around the seam. While they don’t feel cheap, I expect finishing details to be essentially flawless for such a high asking price, and the outsole on my new pair have some flaws.

A closeup of the cement construction, showing the millimeter wide line of visible adhesive and some imperfections in the edge of the outsole

However, as of writing (applicable to every price listed below), they are on a Covid sale for $250, shipping included! While still a premium, this feels much less out of reach for myself and, I’d expect, many others. I feel that price is easily justified by the materials, accessories, stitching and unique design alone. Complimentary shoe trees are being phased out with the price drop however, so you aren’t guaranteed to receive those. DaVinci’s dressier boots are the only other sartorial competition I see in this price range. Other derby and oxford shoes look off without the hollow heel, an issue boot styles seem to escape in my eyes. It’s much easier to recommend the Carets oxfords at this price point, and I’m hoping their sales figures will point them towards maintaining this price in the future.

Their new outlet store is even more exciting for us frugal fashion types! They have $100 oxfords with only mild wear and defects, which I’ve found to be imperceptible on their black oxfords! Only under extreme scrutiny do the 3 minor marks on my pair become visible! Here’s hoping I don’t triple those markings when I take them dancing, post-Covid.

The most affordable tier on their Outlet Store comes with a few subtle marks, but for 60% off an already lowered price, it’s very reasonable

These aren’t your only options either! For $160 you can get a pair guaranteed to have no markings beyond mild flexpoint creases, and for $200 you get a new pair that simply has damaged packaging from shipping. You can even exchange the $100 irregular shoes for the $160 flexpoint and only pay the difference, or get store credit for a different option instead. I believe free returns with a full refund are only available for their full retail shoes.

Unboxings and extra lookbooks on @FootFriendlyFashion

In Summary

There are no other barefoot dress shoes quite like it. There’s a lot to love about the Carets FER 4.2 Cap-Toe, with a few hiccups and design limitations that are easily overlooked at a price point of $250. Of course, we all have our own budgets and value assessments, which is why I’m loving the Outlet Store options. Unfortunately, with Covid around, it’ll be a while before I put these to use, but I’m happy to have invested in these for my future self, whether he needs them for jobs and interviews, formal events, weddings, or maybe a simple night out dancing and a date night here and there.

My old VIVOBAREFOOT Ra next to my new Carets FER 4.2 Cap-Toe

I did not receive these shoes for a review, and purchased them with my own money. However, I am signed up for the Carets affiliate program and can receive a commission of sales if you purchase them through my affiliate link. *You can find the shoes discussed above, or any of their other dress shoes on the Carets website. The wingtips are an excellent alternative if you want something more fun and less formal.

From the Carets store product page: Perfect for the office or happy hour with friends, our cap-toe Fer Oxford is a beautifully versatile dress shoe. Thanks to a healthy, zero-drop design, you won’t mind walking from work to dinner in these minimalist Carets. Cacao brown can help you stand out more than traditional black oxfords. It goes especially well with grey, dark brown, and navy suits. On the smart casual side, our cacao also goes well with khakis. The Fer’s cap-toe appears to cinch the toe box, giving it a sleek appearance. Like all Carets, these shoes provide a comfortable feel and classic style.

DaVinci Lapworth Suede Boots Review

Company History

DaVinci’s closing shop with a blowout sale after struggling business during the pandemic unfortunately, so I thought I’d give my thoughts on their Lapworth boots before their final sale ends.

Designed in Los Angeles and made at Gran Barón in Léon, Mexico, these resoleable luxury barefoot boots are made with stitchdown construction and hand-finished leather. There’s an impressive focus on sustainability, using recycled coconut husk and rubber soles, and designing them for durability and easy repair by a cobbler. Their shoe boxes are designed to be shipped directly to cut down on packaging waste. DaVinci boots used to be made in a conventional standard width, but they’ve since added an additional revised design with much more width.

DaVinci Lapworth (standard width) in Antique Black Suede

Feature Highlights:
360 Stitchdown Construction (Resoleable)
Leather and Coconut Rubber Soles
Full-Grain Suede Leather
Zero-Drop Heel
~10mm Stack Height
Foot-shaped Standard Width Toebox (Wider Toebox Versions Exist)
Lightweight for a Boot, Somewhat Weighty for a Barefoot Shoe

Styling and Comfort

The DaVinci Lapworth really nails that luxury boot look. The stitch detailing and thick full grain leather paired with the stichdown construction, leather midsole and leather outsole section all come together to give these their luxe appearance. The tan laces matching the tan sole are a nice flair, lending these black suede boots a fair amount of versatility. They match similarly to brown or black boots while still being a great statement piece, though a dark brown smooth leather boot will still be more versatile if that’s your biggest concern. Still, if you’re willing to swap the laces for a set of black laces, you could effectively have two pairs of boots for the price of one.

An outfit picking up the tan details in the Lapworth suede barefoot boots.

The suede is a great quality, well suited to the blucher derby cut and leather midsole for a standout smart casual boot. Relaxed and rugged enough for streetwear in slim cargo pants, but still dressy enough for wool pants and a button-up shirt. I think the detailing and leather midsole are even nice enough for fashion forward styling with suit styles. That said, waxed leather is more workplace friendly for formal boots. The suede is bolder and leaves a stronger impression as a casual boot. Overall, I feel sharp dressed when I put these on!

The leather lining is very supple and comfy despite no cushioning. There are no protruding seams of any kind on the interior of the Lapworth, and the stitchdown construction means there’s no exposed stitching inside the boots. Nothing in the ankle of these 5 inch boots resists my movements or digs in anywhere, and the upper puts no pressure into the top of my feet and doesn’t pinch my toes. There are some traits that make these less barefoot than some comparable brands however. The stack height is 1 cm with materials that are stiffer and denser than the equally tall IBR outsole of my Lems Chukka. DaVinci’s sole is a little less flexible and a little heavier, which does mute ground feel quite a bit (only outdone by my 2.3 cm Altra Solstice). It should be quite durable and insulating from extreme weather, and the leather midsole may break in and become more flexible with some wear, but the added heft is apparent.

Their standard width is narrow for barefoot shoes, though wider than my ANI sneakers. The boots don’t taper at the big toe and the foot shape places the widest part of the boot at the widest part of my feet, so there’s no issues with the foot shape itself. My left foot was fine, though close to the edges, but my right foot is a little larger. I’m not patient with breaking in leather, so I ended up stretching the right boot a bit by wearing a few layers of socks and putting my weight on it with careful heating using a hairdryer. There was an immediate difference, likely due to the more open stitchdown attachment of the leather to the sole, but it’ll take time to see if they break-in even more with regular use. If your feet are moderately wide, you’d likely want their wider option, while narrower foot types may find their standard width to be perfect.

Value

My personal expense for these was only ~$125, gotten as a final sale sample pair from their Instagram using their size chart as a guide. For that price, these boots were a steal, as their style and construction quality are notably luxurious. Depending on the model, they may double as a business shoe on top of their casual usage. Even for retail price, I think the Lapworth justified the premium as a luxury boot built to last. They’re currently available on the DaVinci Footwear Instagram, and they also plan to hold local and website blowout sales.

There’s nothing on the market with the same leather sole and stitchdown construction combo, but I’ll list some alternatives for people who may find this review after DaVinci has closed shop.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I receive compensation if you choose to make a purchase through those links at no extra cost to you. I am not affiliated with DaVinci, and all opinions expressed are my own.

There’s the upcoming Carets Ares Derby Boots (affiliate) if you want something just as stylish with their signature hollow faux heel. Resoleable options that look great are also in the bespoke barefoot shoes market, like Gaucho Ninja, though they have a premium price. You won’t find any of the same boot styles with similar aesthetics for under $200, but the SoftStar Hawthorne Chukka does have a comparable enough vibe for under $200, and Lems (affiliate) and Groundies also have casual boots for $150 and under that I like the look of.

Barefoot Shoes Lookbook #1 – Lems Chukka (Lionsmane)

First in a series of lookbooks for all my favorite barefoot shoes! Follow to catch the rest of the lookbooks if you’re new here. Outfit details and style tips below the inspo gallery.

These classic suede desert boots are the Lems Chukka in lionsmane. My style tips are to balance the saturated color with the other elements of your outfit so they don’t clash. You’ll usually want such intense shoes to be your pop of color with maybe one other pop of color, although you can pull off more color if you pick up the yellow or orange tones, or stick to monochrome colors that pair well with tans and oranges, like light blue. Earth tones are another fantastic option for barefoot shoes in this color range.

Express dress pants, Old Navy button-up shirt, Land’s End flannel button-down shirt. A striking smart casual outfit, mixing the formality of beige dress pants and a white button-up with rugged suede desert boots and a fitted button-down flannel as an overshirt. The yellow details pick up the warm tones below and help to keep such a colorful outfit feeling cohesive.

*Levi Performance 511 Slim Jeans, Uniqlo Supima Tee, Guess casual button-up shirt*. A rugged casual outfit with slim jeans, a black t-shirt and a subdued grey and navy plaid casual shirt worn open. Very Americana workwear outfit.

*Faded Glory black jeans, Uniqlo supima v-neck t-s*hirt. As simple as it gets, jeans and a t-shirt. The fitted v-neck supima tee in a wine color has a lot of personality and elevates the outfit.

*Faded glory black jeans, Paul-Smith cognac brown overshirt, Spalding hoodie, Bella Canvas white tee.* A strong autumn streetwear outfit, dressing up jeans and a hoodie with an embroidered overshirt and chukka boots. Sub in chinos for a smart casual alternative.

Faded Glory black jeans, Old Navy linen button-down shirt, Uniqlo supima v-neck tee. A streamlined casual outfit with black and charcoal grey underneath a linen shirt worn open. A good outfit for breezy summer nights.

American Eagle extreme flex jeans, Alfani faux leather jacket, Uniqlo crewneck pocket tee. Classic blue jeans with a heather dark grey t-shirt and black leather jacket. A nice early spring outfit.

American Eagle Extreme Flex jeans, Express button-up shirt, Uniqlo supima tee. Blue jeans and a white tee are a staple outfit and a great base for layering, such as this statement piece purple and magenta plaid shirt. When kept to subtler details and patterns, it’s quite easy to incorporate less common colors in menswear!

Physique and Fit

Pull-ups are one of the most effective compound movement exercises for your upper body!

Showcasing the difference physique has on fit! In my #beforeandafter images below, I put on 20 lbs doing pull-ups, push-ups, step-ups and glute bridges. Most of the change came from 18 workouts, only a month and a half of #bodytransformation in March and April, followed by maintenance workouts at least once a week. I’ve grown out of some of my clothes, but I fit many clothing items much better! Big thanks to @calimove for the amazing resources on their YouTube channel!

Wide lats create a flattering V-taper and make your waist proportionally smaller for both men and women

No tailoring has been done, my lats are simply wider, and my arms, shoulders and legs are larger. My trapezius muscles are a little behind, but I’m quite happy with the progress! The most interesting change to me is how sleeves sometimes fit shorter now, despite my arms being the same length.

4 examples of my 6 week fitness progress before-and-after and how it changed the fit

*Affiliate links are used when possible, meaning I may get a commission of sales that supports the blog when you purchase shoes through links on this page.

Shoes from left to right: Lems Chukka, *VIVOBAREFOOT Geo Court, *Xero Shoes Pacifica (currently discontinued).

As Nature Intended Black Vegan Leather Sneakers Review

Company History

The very first ANI brand sneakers were successfully crowd funded on Kickstarter in 2012 to produce a minimalist, contemporary-styled vegan and eco-friendly canvas sneaker for the barefoot shoes market. They’ve been dedicated to their product ever since, and have recently shifted their market to a more premium vegan leather sneaker, taking the original styling cues from their original flagship design.

I believe the brand has always offered free exchanges and returns in the US, and I have to thank them again for going above and beyond to ensure I got the best possible fit. Pictured are mens sizes 9, 9.5 and 10. I kept the size 10, which is larger than my standard sizing in other barefoot shoes. The ANI sneakers come in regular width, while most barefoot shoe brands have additional width as a default option. Keep that in mind if width is one of your key features. My feet are 10″ long and 4″ wide without socks for reference.

Styling and Comfort

These sneakers match perfectly with black jeans, and are a stylish option for achromatic outfits or all black looks. I’ve worn them to dance classes, and I’ve taken them through an entire night of dancing kizomba, salsa, bachata and merengue. They’re quite comfortable! They hold onto my ankles well through spins and turns despite being larger than my regular size, and the extra length has been surprisingly unnoticeable. They still look brand new so far. The cushioning inside the ankles feels just right, and the ground feel is amazing. My only critique, the width is very close to being an issue for me.

I notice slight pressure on the sides of my feet towards the front of the shoe, especially the left shoe, due to my left foot being slightly larger. It doesn’t cause any real discomfort fortunately, and in all other metrics these are so comfy. I wear them without the insoles so I have a little more room inside the toebox. I would have more of an issue with the width if these were trainers, but for a casual sneaker I don’t personally mind. They have a timeless and contemporary style for a barefoot minimalist shoe, and their balance of comfort, ground feel and style is hard to beat at this value.

These sneakers can be found at ANI’s website for $115 at the link below (as of Feb. 19, 2020).

Premium Vegan Leather Casual/Sport Low Top

PS, although I feel the amount of shine on these is fine, I was told the company is thinking of manufacturing their vegan leather with a more matte finish if they do a second production run to make these subtly more casual in styling.

Foot Friendly Fashion Blog

Hey there! This is a supplementary blog to my Foot Friendly Fashion Instagram. I’ll post more in-depth editorials on barefoot shoe fashion, style guides and lookbooks, reviews with a fashion focus, and affiliate links where you can find featured clothing brands and shoes while supporting my content.