Do you have a wider foot shape, like I do? In this post I take you through my search for the perfect barefoot winter combat boots: the challenges and the findings!
Table of Contents
Introduction: first, the challenges
My feet are not narrow, long, happy in traditional, narrow toe boxes. My feet are wide, more squarish and happiest in spacious, wide toe boxes. This is my main challenge. The most common, easiest to find, average shoe shape, is much narrower than my feet. And while barefoot shoes go a long way to meet my needs, I still need to work a bit hard to find suitable shoe shapes to make it work.
After wearing only barefoot shoes for a while, not all barefoot shoes will feel as roomy as they once did. And not all barefoot or minimalist shoe brands provide a lot of options for people with wide feet. While some brands provide wide and extra wide shoes, figuring out what works for you is still a process of trial and error requiring effort to search and test different things. On top of that, I have small enough feet so that not only do I need to find wide shoes, but also brands that make shoes (for adults) that are small enough for me.
The mission: find a stylish winter combat boot
I already had a pair of waterproof boots with an excellent sole, warm and ready for a hike in any kind of weather (yes, I mean Xero's Xcursion Fusion!). What I did not have was an every-day pair of boots for the winter - winters are long in Switzerland and I don't want to wear hiking boots to work. So I scoured all the barefoot blogs I could find to learn about my options. I really appreciate the varied and thorough barefoot reviews out there, they make a big difference in helping me figure out if a certain shoe might be a good investment for me.
I considered several options and for one reason or another, it was tough to find the right boot: some boots were probably not waterproof, some were beautiful but their smallest size was too big for me, some had soles I didn't think would be grippy enough for rainy or snowy weather. An extra disappointing challenge is that not all barefoot shoe brands list their shoe or toe box width. I think this information is absolutely essential for customers and I hope more (all) barefoot brands will start providing that information upfront.
I eventually found Mukishoes' Igneous boots. Don't they look great? Yes, yes they do. To be sure, I measured my feet in two different ways: contouring on paper, and standing next to a wall. The second method is the most accurate and the verdict was in: my foot length and width is 22.2 x 8.9 cm. I was tired of searching, I had finally found "the one", so I clicked the button, bought the boots (and insoles) and excitedly waited for their arrival.
All I wanted was a stylish, versatile, warm, every-day winter boot. And I really wanted Igneous II to be it. Unfortunately, this model is too narrow and long for my foot shape. * Pause to insert sad emoji here. * To have a wide enough toe box, I bought a size up from the smallest size, hoping that wearing thick winter socks would be good enough to fill in the length gaps. But sadly, this boot is just too long for my foot shape, as you can see in the pictures above. It does not suit my foot shape well.
A size smaller Igneous would be a bit shorter, of course, but I am quite sure it would squish my tiny toes. Even though Mukishoes' Igneous is a beautiful, very well made boot that seems durable and comfortable (if your foot shape is on the medium/narrower side), it just didn't feel right for me. It was a game of luck too - one has to try something to see if it fits. After trying to convince myself to keep the boots, somehow make it work, I slept on it and decided to return them. Turns out, I had not done as complete a research as I thought I had, because I had missed the actual boots that turned out to seemingly be made for me... Shapen's COZY.
Comparing Mukishoes' Igneous II and Shapen's COZY
I had the opportunity to look at the Igneous II (just before I said my goodbyes) and the COZY models side by side and I want to share this with you. Although Igneous is not the boot for me, it can be the boot for you! Take a look at the comparison below. The most relevant difference for me, is the shape of the soles.
Here are Shapen's COZY size 35 (their smallest) and Mukishoes' Igneous II size 37 (their smallest is 36). You can see what I was going for when I found Igneous first: I was afraid their size 36 would be too narrow for me, so I risked a bit of extra length. With Shapen's shoe shape though, I don't need to have those concerns: in their website, they list not only the inner shoe length, but also the width. That takes the guessing weight off my shoulders, as I could see the COZY are wide enough for me.
Sizing Charts
Photos: design, materials, style
Comparison Table
What I was looking for | Igneous II by Mukishoes | COZY by Shapen |
Style | Looks cool and durable. | Looks really good as well. |
Special features It was really important for me to be able to get in and out of the boots quickly: a zipper was a non-negotiable for me | Zipper? YES. | Zipper? YES. Plus, Cozy's laces look great and seem very durable. |
Comfort / Flexibility / Warmth Zero-drop and warm? Not negotiable. | Very comfortable, very flexible, I was really impressed. | Super cozy, feels like walking on clouds. Very flexible. |
Material / Durability / Water resistance These models are both in smooth leather, so they are water resistant. | Great craftsmanship. Seems high quality leather & looks durable. I slightly prefer this leather look over Cozy's. | Good quality leather. Is easy to take care of and seems durable. |
Sole material and thickness | 3.5 mm Rubber outsole. Sole is stitched, seems durable. | 3.5 mm Rubber outsole + 2 mm inner lining. The outsole is stitched and durable. |
Ground feel Awesome in both boots! Both models come without an insole, they are both closer to the ground than what I had ever experienced in a winter shoe. | Thin and flexible sole; seems durable and good for rainy / slippery / snowy weather. | Thin and flexible sole; good in rainy weather. The soles felt better than expected on icy ground. They are obviously not the most grippy soles for snow, but they do a good job. |
Inner lining | Felted wool. Lining along all edges; very well isolated and warm. | Wool. Less coverage than Igneous' lining. Very comfortable and warm. |
Weight | Lightweight (200 g) | Lightweight |
Sizing / Fit | Toe box is not very wide. Suits narrower feet. | Big win for Shapen on fit. They list length and width per shoe model, and they make shoes for wide feet. |
A note on Customer Service
It was unfortunate that Mukishoes did not work for me on my first try with them but their customer service was impeccable. They reply very fast and make it easy to return a product. They quickly answered my request, sent me a DHL return label and from one day to the next, the issue was solved. I really appreciate that.
I hope Mukishoes offers wider shoes some day but in the meantime, one thing that could already be improved is listing the inner insole width in all product descriptions. I hope to try different Mukishoes models at some point, I am a bit biased since Mukishoes are made in Portugal - where I'm from - so I would love to put their quality to the test.
Conclusion: the best barefoot winter combat boots for wide feet
After researching many different barefoot brands and their many boots on offer, I inevitably easily narrowed down my options due to many shoes being a size or two bigger than my usual 34/35. Plus, as expected, most shoes are shaped a bit too long and not wide enough for me. But the winner is in! I am thrilled to have found Shapen's COZY, I have been wearing it every day for the past weeks and I could not wait to write about it.
Looking at Igneous II and COZY side by side and trying them on, it is clear that both models have their own strengths. The most important thing to me is that my feet are not stuck with a long shoe, and that my toes have plenty of space to be and to move - sideways. For me, Shapen's COZY boots are without question, the best option for wide feet. They are possibly the widest shoes I have and suit my foot shape like a glove.
The COZY winter boots have an incredible ground feel and I haven't had any issues on slippery ground (it has been raining a lot lately). They are super practical due to their zipper, they look great, seem to be made from high quality materials and to be well built. The outer sole is stitched so I am not really worried about longevity, but let's see how they hold up over the winter. I will definitely give you an update once I have worn them for longer, letting you know how they stand the test of time.*
If you are looking for foot shaped shoes that fit even wide feet, and are suitable for almost any occasion in life - even fancy occasions - look no further, I think Shapen is it. They have the most beautiful options! If you want style, go to Shapen. Thank you so much Shapen, for making shoes for wide feet, you did not make my day, you made my year! :D
*Here is an update in the form of a happy, snowy shot:
Here's a photo of me in my super COZY boots making the first snowman of the season!
Please note: this article is not sponsored in any way, it is simply based on my opinion.
Resources
What are barefoot or minimalist shoes? - see my take on it
Barefoot Glossary - I created this glossary to help you navigate the terms of the barefoot world!
Which type of foot do you have? - by SHAPEN
How to measure your foot correctly? - by SHAPEN
See more interesting links in the Barefoot Shoes Resources page
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