Review: ZEMGear shoes
I found the ZEMGear site from browsing around a site dedicated to barefoot footwear. I like the idea of "barefoot" shoes, but I had big problems with Vibram FiveFingers and my tender tootsies, which seem to be tenderer than most. The main issue was having no padding between my feet and the ground, leaving my soles one big bruise at the end of the day. And of course, with FiveFingers, you can't just stick a regular insole in there.
I thought I'd give the ZEMGear shoes a try, though, because with them (at least, the models that don't have a split toe), you *can* use inserts. The fact that they're only $35/pair made it worth the risk to me.
My particular goal is to get something comfy to wear to Burning Man this year that will protect my feet from playa dust, so I picked the model with the round toe and high neck -- named the Playa High, so I guess that's the right one for Burning Man ;-) -- in size small, since I'm somewhere between a women's 9 and 9.5.
First impressions: the high neck makes it a bit tough to pull on and off. The toe area is very roomy, allowing a full spread, as if I wasn't wearing shoes. The upper is neoprene and very comfortable. I like how the "tech bands" provide a bit of arch support. Unfortunately, the neoprene curves around and puckers a bit where it meets the sole (which you can see in the product photos on their site). That makes for a fairly prominent seam on the interior, and it puts the neoprene in contact with the ground, making me wonder about their longevity.
Trial walk 1: The tech bands push my feet towards the back of the shoe, where my heel squarely hits the seam between upper and sole with each step. I don't think I'm putting my heel down particularly heavily, but as mentioned above, I *do* have particularly delicate feet. Sure enough, by halfway there (about five minutes of walking) I'm in significant pain and blisters are starting to rise. I slip in the thin insoles I brought along for just such an eventuality, and they're enough to get me the rest of the way to Porter, but not enough for continued use. I buy a pair of Dr. Scholl's thick gel heal inserts at CVS and slip those in. Well, actually, *wrestle* them in, because again the high neck makes the operation more difficult. Ah, bliss! I successfully complete my errands and walk home.
Trial walk 2: This one was about the same length, but in the rain. The neoprene definitely wicks up water from the street, but because it's neoprene and I'm sockless, my feet stay warm (although I wouldn't try this when it's cold out!). The gel heel inserts work perfectly, and I return home pain-free. This may be the first time in decades that I've been able to walk in *any* shoe with no socks or other foot coverings for more than ten minutes without losing skin off some part of my feet.
So to sum up: I needed to add padding, which takes away from the "barefoot" mechanics, but leaves me with a very comfy shoe. It's comfy enough that I'm going to order a pair of their "Traveler" model to see if the lower neck suits me better, and if their branded inserts are comfy enough to replace the Dr. Scholl's.
I thought I'd give the ZEMGear shoes a try, though, because with them (at least, the models that don't have a split toe), you *can* use inserts. The fact that they're only $35/pair made it worth the risk to me.
My particular goal is to get something comfy to wear to Burning Man this year that will protect my feet from playa dust, so I picked the model with the round toe and high neck -- named the Playa High, so I guess that's the right one for Burning Man ;-) -- in size small, since I'm somewhere between a women's 9 and 9.5.
First impressions: the high neck makes it a bit tough to pull on and off. The toe area is very roomy, allowing a full spread, as if I wasn't wearing shoes. The upper is neoprene and very comfortable. I like how the "tech bands" provide a bit of arch support. Unfortunately, the neoprene curves around and puckers a bit where it meets the sole (which you can see in the product photos on their site). That makes for a fairly prominent seam on the interior, and it puts the neoprene in contact with the ground, making me wonder about their longevity.
Trial walk 1: The tech bands push my feet towards the back of the shoe, where my heel squarely hits the seam between upper and sole with each step. I don't think I'm putting my heel down particularly heavily, but as mentioned above, I *do* have particularly delicate feet. Sure enough, by halfway there (about five minutes of walking) I'm in significant pain and blisters are starting to rise. I slip in the thin insoles I brought along for just such an eventuality, and they're enough to get me the rest of the way to Porter, but not enough for continued use. I buy a pair of Dr. Scholl's thick gel heal inserts at CVS and slip those in. Well, actually, *wrestle* them in, because again the high neck makes the operation more difficult. Ah, bliss! I successfully complete my errands and walk home.
Trial walk 2: This one was about the same length, but in the rain. The neoprene definitely wicks up water from the street, but because it's neoprene and I'm sockless, my feet stay warm (although I wouldn't try this when it's cold out!). The gel heel inserts work perfectly, and I return home pain-free. This may be the first time in decades that I've been able to walk in *any* shoe with no socks or other foot coverings for more than ten minutes without losing skin off some part of my feet.
So to sum up: I needed to add padding, which takes away from the "barefoot" mechanics, but leaves me with a very comfy shoe. It's comfy enough that I'm going to order a pair of their "Traveler" model to see if the lower neck suits me better, and if their branded inserts are comfy enough to replace the Dr. Scholl's.