Barefoot footwear continues to grow in popularity. Shoes with thin soles, which give the feet the same conditions as if they were barefoot, are becoming more and more of a trend. It is no longer the case that barefoot footwear is anything special or unusual. In addition, shoe manufacturers are very creative in their designs, so you often wouldn't be able to tell a modern barefoot shoe from a regular one at first glance. Today we're going to take a look at one of the most popular barefoot shoe brands in our country. Skinners look more like socks than shoes. However, thanks to their unique design, they have gained great popularity. How satisfied were we with them? And are they worth buying? All you will find out in today's review.
Content of the review
Skinners is a Czech brand and all its products are manufactured in Europe. Thanks to their popularity, they are sold all over the world. You can buy Skinners socks in brick-and-mortar stores almost all over Europe, in India or even in Chile.
Surprisingly high quality workmanship
At first glance, Skinners are quite different from ordinary shoes. Basically, they are socks with a reinforced sole that prevents them from being immediately punctured. So instead of talking about shoes or socks, it's probably better to talk about sock boots. The knit of the sock boot is made of a combination of natural and man-made fibres, which ensure sufficient moisture wicking. At the same time, they are extremely comfortable and adapt to your feet. The sole is made of durable polymers that ensure excellent durability and longevity. The sock boots also include a removable insole, the purpose of which is toto improve moisture wicking and contribute to greater comfort. At the same time, the manufacturer takes pride in the fact that the entire production process is environmentally friendly.
A very common reaction of people who see Skinners sock boots for the first time is the fear that they will get damaged quickly. But you don't have to worry about that at all. In this regard, I was really surprised after my first use, as I was also very worried that the Skinner wouldn't last very long. You can see and feel that the manufacturer used really high quality materials. The sole is surprisingly firm and once you walk outside in them for the first time, any concerns immediately disappear. When walking, however, you have exactly the same feeling as if you were walking barefoot.
Are there any benefits to walking barefoot?
At this point, of course, the question arises whether there are any benefits to wearing barefoot shoes at all. Why would anyone buy sock shoes when they can wear standard, hard-soled shoes instead? The reason is that it's much more natural for the foot to be in direct contact with the ground. While thick soles provide support, the muscles in the feet become weak as a result. Barefoot shoes also give the feet plenty of space and freedom, which is also very important for many. However, it must be said that wearing barefoot shoes may not suit everyone. Barefoot shoes are a bit more different from traditional shoes as they really do resemble socks. But if you're looking for shoes that make you feel like you're walking barefoot, Skinners are the obvious choice.
What are sock boots good for?
If I buy sock boots, where can I actually wear them? The answer is very simple: anywhere. There's really no limitation in this regard. However, it is true that due to the very thin sole, they are not suitable for wearing in the winter or in the wet. For the purposes of this review, I chose to use them primarily for gym workouts and hiking. For the gym they are suitable depending on the composition of your workout and your preferences. For example, a lot of people only squat in socks. In that case, wearing Skinners makes sense because they don't slip, so they provide better stability. However, this topic is quite tricky because squatting without shoes is not suitable for everyone. Similarly, for some people, exercising without sturdy shoes simply doesn't suit them.
Wearing shoes while walking outdoors will probably take some getting used to. But after a while, it will feel perfectly natural. Personally, I started by alternating my Skinners with classic hiking boots every few kilometers. Sock boots, on the other hand, are not suitable for running, for example. Without foot support you have to have a really good running technique and be able to pedal properly. Otherwise you risk unpleasant injuries. Otherwise, I can't think of an activity where sock boots could not be used. Another huge advantage is that they are really small, so there is no problem to pack them anywhere. For example, when hiking, this makes it easy to pack them in your backpack and pull them out when you need them.
Hassle-free maintenance
Of course, when you wear your shoes often, you also need to think about their maintenance. In the case of Skinners sock boots, this is absolutely simple. Just rinse them in water and let them dry. Once in a while or when they get dirty, it doesn't hurt to wash them in the washing machine. As sock boots are not suitable for wearing in the wet, you can usually manage to keep them clean even when wearing them outdoors.
Personal wearing experience
At this point, I'd like to reiterate that in my opinion barefoot footwear will simply never suit everyone. However, if you are used to this type of footwear or want to try it out, Skinners sock shoes are a great choice. In the beginning, you'll probably have to take some getting used to because it feels like you're really only walking outside in socks. Now, though, I can't get enough of them. The sock boots have almost unlimited uses and are extremely comfortable. Plus, they're well-made, so you don't have to worry about them getting damaged.
While testing the sockbots, I tried wearing them with and without socks. In fact, the manufacturer states that they can be worn either way, although it recommends using cotton socks. From my own experience, I can say that the sockbots are much more comfortable without socks. It makes them much more breathable, which is a huge advantage when it's warm outside. Another reason is better stability. The sole of the sockbot doesn't slip on the floor at all, but if you have socks on your feet as well, the foot inside the sockbot may slip slightly. This is not very good, for example, during the aforementioned squats. But of course it all depends on your preferences as well.
Extremely good price
Quality shoes are not exactly a cheap affair. Not to mention that for almost every sport one needs a different pair. Skinners sock boots have a huge advantage in this respect. Not only are they much cheaper than regular shoes, but they can also replace several pairs of shoes worth upwards of thousands at once. In fact, unlike regular shoes, you can put them on in the morning during your gym workoutwalk in them in the woods in the afternoon, and then pack them in your backpack and take them on a trip as a spare pair of shoes. One pair of sock shoes (Comfort 2.0 model) costs about at the time of writing this review. Considering their quality and versatile use, this price is really great.
Conclusion.
I have to admit that I am absolutely thrilled with the Skinner sock boot. If you are looking for a quality barefoot shoe that you can use for sports and casual outdoor wear, I can highly recommend them. They are made of high quality material which makes them surprisingly durable. Plus, they are extremely comfortable and can be used for almost any sport. And to make matters worse, they only cost a fraction of the price of other quality shoes. I must therefore give the Skinners sock boots an excellent rating.
If you're not impressed with the sock boots, don't despair. We've put together a comparison of the best barefoot shoes you can use for sports.
