Bang-on Barefoot Birkenstocks from Softstar
Birkenstock style, traditional shoe cushion, barefoot shoe functionality
Butterfly Your World had to temporarily close shop after Anya featured them in her post about barefoot Birkenstocks. As of April 27, 2024, Butterfly Your World’s site only displays a message explaining the delay in shipping:
In the last few months I have received such an overwhelming support and business that has driven me to increase processing time up to 8 weeks at first. And now I have had to completely freeze my website to make sure I can fulfill and make all your orders.
Butterfly Your World is only one person. The Florida-based cordwainer makes barefoot Birkenstock Boston and Arizona-inspired sandals, among many other sandals and shoes, for all ages from infant to adult, all by hand, and ships globally. Godspeed, Butterfly Your World.
But there’s another barefoot Arizona-inspired option on the way from Softstar called Camino. The upper looks identical to Birks, down to the slightly distressed, branded buckles. They seem to be using an oiled leather like Birkenstock does. The leather has that characteristic pull-up effect.
Props to Birkenstock for making footwear with wide toe boxes, but the shoes’ arch support and stiff soles keep them out of the barefoot category and make them uncomfortable for some people. If you’re one of those people, the Camino is the sandal for you. They have a completely flat and flexible 11mm sole— 5mm of which is PORON®— plus a 4mm suede insole. That’s 15mm of plush!
I’ve been saying “Arizona-inspired” because Arizona is Birkenstock’s most popular sandal (other than the Boston clog). Both Butterfly Your World and Softstar have actually made barefoot versions of the less popular Milano, which are just Arizonas with a heel strap.
There couldn’t be a barefoot Arizona because barefoot sandals must have a heel strap. When sandals aren't strapped around the heel, the toes have to curl to keep them from slipping off. Aside from being annoying to have to do, this toe curl is bad because it can cause foot fatigue, hammer toe, and gait issues.
The Softstar Camino will be available on May 7th at softstar.com.