Review – Flexible Footwear Oxford Dress Shoes

Is this the answer to the minimalist dress shoe we have all been waiting for?

History

When we stumbled on Flexible Footwear online, we knew we had to get a pair for review. One of the largest holes in the minimalist shoe spectrum is in the formal shoe category. Formal shoes are meant to be stylish and so often have pointy toes and high heels. Despite being a fashion-driven category, those of us who work on our feet need comfortable shoes that are work appropriate in a corporate or professional environment.

Flexible Footwear’s website contains very little information on pricing, or even product photography, so we contacted the owner of the company for further clarification and to discuss getting samples. It was clear that this is a small company that is not used to dealing with the Internet-based age. After some lengthy communication, an arrangement was struck and we were sent a package in the mail to start the process.

Packaging / Measuring / Ordering

Flexible footwear is not like any company we have reviewed thus far. Each customer is sent an information package that is truly impressive. I have never seen such a professionally presented package for footwear. The package arrives in a large envelope. Inside is a beautiful folder containing product information, photographs, research information, and a company profile.

Also in this package is a set of sample leather swatches. There are several types of leather and many colors to choose from.

Each customer’s shoes are made to order. This is where the product really excels. A measuring tape is provided in the package. Detailed instructions walk you through the measuring of the throat and neck of each of your feet in precise detail. Another measuring tool allows you to measure the width and length of your feet using an ingenious and simple system you stand on.

Why is this so important? Because most people have slightly different left and right feet. You might be surprised to find out that one foot is a whole size larger than the other. Flexible footwear will make your shoes to the exact dimensions of your foot. You can even specify to have a slightly loose fitting shoe if you prefer more toe-room. It was a breath of fresh air to go through this well-designed system. It is indeed the perfect way to get the right fit. We were very impressed.

After an enjoyable time measuring and reading, the package instructs you to write down measurements for each of your feet and call the company. Of course, as this company is only on the fringes of having an Internet presence it was impossible to email them with the information.

Filling your order may take some time. We received our order roughly one month after placing the order.

Overall impression

The quality of this product is fantastic. They are made to the highest standards. It was immediately clear that these were no ordinary shoes. There is no perceptible heel whatsoever. The leather is incredibly smooth and soft. The sole is not flat, but rather shaped much like a real foot. These are dress shoes like no other.

Comfort

Unbelievable! I was astounded by how well these shoes fit. Through the measuring process I discovered for the first time in concrete terms that I have two very differently sized feet. This explains why one of my feet always is slightly less comfortable than the other. These shoes were perfectly shaped for my feet. There was no rubbing and no pressure. Immediately, these shoes were perfectly comfortable.

Flex / Sole

The patented Flexible Footwear sole is like no other sole we have reviewed. The sole follows the shape of the human foot complete with a well defined rounded heel. The outsole is even imprinted with patches of grip that represent the various points of contact of the foot. The closest comparison we can imagine would be the well-known Vibram FiveFingers lineup of shoes, but without any separation between the toes.

The matte black material that makes up the outsole is very flexible and soft. The shoe could be bent and twisted at any point along its structure. This design is intended to let your foot move naturally within the shoe.

The sole is well-cushioned. This would be an advantage for those who stand on their feet all day, but is not the perfect solution for those looking to approximate a truly barefoot feeling. While the flexibility of the sole is excellent, the thickness of sponginess of the sole is perhaps a little bit excessive. I would have preferred a thinner, firmer sole.

Some of the sponginess does subside over the first few hours of wear. This allows the material to conform to the shape of your foot to further customize the fit.

Support / Insole

While the shoe does not have a traditional support system, the shape of the sole itself is gently curved along the arch of the foot. This soft and supportive curve does provide support for the foot, despite being very compressible as you walk. The side-effect of this system is that there is a slight yet constant pressure along the bottom of your foot, even when your foot is not touching the ground. While the pressure is not significant, it provides for a very snug-feeling fit.

The insole is stitched into the shoe and is made of a soft grey material that is very comfortable for the foot to rest on.

Barefoot Feel

These are, by far, the most flexible and barefoot-like dress shoes we have seen. Due to the thickness of the sole, however, the ground perception is limited to larger items.

The cushioning effect of the sole also reduces the need to walk in a barefoot-like fashion. The heel of the shoe is in a neutral position, however, providing for a more barefoot position while walking than a heeled dress shoe.

Breathability

Due to the leather and rubber materials the shoe does not breathe well. There is, however, a significant amount of space around the toes for circulation and the quarter of the shoe is low, providing for better than average venting for an otherwise sealed shoe of this type.

Water Resistance

In rain, the shoes have performed well. No water has entered while walking in the rain and walking through shallow puddles.

Quality of Materials / Manufacturing

The quality of the leather used in these shoes is first-class. The leather is soft and comfortable against the foot. The stitching is tight and flawless. These were as pristine a pair of shoes as we have seen. No fault could be found in the quality of the product.

The leather grain of the left and right foot didn’t match perfectly. After some wear the leather on the right foot wears differently due to the larger grain. While this is unlikely to be noticeable to a causal observer this detail should have been noticed before shipping.

Sizing

The sizing arrived exactly as ordered. The fit could not be more custom or more perfect. If you have differently sized feet, you will appreciate the custom fit of these shoes.

Price

The price of these customized shoes is significant. Indeed, they are the most expensive shoes we have reviewed to date. While prices vary depending on the type of leather and the style of shoe, expect to spend a minimum of $400 USD. Pay careful attention to any additional costs. If you live outside of the U.S., shipping, customs, and additional local import taxes may add a significant amount to your order.

Style

These are not sexy shoes but they are comfortable and practical. They would easily pass for a conventional dress shoe of an older design. The unique design of the sole can not easily be seen when the shoe is on the ground. You won’t win any awards for fashion sense, but they are sensible dress shoes that fill this particular niche in a way no other product does. Considering the alternative, the trade-off is well worth it.

Break-in Period

There should be absolutely no break-in period for these shoes. If the custom fit does not feel immediately comfortable, you should return them. Return a custom product? Yes! They will not refund your money, however, they will modify or remake your shoes until they fit to your liking. This is an astonishing offer considering how custom these shoes are, but it is an excellent perk that should take some of the apprehension away from the expense of the shoe.

Shoe Care

These should be cared for in the same way you would care for any expensive leather shoe.

Summary

In an age where the Internet is the default research tool for almost everyone, this company needs to get more information into the company website. The price of this product is too high to warrant a purchase without having seen detailed information and photographs beforehand. The Internet also provides the very important function of providing product reviews by the end user. These reviews are worth their weight in gold for a small company like this. At the moment, Flexible Footwear is very difficult to find, even when entering the name directly into Google. Consumer trust in a company that cannot be found on the Internet and has no reviews online will be very low. There is also no way to contact them through email. While they readily answer the phone, the lack of email contact may loose a sale or two, especially for those that are ordering from outside the U.S. or Canada. If the information package we were sent were available as a PDF online this could also save the company money and time.

Having raked Flexible Footwear through the coals for the lack of information on the Internet, there can be no doubt that this is a quality product that fills a very important and unfilled niche in the footwear market.

The ordering experience from beginning to end is unmatched. The ability to create a shoe that is made to order for your feet is a huge plus for those who have feet that are not of typical and/or equal size.

While these shoes do not have a perfect barefoot feel, they are miles ahead of the typical narrow, hard-soled dress shoe. The average user would likely find these the most comfortable dress shoe they had ever put on. A barefooter used to walking around barefoot would find fault in the extra support and the sponginess of the sole, but it is difficult to complain too much given the lack of alternatives.

If you spend a significant amount of time on your feet, require a dress shoe, and have a hard time finding a good fit for your foot, the price can easily be justified. For the price of two pairs of ill-fitting shoes you could buy a pair of shoes designed around the particulars of your feet. That is worth the premium, if you have the money to spend.

Find out more information by contacting Flexible Footwear Company:

P.O. Box 185 Sigel, Pennsylvania, 15860-0185 Phone: 814.752.2009 To order or request additional information: 888.221.7463 Website: http://www.flexiblefootwear.com

Visit http://www.livingbarefoot.info Call our feedback line: 1-888-868-2198 Listen to The Living Barefoot Show

Enjoy More Living Barefoot Articles and Reviews

• Review of Terra Plana’s Evo Running Shoe
• Review: Vivo Barefoot’s Kali Shoe
• Review: Vibram FiveFingers Bikila
• Review – Nike Free 5.0
• Review: The Barefoot Running Book by Jason Robillard
• Feelmax Niesa Re-Review
• Review – Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek
• Review of the famous Huarache Running Sandal
• Review – The Original Sockwa

Christopher McDougall is a well-spoken, humble man who has through the popularity of his book brought about some of the biggest changes in the perception of feet and running in recent years.  Join us in learning about how this talented author wrote his book, discovered his feet, and how he feels about barefooting and running.  This interview should not be missed.

We Talk about:

- Chris’s recent appearance at the TED Conference

- Thoughts on Interviews In General

- His first exposure to barefoot running

- How he came to find the Tarahumara while on assignment for the New York Times.

- He thoughts on his influence over barefoot running and ultra running

- How he struggled with writing Born to Run

- This thoughts on minimalist shoes

- And much more!

To learn more about Christopher McDougall visit his website: http://chrismcdougall.com

1. Thank you for this review! This footwear is absolutely exceptional, and well worth the cost. (Though I didn’t have to pay $400 for mine.)

   One thing that I did not see in this thorough review is the fact that these shoes are resoleable. So, when you finally wear them to the point that the leather has that “perfect” feel, and you really need new tread, Flexible Footwear will cheerfully add new life to your uppers.

   I’ve heard from many people in the veterinary field who adore their Flexible Footwear and won’t wear anything else in the clinic. These shoes are extrodinarily comfortable for those of us who have to spend many hours on hard floors, but still need to look professional.

   Thanks Flexible Footwear!!

   Posted by Beth | May 28, 2010, 09:26

2. I am a dialysis nurse who is on my feet ALL DAY, usually 10-11 hrs of non-stop walking. I have 4 pairs of these shoes. (The non-lacing clog). I have never had a back-ache, nor do my feet hurt after work. It’s like going barefoot, only with more support. I enjoy the sponginess that the footbed offers. Not TOO squishy. I have worn these shoes on trips to NYC, where I have walked on MILES of uneven sidewalks without having any aches or pains in back or feet. I am 50 yrs old, so the potential is there! They are the first things in my suitcase, especially if walking is involved on trip. I have also sent a pair back to be re-soled. When my shoes came back–they were better than new. Leather was worn in (but was cleaned and polished)but soles were like new. It cost about $110 to recole them, but shoes are great, again! These shoes are not cheap, but how much do you value YOUR back and feet? mjd, Richmond, VA

   Posted by Mary Donaldson | May 29, 2010, 03:24

3. I first had a pair of Oxfords, and I tried hiking in them at Old Man’s Cave in Ohio. I was amazed at the traction they gave me on rough surfaces. Since then, I have purchased a pair of the higher cut Chukka boots, and I find them to be even better for hiking than the Oxfords. They’re not cheap, but staying on a steep trail is as the credit card commercial says,”priceless”!!! Tim

   Posted by Tim | June 30, 2010, 10:37

4. I am so glad to see Flexible Footwear getting the attention they deserve. I am in my 50s with arthritis and work a job where I am on my feet all day. Having the right shoe is a necessity. The shoes are very expensive, but worth the money. First, there are many more sizes available than with the average shoe. When mine came, I thought the fit was too loose, and the owners cheerfully allowed me to exchange them for a different size (which was perfect). Next, the shoe has NO and I really mean NO need to be broken in. It is immediately comfortable giving enough cushion for a person with arthritis. Finally, the shoes are made right in the US, so they really smell like leather and not Chinese container ships.

   Posted by Vicky | June 30, 2010, 19:30

5. I approached my 1st pair of Flexible Footwear with some skepticism. The shoes were, I felt, expensive and not quite the “style” I was use to. However, the reasoning behind the neutral heel and and natural design of the shoe made sense for someone who has struggled for years with low back issues. The major selling point for me was – this shoe felt great. At first I wore them sparingly or when I needed relief from backaches. Then I was diagnosed with painful plantar fasciitis in the right foot. As a result, I was wearing my pair of Flexible Footwear almost exclusively. These were the only shoes I owned in which I could walk comfortably. At the same time my husband surprised me with a birthday trip to New York City: sightseeing, Phantom of the Opera, the whole deal. Could I possibly make this trip with the walking involved and how could I do dinner at Sardi’s and the theater without “heels”? Adamant to not give up this opportunity I put on my black Flexible oxford and never took them off! I walked comfortably all over the Big Apple and was as stylish as anyone for the New York nightlife. I was sold – and I now own 5 pairs – 2 oxfords and 3 clogs.

   Posted by Evelyn | July 14, 2010, 12:25

6. Thank you so much for your review of Flexible Footwear! I have been a faithful wearer of these shoes for the past six years and have been completely satisfied by their performance no matter what the situation. Being an avid runner, I was first introduced to these shoes by a friend who knew that I struggled to find a comfortable shoe to put on my feet post-run. I borrowed their Oxfords when I went to Disney World to run the Marathon and after logging 26.2 miles, I was able to walk around the park for another 12 hours thanks to Flexible Footwear. My feet were sore, tired, aching, and blistered and I couldn’t think about taking another step in my running shoes; or any other shoe for that matter. However, the moment I slipped the Oxfords on my feet, all of the hurt seemed to disappear. It was as if my feet were totally supported and yet completely free of rubbing and pressure that one experiences from a standard shoe. I was sold and I purchased my own pair of Flexible Footwear shoes the moment I returned from the race. Since then, I have not only worn my shoes after numerous long runs and races, but daily at work. As an elementary school teacher, I am constantly on my feet. For years, I attempted to purchase stylish high heels and dress shoes to match each outfit, but by the end of the day, my knees ached, my calves felt strained, and my toes were scrunched. Eventually I had enough and began wearing my Flexible Footwear Oxfords with every outfit. I could maneuver around my classroom more easily and I could walk the hallways multiple times a day and my feet and legs were happy. After work I typically run and I began to notice that my feet and legs felt better during my workouts because they weren’t so strained from the other shoes I had been wearing on my feet. Having now purchased a few pairs of Flexible Footwear Oxfords, I recently started running in one pair. Since barefoot running seems to be the up and coming “thing” in the running community, I figured what could be better than making in attempt in the shoes I love so much. It’s definitely different, but so far, I’ve been able to log a mile with ease. Overall, Flexible Footwear is an incredible product from a small company that caters to their customers. Their desire is to provide their customers with a satisfactory product unlike anything else available. I promise that you and your feet will be very happy with such an incredible shoe.

   Posted by Mickey | July 31, 2010, 00:48

7. I have been wearing Flexible Footwear shoes for about 8 years now, having found them at a conference for Emergency physicians in Ohio. I have always had difficulty with poor fitting shoes and ingrown toenails and working 12 hour shifts with a lot of walking and standing has taken its toll as well. Since finding these shoes I have had absolutely NO foot fatigue problems and my ingrown toenail problems have decreased by 90%. The acquisition cost is high, around $300 per pair, but the quality is well worth it, and I would argue that I have spent less on shoes since purchasing these than I might have spent on all manner of running and formal shoes looking for something comfortable. Plus, this is a good company with supurb customer service and I can sleep at night knowing that some child making 25 cents an hour was not involved in their manufacture. Some nights I do not put on my slippers when I get home, preferring to wear my work shoes around the house!

   Posted by Charles Hagen | August 26, 2010, 06:56

8. I have been wearing shoes from Flexible Footwear for about 8 or 9 years now. They are extremely comfortable, and look very nice. One thing I have noticed is that they allow me to better feel what kind of surface I am walking on. Most shoes tend to mask that feeling.

   Originally, I purchased them in hopes of clearing up my plantar fasciitis. These shoes have provided remarkable relief over the years. Not only is that no longer bothering me, I can comfortably stand for hours selling.

   Posted by Jim Rucker | August 29, 2010, 04:49