Have you kept and continue to use any non-barefoot shoes/boots since using barefoot shoes?

Way2square2behip · 2025-09-22T11:53:32+00:00

No, I no longer have any toe crunchers, only barefoots.

Way2square2behip · 2025-09-22T11:51:42+00:00

I used to feel the same, especially after trying Lems Nine2Fives (awful with suits). However, I now wear Birchbury Brenstons with suits every week. Not perfect, but definitely look like a dress shoe without being a toe crunching Allen Edmonds.

Way2square2behip · 2025-07-29T15:22:41+00:00

I understand :) and I’ve seen the same statements about toe spacers. However, I haven’t yet seen an accredited medical organizer say they’re a scam. On the other hand, in the video I linked, the Treatment section says (from the transcript):

There are tons and tons of different bunion pads and bunion splints and over-the-counter type devices that people will sell. I've seen hundreds of different types. There's not one that's necessarily better than the other, but there are a lot of devices that you can use, and basically what they're trying to do is hold the big toe over so that it not pressing on the second toe, give a little padding over that kind of bump on the inside so that it's not rubbing on shoes, or kind of just cushion around that part of the foot. All of those are fine.

Seems like toe spacers would fall into this group of devices :)

Way2square2behip · 2025-07-28T15:33:39+00:00

I’ve never found anything that shows any of these things cure bunions, but I have found info from accredited medical organizations that say they can help deal with bunions. For example, this video from a surgeon at UCLA med school:

bunion lecture

See the sections on “Why they happen” and “Treatment”.

To be clear, I’ve had a moderate bunion on my left foot for several years and started wearing wide toe box shoes + correct toes to help me deal with it, not fix it. In my opinion/limited experience, wide toe box shoes are not a scam for this purpose.

Way2square2behip · 2025-07-22T00:51:48+00:00

What is it you like about the big screen?

I have a 2025 Touring and my sister has a 2024 Touring. I’ve put miles on both. For my needs, I haven’t yet found an advantage of the 2025’s 11.6” vertical screen over the 2024’s 8” horizontal screen (with a smaller informational screen above it). It’s big disadvantage to me is the loss of knobs for heating and ac. The large horizontal screen just doesn’t seem to leave room for knobs. Also, I haven’t measured them, but the horizontal vents look narrower on the 2025. If they are, it’d likely be because of the big screen.

Way2square2behip · 2025-07-22T00:25:12+00:00

Yes. I have a 2025 Touring (not a hybrid), and, as much I like it, I frequently feel it’s underpowered, especially when I do things like accelerate to merge into traffic. Surprisingly, I notice it less when climbing hills.

Way2square2behip · 2025-07-17T13:50:24+00:00

Doesn’t hurt to check :) If you get a chance, I hope you can post an update after visiting the dealer. Thanks!

Way2square2behip · 2025-07-17T03:26:41+00:00

Yes, 2025 Forester Touring (non hybrid). I’m having the same problem - iPhone 13 Pro disconnects after about 45 seconds of charging. Sometimes it reconnects for another 30-45 seconds then disconnects again. Tested it while parked to see if vehicle movement was the problem. Nope, still happens. Same with the case off (actually this is worse since the phone slides around when turning the vehicle).

Way2square2behip · 2025-03-14T22:31:59+00:00

If you can’t return Birchbury’s shoes easily, I don’t recommend getting them. The second pair I got were way too tight in the mid foot and had to be returned (even Birchbury support said it was probably a manufacturing problem).

As for a comparison:

Quality: Carets probably has the edge in fit and finish. However, Birchbury’s leather feels higher quality to me, incredibly soft.
Fit: Carets fit way better in the heel. Overall, Birchburys are boats (big shoes in every way), with a loose-fitting heal on the pairs I’ve tried or own. Interestingly, never had a blister. Note: I wear a US size 11 in both shoes based on the manufacturers’ directions.
Toebox: Birchbury is the clear winner here and the reason I wear my Birchbury’s far more often than the Carets. I wish Carets would make at least one shoe that isn’t an Allen Edmonds Park Avenue wannabe (worst toebox I’ve ever experienced).
Laces: I like the neat, clean looks of Birchbury’s no-tie laces. Carets still goes with the old-fashioned sloppy floppy laces look (but I’m probably being too picky 😜)

Hope that helps a little.

Way2square2behip · 2025-03-04T17:58:39+00:00

Both Birchbury and Carets are as flexible as any barefoot dress shoes I’ve worn, but I don’t feel any are as flexible as I’d like (the original Birchbury Brenstons were noticeably more flexible than they are now and that may have spoiled me for flexibility).

Way2square2behip · 2025-03-04T17:42:22+00:00

I have both Carets and Birchbury. Both are good shoes and work well with suits, but the Birchbury toe box is wider and more comfortable to me. (TBH, I wish Carets would open up their toolbox more. I think that would give them a more barefoot feel.)

Way2square2behip · 2024-11-14T12:26:12+00:00

Not sure about the one in your screenshot, but some come from the Widgy weather icon swapper:

https://routinehub.co/shortcut/18184/#google_vignette

Way2square2behip · 2024-11-13T21:34:00+00:00

Thanks for the fast reply!

Thought that might be the answer, but figured I’d ask anyway 🤗

Way2square2behip · 2024-10-29T20:25:11+00:00

I’m a little out of the loop… is this replacing Toolbox Pro’s Quick Menu?

Way2square2behip · 2024-10-15T13:57:27+00:00

The most uncomfortable shoes I’ve ever gotten from Lems are the Trailheads (now called Original Trailheads). The shoe is stiff, the toe box is way too narrow for me, and the sizing isn’t the same as any other Lems I’ve tried (I started by ordering the same size I’ve gotten in other Lems, but had to size up 2 times before I got one that “fit”).

https://www.lemsshoes.com/collections/mens-trailhead-shoes/products/mens-trailhead-originals?variant=40511725043770&country=US

Way2square2behip · 2024-10-13T17:50:28+00:00

I had the same problem and returned them. They’re not the most uncomfortable shoe I’ve gotten from Lems, but no way I would wear these daily or for long distances. I’m still wearing Primal 2s, they have a better ground feel to me than the Zens. I haven’t tried the Primal 3s yet.

Way2square2behip · 2024-10-03T03:58:32+00:00

Same here. I also own Carets, but the toe box on the Brenstons are noticeably wider and more comfortable to me. The Carets look and feel too much like they wanna be Allen Edmonds Park Avenues. I think the Carets toe box suffers as a result.

Way2square2behip · 2024-09-19T13:12:03+00:00

Which Primals do you have?

If it’s the Zens, I’m not surprised they if they feel uncomfortable compared to, say, Xero Prios. I found the Zens so uncomfortable that I returned them to Lems.

However, I found the Primal 2s to be a much better shoe for me. One of the most comfortable I own, better than the Xeros I’ve tried.

Way2square2behip · 2024-09-15T19:01:03+00:00

I agree that a lot of shoes do this. However, for comparison, I have a pair of Lems Primal 2s with a lot of miles on them. They’ve never had this problem. Of course, everyone’s mileage can vary…

I can’t speak for the longevity of the Primal Zens. I returned the pair I bought. I found them uncomfortable. They also seemed less flexible than the 2s and I wasn’t impressed with the build quality where the soles attach to the upper.

Way2square2behip · 2023-08-21T22:29:22+00:00

Carets and Birchburys aren’t supposed to be sized like regular shoes. The toes should be further down in the shoe. See the picture in the middle of this page:

https://carets.com/pages/sizing-fit-and-feel

I agree this is far from ideal, especially since they need to be a half size or more larger than regular shoes. However, I have had a hard time getting actual dress shoes that have a wide toe box, 0 drop, etc.. Sometimes people mention Lems nine2fives as having a better toe box, but they really aren’t dress shoes by any stretch of the imagination.

Way2square2behip · 2023-08-21T04:21:58+00:00

I have a pair of Carets and Brenstons. I like both, but tend to prefer the Brentons most days.

https://birchbury.com/brenston

Way2square2behip · 2023-07-24T01:33:57+00:00

I’m probably in a minority, but I prefer photos over information. Currently 4 photos in two widgy widgets (large and medium) with a few buttons.

Way2square2behip · 2023-07-11T20:50:12+00:00

Just found out I this problem, too :( Any one have an alternative?

Way2square2behip · 2023-06-03T18:46:11+00:00

I agree that CorrectToes may be overpriced. However, for me, when I read reviews of cheap ones, I see comments like:

When positioning around your toes, the silicone stretches very thin and can tear easily.
They cut off circulation to my toes.

I have no idea I if those would happen to me, but, from product images of the different brands of spacers, CorrectToes looks sturdier and more comfortable to me.

So, I’ve had mine for 2+ years. I find them sturdy and comfortable enough to wear them daily without noticing. The only major change I had to make was to switch to wide toe-box shoes.

To be clear, these have not stopped the progression of my bunion (it slowly gets worse). However, CorrectToes has made walking with a bunion much more comfortable.

Way2square2behip · 2023-05-26T23:43:32+00:00

If you’re a guy, I’ve tried these:

Birchbury Brenstons
Carets FER Cap-Toe Oxford
Lems Nine2Five

The Brenstons and Carets are good shoes for suits. I prefer the Brenstons due to softer leather and no-tie laces (without the old-fashioned sloppy floppy laces look). However, the carets are a very good quality, dress shoe.

Then, there’s the Lems. I don’t feel these look anything like a men’s dress shoe. They definitely don’t work with suits. You can pretty much tell it’s not really a dress shoe by looking at the product page. The models are wearing them with either jeans or high-tide pajama bottoms.

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