Last year I introduced you to Soft Star Shoes’ North Star boots. Kay wore those boots through close to two whole winters before she outgrew them. But we’re getting ready for summer now, which means it’s sandal weather. Luckily, Soft Star Shoes makes sandals too!
Like all their minimal footwear, Soft Star sandals are handcrafted in their Oregon workshop from locally sourced, breathable, and formaldehyde-free leather dyed with food grade dyes. Of course Kay doesn’t put things in her mouth the way she used to, but it’s still important to me to minimize my family’s exposure to toxins.
Kay received this pretty pair of Design Your Own Child Sandals in white smooth full grain leather with a shiny pewter strap and this pretty little flower and leaf detail. I picked a Velcro closure for the ease of putting them on and off as well as adjusting the tightness around her ankle.
When you design your own sandal you can choose from 19 colours of leather, 9 cutout motifs or a sewn on leather flower, plus you have the option of laces, Velcro, or an elastic closure.
All their lightweight sandals are made from buttery soft, full grain leather. The innersole is leather too, and the thin Vibram Geo soles are made from durable, flexible soft rubber that allows for natural foot movement, mimics barefoot walking, and supports the normal development of the foot bones and arch. The entire shoe flexes with Kay’s foot.
Kay loves her sandals. She says her favourite part is the flowers, and she seems very comfortable in them. She runs and plays in them with ease. If you’ve ever experienced the problem of your child’s foot slipping through the front of their sandal, you’ll be happy to know that the toe openings on Soft Star sandals are smaller than most other brands to prevent precisely that.
I can show you how her shoes flex and tell you what I think, but I can’t really tell you how they feel to wear, right?
Oh, but I can. Soft Star sent me an adult pair of sandals to try too! These Design Your Own Solstice Sandals are made from shiny platinum full grain leather with a flower applique in shiny pewter leather. Just like the children’s sandals, I was able to choose from 19 colours. Vegetable tanned leather is also available as an upgrade.
Like most of us, I’m used to “breaking in” shoes. I expect new shoes to feel stiff, rub in the wrong places, and take some getting used to. I honestly can’t remember the last time I tried on a new pair of shoes and didn’t feel some discomfort for the first few days. But these shoes? I was so impressed by how light and comfortable these Solstice Sandals felt from the moment I put them on. (And look, my shoes flex too!)
I do wish there were some options for the colour of the leather insole. The standard yellow colour doesn’t go that well with the platinum leather I chose, and I suspect it might show dirt and sweat stains more than a darker colour. I’d love to see the option to choose a dark gray or neutral dark brown insole instead.
In terms of sizing, Soft Star sandals tend to run big since they are open-toed and open-heeled, so Soft Star suggests buying one size down from your regular Soft Star Shoes size. I followed their extensive sizing advice on the website and both our pairs of sandals are just right. And if they hadn’t been, Soft Star accepts returns and exchanges, even on design your own footwear!
About Soft Star Shoes
Unlike many other shoes out there, Soft Star Shoes are made in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner. 100% of their power usage comes from solar or wind energy, they use minimal and recycled packaging, and their employees are even reimbursed for bicycling to work. They give back to the community through in kind as well as cash donations.
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Shop
Go shopping at Soft Star Shoes for summer sandals for you and the kids! Children’s sandals start at $48, and adult Solstice Sandals start at $102. You can design your own pair for $15 more, and you can still return or exchange them if they don’t fit.
Canadian shoppers, you’ll be pleased to know that Soft Star adds a “NAFTA: Made in the USA” sticker right on the box so you won’t have any surprise duty charges when you buy your shoes.
Win a Pair of Children’s Sandals!
One lucky reader will win a pair of Soft Star children’s sandals. The winner will be able to choose either this pair in turquoise and ocean or this flamingo pair. Enter to win in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US, 18+. All entries will be verified.
Check out my other open giveaways listed in the right sidebar (or in the menu if you’re mobile) and scroll down for even more!
Disclosure: I received sample items for review purposes. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
I like the Baby Rambler First Walking Shoe – Smooth Flamingo / Nutmeg .
I Like the Adult Merry Jane – Pewter.!
I like the Merry Jane in shiny gold.
I really like the Child Phoenix Boot – Nutmeg.
The Adult Ballerine Flat is very nice.
I want the
Brown and Red Baby Moccasin Booties!
I like the Adult Flora Solstice Sandal – Turquoise
I like the southwest desert moccasin
I like the Adult ORIGINAL RunAmoc – Smooth Chocolate / Sky Blue.
I’d love to have the Youth Merry Jane in red for my 9 year old daughter. They are beautiful.
I also like the Adult Solstice Sandal – Aged Walnut, very nice.
I would like the Women’s Adult Ballerina Flat – smooth Black – thank you!
I like the Adult Solstice Sandal – Aged Walnut.
I’ve liked Soft Star shoes for a while. I would love a pair of Merry Jane or Ballerine shoes.
I like the Adult Ballerine Flat.
I love the baby Buttercup Moccasin,thanks for the chance!
I like the Adult Mary Janes in Ocean.
I love their Padraig Slippers. Look so comfortable.
I like the Adult Solstice Sandal – Suede Black
I love the Roos!
I really like the Baby Buttercup Moccasins in Robin Egg Blue. The material looks very soft and comfortable for little feet.
I love the adult ballerina flats
i LOVE all their shoes! My favorite are the DYO Child Sandal with Laces in yellow or purple 🙂
I love the little Child Roo Moccasin – Smooth Purple / Lavender. They would look adorable on my little great granddaughter.
I like the Adult Ballerina Flats. So pretty for spring.
One of my favorites is their Shiny Gold Adult Ballet Flat. So pretty & comfortable looking!
Oh I love the Child Phoenix Boot – Nutmeg! It’s so cute!
I like the Adult Solstice Sandal – Suede Black, they look so very comfy, and all the kids shoes are so adorable, I love tiny shoes they’re so cute!
I love the adult ballet flat! I check the website often.. its just a matter of time before I order a pair!
I very much so would love to get a pair of Padraig women’s slipper in color cream with stripe
I like theA dult Ballerine Flat with Sport Closure – LITE Turquoise for myself.
I really like the Adult Ballerine Flat in black. They look comfy and durable.
I love the adult black ballerina flat so cute
I really like the child monogrammed Roo moccasin
I love the DYO Baby Sandal with Velcro
I really like the Padraig Baby Slippers – Forest with Grey Stripe shoes.
I like the Child Sandal With Velcro – Chocolate/Aged Oak. So cute!
wow there shoes look so comfortable. I love the ballerina flats especially the ones in black
I like the walnut and orange baby sandals.
I like the design your own sandals child classic with velcro. I would make the shoe and velcro both shiny platinum, a flower with leaf/stem motif, a suede innersole, and regular width.
I like the adult flora solstice sandal. Very nice.
I would love to have the Child Classic with Velcro – Flamingo for my two year old daughter.
I like their Moccasins. I’m glad they have a selection for both girls and boys 🙂
My daughter would love the Child Sandal with Velcro – Flamingo / Flamingo!
I like their Youth Merry Jane – Shiny Gold
I like the summer solstice sandals
I love the Adult Ballerine Flat – Smooth Black!! They are so cute and would be great for Spring!!
I like the Child Classic with Velcro in black
I like the Youth Merry Jane Shoe in Shiny Gold. The little cut out in the back adds an interesting design to the shoe.
Padraig baby slippers pink with grey stripe