I’ve had my eye on the Soft Star Shoe company for some time now. They handcraft footwear in the USA at their workshop in Corvallis, Oregon. Save for some extra special vegetable-tanned leather imported from Germany, all of Soft Star’s leathers are sourced from the USA. The workshop is 100% powered by wind and solar energy, and employs about every eco-friendly practice in the book to maintain a minimal carbon footprint. It’s clear that the company has fun creating and promoting their products. When they asked if I’d like to put my feet in a pair of their new Portlander shoes to write about for Popdiatry, I threw on a Hillsboro Hops baseball cap that my cousin from Portland gave me, and quickly replied “Yes”.
Right out of the box, the Portlanders reminded me of svelte, hella-durable versions of the inexpensive Karate booties I used to buy at the martial arts supply store in Chinatown for wearing around my apartment(s).
The northeastern United States (my home turf) was subsumed by a strong winter for the past six months or so. My feet have been laced up in boots for a majority of that time. The Soft Stars arrived in the mail about the same week temperatures started to rise above 60°, and memory of winter’s hangover had subsided.
I would rather wear jeans with no underwear than shoes with no socks. Things get sweaty, particles invade, footwear gets dogged- I am firmly planted on team sockwear. Of course there are no rules; Soft Star says it’s OK to wear the Portlanders with or without socks. Even though I was wearing shorts in 70° weather, I put on some high, thin stockings, which led my photographer to start calling me Babe Ruth.
The design of the shoe is very timeless, with a tasteful green tag on the inside of the tongue branding the company’s logo and size. Thin pieces of leather are added to the inner tongue and heel peripherals to facilitate comfy-ness, along with a little padding piece in each heel.
One thing that struck me oddly has nothing to do with the construction of the shoes, but rather the sizing chart Soft Star uses. SS clearly states that the shoes run small. I am a size 11. They gave me 12s, and they were still quite tight in the toe. Perhaps it’s a Pacific Northwest thing?
I do dig the shoes. After months of sporting heavy-duty winter warriors, it was refreshing to slide on something more relaxed and minimal, while keeping the high quality effects of kicks I normally wear (gorgeous leather, masterful hand-stitching, great shape). I think they’d be excellent for packing while travelling. With the minimal construction, they are easily flattenable, as to conveniently slide into a suitcase or backpack. You can certainly pull off casual, and even business-casual in them. The zero-drop contruction with butter leather uppers have the propensity to shape around your foot and become your best two friends. I concur that the brand delivers on their promise of making quality, functional and fun shoes. You’re sure to get a lot of good looks while wearing them. Thanks Elves.
