Review: SKINNERS Sock Shoes Good news for hardcore trekkers and joggers! Introducing a new type of shoe? or sock? that lets you experience freedom and nature

If you think "sock shoes" sounds familiar, you're right. You're probably imagining the five-finger barefoot shoes made by Vibram. Running in barefoot shoes with a forefoot sprinting style has the advantages of being more efficient and putting less strain on the feet, and was once very popular

"SKINNERS" has been newly developed as an evolution of barefoot shoes, being "multi-purpose, durable, lightweight, and machine washable."

What kind of shoes?

So, what are sock shoes? As the name suggests, they look like socks and feel like socks (I've actually worn them). However, they are actually shoes. What exactly makes them shoes? The secret lies in the soles of your feet

The soles are made of a special abrasion-resistant polyester polymer, making them thin yet strong and durable. In manufacturer tests, they even survived being stepped on with glass shards. They hardly wear out like rubber soles, have a strong grip, and are waterproof

You might be thinking, "If it's this sturdy, my feet will get sweaty..." It's true that the polymer part on the sole of your foot is strong, but it's not breathable. So you might feel a bit sweaty. However, the rest of the shoe is made of a unique knit material that is breathable and drains water well, making it comfortable to wear

After hearing all this, you'll definitely want to wear them! So I tried them out in a variety of situations

Main specifications

I actually tried wearing it

Immediately after descending the mountain

I climbed Mt. Takatsuma, where snow still remained, for about nine hours round trip, and after descending, I tried on Skinners with absolutely no physical or mental strength. It is in situations like these that they really show their true value. I returned to the car, took off my hiking boots (first refreshing here), put on ankle socks, and tried on Skinners

My impression was, "They're not shoes, they're completely socks... so comfortable (2nd refreshment)." The fit to my feet was so good, it was practically a sock. There was no tightness around my ankles or instep. The parking lot was covered with pebbles, so I decided to try walking around in them. I thought the soles of my feet would hurt, but it was like getting a foot massage. The stimulation felt so good (3rd refreshment), and even though my feet were completely exhausted, I ended up walking around the parking lot in circles

In the car, day trip to hot spring, service area, at home

I got into the car (passenger seat) wearing Skinners. I usually wear sandals or shoes without heels, so it felt like I was wearing nothing, which was quite a strange feeling. Because my feet were firmly fixed in place by hiking boots, the sense of freedom was similar to the feeling when I took off my underwear, and I really felt how easy it was to be free (4th refreshing)

I went to a day spa and wiped the soles of my feet before entering the facility to try them out. After bathing, I put them back on. I was relaxing, but I didn't notice the feeling of wearing them, and rather, I felt a sense of security, knowing that my feet were protected by socks-like shoes. Even after bathing, when my body was warm, I didn't feel any particular sweatiness

I got in the car on the way back and decided to stop at a service area for a break. I went to the toilet, but I felt uncomfortable wearing my Skinners, so I changed into sandals. I got back in the car, changed back into my Skinners, and finally arrived home

I was told that Skinners shoes can be washed in the washing machine (you have to turn them inside out and put them in a laundry net), but I was a little worried about washing them together with other laundry, so I decided to hand wash them in a bucket the next day

Jogging along the seaside

Next, I'll try jogging. Since this is my first time jogging in barefoot shoes, I'm wondering how the impact from the ground, which has previously been absorbed by the cushioning of my shoes, will affect my body, whether my soles will hurt, and whether my feet will tire easily

However, thinking about it too much won't get me anywhere, so I changed into my Skinners and 3, 2, 1, Go!

I started off on a hard patch of soil near the water's edge. I could feel the temperature, moisture, and softness of the soil directly on the soles of my feet. The feeling of running directly on the soil felt great. I hadn't been barefoot at the beach recently, so it felt fresh. I also ran on some watery areas after the waves had subsided, but the water didn't soak into my shoes and I was able to enjoy the slippery feel of the soil

I also try running in the sandy beach zone, made of seashells and coarse sand. My feet sink deep into the sand, making it harder to run than on the water's edge. I notice my calf muscles straining to somehow propel me forward. Next, my toes curl up, trying to grab the sand and maintain balance. I once again realize how my feet react so quickly to changes in the terrain

Other than that, stepping on a seashell didn't hurt, and stepping on a pebble actually felt good. I was able to feel the comfort of running in nature and the detailed movement of my own body, something I don't normally get when I run in jogging shoes

Concerns

What needs to be changed

They're so comfortable you'll want to wear them all the time, but you'll need to change into them when walking on concrete or other surfaces, and you might feel uncomfortable going to the toilet in them, so you should basically have a different pair of shoes with you

Resistant to washing in a washing machine

One of the conveniences is that they can be washed in the washing machine, but I'm a little hesitant to wash shoes worn outside with other clothes. However, I don't think there's any problem washing the Skinners on their own

Foreign objects in the shoes

Generally, they fit snugly to your feet, but depending on where you use them, sand or pebbles may get inside the shoes, so you will need to take them off each time to remove any debris

After running along the beach, I decided to play around on the shore by walking among the rocks and wading in the water. The grip on the soles made them less slippery than regular sandals, and because they covered my entire foot, I didn't have to worry about getting hurt by sharp objects or rocks. However, if I were to be greedy, I would have liked the mesh on the top of my foot to be quick-drying, so I would have felt more comfortable after coming out of the water

Summary: Perfect for relaxing after a hard climb. Recommended for outdoor activities where you can feel nature under your feet

As mentioned above, the pleasure of freeing your feet from hiking boots after hours of walking is amazing. You can feel the happiness of being able to spread your five toes freely, and the convenience and durability of being able to walk around in them without worry is worth a try. The compact size of just 80g per pair and 5cm when rolled up is also a must-have for hardcore trekkers

If you're tired of regular jogging, are new to barefoot shoes, or love playing in the water, try experiencing the temperature, humidity, and terrain of nature with your feet. You're sure to discover a new kind of comfort

Skinners is currently crowdfunding its new collection, "Athleisure." "Athleisure" is a combination of the English words athletic and leisure, and this model is slightly lower cut, making it suitable for users who want a lighter, more active feel

For more information about "Athleisure," here (Green Funding) For product details and inquiries, please also visit the SKINNERS official website

   

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