Technically this is the Peerko Rex, in the color Marin, but Rex Marin just rollllls off the tongue and here we are. If you want great barefoot shoes made in leather, cut elegantly, fitting a variety of insteps, and durable for long-term wear, then Peerko might just be the brand for you. Read on and find out for yourself.
Disclaimer: These were sent to me for review but I am not an affiliate of Peerko and all thoughts are my own. This blog is supported through affiliate purchases and you can see a full list of such relationships on the Discounts page here.
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Company Information
Peerko is a Czech brand founded in 2018 and are manufactured in family-owned workshops under ethical conditions in the EU. They aim to create minimalist shoes that are as beautiful as they are healthy, and they succeed time and again.
Technical Specifications
- Upper: Nubuck Leather
- Lining: Leather
- Insulation: Very light hidden felt
- Sizes: 37-45
- Colors: Marin (blue/grey and white), Gris (grey), Coal (black), and Red
- Heat-reflecting insoles available and currently are gifted with the shoes when purchased from Peerko
Appearance
Rex from Peerko are a leather high-top boost slash sneaker with quilted detail on the sides of the upper. The white sole and laces contrast the deep blue-grey upper and the zipper on the outside adds a nice detail and interest to the shoes.
I really like them like this:
But they will also work great with pants, either super casual or a little bit more dressy, thanks to the leather material and more upscale, elegant look than a typical sneaker and a little bit different than a traditional boot.
The color is grey and blue mixed together, so the color in pictures can go either way. There’s never ‘one’ way with color – sunlight and shadow alone will instantly change the look of every pair of shoes. (This is a soapbox issue for me, can you tell?) And with multi-tone shoes especially, if you were one of the colors, you’re going to make the shoes look more like the other color, as with the blue dress above that makes the shoes, in turn, look very grey.
Fit
I have wide ankles and calves, wide heels, and a high instep, and in all of these areas Rex works great. They’re designed for average everywhere (and I might find the heels snug with socks on), but the adjustable cut can flex very well to close down on narrow ankles or expand for larger ones and the same is true for the instep. The zipper then allows for easy access.
Where I run into trouble is the width. While they have plenty of space in the shoes in general, the actual toebox width is more of a medium level and while other Peerko models allow more flex, the extra strip around the toe box of these and the lower level of the side panels means they cannot do that as easily. My toes naturally fan out a bit, and my feet have widened some over my years in barefoot shoes, and these just don’t cut it in width as much as I’d personally like and should have for my feet.
A look at Go and Rex:
Same company and same sole, but different construction at the toe box in most every way, and Go is lined. Check out the full Go review for more details on this awesome combat boot look.
Sizing
Sizing is easy with Peerko as they give you both length and width in their sizing chart, though the labels are reversed:
Using my Plus 12 device, I get 28 cm internal length in size 43, which is close enough to say that you should be able to trust the chart. Measure your feet, add extra space for good toe movement (I advocate for 12 mm as a baseline) and find the corresponding size. For most people, this should be your normal EU size.
How do they feel?
Peerko uses a lot of leather and it gives the shoes an upscale feel, whichever model you pick. These Rex are leather inside and out, with a very slight insulation in them, so be prepared to add available insoles and/or warm socks if you’re looking to wear these in the chill.
The soles are flexible as we want:
And remember that this needs to be exaggerated beyond what a foot can do. If we could only move it to the level your foot can move, then that means your foot would either a) have to fight it or b) compensate with a different movement. Barefoot shoes should ‘get in the way’ as little as possible, with no stiffening in any direction.
There is no breaking in on these shoes and they will not stretch much, if at all, like the softer leather of Go, Frost, or Empire. This plays into the Fit points I made above.
Cleaning and Care
Peerko Rex is made of leather, and protecting your shoes right out of the gate is a great idea. I would recommend a spray, and there are several options here. Protecting your leather shoes will keep them from drying out, which minimizes their tendency to absorb water and stains.
As far as actual cleaning goes, gentle brushing or a damp cloth will handle most things and they should not be soaked, machine washed, or mechanically dried. Keep them away from direct heat sources like radiators too, to prevent damage to the glue.
Check out the full tips from Peerko here.
Purchasing, Shipping, and Returns
Peerko has a wide range of international shipping options, including directly to the US, from their website. With DHL shipping they come out to about $195 USD shipped. Returns and exchanges are accepted within the EU only at this time.
They also partner with retailers around the world and you can check the full list here. Some of my favorites are PedTerra for the US (these specifically aren’t listed, but it never hurts to check them as inventory changes with the seasons, and you can save 10% with my code OWBSHOES if you’re new to them). In Europe, check out Mugavik, and in the UK, Happy Little Soles.
Final Thoughts
I love the cut and fit of Peerko overall, and can enjoy my softer leather models with no toe reinforcement, but I find that my feet have spread since I first experienced the brand, and I can only *just* wear them now, and only without socks. And by just I don’t mean that my toes are actually crunched, but that they can’t splay their natural way, especially in models like Rex and the low-cut Street model that has a similar toe box. They’re best for medium width feet (not me), and a variety of insteps.
I don’t like saying that, because Peerko has always been a favorite of mine, and I will continue wearing the ones I have. If you’re like me, check out all-leather options like Go for more stretch-ability. If you have a medium width, enjoy them all. If these fit my width better I’d probably have already bought the all-red version.
Check out my brand feature page here because I will always be a fan as they continue to grow and expand, whether I can wear all the models or not.
Want more reviews?
Check out All the Barefoot Shoe Reviews for more in-depth looks.
Want to check out other lists, such as color and type breakdowns?
Check out all the BIG lists here.
