Hands-down, one of the best ballerina-style shoes you can get in barefoot shoes is from Softstar Shoes. I’ve had several pairs that I bought over the last 2 years (they do an amazing clearance sale 2x a year and one just ended), but now they’ve released a new version with several improvements that enhance their durability and their barefoot shoes-cred.
Disclaimer: The 2 new pairs shown and described below were sent to me from Softstar Shoes for review. Any other referenced pairs were purchased. If you use one of the links in this review to make a purchase from Softstar then a small portion will be returned to me in support of this blog and reviews like this.
You can also check out my previous review for the Primal Merry Jane for additional information.
Sections
Company Information
Softstar Shoes‘ focus is on making “minimal shoes for happy, healthy feet.” Note, they don’t call themselves a barefoot shoes brand for the most part, but hint at it under the Why Minimalist Shoes? link in the drop-down menu. However, you can get some majorly foot-friendly options here that are zero drop and wide, especially in the Primal lines like the MJ I reviewed before. They never use heels, customize, to a point, many of their offerings, and offer above-and-beyond support to help you get a good fit from the start.
Technical Specifications
- Model: Ballerine
- Upper: Leather (wide range of options)
- Lining: None
- Midsole: Not one (ish) but there is one piece of cloth that attaches the upper
- Insole: Suede with Ortholite padding underneath
- Outsole: 4 mm Vibram Cherry
- Sizes: 5U-12U (Softstar’s sizing, based on men’s – about 6-13 in women’s sizes)
- Handmade in Oregon, USA
Appearance
Note on pictures of black shoes – black leather can be highly reflective. The sole material can be too. They are deep black, but in some images, especially where the goal is to show detail, they may look grey. It’s just light reflection.
The look of the Ballerine from Softstar Shoes is a classic ballet flat with an understated shape that does not draw any kind of ‘barefoot shoes attention’ if that is a concern for you. One of my pairs is the most classic flat you can get: black.
Of course, you can also have a LOT of fun with them, such as the other pair I have in hot pink.
Most pairs look just like this, though there may be some variation in the toe box shape in sizes. Mine looks somewhat pointed but doesn’t affect my fit/comfort (more about that below) while others may look more rounded. Leather is very pliable, especially in a handmade shoe like this without any kind of edging or a hard reinforcement that keeps the toe box locked in shape.
One customization you can request is a sports closure for more security, which is made of an elastic material and is shaped like a sideways V with a metal piece that can change the tension. It looks like the V of the Primal Merry Jane, but not out of leather. This is a customization they recommend if you pick a Wide version of the shoes, something I hope to try in the future.
Whatever way you go with yours, you can slot them into all kinds of wardrobe options, like:
or on a different day with different sun and clothes:
I love color, but you can’t beat the classic black flats for a wardrobe staple:
Fit and Sizing
I’m combining my 2 sections in this review because it’s hard to separate them.
The fit of the Softstar Shoes Ballerine can be customized with either the regular or wide versions. The wides are quite wide, which is why they recommend the extra security of the Sport closure (an extra charge of $15). Both of my pairs are regular in size 11U. I have just enough width on the sole and an internal length of 28cm – exactly what I target in shoes. If/when I try a wide in the future, I’ll probably do it in a 10U because you don’t necessarily need all 12 mm in leather shoes like this as they will stretch anywhere they are under pressure and if you start too loose, then you can end up with a shoe that is not secure.
To size, there is a measuring guide and printable template below the description on any product page. Use, it, but there are some caveats here.
First, as mentioned above, you may want to adjust your sizing up or down when you considering between the regular and wide versions.
Second, the leather fits very differently, and even the same leather you can have a different fit if you get a stretchier part of the hide. Softstar can actually help you with this. They’ll also pre-stretch leather. If in doubt, ask. If you’re international, definitely ask.
My experience is that the black pair, which has a thicker/firmer leather, was *very* tight at the start. It hurt my pinky toes. I knew it would stretch, but it took some stretching, some wearing, and some more stretching. My feet are higher volume, so a very flat foot with the same width may not have that experience but know that the thicker leathers can feel this way at first.
Softstar also sent me the pink pair, which is out of a completely different-feeling leather, and is very stretchy. Instant comfort. However, with some wear and testing, I came to realize that in this super-stretchy leather, I have more length than I need and could easily drop down a size. It’s a completely different feel.
I would love for Softstar to have some way to make this clear because the fit is SO different with some wear. I understand why they can’t, because they can have 1 hide in front of them and different parts of it can have different thicknesses or stretch so they can’t say that all the black shoes will feel tighter or all the pink ones will feel looser, but I wish there was a checkbox on their page that included something like “want a stretchier/roomier fit, check here.” I recommend that you have a conversation with them via email if in doubt. I honestly had no idea about this until now, because all my older pairs felt pretty similar as they were all thicker leather.
One other thing I’d love is for it to always be easy to match the trim to the leather completely. I love the accent on the pink shoes for a pop and fun flair, but a lot of times ballet flats are intended to be understated and/or professional, and a complete match is what people expect. These choices change, so I’m guessing there are material supply reasons for what they have and they don’t, but that would be my preference as this affects both the edge of the opening and the back of the heel, and can be challenging to match if you want a solid look.
Lastly, be aware that the shape of the sole on these is not particularly foot-shaped, especially for those with more square feet. You can get that inverted triangle shape in any shoes marked Primal where they are VERY much shaped like a completely natural foot with the toes as the widest point. These are much more heavily sloped and if you are square-ish you would probably want to err on the side of a size up and/or wide model, and accept some extra space in front of your first 1-3 toes because exactly where your feet sit in the shoes makes a difference. I am not square, but rounded, and have pretty much this fit.
What changed?
Softstar Shoes revamped their pattern to improve several areas, including easing in material to the toe box to give it a more generous fit. They also changed the angle of the heel. If you tried their previous ballerines but felt like your feet were being pushed forward, know that they completely corrected that into a less angled back and it works as intended.
The best change, hands-down, is the addition of the heel wrap and the overall tighter feeling of the material there. In the older version, the shoes could be prone to drooping at the back and even dragging, but they have completely fixed this with the addition of the small wrap and other heel changes. Note: the wrap is not made of leather.
As I mentioned above, in my size 11Us the toe box looks pointed, moreso than it does in my older pairs. As indicated, it does not impact my feel in the shoes, but it does look more mainstream than I’d like and I’d prefer it not put anyone off based on looks alone.
How do they feel?
I may rehash Fit and Sizing here, but the fit can vary with the leather, as I mentioned, and you may find the fit more snug than many barefoot shoes options you’re used to, especially if you’re in the regular and on the edge of being one size in wide, or a size up in regular like I am. There’s a lot of variation in shoes that are a) handmade and b) almost entirely leather. Like our own skin, leather is pliable. It will stretch and conform. They necessarily cannot be loose or you’ll run into a completely different problem of shoes that are not secure on your feet.
My experience in the stretchier pink was one of zero break-in period. No discomfort, no tightness, nothing. In the black was the opposite – tight, especially on my pinkie toe, and stretching/better fit over time.
The insole of these is probably my favorite of any shoes. They have a good level of cushion (not too much or too little) and the suede feels wonderful under your feet.
Of course, they’re also extremely flexible and easy to roll and twist any way you like, meaning your feet won’t fight them to move naturally.
Cleaning and Care
On each product page, Softstar Shoes has provided a Care section that has links for the different types of leathers and how to properly care for them. Ballerines are mostly under the Full Grain section, though there are a few suede accent options you can choose for the heel of your shoes.
Purchasing, Shipping, and Returns
The base price of the Softstar Shoes Ballerine is $155 in their base collection colors. These do change over time, but currently include both of the models you see here, plus Navy, Latte, and a multi-tone Chocolate / Aged Acorn look. There is also a black with sports enclosure in the collection for $170.
If these options don’t tickle your fancy, you can hit the Customize Your Colors option below the collection, and get almost anything you want with, at this moment, 39 Body Color selections, 50 Heel Color options, and 20 Trim Color choices. Even the available Sports Closure comes in 10 different colors. Depending on your choices, custom options run between $175 and $200, which is still cheaper than the popular shoes with the green soles that are narrow and come to a middle point.
Shipping is free in the US or you can speed it up with a $5 charge. Internationally, anything over $100 is also free, or smaller orders are $10 to Canada and $12 to the rest of the world. New shoes can be returned if in good condition, but you will be responsible for return shipping and any international duties cannot be refunded.
You can save 15% if you’re a new customer with the code WELCOME (not affiliate).
Final Thoughts
Early on in my barefoot shoes journey, I set my sights on Softstar Shoes ballerines as #shoegoals and I have already had almost a year in them before this new release. I did not find them disappointing before, but find the upgrades, especially at the heel, to be great. I think there could be some toe box adjustments to make sure it is foot-shaped at all sizes. These shoes are an investment, so if you have any questions or concerns, try to ask them first. They don’t want you to be unhappy or need to return/exchange, and are very helpful and knowledgeable. They know their process and their leathers and can advise you so you can get a long-lasting, quality pair of shoes.
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 break-downs?
Check out all the BIG lists here.
Great review. I really enjoy my Ballerine flats!
Thanks! Yes, they are great shoes 🙂