I came to this model on the recommendation of a friend who knew how much I wanted a slip-on. I happened to see the right size come up in a pre-loved pair and jumped on it. Pretty quickly after that, I bought more of them directly from Unshoes, and have worn them frequently ever since.
If you like easy to wear, casual looks, and natural fabrics – keep reading.
This review contains affiliate links which cost you nothing extra, but do return a portion to me if you decide to purchase a product from Unshoes through them.
Technical specifications:
- 100% hemp canvas outer
- 100% cotton liner
- 6 mm stack height
- Vibram sole
- Vegan construction
Appearance:
The closest main stream model to these are the Tom’s slip-ons that many adore. These are just as easy to wear, have a similar look, and work the same as a casual shoe for everyday use.
Opinions are mixed on whether the look is perfect or too casual. That probably depends on your shoe size and foot shape, as you may have more drape if you have more space inside the shoe than someone who fills it up completely. I notice some drop at the front, but to me that’s just par for the course in this style of shoe. If you’re after minimal material and restriction – you got it here!
Fit:
The stitch-down construction means that the shoes get a clean edge, but it also means that the sole width is not entirely usable by your feet. The material will stretch, giving you a bit more than the seam-to-seam width, but be aware of this if you are a super-splayer.
The shape of the shoes is foot-friendly, with a wide fore-foot for optimal foot health.
The heel area is soft and largely unstructured, meaning it can fit different widths well.
The instep has nice, sturdy elastic for a good hold and there is a lining under the opening to give you some structure. I haven’t found the elastic losing its shape, nor does it feel too tight on my high-volume feet while wearing without socks.
Sizing:
Unshoes has a detailed size chart on their website. My women’s 11.5 are recommended for a foot length of 27.2 cm and come in, at most, as 28 cm. This means that if you’re following the recommended 12 mm of extra space then you need to add another 1/2 cm on to their recommendations and this actually means I may undersized. I’ve had these about 6 months, before I even knew about the recommendations, so it’s interesting to know this now thanks to the Plus 12 device.
Breaking in:
First, there are no hot spots or rough areas on the upper that will bother you, so no worries there. The material comes firm, but not harsh.
However, the inside seam can really bother some people, especially at first, I find that I notice it when I first slip on the shoes and then it completely disappears as a sensation. On my most broken-in pair I don’t really even notice it when I put them on.
The material of these shoes, as mentioned, is a bit stiff at first, but it takes all of about a day for that to start changing. They soften and start molding to your feet quickly. Repeated wear will give you a really, really soft shoe that’s a pleasure to slip on your feet.
while the blue on the right is softer and completely broken-in.
How do they feel?
The Terra Vida’s thin sole and minimal upper make them feel light on your feet and give you great ground feel. It is one of the least restrictive shoes I’ve worn, but it is shape-dependent to some extent. The material is drapy and light, and the sole thin, but if the shape of your foot is dramatically different from the shape of this shoe, you may run into issues, or at the least more of a breaking-in period.
Cleaning:
Unshoes recommends hand washing, with machine wash on cold as a 2nd, less optimal method. Air dry to prevent any damage.
I have personally washed 2 of my pairs in the wash (no dryer). They come out flat and you think your feet are never going in there again. If you have low-volume feet, this is a great time to let them just dry that way. With high volume feet, though, I felt compelled to shape them. It’s up to you. The material will eventually mold to your feet either way.
Shipping and Returns:
Unshoes is easy with returns. I wasn’t able to keep a pair of Saffrons I tried (not enough volume – see the video look here or here) and the return was painless. I contacted them via the instructions on the website, set up the return, and had no problems. They do not refund shipping, nor pay return shipping for returned items. However, they do have free exchanges for sizing issues and are very nice in arranging any after-sale care.
Company Information:
Unshoes was born out of a desire to improve on outdoor sandals and are made in the USA, in Utah. It’s a small company dedicated to bringing “you simple, high quality minimal sport sandals and footwear made in the USA at an affordable price.” They don’t remain static, but look for ways to improve their footwear and offer moccasins, sandals, and these Terra Vida slip-ons.
Final thoughts:
These shoes are going to be best for medium volume and medium width feet. If you’re on the low end you may find them too loose, or require sizing down, which has the potential to reduce your toe room. If you’re high volume, they will fit, but you can have some twisting, with the midfoot hugging nicely but the other areas hanging loose in response.
I love them for their ease of wear and the potential to go with a wide range of outfits. They are so quick to slip on with dresses, shorts, leggings, or pants, and I have worn them many times over the last 6 months. I may size up in the future to better account for the width and length of my feet.
To get your own pair for $74, check out Unshoes website here. You can also see my original Insta Mini review, and check out a full-length video on IGTV or on YouTube.
I also have a mini-review of the Forager model from Unshoes and you can check out all my reviews at All the Barefoot Shoe Reviews.
