Zeazoo let me youngest pick out a pair of shoes to review and he has loved them ever since. Check out below to see how the warm-lined Zeazoo Yeti Boots might work for your kids.
This is the 2nd of 3 pairs of kids’ shoes that Zeazoo sent to my boys for review.
- Kiwi Slippers – Full Review – Instagram Video Look
- Yeti Boots – Instagram Video Look
- Akita Dress/School Shoes – Instagram Look
I wanted him to have something warm, and Velcro instead of laced, but he picked out the color and adornment on his own.
Technical Specifications:
- Upper: waterproof leather, but with non-welded and non-taped seams, so not a waterproof shoe
- Lining: sheepskin fur with insulation and moisture absorption
- Closure: Velcro (laces available)
- Sole: 6 mm Vibram Superflex (a double-layer sole is available and advisable for areas with very cold winters)
Appearance:
The styling and stitching on these is moccasin-like, and you can purchase them with laces or velcro, and with a wide range of adornments based on your child’s (or your) preference. Zeazoo loves to customize!
I have no ‘wear’ pictures for these. If you’re wondering why…have you met a 3 year old? There you go.
Fit:
The leather on these is soft and flexible, giving you great fit at a variety of volume and ankle sizes. The velcro straps are very long, so you would have use of them at virtually any circumference, and we find them very generous for my kids’ bread feet as well. They are too long still (mom size oops) but even that extra length has left them with too-tight shoes in the past, which is not a problem here.
Sizing:
Zeazoo is the most detailed company when it comes to offering sizing advice. Check out their chart on any model for details of recommended lengths, usable inner lengths, and even to circumference. Use your child’s current measurements and add 12-17 mm to allow for toe movement and growth room.
Breaking in:
Like many handmade shoes, there is no break-in period. They are soft and ready to go immediately. They would likely stretch, as leather does, if your child’s foot completely fills them, but as they are still on the big side for him we haven’t noticed any of that.
How do they feel?
Soft, warm, cozy… those are all my words. My 3 year old just answers “Yes” when I ask if he likes them, wears them often, and calls them his “Star boots.” I find them extremely flexible and love all the barefoot boxes they check off for his growing feet.
What about toe spring?
Katja from Bosenogice recently pointed out the toe spring you can see here and showed how she tackled it by bending and banding the shoes back in the other direction. We haven’t done that yet because our pair is still a little oversized for him so he’s not dealing with it at this point, but I love the ingenuity and will do this if/when we have the same problem with toes being off the ground.
Cleaning:
Dry leather absorbs moisture, so you can either use a wax (which will darken your leather at least a little) or a cream to keep it moist, or you can use a spray to prevent water intrusion. Since these are made of a smooth leather, something that penetrates is usually best. I have used Otter Wax on other boots, but have not yet treated these. They’re quite easy to wipe off and haven’t picked up any stains. You can find links to leather care products here.
Zeazoo has a detailed care page here, which includes points such as avoiding water on the shoes to prevent dye loss as well as optional waterproofing ideas. It’s very likely that a good washing would also mean the need for restoring the color.
Shipping and Returns:
When you order from Zeazoo you may get an in-stock pair or get into the queue for a new production order. Once they ship, they will go DHL Express and arrive in just a few days.
Company Information:
Zeazoo is a well-established barefoot shoe company based in Bulgaria. They care greatly for natural foot development and are diligent about using a lot of natural materials and methods. In my experience with them, including ordering my own Dingo boots, I found them very responsive, helpful, and knowledgeable.
Get your own Zeazoo Yeti boots (models vary with retailers) in several ways:
Ours came directly from Zeazoo and were customized in-house. The current listing of Yeti models is here. Sometimes leather colors disappear, but Zeazoo’s heart is customization, so if there’s a color you want you should contact them and ask if it’s available. You can use the affiliate code OWBSHOES to save 5% on Zeazoo’s site.
Yeti is a popular model and is available on other retailers as well, such as PedTerra (OWBSHOES = 10% off first order) and 100 Barefoot Shoes (OWBSHOES = 10% off).
Final thoughts:
My son will loudly ask (demand) his STAR BOOTS! even when it’s warm outside. He loves the customization, the warmth, the softness, and flexibility. He’s never complained about them once, and this is a big deal for a 3 year old. I love all their barefoot features and that velcro means we’re not constantly dealing with laces.
Want more reviews?
Check out All the Barefoot Shoe Reviews for more in-depth looks.
Looking for Winter?
Take a look at this BIG list.
Love color?
Check out the other BIG lists here.