(Ad: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on the links and make a purchase. Thank you for your support! These shoes were kindly gifted to me by Ahinsa Shoes to review.)
As someone who does a lot of walking in the summer, my go-to footwear is usually a versatile black or white trainer. However, finding stylish shoes that are not only lightweight and flexible, but ethically produced can prove to be a bit of a challenge. So, I was incredibly excited when Ahinsa Shoes reached out to me with the opportunity to review their vegan barefoot white trainers β the Pura Comfort Sneakers!
About the Brand: Ahinsa Shoes
Based in the Czech Republic, Ahinsa Shoes and specialise in creating ethical, vegan barefoot shoes. Their products are lightweight, feature removable insoles, and are designed to fit the natural shape of the foot.
Why I love Ahinsa Shoes:
- Made with vegan-friendly materials
- Produced ethically in the Czech Republic and Croatia
- Lightweight and Flexible
- Developed to fit the natural contours of the foot
- Zero-drop design and Wide toe box
- Designed by physiotherapists
Vegan-friendly
One of the things that sets Ahinsa Shoes apart is the fact that their products are 100% vegan and made using cruelty-free materials. If you’re vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or avoiding animal products for any other reason, this is a major advantage of buying from Ahinsa; most other barefoot shoe companies I’ve seen use leather or animal-based glues to manufacture their products.
The CF+ (cruelty free) fabric they use is produced ethically in Europe, and was carefully selected by the company’s founder for its durability. It’s designed to be scratch resistant and waterproof, and has been tested for 200> chemical ingredients.
Designed by Physiotherapists
After realising that there were no shoes on the market that were both vegan and non-constricting, physiotherapist LukΓ‘Ε‘ Klimpera set out to create his own. Ahinsa Shoes are designed to provide a fit that aligns with the foot’s natural shape and offers plenty of flexibility for movement.
Ethically Made
Ahinsa Shoes are made ethically in the Czech Republic and Croatia. The workshop they collaborate with in Croatia is a family-run shoemaking business. You can read more about their manufacturing process on their website, it’s incredibly interesting!
Additionally, their working conditions have been reviewed by NaZemi, a Czech company who promote corporate responsibility.
My Review of Ahinsa Pura Comfort Sneakers
In 2020, before I started this blog, I saved up to purchase my first pair of barefoot shoes from Ahinsa Shoes. Five years later, those boots are still a staple in my wardrobe and get plenty of use every winter. I’m always a little sad when the warmer weather arrives and I have to switch to summer shoes. So, I’m very happy to be adding these trainers to my wardrobe!
These sleek, minimal trainers are so comfortable and easy to style. They have a wide toe box, zero-drop sole and soft, breathable faux leather. I received the ‘comfort’ option, which have a removable insole which gives flexibility with cushioning (providing extra padding or none at all).
Style: Barefoot White Trainers
As someone who lives in a rural area, I always look for shoes that are equally at home on woodland paths and in the town centre. These Pura Comfort Sneakers find that balance perfectly β they’re casual and comfortable, but can easily be dressed up with more feminine pieces like skirts.
I’m picky when it comes to barefoot shoes, but I love the look of these trainers. They donβt have a noticeable βbarefootβ look when compared to similar options offered by other brands, which I appreciate! They have a fuss-free, solid white design, with some subtle stitching that makes them look more like conventional shoes.
Flexibility
These trainers are highly flexible. Even with the βcomfortβ insole inserted, they move quite naturally with the movement of your feet. If you take the insole out, they offer plenty of ground feel and provide even more flexibility. I like having the option to add more padding if I feel like I need it. As you can see in the image below, they are incredibly flexible, allowing my feet plenty of movement!
Breathability
In my experience, most vegan leathers can feel a little stuffy, with restricted airflow. However, these trainers feel much closer to traditional leather. Ahinsa Shoes make their CF+ faux leather from microfiber mesh punctured by fine needles, designed to allow air to permeate the shoe. To me, this makes a huge difference to how comfortable the shoes are because of the humid summers we often have here in the UK.
Sizing
Ahinsa shoes have changed their sizing chart since I last purchased a pair of shoes from them. I recommend measuring your feet and comparing them to their sizing chart before you buy your trainers, as barefoot shoes fit a little differently to traditional shoes.
After remeasuring my feet, I found that I fell between two sizes and was unsure about which to choose. I emailed their team with my measurements, and they were extremely helpful in guiding me to the right shoe size. I opted for a size 38, the same as my previous pair. As someone who typically wears a UK 5 or 5 and Β½, I would be very excited if half sizes were an option in the future!
If, after you’ve received your shoes and tried them on, you discover the fit isn’t right, Ahinsa Shoes are able to change them for a different size or refund them if you follow their return policy.
Waterproofing
Rain or shine, you’ll always find me on a walk. So, having a shoe that can withstand lots of rainfall and puddles is important to me. The boots I previously purchased from Ahinsa Shoes have been through streams, snow, rockpools (you name it!) and are incredibly waterproof, so I was excited to see how these trainers compared.
It’s been the driest spring in more than a century here in the UK. So, because we’ve not had much rain, I decided to improvise and use a showerhead. They kept my feet completely dry from all angles. Of course, they are a fairly low-cut shoe, so I wouldn’t recommend wading in them, but they withstand a reasonable amount of water very well.
Overall, Iβm very pleased with these barefoot white trainers! Theyβre light, flexible, and comfortable. With a removable insole, these shoes can offer extra cushioning when you want it β or a thin, barefoot sole when you donβt. Plus, theyβre beautifully designed and so easy to style.
If youβre looking for a vegan-friendly, ethically-made barefoot alternative to a classic white trainer, I highly recommend Ahinsa Shoes Pura Comfort Sneakers.
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