Hello, my name’s Andrew, and these are the Softstar Primal RunAmoc’s, the best extra-wide barefoot shoes for walk, hike, and run.

Features

Recently I reviewed the Softstar Dash RunAmoc, which is a lightweight barefoot shoe that’s great for anyone who wants a more traditional toebox.

But if you’re looking for less beauty and more beast, then you probably want to slip your barefoot claws into the Dash’s big brother: the Primal RunAmoc.

Upper

Because the Primal is handcrafted in Oregon with an extra-wide, foot-shaped toebox and a stretchy leather upper that moulds perfectly to your feet.

Up front there’s a wraparound toe guard with reinforcement panels on the side, plus heel padding and a soft suede lining for going barefoot.

Sole/Tread

Underneath my Primal’s have an ultra thin 2mm Vibram road sole that’s flexible in both directions.

But you can also swap it out for a 5mm hybrid sole for roads and trails, or a more aggressive 6mm sole for hardcore trekking.

Customization

Like the Softstar Dash RunAmoc you can customize everything about the Primal down to the leather, laces, and tread with thirty six different colors.

Also, I love that Softstar ships their shoes in an eco-friendly RePack pouch, because once you get your order all you have to do is flip out the return address and drop it in the mail, so it can be reused.

Testing

Having more narrow feet I was worried the Softstar Primal’s might be too wide, but the leather hugged my feet so well that they fit like a glove.

Running

Also, at 210 grams the Primal’s are some of the lightest barefoot shoes I own, and they’re so responsive you just want to take off running.

Doing sprints at the track the 2mm soles felt super springy, but they have very little tread, so they’re not the best for wet surfaces.

If you decide to get the 5mm or 6mm sole, then the Primal’s can work just as well for long trail runs, and the ribbed laces and stretchy leather create a better lockdown than any shoe I’ve ever worn.

Hiking

While the 2mm Vibram sole isn’t meant for trails it’s still extremely tough, and unlike most road treads it can actually stand up to hiking on rocks and gravel.

That said, I wasn’t used to the wider sole, so I had to catch a couple roots before my brain readjusted.

Walking

Another great use for the Softstar Primal’s is going on long walks, and like my Vibram’s they look so different that they’re always starting conversations.

Plus they’re so soft you can wear them barefoot, but if you want to keep them clean you can use a pair of thin Injinji merino toe socks.

Finally, the Primal’s are super cozy for cool and rainy days, but they can get hot above 75º, although you could probably ask Softstar for some custom perforation if you live in a hot climate.

Conclusion

Overall the Softstar Primal RunAmocs are a one of the most comfortable, unique, and versatile barefoot shoes I’ve even tried.

Pros/Cons

Because the extra-wide toebox and stretchy leather create a perfect balance of freedom and snugness, the three sole options can cover any terrain, and the customizable colors make for infinite possibilities.

However, the Primal’s definitely don’t look like a “normal” shoe, the extra width can take some getting used to, and the upper isn’t as breathable for hot weather.

Alternatives

In terms of similar barefoot shoes…

Resources

If you’d like to support the channel, you can shop with the referral links above/below, or watch my Zero-Drop Transition video to learn more about barefooting.

Finally, if you have a question about the Softstar Primal, or about barefoot shoes in general, let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading. Catch ya next time. Peace!