Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've just recently converted to wearing five fingers, and I must find a dress casual shoe to wear at work and other formal events that is as minimal as possible. I don't need (and can't really afford to buy) 100 dollar minimalist running shoes; I'll just be standing/walking in them. They just need to pass the 'business/dress casual' qualification.

A few suggestions from other questions on this site got me looking at Tom's shoes, but on their website it says there is an insole and arch support insert. Anyone know if this can be removed? I would love to support their cause, and I'll only really consider dropping more than 50 bucks because they have such a good cause. Their black cord and burlap classic shoes seem to fit what I would call business casual.

I've thought about just using slippers, but they have such little durability, and many still have thick soles. I appreciate any other suggestions.

flag	asked Feb 24 2012 at 0:22 kashperanto 499●2●10

	I've found them very narrow through the forefoot. – jj Feb 24 2012 at 6:56
	^^ Would ordering a size up possibly fix this? I read that many people have had to do so since they run small, but if it is a narrow shoe I might have to pass. – kashperanto Feb 24 2012 at 20:26
	No, I tried them in the store. My usual size was too narrow, the next size up still felt narrow and was too long. I have short wide duck feet though. – jj Feb 25 2012 at 0:33
	Your question is a bit old but I wanted to address the size issue. The canvas shoes will stretch. People online say to buy a size up but buying them from a shoe store I was told they will feel really tight at first, but will stretch out to the proper size. The folks at the shoe store were correct. After just a day or two they fit my feet perfectly. Also avoid the old style burlap with the burlap back, because it will burst after a short while. The new burlap style has canvas in the back for reinforcement. Half a size up for burlap because it does not stretch like canvas. – jrrader May 31 2012 at 20:47
	Thanks, I welcome new information in old posts. I ended up going with Vivobarefoot Ra black leather shoes because I can get away with them in both casual and formal attire. They are MUCH more expensive, but worth every penny. I did do the barefoot day on campus, though. I used it as an excuse to go barefoot more than to support Toms, though. – kashperanto Jun 6 2012 at 2:46

j3wcy · Answer 1 · 2012-02-24 02:49:57Z UTC

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You might want to check out Vivos. They're a bit pricey but they are the most passable shoe I can find for your purposes. http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/ra-40.html Personally, I have to wear a suit to work and haven't found anything I can quite pull of with that, but I think these would do for a business causal workplace just fine.

answered Feb 24 2012 at 2:49

j3wcy
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Those do look very nice, but $130.00 is quite a lot. I think that the Run Amoks from Soft Star would be passable, but they are also around $100. – kashperanto Feb 24 2012 at 20:25

I know what you mean, I've held off buying a pair because of the cost. Although I have to admit if I could wear them to work I would definitely have a pair or two. It seems expensive but I think they would last well and if you're on your feet 8-10 hours a day in them, it's well worth the cost. – j3wcy Feb 24 2012 at 21:08

Also this is kind of an aside, but I do have a pair of these for just casual wear and I absolutely love them stemfootwear.com – j3wcy Feb 24 2012 at 21:10

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And for what it's worth, if I were your boss and you showed up in Toms at a business casual workplace I would send you home. For reference I think of business causal as slacks and an button down. – j3wcy Feb 24 2012 at 21:16

I have some Stems too and I love them. Word has it the company is working on a black version with black sole, if they ever make those they'd work decent in most offices. – jj Feb 25 2012 at 0:34

Cave Tomboy · Answer 2 · 2012-02-24 13:12:20Z UTC

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TOMs are grossly overpriced. You can buy the same shoes in Chinatown for $5. And they're cause is not great, IMHO. "Poor" people don't need overpriced pieces of canvas to cover their feet anymore than rich people do.

answered Feb 24 2012 at 13:12

Cave Tomboy
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	One of their main reasons for providing shoes is in prevention of soil-borne diseases that can be picked up through bare feet. Granted I would not want to be giving tennis shoes to someone in need, but I read these are very minimal (hence my consideration). Any brands or 'offbrands' that are similar to Toms? I don't know of a chinatown near me. – kashperanto Feb 24 2012 at 20:23
	False reason. You don't prevent soil-borne diseases by shoes, you prevent them by not walking in feces or putting feces where people walk. – Cave Tomboy Feb 28 2012 at 13:28
	natashascafe.com/html/shoesnhats.html – Dragonfly May 28 2012 at 15:24
	OMG Toms are sooo narrow. Anyway a good thing to try for the OP are driving loafers. – GurlzLuvSteak May 28 2012 at 16:16

Sunshine · Answer 3 · 2012-02-24 02:03:51Z UTC

I love my toms. I want to marry them. I work out in them, and I can wear them with my dressier casual clothing as well. Though they support me in many aspect of my daily activities, their built in insole actually does not provide much "support", if at all. I find them super minimalistic in construction.

i <3 tom(s)

Kelly · Answer 4 · 2012-02-24 03:27:16Z UTC

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Toms have the description of the insole, but honestly there is no support in the shoe. But, they are extremely comfortable, light, and go with anything. I would say give them a try, because they really act like a minimal shoe.

answered Feb 24 2012 at 3:27

Kelly
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jlharmon · Answer 5 · 2012-02-24 02:12:46Z UTC

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After an extremely rainy day and soaking my TOMS in yucky sewer water I machine washed and dried them and afterwards the insole easily slipped out...maybe that's your answer? ;)

answered Feb 24 2012 at 2:12

jlharmon
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I'll have to keep that in mind if I find the support to be too much. – kashperanto Feb 24 2012 at 20:25

Faky McFakerson · Answer 6 · 2012-02-24 23:13:59Z UTC

I actually found some $50 dr scholl's minimalist shoes at dsw. They're women's and meant to look converse-like, but serve me well for casual Fridays and out-running-errands. They have a bit of a gel insert, which I don't mind because i'm mostly on concrete or tile, but its removable. I'm not sure if they have a wear-to-work/dressy version, but it might be worth checking out their website.

upere · Answer 7 · 2013-01-11 08:05:30Z UTC

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Tom's shoes is quite a good choice. As for me, I often wear this kind of shoes for wearing at work and other formal events. http://www.upere.com/upere-wedge-sneakers-c-1.html

answered Jan 11 at 8:05

upere

Do Tom’s shoes work well as minimal dress casual shoes?

7 Answers