Lems is an exciting barefoot brand that has been winning hearts for just over a decade now.
Their shoes are built on a wide, flat, and flexible platform, which is ideal for the foot to extend, bend, and spread to its natural state.
If you’re here chances are you want to know how Lems shoes are priced, what activities they’re good for, or if they’re for you or not.
In this review, I am going to answer all of your queries and doubts, and elaborate on its top-selling footwear, customer ratings, and more to help you decide if the shoes live up to the hype. Let’s begin
Overview of Lems Shoes:
Andrew Rademacher, the founder of Lems, completed his hunt for shoes that fit the foot’s natural structure in 2008.
Andrew chose to master the art and science of shoemaking in his manner, beginning by analyzing his favorite running shoes and removing the excess, unnecessary materials.
He studied shoe fitting, final construction, and pattern manufacturing so he could make shoes that fit better than any others on the market.
Andrew began to realize shoes should conform to the shape of the human foot, rather than the other way around. This meant that a shoe’s forefoot and toes should be the widest, yet allowing for complete flexibility and free movement.
After three years of research, countless hours of design, and dozens of prototypes, it finally paid off. Lems released its first product “the Primal”, which came out in September 2011.
Even though the company has come a long way since that first design, Andrew still studies his art and stays true to his mission of making shoes that fit your feet naturally and let them move the way nature intended.
They began with the Primal and have continued to impress us with their broad, zero-drop models, including the Primal 2, the Boulder Boot, the Mid, the Chukka, and the Nine2Five.
Where Are Lems Shoes Made?
The shoes are designed in-house in Boulder, made in a factory in China, and sent to their warehouse in North Carolina, and from there the orders are sent out.
Lems Primal 2 Review:
The Lems Primal 2 is one of their most popular shoes for everyday and casual wear. These shoes are good for both men and women who want a model for casual wear that fits and feels barefoot.
These shoes can be a great first barefoot shoe for people who want to try them out. Its wide toe box, natural shape, and minimalist design, which was inspired by running shoes, make it perfect for any daily task on your schedule.
The outsole with no drop will help you feel more grounded. Also, the 6.9-ounce frame is light and keeps your feet from getting tired while you work, so you won’t hurt your knees, ankles, or lower back.
The materials are vegan-friendly and very soft, and they let the foot move.
Whether you stand all day at work, go for a long walk, or run errands, the Primal 2 should be your “go-to” shoes.
You can get this pair of shoes in 5 colors slate, olive, black, eclipse, and brown for 110$.
Lems Chillum Review:
Chillum is a sneaker for lacing up, moving around town, and enjoying a trip with friends. This is the first shoe by Lems to use wool. Multiple materials were used to give texture, breathability, durability, and optimal comfort.
These unisex shoes are lightweight, zero-drop with a wide toe box, and have good flexibility, and come in five different exciting colors including varsity blue, vanilla, spruce, and Blackjack.
The front of most of the colorways is canvas and the back is wool, note that vanilla does not include wool. Varsity Blue, Spruce, and Vanilla all have a suede accent on the outsole.
Blackjack, on the other hand, has a vegan microfiber lining for those who want a more eco-friendly option.
They have added a cork layer footbed that you can take out if you need more room to move or leave in if you want a little extra cushioning.
You can get these comfy shoes for $115.
Lems Trailhead Shoes Review:
If you’re in search of minimalist hiking unisex shoes that can handle any environment, go only to the Trailhead.
These lightweight trail shoes are made of microfiber and air mesh and have a full-length rubber outsole.
The color options for both men and women include Mercury Sunset, Sequoia, and Onyx, while men’s shoe colors have four more options which are Desert Khaki, Moonlight Moss, Stormy Night, and Sage.
For women, the Trailhead runs narrow and is not a good choice if you have wide feet.
It will keep you pushing your limits with its natural-shaped toe box, minimal heel drop, and lightweight design.
Whether you’re climbing, traveling, or going from one place to another. The Trailhead will take you out of your everyday life and into a new one.
This 100% vegan hiking shoe is made for the trail but also looks good in the city, also note that Mercury Sunset and Desert Khaki are not vegan. These shoes will be good for all of your moves and retail for $140.
Lems Primal Zen Review:
The Primal Zen is a unisex basic vegan shoe featuring a softer insole and a wider, more stable sole.
The IBR outsole is all-new, and it features a base that conforms to the curve of the foot for a customized fit and excellent protection.
This very lightweight, minimalist sneaker is perfect for kicking around town, and it offers a wider outsole and a little extra cushioning without adding too much bulk.
The upper is made from air mesh and microfiber, which let air circulate freely, resulting in a cool, comfortable environment for your feet.
The sole is extended by 2 millimeters to make them more comfortable and to increase their protection and longevity.
The Primal Zen’s sleek design has a tongue that is attached so that it won’t move around and a set of laces that stretch just enough to ensure a snug yet comfortable fit across the top of your foot.
The cork in the footbed will keep your feet cool and dry whether you wear socks or not.
This shoe is so well-made that you’ll swear you’re not even wearing them. You can have these unisex shoes in three colors Woodland, Asphalt, and Island for $120.
Lems Boulder Boots Review:
These original Boulder Boots have been the most lightweight. This ultimate outdoor boot has a breathable outsole, a wide toe box, and a zero-drop.
These Boulder boots have five variants which are Nylon, Mid Vegan, Mid Leather, Leather, and Waterproof for both men and women.
By adding a very thin (0.8 mm) layer of cork to the top, your foot will feel naturally cool and comfy with or without socks.
Cork also molds to the shape of your foot, making it the best possible fit, also it is completely sustainable, which is great because Lems is all about being as eco-friendly as possible.
The Nylon Boulder boot’s composition of 1200 denier nylon, leather trim, and IBR outsole which enables it to compress to a very small size.
Pinecone (Vegan), Timber, Navy Stout, and Black (Vegan) colors are available in these unisex shoes for 135$. If you’re ready for a 9oz boot that can fit into the smallest backpacks and carry you on the farthest travels, then it’s for you.
In Mid leather boulder, they cut a little off the top and added a dark brown 3D polyester mesh to make them more comfortable and breathable.
The shoe color available is “Umber” and available for 145$. I want to clarify and warn you that these are not waterproof.
The Mid Vegan Boulder Boots are available in two colors Military Green and Jet Black, for $125.
The Leather boulder boots are great for hiking and have an upper made entirely of full-grain leather, making them great for travel and adventure. The color available in this variant is russet and costs $160.
Lems has added a special waterproof membrane in their Waterproof Boulder boots and these shoes will still only weigh 12.9 oz.
They made everything stronger from a thicker gauge thread to an overall stronger outer construction, this is their toughest pair.
Boots with a breathable waterproof membrane that stops water from getting in but still lets your feet’s heat escape. This keeps your feet from getting cold and wet even when it’s raining or snowing.
Weathered Umber and Shadow colors are available and retail for $175.
Lems Mesa Shoes Review:
Next, I will review is Lems Mesa Unisex Shoes which feels more like a sock than anything else. It is perfect for yoga, hiking, and the gym because it is made of lightweight materials and has a very flexible fit.
It is made of 100% vegan materials and is easy to wear because of the way it fits. The upper of the Mesa is made of a knit material that is flexible and lets air flow well.
The mesh makes your feet breathe and reduces foot funk. If you step in a stream, in watery areas, or the rain, the materials dry quickly.
The natural foot shape keeps you feeling good, the 4mm drop platform keeps you balanced, and the full rubber outsole keeps you on the ground.
These shoes are available in different colors like Artic Blue, glacier, and carbon colors for both men and women. Also, Rosewood and Lunar colors are available for women whereas Safari X Huck, Pewter, and Coastal are exclusively available for men only.
Lems Shoe Reviews: What do customers think?
The review score for Lems Shoes is based on user ratings, brand recognition, price competitiveness, and the quantity and quality of features provided to customers.
Most of the shoes on their official website got many positive reviews with an estimated rating of an average of 4.8 stars.
On their Facebook based on the opinion of 132, the shoes have 3.8/5 stars, this rating is based on the number of people who recommend or do not suggest this Page as well as any previous ratings and reviews it may have received.
On TrustPilot these shoes did not get a very good or positive response, most of them have issues with customer service, sizes, and quality of their shoes with an average of 2.2 stars rating.
There are 67 reviews of Lems Shoes on Knoji, with an average score of 2.91 stars.
In a nutshell, Lems Shoes performs exceptionally well in comparison to other brands in the footwear business, offering twenty e-commerce features to improve customer service.
Lems shoe Size Guide:
Lem’s Men’s shoe size range between 3-15 US and for women 4.5 to 11 US sizes are available.
Foot length is also mentioned in the size chart, the range is from 20.4 to 30.8 cm, the brand recommends that customers should measure their feet to determine their shoe size.
Are Lems Shoes good?
Yes, all of their barefoot shoes are flat, flexible, and light. All of them feature a zero-drop shoe platform. Additionally, they are designed with a wide toe box and a naturally shaped fit.
Are Lems Shoes washable?
All Lems shoes are washable, If you want to hand wash their mesh or canvas shoes, use lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Also, use something like the Otter Wax Leather Care Kit to clean leather shoes. Leave your shoes out at room temperature to dry them, don’t place them in the heat.
Are Lems shoes comfortable?
These minimalist shoes don’t put any physical limits on the feet, so they can move on freely. The arch isn’t built up on the insole, but the outsole has a natural upward curve that follows the arch. Their shoes try to fit as many different types of feet as possible, but sometimes they just don’t.
Where to buy Lems shoes?
You can find Lem’s store near you by clicking here.
You can get all of their shoes on their official website https://www.lemsshoes.com/, also some of their collection is available on urbankitsupply.com, hackberry, BPRIMAL, and other retail stores.
FAQs
Lems Shoes Shipping:
The Lems company ship to many countries around the world. During the checkout process, there will be a dropdown menu with a list of the countries they ship to.
Customers from other countries may have to pay extra customs fees. The person who gets an international order is responsible for paying any duties, taxes, or other fees that are due.
For more information about duties, taxes, and items that can’t be brought into your country, you can contact their Customs office.
You can use Store Locator to find stores near you that may ship within your country so you don’t have to pay customs fees. Prices depend on how much each package weighs.
When your order ships, you’ll get an email with information on how to track it. The flat rate of delivery in the US is $5.95, it will take at least 24 hours for UPS to update your tracking information in their system.
Lems shoe Returns:
Within 60 days of the date you bought the shoes, you can return them to Lems for a full refund on the retail price, they will deduct $4.95 for the return shipping label.
They don’t do exchanges, so if you send something back, you’ll get your money back and then you can buy the right size.
Also note that shoes that have dirt, scuffs, scratches, or other signs of wear and tear when they are returned will not be refunded, exchanged, or credited and will be sent back to the customer.
Shoes that were bought on sale can be sent back for a refund. Shoes that are on clearance cannot be returned or exchanged.
Return shipping labels can only be used by people in the continental United States. If you are an international customer, fill out the form to request a return available on the website. Then, send your shoes back to them at the address listed in the automated return confirmation email. Keep in mind you will have to pay for the return.
Contact Information:
Email: support@lemsshoes.com
Phone: (844) 859-5367.
The live Chat option is also available during business hours only.
Conclusion
Lems has been an excellent barefoot brand since its debut in the industry. They’ve won thousands of loyal fans with their exciting shoes that do not only buy at Lems but also refer other people to buy shoes from them.
Considering their enormous fan support and comfortable shoes we can easily say that the brand is on a right track to compete with other top-level brands.
What are your thoughts on Lems Shoes? Share with us in the comments section below.
Meanwhile, you can also see this lems vs Vivobarefoot comparison to make an informed decision.