Safety Boots

The Determination Safety Boots are made with goodyear welt construction, and can be resoled by anyone with the right sewing machine, or handsewing skills. We do not sell replacements of our stock outsole.

We recommend resoling your Determination with the Vibram 1276 Sierra, as it's zero-drop, has a ladder groove, and a versatile tread design that works both on-road and off-road. However, at 9.6mm thick, 1276 Sierra will be less flexible than our stock outsole at 8mm. If you prefer something more flexible, consider the 5mm thick Vibram 8870 Newflex, but be aware it has lower performance off-road than the 1276 Sierra because it has shorter lugs.

As for a resole provider, your best bet would be to find a well-reviewed local cobbler on Google Maps. If a local option is not available, Nushoe.com is a mail-in provider that a lot of brands work with. They mostly have good reviews, but also a lot of 1-stars, so buyer beware. We are not a partner brand, and we don't have any personal experience with them.

Dress Shoes & Dress Boots

For our dress shoes and boots, we had a resole program at the company's inception in 2013, but we discontinued it in 2018. The process took a couple weeks, cost our US customers around $140 after shipping, and even more for international customers plus potential customs duties. This is probably why, for the 5 years that it was available, only 2 customers a year took advantage of the resole option. Everyone opted to simply buy a new pair instead. 

Most shoes cannot be resoled at most local shoe stores, and unfortunately our shoes are like that too. Resole jobs often require specialized equipment. A cement construction shoe like ours requires our proprietary last (a plastic mold around which the shoe is made). Stitched constructions, such as goodyear welt, blake, and stitchdown, require a heavy-duty sewing machine. The only types of resoles that any and all local shoe repairs can do, are for shoes that have a midsole that's glued to an outsole. With these, they can cut off the old outsole from the midsole, and glue a new outsole to the midsole.

The purpose of the resole program was to extend the life and value of the shoes to you, and to reduce waste in the world. We developed our next generation of shoes, the AURELIUS collection, with those principles in mind. It features a new outsole made of thermal polyurethane (TPU), instead of the polyurethane (PU) we've used up until now. Compared to PU, TPU is 42% more abrasion resistant. TPU also has aesthetic advantages over PU, and we've taken advantage of those to create an outsole that looks a lot like a traditional goodyear welted stacked leather sole. 

It makes sense to be concerned about these stitches being exposed to the ground, where they can be worn away with friction. However, we feel like this is the better decision compared to what other shoemakers are doing. 

With Goodyear Welt construction and other stitched constructions, you have the option of A) stitching the welt and the midsole together and only gluing the midsole to the outsole, or B) stitching the welt, the midsole, and the outsole altogether.

Option A, which is what brands such as Gaucho Ninja or Jim Green do, has a cleaner look without the stitches exposed underneath. It also makes resoling a bit easier, as someone only needs to slice off the old outsole, and glue on a new one. However, the bond between midsole and outsole is not as strong if we only use glue and no stitches.

Option B, which is what we did with the Determination, doesn’t look as clean underneath, but it’s under the boot where no one sees, and it’s a work boot where a polished appearance doesn’t matter as much. Since this is a certified safety boot, we'd rather have the extra security of stitching through the outsole as well. Even if the bottom of some threads wear out, we still have the rest of the stitch, as well as all the other stitches, holding the outsole. This decision should make our boots more durable and last longer for our customers. 

We felt confident that this is the best barefoot safety boot in existence, with a more secure outsole than any barefoot boot we know of, so we decided to go ahead and launch it with the 2nd best possible construction method. We are working on a new version that both looks better and has the security of the stitching.

Elastic laces are awesome, but if you want to have the "slip on" function, it will only work with fewer eyelets. Elastic laces work really well with styles like chukkas, which only have 2 or 3 rows of eyelets. The 5 rows of eyelets we have on the Oxfords is probably the most you can get away with. With the Ares Boot, at 6 rows of eyelets, spaced further apart, there's just too much tension to overcome to make them function as "slip-on". That's why we don't offer elastic laces for boots.

You might have noticed in various reviews that people are using the Determination in soft ground with no issues. The reason why we don't promote them as field-friendly is because we wanted to err on the side of safety and protect our customers.

What we wanted to avoid is that we promote them as field friendly (and get more sales that way) but someone gets hurt doing field work while wearing our boots. We'd rather lose sales and put our customers' safety first.

We're super glad it's working for a lot of people working on farms/fields, and if folks want to buy based on other customer's recommendations! However, it's not something we want to promote as a company without extensive farm/field specific testing and design.

“Toe Cleavage” refers to the gaps between your toes, made visible in shoes with a low-cut vamp. When it comes to pumps, this is probably the most polarizing feature. Some women love it because they find it cute and sexy. Other women hate it because they find it unattractive and inappropriate. 

Since the experts were divided, I decided to ask you, our audience, about it in a survey last year. While we found an equal 12% at either extreme (love vs hate), the majority of respondents said “it depends”: on the shoe’s style, on how much cleavage is shown, and on what setting they’re in.

In the end, I wanted our first women’s pump to be very versatile. So I designed the Artemis to have little-to-no toe cleavage for most women. However, if you have long toes, there could still be toe cleavage for you.

Our Ares Dress Boots will hold up as well as similarly styled leather boots, such as Red Wing Iron Rangers, Wolverine 1000 Mile, Thursday Boots, Viberg Service Boots, etc. Actually, the Ares might do a bit better than the others, because it has a gusseted tongue, which will provide more protection than the others' loose tongues.

But if you want surefire performance in extreme conditions, go with something that's rated waterproof!

Our shoe manufacturer pays above market wages and factory workers have a good working environment.

As a bonus, they’re in the midst of getting certified for being a corporation that follows social responsibility standards. This includes requirements such as: social security benefits, overtime pay, holiday minimums, safety and hygiene guarantees, and of course no forced/minor labor. 

Anecdotally, during my visits, the mood here was noticeably happier than the Wisconsin factory I last worked with. We’ve never seen miserable-looking factory workers in any of our visits in the past 4 years of working with them. We do multiple walkthroughs of the factories during our visits and they’ve always looked and felt safe as well. 

We think this is because the owner, Miguel, deliberately tries to do the right thing and treat his employees/partners well. 

Finally, there’s also a lot of job security for factory workers in Mexico. You must have just cause to fire someone in Mexico, or else you owe them a minimum of 3 months severance pay. Here in the US, employment is “at will”, so you can be fired for no reason at all.  

Carets oxfords are made with Board-Lasted Cement construction, which sets them apart from most dress shoes and barefoot shoes.

Anglo-American style dress shoes are usually Goodyear Welt. Italian style dress shoes are usually Blake. Most barefoot shoes are Strobel, the typical construction for sneakers.

With these shoe construction methods, durability and flexibility are inversely related.

<-- more durable ---------------------------------- less durable -->

Goodyear Welt | Blake | Board Lasted Cement | Strobel

<-- less flexible ------------------------------------ more flexible -->

Given our positioning as the most dressy of barefoot shoes (or the most barefoot of dress shoes), we chose the construction method that best balances the structure and durability of dress shoes with the flexibility and lightness of barefoot shoes.

Another thing to consider is that Goodyear Welt and Blake construction don't allow us to use our patented hollow heel outsoles. 

You can learn more about footwear construction methods in this article: https://www.sneakerfactory.net/2015/12/shoe-construction/

Carets no longer includes complimentary shoe trees. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. We sell shoe trees on our site. You can also purchase them elsewhere, as most shoe trees will work with most shoes, and this is true of Carets as well. Just make sure you pick the right size!

The upgrade began when we found a new factory in Leon, Mexico, that specializes in stylish dress shoes. They immediately offered suggestions on how we could improve the upper pattern, and that proactive initiative is ultimately why we chose them as our manufacturing partner. Leon, Mexico is arguably the shoemaking capital of the world, and manufacturing there gave us access to many more options in materials (e.g. calfskin leather), accessories (e.g. custom shoe boxes), and services (lab testing), all of which enhance our customers' experience. Click for more >

Price is the most common hesitation people have before buying our shoes. There’s no getting around that - Carets are expensive. Our customers think they’re worth the price. Here’s why.

They believe that wearing barefoot shoes is one of the best ways to build and maintain strong feet. Our customers want a higher quality of life as they get older with their family.

They also believe that perception at work matters. When a coworker or worse, client, judges their shoes as conventionally “ugly”, it’s harder to be appreciated for their high quality work, to be respected as a leader, or to be taken seriously as a representative of their company.

Let me be clear - it’s not to say they can’t overcome these obstacles - our customers simply would prefer to spend their energy focused on working - not defending their lifestyle choices from people who will probably think they’re crazy. They believe this is a better use of their time than trying to regain lost credibility from a poor initial impression.

Unlike other barefoot shoes which are worn casually or for running, our customers believe that our shoes can actually impact your performance at work. They see Carets as an investment in their health and success.

If you think perception affects your performance at work, I’d encourage you to shop here. If not, here’s a few reviews talking about how people thought we were expensive, but worth it. The vast majority of our customers think they’re worth the price.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I came across Carets and found them to be nice but….. expensive. Finally, after wanting to end the torture of my dress shoes, I took the plunge and bought a pair. Best decision ever. They have changed my life and are the best investment in myself I've made in a while.” - Paul L.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I knew about Carets years ago but it took a while to get around spending $300+ for a pair of shoes. I'm glad I did though. They feel and look great! You really can't beat the styling and functionality of these shoes, at any price. - Efrem R.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "This is the first time I have purchased such an expensive shoe and feel confident it was a wise decision. I own several other brands of zero-drop shoes and these have by far the most professional appearance. I was shocked at first to see how narrow the shoes were, but it was an optical illusion. I am also able to use my correct-toes which I slightly modified. I stand all day at work in one spot and these are as comfortable as can be.” - Monty S.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ These shoes are expensive, but I just bought my second pair. These shoes are great for comfort and look very professional. All my other 0 drop shoes looked ridiculous. The material quality is top notch. - Ronald E.

Our finishing department applies a light coat of cream to your shoes, so you do not need to condition your shoes before first wear. You can apply cream or polish for additional shine to suit your personal taste. When your shoes begin to look dull, see our article Leather Care.

Background

As the Founder and Head of Design at Carets, I'm serious about 3 things for myself, and for you: 

1. Barefoot Biomechanics,
2. Looking like a Billion Bucks, and a
3. Luxury experience with Carets.

I did a full marathon completely barefoot (intentionally, no footwear whatsoever), and 2 Spartan Races mostly barefoot (unintentionally... I learned that sandals don't work well in muddy conditions). Growing up in an Asian household, I never wear shoes in the house. So I love and cannot do without the richness and intensity of Groundfeel, either. I get it. 

Carets Groundfeel, Stack Height, and Sole Thickness

Qualitatively, relative to some other brands you might know, we have less groundfeel than Vibram FiveFingers and Vivobarefoot, and about the same groundfeel as Lems. 

Quantitatively, the polyurethane (PU) outsole of our Classic Collection (Falcon, Fer, and Zetone) is 4.5 mm thick.

The thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) outsole of all our new Aurelius Collection (Apollo, Ares, Raptor) shoes is 3.5 mm thick. Above that, is some of the upper leather, wrapped under. Above that, is a thin layer of Poron performance cushioning. Finally, we have a layer of smooth full-grain leather upon which your foot nestles. In total, there is 8-9 mm of material between your foot and the floor. 

Optimizing Between Durability and Groundfeel

Durability and Groundfeel are inversely related, because they are both tied to the same variable: Sole Thickness. The thinner a sole, the more Groundfeel, but the less Durability.

Where is the optimal balance between Durability and Groundfeel, for the Primal Professional who wears Carets shoes? Compared to your $100 athletic shoe or your $200 casual shoe, the expectations for your $350 dress shoe are shifted more towards Durability than Groundfeel. 

Our shoes seem to be slip resistant in restaurant applications. Here is one of our very first reviews: https://carets.com/blogs/testimonials/41274436-chef-eric-nakata-42-corporate-chef

Our sole is very flat, so there is a lot of surface area touching the floor, creating a lot of friction, and thus reducing slip. 

From our Founder:

When I first started this company in 2010, I was a hardcore barefooter. Like, the kind that store employees would inform, "You have to wear shoes here next time, okay?". When I first designed our shoes, I was designing it for people like me, who wanted as close to barefoot as possible, all the time. Why bother including a removable footbed if nobody's going to use it, right?

This is why our Classic Collection shoes (Fer, Zetone, Falcon) don't have a removable footbed.

As time went on, I got to know shoes and feet better. For example, I learned that cushioning isn't inherently evil. Yes, an inch thick of EVA foam does throw off your posture, make your footing unstable, and cut off your sense of the ground.  But a thin layer of cushioning? Completely different story. When you're mostly walking on concrete, a thin layer of Poron insole (like we have now) is like walking on a portable plot of earth. 

I also got to know our customers better. I learned that feet come in so many shapes and sizes and capabilities. Barefoot is great for most people, but some people do better with arch support. Most barefooters have wide feet, but not all, and a removable footbed provides more options for a great fit!

This is why the reasons why all of our new shoes (Ares, Apollo, Raptor, Victoria) have a removable footbed. 

Recommendations?

Corrective Inserts

We recommend Soul Insole. They make a small sticky gel insert that can fit in a larger range of footwear than traditional inserts. They will also leave you plenty of room inside the shoe.

Extra Cushioning and Decrease Shoe Volume

If you're just looking for some extra cushioning underfoot, or to tighten up a loose-fitting shoe, without any corrective support, you'll want a simple flat insert. You'll want it covered with leather, for breathability, durability, and that luxurious feel. Here's one made by Pedag that fits the bill. You can probably find a similar item at your local shoe store, drugstore, or supermarket!

It's hard to say how long the outsoles will last, because it depends on the users weight, gait, mileage, walking surfaces, etc. I've heard of anywhere from less than a year (these were replaced for free under warranty), to outsoles that are still going strong from our first batch in 2013 (these are likely not worn very hard).

I can tell you our Classic Collection outsoles are made of polyurethane (PU), which is more expensive than rubber, but lighter and more durable.

Our new Aurelius Collection outsoles are made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is 42% more abrasion resistant than our PU.

Lifetime guarantees have disappeared from footwear, and for good reason, because footwear endures a lot more wear and tear than any other apparel. Our 365-day guarantee is one of the strongest in footwear, and as far as I know, it's stronger than any of the other barefoot brands or dress shoe brands. 

First, I think it’s great that you’re interested in using Correct Toes with our shoes! It’s a great product, especially if it’s paired with smart exercise, good posture, and barefoot shoes. Correct Toes’ website is such a great resource, with information on all 3 and more. We are honored to be listed in their Natural Foot Approved™ directory.

Some of our customers wear Correct Toes with their Carets every day. Some had to modify their Correct Toes to fit. Some just can’t use Correct Toes with our shoes at all. It all depends on your foot shape.

If you’d like some more assurance before ordering, you can send us a photo of your feet, from directly up above, like the picture here: https://carets.com/pages/sizing Preferably side-by-side with a pair of shoes that your Correct Toes does work with. This would allow me to see the general shape and width of your feet, and I can better judge whether they’ll work for you or not.

If the size you order doesn't fit, and you’re in the US, we got you covered with 365-day FREE returns and exchanges. If you’re outside the US, you’ll have to send the originals back to us, but we will ship your replacements for free. Regular wear is okay. Just make sure they’re clean and no irreparable damage and you’ll get a full refund.

Early in development, we made a shoe that was completely flat. They went "plop, plop, plop" with every step, like a pair of flippers. Toe spring is a useful feature if done right, as it helps you not kick the front of your shoes, especially on dress shoes where there's extra length in the front. 

However, we do agree that it can be reduced. Our R&D team is currently working on a new last, so once that’s done, the toe spring will be reduced in all our products going forward. It will take a few more months before these changes hit shelves though.

In the meantime, feel free to try out our shoes. Our shoes are flexible so the toe spring is malleable. We offer 365-day free returns, and full refunds even on worn shoes, details here. 

Beyond our DETERMINATION safety boots, our shoes do not have a safety toe, sorry! If you’re looking for safety toe shoes that are also zero-drop, with a decent toe box and flexibility, I would recommend googling “safety tabi”. These are what construction workers in Japan wear. 

Upper: Full-grain aniline cowhide

Liner: Full-grain aniline cowhide

Insole: Poron

Outsole: Polyurethane

Our outsole is more flexible than any human foot.

Here is an old video where we demonstrate our outsole's flexibility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqN9drfock0&t=422s

With an outsole this flexible, what limits flexibility is not the outsole, but the leather on the shoe upper. In order for Carets to look like traditional fancy dress shoes, we have to use a leather that's more structured. 

Why not use a softer leather? In the very first version of our shoes, we used the softest leather we could find. Unfortunately, this made the shoes look droopy, and therefore not dressy.

We've since found a perfect balance between structure and softness.

As with all our materials, our leather is sourced local to our shoe factory, in León, México. León is arguably the shoe capital of the world, with 3,400 shoe factories as of 2014. The entire supply chain for shoemaking is ingeniously clustered there, making it much easier to specify, source, design, deliver, and respond to issues if necessary.