Switchback Boot by Softstar
On September 20, 2021 by Noelia
I was over the moon when I got the opportunity to test these boots. I love Softstar and I have been trying to find a pair of working boots that work on ice!!!
I havel updated my review as I have tested them all winter and I’m ready to share about their performance.
You can go to Softstar’s website here.
Company
Softstar has to be one of my favorite companies. If you explore their website (here) you will find they pride themselves on being ethical and sustainable.
Their workshop is “green”
- Powered by green energy (100% wind and solar)
- Electric vehicle charging station and permeable parking lot
- Workplace recycling
- Low wattage lighting
- Low carbon temperature control
- Compost (yes, they have a community garden!)
- Reusable towels
- Low flow pluming
- Reusing print paper
- Water cistern that collects rain water
They are careful on what materials they use:
- Leather: All of Softstar’s leather is non-toxic, tanned without formaldehyde and colored with natural food grade dye. They upcycle the leather they don’t use.
- Merino wool: 100% merino wool that is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified.
- Genuine, unaltered sheepskin
- Green adhesives: Softstar only uses non-toxic adhesive to prevent exposing their workers or customers to harmful chemicals.
They care for their employees:
- Softstar is a US company that provides a livable wage to its employees and great working conditions.
- They offer free bus passes and financial incentives to commute to work by bicycle or by carpool.
Materials
- Uppers: SuperFabric® (an innovative armored textile that is resistant to water, abrasions, punctures and stains, yet is still thin and breathable) and leather
- Lining and insoles: Merino wool
- Sole: 6mm lugged Vibram™ Megagrip
- Midsole: 6 mm
Design
The Switchbacks are definitely heavy duty boots. You can tell from the moment you see them that they can withstand any weather, condition, or terrain.
They are waterproof!
I believe these are the boots our barefoot community has been waiting for: barefoot boots for winter that can be worn on icy conditions!
They are:
- Zero drop: No toe spring nor heel lift.
- Total stack: 12 mm sole/midsole + 6 mm merino wool insole
- Wide: 11.5 cm outsole and 10.5 cm insole (size 8W)
- Flexible: The sole is thicker that other barefoot shoes I own, but I do intend to wear them in cold temperatures and icy conditions, therefore, I welcome the thickness, but I am giving up on flexibility a bit.
Be warned: The tongue is not gusseted, which means your feet will stay dry as long as the water does not reach the tongue. This allows the wearers to adjust the boot to different volume feet.
As with other Softstar shoes, it feels a little tight over the toes, but I am guessing it will get better with wear.
Sizing
I used Softstar sizing and chose size 8, which is the same size as my Primal Merry Janes.
The Switchbacks are NOT part of their Primal line, BUT their wide mimics the Primal shape.
The wool insoles in size 8W are:
- Length: 25.8 cm
- Width: 10 cm
I would recommend using their size chart as I believe is pretty accurate and if you are still in doubt, you can email Softstar. Their customer service is impeccable!
As you can see on the picture, even though they are the same size, the Switchback’s soles are a little wider and longer, I believe it is because of the construction of the shoes.
They both fit me perfectly!
Switchback vs. Lems Boulder Boots
This is the million dollar question:
Can the Switchback boots be as wide as the Lems Boulder boots but with better traction?
I think they are!
The construction is totally different though:
- Soles: Stitch down vs. wrap around.
- Uppers: Waterproof fabric vs. leather.
- Lining: Wool vs. polyester.
- Toe box: Free form vs. raised.
- Heel: Free form vs. heel cap.
What makes the Switchback boots special?
Their soles!
They have a 6 mm midsole + 6 mm lugged Vibram Megagrip. Combined with their waterproof uppers and wool interior, these boots are constructed for any terrain!
Lems Boulder boots are knows for their lack of traction. They are a great boots, but they can be slippery in mud and other terrain.
I don’t think you can wear them in the summer… they are just too hot! (it gets in the 90F where I live). But I am planning on wearing them from fall to spring.
Performance
I started wearing my Switchback boots on the fall of 2021. I wore them all winter and I am impressed with them!
They offer a thick sole with great traction while still being super flexible.
As I predicted, they are made for any terrain and can be worn on almost any weather. I would recommend them for 0F degrees up to 90F.
These are the boots you need to get if you want them to do everything. I look forward to their leather model!
Click here for Sofstar’s website.
Click here for my Lems Boulder Boots review.
Hello! I wear size 41 (now ladies size 10) in lems boulder boots. I have some primals in 8u narrow. What size would you say the switchbacks will compare to in The lems? Sincerely. Janet
Hi Janet!
We wear the same size! I own a pair of Lems size 41 and my Primal Merry Janes are 8N. My Switchbacks are 8W and they feel a lot like my Primal Merry Janes. Just FYI, they are lower volume, so if you have high volume feet you might want to try a bigger size. Good luck!