Be Lenka Winter 2.0 Neo-Cognac & Brown
On October 18, 2022 by Noelia
These are the second pair of barefoot boots from Be Lenka that I test.
I am completely in love with the brand. Their craftsmanship is superb and the boots feel like they will be a great option for slippery, cold winter days. They are also a great option for people transitioning to barefoot shoes.
I am an affiliate of the brand, but my opinion is my own.
Company
Be Lenka was established in 2017 by Ex-Paralympian Lenka Cenigova and Juraj Fehervari.
They created this company with a purpose, not only to create a barefoot experience, but to create a business plan that respects and supports its workers.
Be Lenka pays their employees fairly and provides fair working conditions. Their shoes are handmade in the Czech Republic and Slovakia under strict European Union laws related to health, safety, and quality.
They are not interested in being part of fast fashion… they want to create footwear that is versatile and worn throughout the years.
Materials
Be Lenka only uses premium, modern, high-quality, and carefully processed materials from European suppliers.
- Upper: Nubuck leather
- Lining: Merino / Standard wool
- Water-resistant membrane
- Sole: Rubber (WinterGrip) 4mm (without lugs)
- Insole (removable): Merino wool / wool & recycled PU
Design
- All Be Lenka shoes are handcrafted in the Czech republic
- Be Lenka shoes are known for being one of the widest brands in the barefoot world.
- They do have a more sloped toe box, so my big toe has plenty of space while my 3rd, 4th, and pinky toes do not (my feet are plateau shaped).
- The sole is made out of anti-slip, abrasion-resistant rubber and it has pretty deep lugs that I hope will provide protection and grip while walking on various surfaces.
- The sole is thicker (12 mm), providing more protection from the ground, perfect for people transitioning to barefoot shoes.
- This model offers excellent durability, warmth, and comfort.
They are:
- Zero drop: no heel nor toe lift
- Total stack height: 12 mm (4 mm sole + 1 mm midsole + 5 mm lugs + 2 mm removable insole)
- Wide: One of the widest brands on the market, but it does have a slanted shape, so while my big toe has plenty of space in the front, my 4th and pinky toes do not.
- Flexible: The sole is thicker and therefore not as flexible as Wildling or Mukishoes, but more flexible than Lems Boulder boot and Feelgrounds Patrol.
Size and Fit
Be Lenka recommends adding 0.5 – 1.2 cm to the total length of your foot, which will give you your ideal shoe size. Because of the wool lining in these boots, Be Lenka recommends to order one size bigger than other Be Lenka barefoot shoes.
My Experience
My feet are 25 cm in length and they are Plateau… which means my feet are more squared. While Be Lenka shoes have a Steep Slope.
Because Belenka has a steep slope, I chose size 41, which has 1.6 cm of extra length. This provides plenty of extra space for my big toe, but my 3rd, 4th, and pinky toes touch the front of the boots.
I own their Nevada in the same size… Be Lenka recommended not size up because 2+ cm of extra length would be too much. I have been wearing them with thin socks and they fit ok. If I wanted to add thick socks, I would definitely need a size 42, which would give my big toe too much space.
Care
The leather is water-resistant and this model has a membrane that helps with waterproofing.
I have not sprayed my boots and already wore them when it was raining. My feet stayed dried even though the outer leather was soaked.
I am planning on waterproofing them because it keeps the leather looking good and it will provide an extra layer for when we get rain, snow, and slush.
Opinion
These boots are looking like a great option for replacing my old winter boots. The waterproofing and the deep lugs make them pretty special.
They are wide and my feet can expand, which feels pretty amazing, BUT the toe box is not shaped like my feet. I wish the toe box had a less steep slope.
Be Lenka is a great option for people transitioning to barefoot shoes. The thicker sole provides more protection from the ground.
