Magical Shoes Alaskan

I don’t know why it took me so long to test these shoes. They are super flexible and fluffy in the inside! They have been my go-to for walking the dog this season… so easy to put on with the side zipper!

My code MAESTRA gives you a discount on your purchase.

Company

Magical Shoes was founded by Aldona Zawada in 2015. Her father, uncles, and grandfather were all shoe makers. Because of her background, she decided to start a barefoot shoe company.

Aldona is interested in having a high quality production but she also wants a shoe that respects the health of their users, nature, and the environment. All her shoes are handmade in Poland from high quality and local materials.

Materials

• Upper: premium nappa leather / suede leather
• Lining: natural wool with a hydrophobic membrane
• Hydrophobic Membrane
• Sole: Magical Rubber, 6.5 mm, abrasion-resitant

Design

• I really like the shape and colors chosen for the Alaskan. The darker edge around the boot creates the illusion of being narrower, making them look more traditional.
• The laces allow me to adjust the boot to my volume and the side zipper helps with easy on/off.
• The area around the ankle, above the heel, has elastic, that allows a more natural movement of the boots both when walking and when putting them on/off.

• I was gifted the Buffalo Bay color, which looks pretty orange on their website, but I was surprised with a more creamy brown color that is natural and neutral.
• Magical Shoes recommends them for winter or late autumn, down to -12° C / 10° F

Barefoot qualities:

• Weight: 210 g (size 41 EU)
• Zero drop
• Super flexible
• Wide toe box

Size and fit

• Size

I had a hard time finding my size in these boots. 

Magical Shoes recommends adding only a few mm to your foot length, but I found that I still prefer having 1 cm or more of extra length, just like in all my other barefoot boots.

My measurements: 25 x 10 cm 

Size 41: 26 x 9.9 cm (even though the width is smaller, the materials are extremely flexible and can mold to wider feet.

I would like to try their size 42 (8 mm of extra length) in order to add a thick insole and maybe be able to wear them for colder months.

• Fit

When I first got my size 41 Magical Alaskan, I thought they were too small… all that fluff in the inside made me think they were too small for me. I even tried trading them for size 42, but I’m happy I didn’t do it.

The first time I wore them, I was barefoot… I didn’t think I had enough space for socks, but the more I wear them, the less fluffy the wool becomes, giving me more internal space. I can now wear them with normal socks and I am considering adding a thin insole. I do believe I need to size up in order to wear my thick winter socks, but Magical Shoes do not recommend them for temperatures lower than 10F anyways.

Things to know:

• The Magical Alaskan have a unique form that allows the foot to have a natural, unlimited range of motion… which means, your foot will do the work.
• These are not transitioning boots. You will have to strengthen your feet before being able to wear these boots for long periods of time.
• If you have high volume and wide feet, make sure you size up to accommodate your foot.
• The lining starts by taking a lot of internal space but it compresses with wear.

Care

All leather should be cared for in order to last many years.

I recommend waterproofing the uppers and cleaning with a brush when dirty.

Opinion

The more shoes I test, the more I favor flexibility and these are as flexible as Wildling shoes, but with fluffy wool on the inside.

The Magical Alaskan give my feet freedom to move and I love that feeling, but it might be too much for feet that are not strong enough yet.

The side zipper helps with easy on/off. I only have to adjust the laces once, then I’m done.

They have become my go-to boots this fall because of their flexibility and ease of wear.

Discount Code: MAESTRA