{"id":137,"date":"2020-11-23T19:13:27","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T19:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/barefootmaestra.com\/?p=137"},"modified":"2022-10-10T14:47:13","modified_gmt":"2022-10-10T14:47:13","slug":"peerko-empire-boots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barefootmaestra.com\/index.php\/2020\/11\/23\/peerko-empire-boots\/","title":{"rendered":"Peerko Empire Boots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019ve been looking for a stylish barefoot boot that fits my Greek feet (long second and third toes). I did not want to spend a lot of money on something that I couldn\u2019t wear for too long, it was too loose (I have skinny ankles and low volume feet), or too narrow. When the Empire model came out, I was dazed, it looked gorgeous. I read reviews about Peerko models written by my fellow barefoot wearers and I wanted to try them. The only problem was shipping to the US. It can take a long time, it\u2019s expensive, and you would have to pay return shipping if they don\u2019t fit. I was ecstatic when I found Pedterra,<\/strong><\/a> a US company that is distributing European brands here in the US and offers free shipping and free returns! I reached out to them and I was able to buy them with a discount, my opinion is my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can buy them here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Company<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Peerko is a Czech based brand that was born on 2018. Their main goal is to create beautiful and healthy shoes, therefore, they work with designers and physiotherapists. All their shoes are manufactured in several family-owned workshops, which means they can supervise quality and processing, making sure they are providing ethical conditions for workers. Every single part of the shoe is made in the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Empire model is made of high-quality leather with a lace up design and a zipper for quick slip-on. The laces are cotton waxed and really long, allowing for different calves widths. They offer two colors: black and chestnut. I choose to buy the chestnut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These high boots are fully lined with a material that is a combination of polyester and wool. The insole is not removable. You can wear them from fall to spring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The sole is made of recyclable thermoplastic rubber, which is glued and sewn on. Sole thickness is 3.5 mm base + 1.5 mm profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Sizing and Fit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Peerko recommends you do a foot tracing in order to find your size. That means, standing on a piece of paper and tracing your foot with a pencil in an upright position. You then measure from the tip of your toe to the middle of your heel, add 7 \u2013 10 mm (or more if you are an experienced barefoot walker), and then find that measurement on their sizing chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Length<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My foot tracing measures 25 cm. I prefer to have closer to 1 cm of extra space, therefore, I chose size 40, which has an inside length of 26.2 cm according to their chart. Even though 1.2 cm seems like a lot of space, because of the lining, and the lace up design, my foot stays in place even without socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Width<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Peerko has a wide toe-box and it is foot friendly, which means it has an anatomical shape of your feet. My widest foot is 10 cm and size 40 has 10 cm inside width. They feel comfortable with and without socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Calf<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The widest part of my calf is 33 cm\u2026 I know, they are skinny. I do have to lace them as tight as they go if I\u2019m wearing them with short socks and a dress. According to their sizing chart, size 40 has a circumference of 36.6 cm. Which is 3.6 cm wider than my calf, nevertheless, it does fit me. The beauty of these boots is that they can be modified. I am planning on wearing them with long socks and tights, so I will have to loosen them in order to fit two extra layers inside them. The laces are also very long, so they can fit wider calves easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Height<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I am 5\u20194\u201d tall. Size 40 is 35.6 cm high. They fit me beautifully, even though I am on the short side. As I stated before, because of the laces, these boots can fit a variety of heights and widths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Barefoot qualities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Peerko Empire are flexible and zero drop (no arch support, no toe spring, no elevated heel). Because the Empire boots have the lace up design, it allows for a more customized fit. Nevertheless, I do have skinny ankles and they feel loose around them even with socks. I am fixing this problem with yoga socks that I made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Update: After wearing my boots for a whole week, every day (I did a challenge on Instagram)… I have found that the boot molds to my foot and ankle, making it more comfortable. I do not feel like I have to fill the extra space in the ankles. The leather has formed in a way that stays with me even without yoga socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Looks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    I bought these boots because of their looks. They are gorgeous! I bought the chestnut color, which is a dark bronze leather. The soles and the laces are a darker shade of brown, which makes them easier to match with your clothes. I also hide the extra laces inside my boots to make them look sleeker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The lace up design makes them stylish, you can dress them up or down. They are very versatile and can be worn for 3 seasons of the year! Well, that\u2019s what I\u2019m hoping for. Definitely not for walking on the snow for long periods of time, but as my Winter dressy boots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Opinion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I wore these boots to different places: supermarket, walking the dogs (just to test them), and I ended up hiking with them! Not on purpose, but we were taking family pictures and instead of changing shoes every time we found a cool spot, I decided to just kept them on. They were comfortable, even with the steep inclines and declines, on cement floors, and sidewalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I haven\u2019t owned them for too long, but I do have high hopes for them. The leather has stayed beautiful and I\u2019m hoping it will stay like that for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I have own these boots for a while and have worn them a lot. They still look like new!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The leather does not show any scratches and can handle a lot! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They are still my favorite boots. They look dressy and formal but are so well made that I know I can wear them on a hike if I have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are in the US or Canada, you can buy them from Pedterra (here).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Have you read my other reviews?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lems Boulder Boots<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mukishoes Chelsea Caramel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tadeevo Winter Shoes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Wildling Winter Crows<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I\u2019ve been looking for a stylish barefoot boot that fits my Greek feet (long second and third toes). I did not want to spend a lot of money on something that I couldn\u2019t wear for too long, it was too loose (I have skinny ankles and low volume feet), or too narrow. When the Empire<\/p>\n

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