The Elite Maximus are perfect for someone who wants a little more protection without sacrificing ground feel. These sandals are durable and share the same aggressive tread pattern as the Warriors with a slightly thicker sole. Elite Maximus are designed for those needing the protection of a more rugged sandal without sacrificing minimalist demands. Whether you are in the gym or out on the trail, the Elite Maximus are a great choice in all environments.
The Maximus sole uses an 8mm Vibram® Newflex sole coupled with your choice of UltraGrip or Tobacco Brown Goatskin Leather footbed for a 9mm total stack height. Vibram® Newflex is made from a blend of rubber and EVA to form a durable soling material with aggressive tread. At 3mm thicker than the Warrior sole, you will get a much more rugged sandal that is capable of diffusing the feeling of rocks, sticks, and the like from underfoot. The Maximus sole is suitable for a host of situations from the trail to the gym. Pair with the UltraGrip footbed for use in the harshest elements, or select the Goatskin Leather for more comfort in drier conditions.
The Elite Lacing System is the product of 10 years of relentless testing and development. This lacing system is designed with control, comfort, and performance in mind. Three independent adjustment zones - the heel strap, insole strap, and toe straps - give you total control over how the straps are adjusted to your feet. Velcro® fasteners make adjustment easy and secure. The Shamma Elite Buckle gives you the ability to fine tune your toe strap, where adjustment matters most. Our innovative and flexible heel posts keep the straps in an optimal position so you can focus on the road ahead. The Elite Lacing uses Toray® UltraSuede to create the highest levels of comfort available. If you want the highest performance laces, you want the Elite Lacing System!
Just because you wore a hole in your sandals, it doesn’t mean you have to throw them away! Our modular approach to sandal-making means that worn out parts can be replaced with a pair of pliers at home. Why throw away what you can repair? Visit our Parts Page to learn more!
Proud to be made in the USA and we wouldn’t have it any other way! All of our sandals are made right here in Santa Cruz, CA by our small team, using primarily US sourced materials along with high quality components from Italy, Germany, and other international partners. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube to get a glimpse of how we do it on a regular basis.
There aren’t many options for natural foot-shaped sandals, and the Elite Maximus Shamma Sandals are certainly one of them. However, for the premium price tag, I expected better quality and performance. I've had to adjust the straps multiple times. While some of this is due to the normal process of breaking in a new sandal, a major issue is the plastic buckle above the toes. It slides back toward the ankle easily but is difficult to slide forward toward the toes. As a result, I’ve had to readjust my sandals frequently, and I need to be especially careful when putting them on or taking them off to avoid nudging that adjustment point. Another issue is that the loose end of the adjustment strap started fraying after the very first adjustment, and it has only gotten worse with time. For the price, I expected higher-quality materials. Instead, the sandals feature plastic buckles and fraying nylon straps attached to Vibram-branded soles. Although these sandals are marketed for activities like running on dirt paths, I’ve found that the portion under my pinky toes regularly gets caught on things, causing the soft material to roll over. I wouldn’t trust them for running or jogging. However, for my purposes—wearing them around the house to stay comfortable—they work fine.
Awesome. I love these sandals, the fit is perfect. They are my go to for everything.
They are very high quality in both materials and craftsmanship. Extremely comfotable from day 1. Will be buying more!
Got these to try running in them and I’m extremely disappointed. I followed the fit guide and the videos, and I definitely got the right size. However, the big toe strap absolutely destroyed my toes. 3 miles into my first run and both toes had cuts on them. The straps were not too tight. I also couldn’t get my heels to stay on the sandals despite endless adjustments. I’m an experienced distance runner and wear barefoot-style shoes to run all the time, but I’ve never been more disappointed in a barefoot product before. I won’t be running in these ever again.
Needed some waterproof sandals so I got myself the elite and numas. The numas while INSANELY comfortable were not suited for my foot stregnth yet (I’ll try them again in the future!). The elites are very stable and comfortable my feet are happy and seem to be adjusting well to the style. Super easy to adjust and feels like walking on air!