Elite Alpha (12mm): Cognac Leather

5.5 / Sport / Tan

Took a minute to adjust, but really like them for all surfaces now

Getting the straps just right took a few times running and adjusting, but they're perfect now. I really enjoying running/hiking in these, and have taken them on the trails and the road.

Best decisión ever

I love my sandals, trails, rivers, snow, mud, you name it, these babies can handle it... Other than mandatory work boots, these are all I wear here in the PNW...

elite warriors every two years

I love these sandals. They last me two years and are barely there. It's as close to barefoot as you can get.

Abysmal Quality and Design

Since receiving these sandals, I've worn them on one or two light, hour-long hikes with my dogs but, for the most part, I just use them at home and around town. Despite having had them for less than two months, the (warrior) soles around both toe straps have already begun to split. The heel straps are also way too long for my feet (though the soles are definitely the correct size) and, once secured, their ends sit atop the insole strap webbing, which caused them to start fraying within the first week.

Following initial adjustments to the Velcro, I spent my first few weeks using only the insole strap and buckle to get them on and off (as I had been instructed to do by a Shamma customer service representative, in order to increase the longevity of their Velcro - which had been my main concern before purchasing them). Since doing this turned out to be an annoyingly-long and complicated process that required the adjustment of three pieces of webbing and use of the rubber "keeper," and usually resulted in my accidentally changing the buckle's position on the toe strap (which meant the sandals needed to be taken off and the straps loosened, in order for me to be able to reposition it), however, I eventually gave up and just started using the Velcro straps. Their buckles also sometimes randomly pinch the tops of my feet after a few hours of wear and the rectangular plastic rings on the inner heels have a tendency to rotate awkwardly.

Overall, though the sandals are quite comfortable once properly fitted and have a ground feel that's unsurpassed, the hassle of actually getting them on, the frustration of maintaining a painless fit over the course of a day, and their apparent short lifespan renders their exorbitant retail price utterly unjustifiable - even when purchased during a Shamma "yard sale." While I do love the idea behind a "recraftable" shoe, if both the soles and the straps (i.e. the entire pair) will need to be replaced simultaneously (as seems to be the case here), in practice, I don't really see the point in offering that and would have simply preferred to have gotten a pair of well-made and well-designed sandals to begin with.

Hi Jenna,

Thank you for your feedback! I'm sorry you haven't enjoyed your sandals. I took a look at our communication and I do want to clarify that with your model, we do not recommend undoing or adjusting the buckle and nylon toe strap each time you wear the sandals. Those should stay set. Instead, we recommend sliding your foot into the sandal and popping the heel straps back over your heel, or undoing either of the Velcro straps. We have not had an issue with velcro longevity, but since it was an issue you were worried about before purchasing, we definitely want you to know about another adjustment option to reduce any wear! Since your pair was a yard sale pair, they are gently used or a factory seconds and will have some aesthetic flaws or wear, but they should still be comfortable and get long use. Please feel free to reach out to us at contact@shammasandals.com if you have any further questions or need some adjustment help! You can also customize the fit of your heel straps if needed through our recrafting program. We do have some new ultragrip material we are very excited about coming in the future that is especially durable if you'd ever like to try a prototype!

All the best,
Emily

Everyone has their Goldilocks

Just enough protection, just enough feel, light as air. Everyone has their own idea of where that balance point is, and for me, this nailed it. Thanks!

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Made in the USA!

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