Be Lenka review: Why I prefer them over Vivobarefoots

I have been a big fan of barefoot shoes for quite some time now, but haven’t been quite as keen on the look of them. So I have been searching far and wide for barefoot shoes that are not only comfortable but look great too.

When I stumbled across Be Lenka’s Barebarics range I knew I had to test them out. My first impression was that they looked stylish whilst still maintaining all the desirable features of a barefoot shoe: flexible movement, zero-drop soles, and wide toe boxes.

Be Lenka offered to send me a pair of their vegan-friendly Barebarics, the Revive shoe. I have been testing them out so that I can write this extensive Be Lenka review. I will discuss a bit about the brand, their vegan-friendly range, as well as my experience of using them over time.

What is Be Lenka?

Be Lenka is a Slovakian shoe brand specialising in minimalist barefoot shoes with wider toe boxes and zero-drop soles. It manufactures most of its products within the European Union but has also expanded its production to Vietnam. The brand focuses on building shoes that are made to last, making them a more sustainable option.

These are the key features of Be Lenka’s barefoot shoe range:

• Wider toe boxes: Like most barefoot shoes, Be Lenka shoes have a wide toe box. In fact, they are some of the most natural toe boxes, coming out slightly wider than Vivobarefoot.
• Zero-drop soles: Be Lenka shoes feature zero-drop soles, meaning there’s no difference in height between the heel and the forefoot. This design promotes a natural gait and encourages proper foot alignment.
• Flexible soles: The brand offers a variety of different shoe types for each season, but each comes with a flexible sole that allows your foot to move more naturally across the ground whilst still providing protection for your feet.

Are their shoes vegan-friendly?

The vast majority of Be Lenka shoes are made using leather and, therefore are not vegan-friendly. However, they offer a sizeable range of vegan options, including boots, trainers, and flats. These are made using textiles and synthetic rubber.

Simply use the filter on the products page to browse all of their vegan offerings (you’ll find the ‘Vegan’ box nestled under ‘Extra’).

The Be Lenka shoes that I am reviewing here are suitable for vegans. They are from Be Lenka’s Barebarics range, they are called Revive – check them out here.

My experience

I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for around a year in total, including Vivobarefoot sneakers and Notorious Lifts for the gym. Vivobarefoots are one of the most popular barefoot shoe brands on the market so I have been comparing my new Be Lenka trainers alongside my Gobi Sneakers (see the review here).

In this Be Lenka review I will be sharing my expeirence with using my Revive trainers over the last few months, including the appearance, sizing and fit, comfort, performance, quality and durability, and the cost. Throughout this, I share my reasoning for preferring these barefoot shoes to my trusty Vivobarefoots!

Appearance

I discovered Be Lenka after searching far and wide for barefoot shoes that looked good. I like how my Vivobarefoots look, but they don’t look like the non-barefoot trainers (sneakers) I am used to wearing. I was instantly drawn in to Be Lenka’s Barebarics range.

At first glance, their Barebarics range look like normal trainers. They have been designed in a way that makes them look less ‘barefoot’, which I personally find matches my clothing better. The main tell-tale sign of them being barefoot is when looking at them from above, you’ll notice a wider toe box. Visually, the wider toe box may take some getting used, but I have grown to love it!

I can wear my Revive trainers with the majority of my casual wear, including jeans, shorts, and some of my more casual dresses and skirts. They go particularly well with cargo trousers.

The colours and look of the shoe match up perfectly with the images used on the website, which is great if you are looking for a specific colour that will match your clothing.

Sizing and fit

One of my favourite things about my Be Lenka shoes is the fit. They sit comfortably around my feet and the toe box is much more generous than my Vivobarefoots.

I have been wearing barefoot for a while and have also stretched my toes to allow them to go back to a more natural position, so I need this wide toe box space. While my Vivobarefoots are snug around the toes, my Be Lenkas leave a good amount of space around my toes for them to wiggle around a little. This allows them to continue to stretch out and move more naturally.

Getting the right size for your feet is simple thanks to their easy size guide. You can find information on this below each product page, with a handy instruction video.

If you are in between two sizes I’d recommend buying the larger size. I am in between 40 and 41 but went for 41 and I am glad I did. It has ensured I have plenty of space for my feet and toes to move around.

Comfort

Most importantly when buying shoes, you want them to be comfortable. Thankfully barefoot shoes as a whole tend to be much more comfortable, but I have still tried on some which rubbed against my ankle and toes when walking.

With the Be Lenka Revive trainers, I am able to wear them all day and can be out walking in them for hours with no rubbing or blisters. The anatomic shape of the shoe allows my feet to move naturally and with just the right amount of spacing around my feet, I experience no rubbing.

The material itself feels nice agaisnt my feet and the Dermodry Coolmax® technical fabric absorbs any sweat and keeps my feet cool.

Whilst I am not the biggest fan of wearing trainers without socks, I did try it out with my Be Lenkas and I found it relatively comfortable. The material didn’t scratch my feet or cause any discomfort. But maybe just out of habit, I will continue wearing mine with socks.

Performance

As with all barefoot shoes, the Be Lenka shoes have a much more flexible sole. At first this may seem like you’ll have less support when walking, but with time it will actually allow your feet to strengthen and provide their own support.

When first wearing barefoot shoes I did initially feel less stable on the ground, particularly because most of my previous shoes had heavier soles. But after a few times wearing barefoot shoes I was able to grip on to the floor better than before, making me much more stable. In fact, this improved my posture and walking stance.

The Be Lenka shoes are no exception. The bottom of the soles (which come into contact with the ground), provide some grip, but they are also flexible enough to allow your feet to stay connected with the ground. I am able to feel the ground and move naturally, but there is plenty of protection from anything uncomfortable or sharp on the ground.

They perform pretty similarly to my Vivobarefoots, but with a wider toe box, my Be Lenkas actually allow my toes to grip better. Creating a strong tripod-like base for my legs!

Because of this I can wear them on walks around the city but also on more rocky terrain. However, because of the style of them, I’d rather not wear them outdoors in nature and keep them clean for leisure wear.

Quality and durability

Having worn my Be Lenka shoes for a over a month now I can say that they feel well made. The seams appear to be quite sturdy and even with the flexible movements of the shoe, are showing no wear.

As I wear these shoes over time I will make sure to come back here and provide updates on their long-term durability. I am hopeful since I have read many Be Lenka reviews online that state their shoes have held up well over longer periods of time!

The only downside is that they don’t offer a repair service which could keep their shoes lasting for much longer when they do eventually break.

Cost

Most barefoot shoes come at a price, but thankfully the Be Lenka shoes are some of the most affordable – particularly when considering the comfort and build of their shoes. My Revive shoes cost €159 (around £132). Whereas, my Vivobarefoots cost nearly £200.

I have found cheaper barefoot shoes online but the quality of the build and the comfort of the shoes definitely matches the price. Therefore, if you want something that is going to last and will work effectively as a barefoot shoe, I recommend paying a little extra. Which is why I think the price of Be Lenka shoes is fair!

Be Lenka offer worldwide shipping but the cost will vary depending on the country and if for any reason you need to return your shoes, you will need to pay for the postage.

Be Lenka review verdict

All in all, I’ve loved wearing my Be Lenka trainers. So much so, that I’ve started wearing them more than my previous favourites, my Gobi Sneakers from Vivobarefoot. I personally really enjoy the wider toe box in the Be Lenkas, as it allows my toes to spread and move around more naturally.

Moreover, the shoes’ style matches most of my casual wear. They are the perfect replacement for my usual non-barefoot trainers. I have had many compliments on them already!

I believe they are a great barefoot shoe for everyone, no matter where you are on your barefoot journey. They look great and are comfortable to wear. With their large variety of options, including boots, trainers and outdoor shoes, it is much easier to choose a barefoot option for all activities!