Description Features Sizing Resources A Comfortable & Accommodating Minimalist Shoe The Lems Primal Zen Suede is a thoughtfully crafted minimalist shoe that promotes natural foot function and encourages optimal gait. Comfortable, attractive, and accommodating, the foot-friendly Primal Zen works well as both a casual shoe for urban outings and as a reliable companion for active outdoor adventures. Whether it’s walking your dog through your neighborhood, bike commuting to work or leisure activities across town, or hitting the paths for a pleasant stroll in nature, the Primal Zen has you covered and allows you to seamlessly transition from trail to town and vice versa. Durable Materials, Foot-Healthy Design Features Built to last, the Lems Primal Zen incorporates a durable yet soft suede upper and a protective yet highly-flexible 9.5 mm air-injection rubber outsole. The generous toe box of this healthy-foot-shaped shoe offers your forefoot and toes ample room to spread out, and the completely flat sole from heel to toe helps stabilize your ankle and activate natural arch support. Along with its lightweight design (~7 oz. per shoe), the relatively low stack height of the Primal Zen (11 mm without the included insole) confers excellent ground feel and the ability to put your best foot forward. Pairs Well With Other Beneficial Footgear The Lems Primal Zen Suede is compatible with a variety of other helpful natural footgear. Use your Primal Zens in combination with Correct Toes toe spacers to help rehabilitate your feet and realize the full benefits of optimal toe alignment. This versatile shoe also works well in combination with Injinji toe socks, Pedag metatarsal pads or Strutz Pro foot pads, and Naboso insoles to help strengthen your feet and restore them to their optimal form and function. In order to best accommodate this helpful footgear, we recommend removing the included (optional) insole. Note: If you are new to using Lems footwear, we recommend that you start in slowly, gradually building up your wear-time and giving your body the chance to adapt to the thinner soles and the increased workload on your feet. Weight: ~7 oz. Tongue: Gusseted NF Certified Product Upper: Super-soft suede Last: Lems Natural-Shape Drop: 0.0 mm (i.e., flat from heel to toe) Lining: 100% moisture-wicking polyester Travel-Friendly: Collapsible and packable Insole: 3.0 mm PU with 0.8 mm cork top layer Outsole: 9.5 mm LemsRubber injection rubber Stack Height: 11.0 mm (without optional insole) Toe Box: Extra wide toe box for natural toe splay Works great with Naboso proprioceptive insoles Works great with Correct Toes and Injinji toe socks Works great with Pedag met pads or Strutz foot pads To get the most out of your Lems Primal Zen shoes, the manufacturer recommends that you order your normal US shoe size. For example, if you normally wear a women's US size 8 shoe, consider ordering an 8 in the Lems Primal Zen. If you are between sizes, order up to the next available size. If you're on the fence about what size to order, consider ordering both sizes and then simply return the size that doesn't fit as well for a refund. If you have concerns about sizing, feel free to contact us or Lems customer service.Sizing Tip #1: To create additional roominess within the shoe, we suggest removing the included (optional) shoe liner/insole; this action does not, in any way, affect the performance of the shoe. Optionally, and to enhance balance, posture, agility, and general foot/body awareness, you might consider adding thin, flexible Naboso insoles instead. Sizing Tip #2: Correct Toes toe spacers will often add width and length to the foot. If you’re planning to wear Correct Toes with your footwear, we recommend sizing up, especially if you are on the border between sizes. Videos:Natural Foot PostureWho Should Use Orthotics?Origin of Natural Foot CarePronation vs. OverpronationTop Exercises for Feet & ToesShoe Liner Test & Pronation ExplainedHow to Strengthen Intrinsic Foot MusclesShoe Sizing Techniques: Traditional vs. NaturalArticles:Foot Anatomy 101The Shoe Cushioning MythDefinition of a Healthy ShoeWhat is Natural Arch Support?Problematic Shoe Design FeaturesSix Reasons to Realign the Big ToeHow to Transition to Minimalist ShoesSix Ways to Restore Foot Health After Surgery
