Realfoot Highlander Boot Review - Josh's Barefoot Shoes Reviews 

Yes these stole the number one slot in my list of the widest barefoot shoes. If you don't need a boot, check out their other models and see if something's a match for you! bit.ly/joshrealfoot

From the drawings on their website of the sole shape, I had the same concern about the midfoot; because my midfoot is pretty wide (and somewhat high volume as well. But once I wore them, I was pleasantly surprised. Zero tightness there for me.

Hi Zack, I'm so sorry for the delay, I've been swamped this week. Yes I have discount codes for BOTH. All you have to do anytime you want a discount code from me is look in the Video description on a review I did of the brand you're looking for. For Realfoot, please use my link: bit.ly/joshrealfoot .. I believe that will save you 10%, but I'm not sure. Additionally, SPECIAL NOTE THAT WILL SAVE YOU AROUND $30-35: The prices on their website include a VAT fee--which only applies to buyers in the European Union. If you're in the US or elsewhere, you will pay it up front, but right after you pay, contact Realfoot support (on their website under "About Us-Contacts"), and ask them to return the VAT fee to you, and they will. It's like a $30-35 savings or so, so DON'T FORGET THIS! For Freet, please use my link: bit.ly/joshfreet and 10% discount code: JOSH10 Thank you man! Josh

I"m glad you liked.. the video.. or the boots.. or both! :) If you end up grabbing something from Realfoot, please use my link, it helps me out! bit.ly/joshrealfoot

Hi there, thanks for commenting. Please use my affiliate link bit.ly/joshrealfoot to get to their website. The price will be listed in Euros, but you don't have to go exchange your dollars, my friend! Just follow the normal purchase process like you would on any website, and it will convert it to dollars for you. SPECIAL NOTE THAT WILL SAVE YOU AROUND $30-35: The price I mentioned in the video includes a VAT fee--which only applies to buyers in the EU. If you're in the US or elsewhere, you will pay it up front, but right after you pay, contact Realfoot support (on their website under "About Us>Contacts"), and ask them to return the VAT fee to you, and they will. It's like a $30-35 savings or so, so DON'T FORGET THIS! This means you will only pay like $130-145 for the boots, plus the $19 shipping, and you might save a little more if you use my link above (not sure).

@@barefootshoejosh Awesome! Thank you for being a great help Josh! I will use your link!

@@Humbledaur my pleasure.. and thank you!

The length is similar. Freet's toe shape is more sloped than this one. Realfoot has a wider forefoot area. Midfoot is about the same as Freet, maybe slightly narrower.

@@barefootshoejosh Thanks, but what size did you get in comparison to the other brands?

@@derekschrauger3923 Oh sorry. I got a 45 in the Freet Tundra, and a 44 in the Realfoot.

@@barefootshoejosh Thank you, you actually wear the same size as myself. Sorry about the 800 questions, just trying not to make a costly mistake.

@@derekschrauger3923 I'm happy to answer questions man, I just lag sometimes!

Hi John.. Thanks so much for commenting! I love the thoughtful input here. In part, I will agree with you; but in part, I have to disagree. I agree in that they do their measurements on a slant across the forefoot. They have a drawing on their website of exactly how they measure it, which is very transparent. www.realfoot.cz/en/size-guide/ However, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on a couple of other points. I traced my INSOLE (not the outsole) and measured it to confirm their measurement chart when I received mine. The insole for my size 44 was exactly 29cm like it has on their chart. However, I did not measure the width on a slant like they do, I measured straight across on graph paper. The spot I picked was 12.3cm. Their chart says 12.6cm, so there's a "potential" 3mm difference there; BUT I didn't measure like they freely show that they measure it. If I had, I EASILY would have hit 12.6cm, if not higher. If I could post a pic of my graph paper right here, I would. Also, at 12.3cm, it still easily takes the cake over my Primal Sawyers, which come in at 11.1cm. Not to mention the top 2 widest shoes I owned, my Bohempia and my Luks, both of which come in at 11.2cm. So these boots, by my own straight across measurement come in over a full centimeter and some change wider. Hands down, the widest (forefoot) barefoot shoe I own. Another place I do agree with you, which I also emphasized in the video, is to pay attention, know your foot measurements, and order with at least an extra 1.5cm or more extra space in front of your toes. I got a full 2mm extra, because of knowing I would want to wear thicker socks with them in colder weather. With your 26cm long feet, I definitely would have at least gotten the 42 like you did (since that should give you 1.6cm extra, although this is also affected by how your foot shape compares to the shoe shape, etc.), but not sure I would have taken the leap to the 43 for a full 23mm extra space.. but maybe. That was a tough call to make, and I likely would have done what you did. As I suggested in the video, if you're not happy with them, you may want to re-sell them online on eBay or Facebook marketplace, and order a size up, since returns to them are not easy. And hey, if you didn't ask them for the VAT fee returned, I would do that. It will give you back like $30 or something. Worth it! I love that you're out here buying new stuff along with me, my man! Thanks for sharing what you learned here.

@@barefootshoejosh Thanks, Josh. Yes, my main aim was to warn people to understand how Realfoot were taking their measurements and choose accordingly. You're absolutely right that I could have seen from the diagram that the toebox width was a diagonal measurement - my mistake - but what really threw me was not understanding how they measured the length. 43 is my size in most shoes and I'm pretty sure it would have been right for me here, but on paper, a length measurement of 283mm sounded huge. And yes, I'll probably try to sell mine - perhaps with some clear sizing info to head off buyer disappointment - and try the 43s. One final tip: I understand that a winter boot with a thin sole needs an insulating insole, but for me the cork one they provided was too thick and inflexible. I replaced it with a shock absorbing ortholite insole (I got mine from freet, but there are probably many sources) and with that the sole felt amazingly comfortable and more than adequately insulated. They worked for the recent London cold snap, though admittedly we didn't have snow.

@@barefootshoejosh Oh, and when I do make the next Realfoot purchase, yes, I'll use your link.

@@JohnMoseley OK I don't understand the references to 73cm and 80cm in your comments here, as I don't see those measurements on the chart for your size. For size 42, it says 276mm length, 103mm width at the joint, and 120mm at widest splay point (toes). SIze 43 says 283mm length, 105 at the joint, 123 at the toes. It's possible this chart has changed since you ordered though. I will agree that this insole is stiffer than some other 6mm insoles out there. Swapping insoles is a great solution. There are some good ones out there, Freet among them. The advantage you have is that you have snow to wear them in, where as I haven't yet. I hope to try them out sometime in the snow.

@@barefootshoejosh I guess I misremembered the measurement for the 42s and on top of that I was confused and forgot that both were over 200mm, doh. But yeah, 276, even more than 273mm, sounded like it should be more than enough. I said over 80 for the 43s, meaning over 280. Sorry for the confusion. Never been a numbers person! We actually hardly ever get snow in London, but it's been both cold and very wet here this winter, which is more than enough reason to want them, especially since my only other boots are non-waterproof boulder boots, which have a sole neither as thin nor as grippy.

Glad you saw something you liked! If you end up grabbing something from Realfoot, please use my link, it helps me out! bit.ly/joshrealfoot

This might be a good fit for you then!

​@@barefootshoejosh the one thing that might be lacking in this shoe is that the big toe side is quite rounded and not sloped. I have mountain pizza shaped feet with a big toe that is very straight. Their models seems to aims towards people with a second larger toe.

@@ErikPettersson-f7q I have to disagree here. Watch 10:15-10:20 and 10:40-10:50 again. They round the tip for mostly aesthetic reasons, but the space inside is very anti-bunion and allows for your big toe to be straight in line with your tarsals, provided that you buy the right size.

@@barefootshoejosh Yeah the shape looks wider from anything I've seen yet. I need to try these and size chart points me to EU 45. My toe width is 13 cm.

Yeah I hear you--more colors would be nice. But they literally *JUST* came out, so it's very possible that they will come out with more colors in the near future. I spent 8 years in the Army myself. I seriously cannot believe the boots I was wearing back then. Ugh, my poor feet! LOL. Yes a barefoot-friendly, military-grade boot would be fantastic.

Did it take a long time with the purchase, as far as the shipping and final cost?(I could still use the black ones cause since I retired I’m a part-time security guard.) and thank you for your service.🕊️👍🏼 in the US Army. Looking forward to more reviews especially with that barefoot or realfoot design.

@@johnjones6336 no it didn't take a long time, it's pretty quick, especially considering it's coming from Europe. If you end up getting some, please use my affiliate link: bit.ly/joshrealfoot They'll charge you around $19 for shipping, plus a VAT fee of around $30, but after you've completed your purchase, just contact their support via their website and ask them to return the VAT fee (if you don't live in the EU), and they will return it. By the way, all of my reviews are for barefoot-friendly footwear, i.e. zero drop, no arch support, anatomic footshape, and flexible soles. Enjoy the channel and thanks for commenting!

I use these boots in both military and law enforcement uniform, in the latter i am only allowed to use black boots.

@@tinkertom5990 good input

That was my biggest worry when ordering, but it turns out the midfoot is amazing... and my feet are wider midfoot than most, and on the mid-to-high volume side as well. They fit great!

Just to add context , I wear 45 in Vivos (UK11) however I've felt that the heel section is often too tight on Vivos. The 45 in Vivos leaves me a thumbs width space in the front however after reading reviews on the real foot website, people said this model fits a little bit more snug compared to the real foot farmers shoe due to the membrane. So I'm contemplating 46s ...

@@henrydavis229 If you're still wearing Vivobarefoot--which are at the narrower end of the barefoot shoe width spectrum--you should probably stick with your usual size for Realfoot. I don't even wear Vivos anymore due to the width of my foot. I typically wear 44 or 45 in most barefoot shoes. For these Realfoot Highlanders, I got a 44 and they are just great. There might be the slightest difference between these and the Farmers--I don't own any of the Farmers so I couldn't say for sure--but my guess is that for you, you should just order your normal size. Measure your feet, and check Realfoot's sizing chart. Try to leave yourself some extra length.. in the case of a winter boot like this, I'd say shoot for 1.2-1.6 cm extra length. That's my two cents. If you end up getting anything, please use my affiliate link: bit.ly/joshrealfoot .. Thanks in advance!

@@barefootshoejosh okay sure mate thankyou . The reason I'm looking to buy these is actually the situation you're in - my feet are just too wide for Vivos now. I started my barefoot transition 6 months ago and since, I've discovered Vivos are so narrow! The magna forest esc and tracker forests crushed my big toe. I could get away with the fg2 lows as they were quite baggy all round however still not enough toe room! What other makes do you recommend for hiking shoes? I hike in all weathers up rocky, muddy mountains. I'm also an ecologist so I'm out in all terrains , all year round. I like the look of the highlanders however I wish they had a bigger tread... I'm open to buying both summer and winter hiking shoes, they don't have to be an all rounder. Thanks for your reply :)

My favorite hiking shoes / boots: Hiking SHOES or easy trails, more casual hiking with the fam, etc.: Be Lenka Trailwalker Review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4UEmxGutIo0.html Affiliate Link: bit.ly/joshbelenka For medium trails, warm/hot weather: Freet Swale (I recently wore these to Yellowstone, and they were stellar) Review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BCF2D4NFTkc.html Affiliate Link: bit.ly/joshfreet and save 10% with my code JB10 For colder/wetter weather: Freet Tundra Review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FQs2rYDbhF0.html Affiliate Link: bit.ly/joshfreet and save 10% with my code JB10 For tougher trails with warm/hot weather: Softstar Switchback Review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-09gEYnI-Bk8.html Affiliate Link: bit.ly/softstarjosh

@@barefootshoejosh what a guy! Thank you so much :)!

Yes stitched on is always better and more durable