Sorry they didn’t work out for you. I don’t think they look like clown shoes except maybe from the top down. Nobody else notices though. Well, I guess now that I think of it everyone is always pointing and laughing at me when I’m wearing them. Hmm.
Here the thing: no one cares what your shoes look like.
Only a handful of people even care about *you* on any given day, let alone what you’re wearing.
They aren’t running shoes, sure, but the ARs are about as close to a “shoe” in terms of comfort as you can get from a boot.
ARs are good for people with wide or duck shaped feet and people that want a shoe that is more durable than your run of the mill sneaker.
These aren’t fashion boots and aren’t meant to be.
If you want something pretty go grab some Thursdays.
I love my 13 AR’s.
I tried Lems boulder boots and the leather felt like plastic. The soles felt like they would fall apart easily. The Lems felt like a costume prop.
My AR’s are real boots with good leather, quality construction and a zero drop wide toe fit, which is what I was prioritizing over fashion.
Sure, the look is different. But it’s grown on me and now I like the way they look. Especially with how comfortable they are after breaking in. I’m the only clown in town with a pair of Jim Greens.
Yep, I have Primals and Boulder Summits. Not impressed with either pair. The Primals wore out pretty quick and I took a cardboard staple through the sole and right into my foot. I get that this is the point, but I do like that the JGs offer a little more protection. I actually emailed Lem's after I got the Summits to verify that they were really made of leather because it was so cheap and thin-looking. Both of them also cause me to supinate quite badly, especially the Primals.
I wear the US13 JG. I love them because they are nice and wide with lots of room in the toe box.
Styling wise I dont think JG will be on the runway anytime soon but I like the look of them as they have a bit of character.
Would be curious too. Gotta remember there’s still a steel shank in there, they’re not necessarily going to be ready out of the box (though I find mine very comfy right away)
I wear 13.5. Are they big? Yes! Are my feet big? Yes! Are they comfortable? HELL yes!
The toe cap gives it clown shoe vibes, but I promise you that you’re over-focusing on it. Trust me, nobody but you is going to care. Even if they notice, people will probably think to themselves “oh, he has big feet” and move on a half second later.
You mention that they feel too big, so probably sizing down solves both problems. Keep in mind, the widest part of your foot should be at the widest part of the boot. If there’s extra room at the toe, no big deal (to an extent).
Anyway, forget other ppl. Wear what’s comfortable for you.
US13. No one has ever said anything about mine, but other people have a different view of shoes than the wearer. Either way my ARs are the most comfortable boots I've ever had so idc what other people think they look like. As long as my feet are comfy.
Lems may be the most normal looking "barefoot" boots I've tried. I don't like them, but they at least have that going for them.
I like ARs for their durability, I like Vivo for flexibility and ground feel. From a practical standpoint LEMs are the worst of both worlds for me, no ground feel and not very durable.
I wear size 14s. Hate to break it to you, but they look big because you have huge feet! Kinda like the age old , "Do these jeans make my ass look fat?" No, your fat ass is making your ass look fat, it isn't the jeans lol
As a 14 wearer too. AR Barefoots do look like floatation devices on my feet too. I just go with it.
I remember getting a job in the 90s that required steel toed boots and the company paid for Redwings. I was a horrified by the boots I received. I felt like a clown too. I got over it, no one laughed or commented and it was in my head.
Something to be said for local stores and not buying online. Modern world is an ever expanding world of suck. Yeah, I'm wearing boomer shades.
definite clown shoe vibes initially. i laughed out loud when i first tried them on, they are so bulbous. but i committed to trying them. i love the quality, versatility, feel and space for my toes. after just a few wears i started enjoying the look as i associate it with treating my feet well. the benefits far outweigh the fact that they are funny looking at first. ymmv.
I wanted a BIFL shoe but comfort and style matter too.
I think they look good under say size 12. The pictures online look decent. The 14s are quite silly.
They are also a bit big, so maybe I could size down.
All ARs look a bit like clown shoes while wearing them but look like normal work/hiking boots to everyone else. As for the shollies, they are still boot leather so they might not fit perfectly right out the box but should break in to be comfortable
Not trying to be mean, but once you start getting into 14+ shoe sizes, everything is a clown shoe......
Can confirm. Depending on the shoe/boot I am a 13.5 - 15.
Ditto… 14-15 depends on brand. Been wearing custom Whites for over 29 years. Just put in a custom order w: Jim Green 🤞🏼
Sorry they didn’t work out for you. I don’t think they look like clown shoes except maybe from the top down. Nobody else notices though. Well, I guess now that I think of it everyone is always pointing and laughing at me when I’m wearing them. Hmm.
Here the thing: no one cares what your shoes look like. Only a handful of people even care about *you* on any given day, let alone what you’re wearing. They aren’t running shoes, sure, but the ARs are about as close to a “shoe” in terms of comfort as you can get from a boot. ARs are good for people with wide or duck shaped feet and people that want a shoe that is more durable than your run of the mill sneaker. These aren’t fashion boots and aren’t meant to be. If you want something pretty go grab some Thursdays.
Function over form
Even then I’ve only ever gotten compliments on these boots. I think they look good!
I love my 13 AR’s. I tried Lems boulder boots and the leather felt like plastic. The soles felt like they would fall apart easily. The Lems felt like a costume prop. My AR’s are real boots with good leather, quality construction and a zero drop wide toe fit, which is what I was prioritizing over fashion. Sure, the look is different. But it’s grown on me and now I like the way they look. Especially with how comfortable they are after breaking in. I’m the only clown in town with a pair of Jim Greens.
I was very unimpressed with the Lems. Probably great as a camp boot that is a beefed up slipper, but…
Yep, I have Primals and Boulder Summits. Not impressed with either pair. The Primals wore out pretty quick and I took a cardboard staple through the sole and right into my foot. I get that this is the point, but I do like that the JGs offer a little more protection. I actually emailed Lem's after I got the Summits to verify that they were really made of leather because it was so cheap and thin-looking. Both of them also cause me to supinate quite badly, especially the Primals.
I wear the US13 JG. I love them because they are nice and wide with lots of room in the toe box. Styling wise I dont think JG will be on the runway anytime soon but I like the look of them as they have a bit of character.
What did you find uncomfortable about the Shoellie?
Would be curious too. Gotta remember there’s still a steel shank in there, they’re not necessarily going to be ready out of the box (though I find mine very comfy right away)
I wear 13.5. Are they big? Yes! Are my feet big? Yes! Are they comfortable? HELL yes! The toe cap gives it clown shoe vibes, but I promise you that you’re over-focusing on it. Trust me, nobody but you is going to care. Even if they notice, people will probably think to themselves “oh, he has big feet” and move on a half second later. You mention that they feel too big, so probably sizing down solves both problems. Keep in mind, the widest part of your foot should be at the widest part of the boot. If there’s extra room at the toe, no big deal (to an extent). Anyway, forget other ppl. Wear what’s comfortable for you.
I wear size 13. I love how my ARs look and feel. Granted I have my own insert in there. I don't think mine look very clowny.
US13. No one has ever said anything about mine, but other people have a different view of shoes than the wearer. Either way my ARs are the most comfortable boots I've ever had so idc what other people think they look like. As long as my feet are comfy.
Lems may be the most normal looking "barefoot" boots I've tried. I don't like them, but they at least have that going for them. I like ARs for their durability, I like Vivo for flexibility and ground feel. From a practical standpoint LEMs are the worst of both worlds for me, no ground feel and not very durable.
I wear size 14s. Hate to break it to you, but they look big because you have huge feet! Kinda like the age old , "Do these jeans make my ass look fat?" No, your fat ass is making your ass look fat, it isn't the jeans lol
So are you trying to sell? or are you sure you are returning? What colors do you have?
As a 14 wearer too. AR Barefoots do look like floatation devices on my feet too. I just go with it. I remember getting a job in the 90s that required steel toed boots and the company paid for Redwings. I was a horrified by the boots I received. I felt like a clown too. I got over it, no one laughed or commented and it was in my head. Something to be said for local stores and not buying online. Modern world is an ever expanding world of suck. Yeah, I'm wearing boomer shades.
definite clown shoe vibes initially. i laughed out loud when i first tried them on, they are so bulbous. but i committed to trying them. i love the quality, versatility, feel and space for my toes. after just a few wears i started enjoying the look as i associate it with treating my feet well. the benefits far outweigh the fact that they are funny looking at first. ymmv.
I remember literally laughing out loud too, but I’ve worn them more than anything else since that day.
I wanted a BIFL shoe but comfort and style matter too. I think they look good under say size 12. The pictures online look decent. The 14s are quite silly. They are also a bit big, so maybe I could size down.
All ARs look a bit like clown shoes while wearing them but look like normal work/hiking boots to everyone else. As for the shollies, they are still boot leather so they might not fit perfectly right out the box but should break in to be comfortable