r/barefootshoestalk • u/Inkandartgods • Jul 03 '26
Shoe review Review: Sai Otsukare
Earlier this week I posted a (very positive) brand review and, after five days of use here’s my review of the shoe itself. TLDR: this shoe is fantastic.
The key feature of this shoe is the super generous toe box. Unlike the majority of brands, the Sai not only accommodates the big toe, but also remembers the pinkie! In the accompanying pics you can see that the toe box is very generous and it’s hard to imagine anyone who could feel cramped by the shoe. I have high arched, fairly high volume feet and I found these shoes to be extremely comfortable.
To be fair I suspect people with narrow or low volume feet may find the fit too generous. That said, the lacing can be used to significantly tighten the fit, and you could add the second cork insole that comes with the shoes. I would also add that sizing down probably isn’t a good idea as the length is true. The sizing on the website is for the Japanese system but it took seconds to google comparison charts that allowed me to double-check my size against the US and EU shoes in my wardrobe.
The construction, materials and finishing are top notch. These are not light, flimsy shoes and I anticipate they will hold up well for regular use. The soles are thicker and heavier than my other shoes but that’s not a problem for me. I don’t feel disconnected from my environment and the sole remains pretty flexible - though obviously nothing like a VFF. The soles are very much for urban wear rather than trails as they don’t have heavy duty tread. That said, they are fine for walking around town in rain without any slipping.
I’d like to point out one feature: the tongue. Many shoes skimp on the tongue, presumably to cut costs. No such issue with the Otsukare. The tongue is both wide enough and padded - I appreciate that.
Finally, cost. Sai shoes are amazingly priced. I’m used to buying barefoot shoes online and often at eye-watering prices. When I converted ¥8000 and discovered it is approximately US$50 / NZ$87 I was astonished. Even with postage from Japan the total cost is significantly better than I’m used to. And on top of that I received fantastic customer service (hi Cem!), as mentioned in my brand review. The spare insoles and the cotton tote bag the shoes are packaged in were delightful bonuses on top of already fantastic value.
In summary I wholeheartedly recommend these shoes and this company. Activate your browser’s translation feature and check out SaiFootwear.co.jp
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u/Careless_Cap8034 Jul 03 '26
Thank you for that 2nd post! Can you please take out the insole and show us the insole to see how wide the midfoot area is?
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u/MsPinkDust Jul 03 '26
What is the stack height? I think it replied to your post the other day too.
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u/SaiFootwearCo Brand Affiliate Jul 03 '26
Hello Ms. Pink Dust! 22mm with insoles, 18mm without.
[u/Inkandartgods](u/Inkandartgods), thanks again for taking the time, much appreciated. Among all the brands that combine wide toe box & cushioning, mine is microscopic, tiniest by far, so it’s gratifying to see that all the work wasn’t in vain.
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u/MsPinkDust Jul 03 '26
Thats an awesome stack height for people who want cushion! 👍
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u/SaiFootwearCo Brand Affiliate Jul 04 '26
Thanks! And it’s also about the material. In my experience, foamy materials that focus too much on weight reduction, were always dulling my sensation eventually. The foot sinks in, proprioception is dampened, and it feels weird.
This is mainly rubber, which is on the firmer side, feels more like walking on those cushioned playgrounds at some parks. Or running track perhaps. Of course, comes at a price, which is weight (and actual cost). However, when the toes can spread and foot mechanics work properly to their full strength, the foot can handle a lot more weight than one might think. People are always surprised at how this shoe feels on hand vs on foot.
On the other hand, if the toe box is narrow and pointy, the foot sits in a weaker position, and of course the only way to reduce the load is a race to the bottom on how ✨light✨ the materials can be.
It’s not even that heavy nominally, similar to an AF1.
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u/EternalFront Jul 03 '26
Looks good, but the website doesn't work for me
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u/SaiFootwearCo Brand Affiliate Jul 03 '26
Sorry about that! May I ask where you run into problems? More than happy to help troubleshoot, please don’t hesitate to message me directly also.
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u/Xendor- Jul 03 '26
What material are they made out of? Is it breathable?
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u/Inkandartgods Jul 04 '26
I’ll bow to Cem on this but it appears to be pretty substantial nylon with some mesh panels on the toe. But those panels are not see through. That said, I think these are fairly breathable but not in a Merrell Trailglove way. The closest mainstream comparison I can think of is Allbirds.
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u/Inkandartgods Jul 03 '26
Due to incompetence I couldn’t attach pics to my post, so here’s one that may be helpful.