Barefoot shoes are usually made of a lot of familiar materials such as authentic bull hide leather or recycled rubber. One material you’re far less likely to come across in your search for barefoot shoes is stainless steel. Yet that’s exactly what GoST-Barefoots’ Paleos are made of. What are these shoes?
GoST-Barefoots’ Paleo Ultra Barefoot Running Shoes are made of stainless steel chainmail that’s built for awesome durability and flexibility during outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and splashing through water.
If you want to learn more about these unique barefoot shoes, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explain the history of GoST and then delve deep into their Paleos barefoot shoes, including a review of all the different shoes in the line. You won’t want to miss it!
What Is GoST-Barefoots?
GoST-Barefoots is a barefoot shoe manufacturer based in Monchengladbach, Germany that was founded in 2011. Their CEO Jorg Peitzker follows this philosophy: “mankind needs to interact with the environment.” He and the rest of the GoST team believe that the world around us–including the water, air, and land–can influence our mood for the better. When we have less perception of that world, we lose a valuable connection. Our movements slow down and our response times are longer.
This, GoST says, can make our body receptors become deaf and blind to the point where the receptors are barely functional. When you slip into a pair of GoST barefoot shoes, you can once again reinitiate that connection with Mother Nature.
GoST is best-known for their Paleos series of shoes, which include such lines as Paleos Protect footguards, Paleos X-Color, Paleos Classic, Paleos Urban, and the shoes we’ll discuss today, the Paleos Ultra. Their shoes are vegan too!
All about the Paleos Ultra Barefoot Running Shoes
Let’s get to the part you’ve been waiting for, a full review of Paleos Ultra Barefoot Running Shoes. These chainmail mesh shoes are made of surgical-grade stainless steel that can handle all your most vigorous outdoor activities. Many of the Ultras barefoot shoes feature Paws, or strategically-placed rubber pads throughout the sole of the shoe. You can secure the fit of the Paleos shoe via a pull lace and saver that you yank on for more tightness.
On the shoes is a metal tab bearing the GoST Barefoots name, but otherwise, these shoes are very straightforward in design. There is no sole whatsoever, just steel mesh throughout. Despite that, GoST says their shoes can be used in water or when climbing. To clean them, you can rinse them or even put them in the washer, according to GoST.
When the Paleos are not on your feet, they compress into a small pile of steel mesh. You’ll truly feel unencumbered no matter how you like to play outside when you wear these barefoot shoes. The Paleos are available in four models: Cliff, Soil, Water, and Pure. For each model, there are three styles of shoes, including Delinda, Anterra, and Pronativ.
Let’s take a look at all four models and the styles available for each.
Paleo Cliff
The Paleo Cliff shoes are for hiking, walking, and running on uneven and rocky terrain and even through water.
The Delinda Cliff Paleos feature Cliff Paws or rubber paws with a non-slip surface. These paws are intended for walking across pebbly ground and water only, such as when doing some relaxed wading, hiking, or walking.
The second style of Paleo Cliff shoes is Anterra Cliff Paleos, which also includes Cliff Paws. Whether you’re walking indoors on parquet, marble, and tile or outdoors on stony ground or across mixed soils, you won’t have to worry about losing your grip. The Anterra Cliff Paleos promise upper foot protection since that part of your foot can be sensitive. With their long laces, you can secure your shoes so they fit you well enough to play outside with confidence.
For the most intense outdoor cliff-related activities, you need the Pronativ Cliff Paleos. These feature the largest and most durable Cliff Paws you can get from GoST Barefoots. You can cross the most terrain and enjoy a higher load without losing flexibility or groundfeel. Trudge through the soggy ground, traipse through muddy soil, or stroll along the coast, as the Pronativ Cliff Paleos can handle it!
GoST suggests the Pronativ Cliffs for natural runners especially, as you might be able to strengthen your feet when wearing these barefoot steel shoes. Why not give it a try and see for yourself?
Paleo Soil
GoST’s Paleo Soil shoes are for outdoor walking, running, and hiking on lighter, softer terrain such as soil, including muddy soil.
Starting with Delinda Soil Paleos, these barefoot shoes are outfitted with mid-sized Soil Paws that can handle dry and wet soil alike. If your path leaves you on stony or hard ground, don’t worry about the Delinda Soils, as they’ll be fine. Like the other Paleo Ultras, you get non-slip protection as well.
For the outdoors lover in need of stronger foot protection when traversing soil, Anterra Soil Paleos won’t disappoint. Your upper foot will feel cradled by the stainless steel mesh so sensitivities are no longer an issue. GoST suggests wearing the Anterra Soil barefoot shoes when hiking or going on a long walk.
If you want to get a bit sportier with your barefoot shoes, try the Pronativ Soil Paleos. These shoes with their upgraded Soil Paws are ready when you are. You won’t slip on muddy and wet soil, so feel free to forge a new path when out hiking or walking with your buddies. You can even safely run in these shoes if the winds are calling your name.
Paleo Water
Although you wouldn’t think that metal and water would mix, that’s not the case with the Paleo Water barefoot shoes. They’re built for walking across slick surfaces or even dunking your feet in the water for a delightful sensation!
The next time you go boating put on the Delinda Water Paleos. Their tiny Water Paws create a grippy surface under the shoe that will keep you upright on wet decks. You can also rely on these shoes if you’re walking on natural ground that’s rather soft, such as a coastline. Like all Paleo Water barefoot shoes, these can get wet, so go on and wade away!
The midweight Anterra Water Paleos include Water Paws no larger than those on the undersides of the Delindas. The difference between those and the Anterra Water Paleos is that these shoes offer a higher degree of foot protection for all your favorite outdoor water activities. That includes everything from leisurely beach walks to relaxing on a yacht for an afternoon or walking through swamps and bogs.
Then there’s the Pronativ Water Paleos. The placement of their small Water Paws and their easily adjustable lacing will make these GoST barefoot shoes your new favorites for all sorts of water activities. We do mean all sorts, such as wave riding, rafting, mudflat hiking, wading, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and fishing.
Paleo Pure
The last Paleo Ultra model is the Pure, which has no Multi Paws. GoST says these shoes are especially adept for beachwear considering the sand slips right out of the gaps in the chainmail.
As we have all along, let’s start with the Delinda Pure Paleos. These beginner barefoot shoes may feature less protection, but you’ll love walking across a sandy shoreline in them anyway. Between the open chainmail and the lack of sole, you’ll feel each grain of sand beneath your feet and the coolness of the ocean waves as they wash over your skin.
Do you want to do some fishing today? The Anterra Pure Paleos without Multi Paws offer the grip you need on soft terrain like sand. These shoes also safeguard your upper feet for hours of standing. You can get them wet too if you feel like taking a dip in the ocean.
Explore the sea with an awesome barefoot feel when you wear the Pronativ Pure Paleos. You won’t lose grip even if there’s moss or algae under your feet. When you dry off, take a relaxing journey along the heathlands and sand in these great Paleo shoes, as they handle soft terrain expertly well.
Should You Buy Metal Barefoot Shoes?
You’re undoubtedly intrigued by GoST’s stainless steel Paleo Ultras, but you have some concerns. For example, if you’re out hiking on a hot, sunny day, won’t the metal of your barefoot shoes begin heating up as well? GoST says no. Just like if you wear metal jewelry out in the sun and it doesn’t get overly warm, it’s the same story for the Paleo Ultras.
You also don’t have to worry about the stainless steel conducting heat or cold. GoST states on their website that the amount of skin-to-surface contact is below 10 percent so you can walk on hot asphalt or sand without burning your feet.
Okay, but what if you have foot hair? Won’t it get entangled in the mesh and get ripped out? Not at all. The shoes also don’t clink around like you’re wearing a suit of armor. GoST designs their Paleo Ultras rust-proof as well.
The feel of wearing these shoes is much softer than you might have expected. The chainmail mesh doesn’t scratch against your skin, nor does it feel hard when you take a step. The shoes also aren’t heavy despite that they’re made of stainless steel. Compared to your average barefoot shoe, the Paleo Ultras weigh about the same.
Now that you have this information, if you were curious about trying these GoST barefoot shoes, we’d say go for it!
Conclusion
Barefoot shoes can be made of all sorts of incredible materials, stainless steel among them. GoST Barefoots’ Paleo Ultra barefoot shoes use surgical-grade steel mesh for a lightweight shoe intended for use on soil, sand, rock, and in water. If you don’t mind turning heads in your barefoot shoes, then these could be just the footwear you’ve been looking for!