Native Shoes: A TOMS Alternative for Travelers

This guest post is brought to you by Hayley Simpson.

There were a lot of great things about living in Vancouver, Canada. The snowy mountains, the beach, the beer scene, and Native Shoes. A local company, I had never heard about them until my former boss started wearing them on the food truck everyday. She said they were the most comfortable shoes for being on your feet all day. Then winter came and another food truck owner started wearing Native boots that looked so cosy and warm I wanted to steal them.

The shoes come in mostly the same designs but different colours/sizing for men, women and kids. All products are made using EVA, which is ethylene-vinyl acetate. This material is perfect for footwear as it molds to your feet. The company’s website describes it as “the marshmallow that never melts.”

So when it was time for me to buy a decent pair of shoes for my solo trip through Canada and the United States for 10 weeks, they were my first choice. I know, I didn’t choose Toms – I swear every Canadian girl owns a pair. Here is a list of pros and cons so you can make your own decision regarding Native shoes.

My particular style is the Verona shoe.

Pros

• Extremely lightweight, like a feather (I kid you not). I have never felt a shoe so light, which is perfect for traveling.
• Due to the rubber-like waterproof material, you are able to wash them with a mild soap and water, which I have done on occasion. Due to the breathable holes in the design I have found a little bit of the outside gets inside, but a quick wipe and wash and they look brand new.
• They are the most comfortable shoes I have found in a long time. If you want a shoe you can wear all day everyday, this is it.
• I do have to mention the fashionable styles, as that is a pro for me. I like comfort and trend, what can I say! The Verona shoe I wear with dresses, skirts, shorts and pants. If I was staying in Vancouver for another winter I would totally buy the Jimmy boots to keep me warm, dry and stylish too.

Cons

• It does say odor resistant, yet mine have started to omit a little bit of an unpleasant smell at the end of a hot day of continuous walking. This is when it is time for a shoe bath.
• I have found after three months of constant wearing the bottom has started to wear away just at the balls at my feet. The rest of the sole is still in good condition though, so hopefully they keep going.
• As I mentioned above, elements do get into the holes, so I have found some days my feet are a little dirty, which you wouldn’t usually get in a sneaker.

I am glad I discovered the Native shoe. I love the fact I can wear them every day with most outfits and still feel stylish. Sorry, Toms.

>> Shop for the Native Verona shoe on Amazon.

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About the Author: Hayley is an Australian expat currently living in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. She blogs at Hayley on Holiday and writes about being an introvert constantly stepping out of her comfort zone and into the world.